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May 2020

AmCham membership is important for businesses during good times, but it is absolutely essential in the bad times. Over the past month, as information is needed, introductions are required, and interpretations are requested, we have seen a significant increase in requests from our Members. We have been very happy to support our long-time companies and newbies alike. With marketing plans upended, supply chains disrupted, and uncertainty abounding, AmCham is well placed to help our Members not only weather the crisis but be prepared to emerge stronger and more agile. We have a huge range of webinars available for free to our members (and for a small fee to those in the broader AmCham community). They cover professional development, business essentials, new technologies, and many other important topics. We have had an overwhelming interest and turn out for the FinTech Series in partnership with Emerging Payments Association Asia with the next Series focused on Space. This will be tied to the released on Tuesday 19 May called 30 Voices on 2030: The Future of Space. We are also engaging on a one-to-one basis with our members across the country. If you haven’t yet heard from a member of our leadership team, you soon will. If you have a pressing issue and need to jump the queue, please contact us .

 

Throughout the crisis, we are not taking our eyes off the need for continued thought leadership for the post-COVID world, and we will soon be releasing the Deloitte report on the impact of US investment to the Australian economy, and the Bay Area Council report on sectors ripe for investment between Silicon Valley and Australia. Many of our members have enjoyed watching The Alliance, the Sky News series that examines the many ties that bind our countries. You can watch the , , or for free, right on your computer or mobile device.

U.S. Ambassador Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr.

Addressing AmCham Governors Across the Country

The Alliance Episode 2

Featured some familiar AmCham Members

The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP

Addressing the AmCham Chairman's Circle

David Thodey

AmCham Academy session on Leadership

You may also benefit from reading Amie O’Mahony's of several AmCham committees’ work over the past few months. If you would like to to join a committee, please contact the .

 

Finally, you may have noticed a change in the way you receive news from AmCham. Before COVID-19, we were operating a state-based system, with a local General Manager(GM) sending weekly updates to members in their respective states. We are now moving to a more national structure, including having all of our seminars, meetings, and discussions online for the present. So, in addition to the monthly email you receive from me, you are also receiving emails from the GMs. Each of them has a particular expertise and interest, and I hope you are enjoying hearing from the many voices and sharing the diverse perspectives of our management team.

 

Kind Regards,

 

April Palmerlee, Chief Executive Officer

American Chamber of Commerce in Australia

E

P 02 8031 9000

AmCham has Councils of Governors in each state where it operates. The Governors’ role is to represent AmCham and to provide advice, ideas, and guidance. The Councils meet as groups regularly, but Governors provide support and advice throughout the year. The AmCham Constitution provides for Governors to serve three-year terms. Please join me in welcoming the newest group of AmCham Governors.

I’m delighted to welcome these new members and here are links to their websites:


📈. Business Essentials Series

The Interdependency of Corporate Innovation and Emerging Technology

🗓️. Tuesday 19 May 2020

🕛. 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM (AEST)

💬. Industry Series: FinTech

PART THREE: AI-Driven Capitalism with MIT Prof Sandy Pentland and Dr Prash P.

🗓️. Wednesday 20 May 2020

🕛. 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (AEST)

💬. Business Essentials Series

Unleash Your Virtual Leader Genius During COVID-19

🗓️. Thursday 21 May 2020

🕛. 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM (AEST)

📈. Business Essentials Series

Customer Centricity During and Beyond COVID-19

🗓️. Friday 22 May 2020

🕛. 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM (AEST)

💬. Industry Series: FinTech

PART FOUR: Has COVID-19 Killed Cash? with EPA Asia and Steven Chan, PayPal

🗓️. Wednesday 27 May 2020

🕛. 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM AEST

📈. Business Essentials Series

Economic Briefing with Steven Walters, NSW Chief Economist

🗓️. Tuesday 2 June 2020

🕙. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (AEST)


Network News

Lendlease

Carbon Neutral Construction Service

Lendlease adopted a number of energy efficiency methods to keep the emissions footprint of its construction process of Monash University's Woodside Building for Technology and Design, down, including using project site sheds with passive design features to reduce heating and cooling.

 

The building is claiming the title of the first carbon neutral construction service.

 

NOVA Employment

Focus on Ability Film Festival

For the 12th consecutive year NOVA Employment presents the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. This festival asks film makers to 'Focus on the Ability' of people with a disability and tell a story on film for the world to view.

 

The 2020 festival is set to be the biggest yet, and our generous sponsors have donated over $100,000 worth of cash and prizes to encourage film makers and people with disability to tell their stories.

 

Entries close July 31.

Easy Signs

Easy Signs is Moving to a New Mega Factory

2019 was a big year for Easy Signs, voted Australia's Most Innovative Manufacturer at the AFR Boss awards, appearing on the AFR Fast 100 list and stepping into international markets after launching their export business. Enter 2020 and times are tougher and their business has not been missed by the economic downturn, however, the show must go on! A few weeks before COVID-19, they locked in a lease for a HUGE new 8710sqm factory to continue its expansion plans and the time has come to move in.

 

Their new factory will allow them to produce larger volumes, faster and better than ever! They have many exciting things in the works, and while COVID-19 has been the biggest and most unexpected bump in the road their business has experienced so far, they are in a strong position and are looking forward to the days ahead!

 

AT&T

Streamlining Operations for First Call Ambulance

 

When COVID-19 hit, businesses had to find new ways to operate. First Call Ambulance put their trust in AT&T to streamline operations.

 

The Ambulance crew members can submit patient reports electronically in near real-time through a mobile device management solution. allows dispatchers to communicate with their EMTs and paramedics.

 

To track and monitor the health of the vehicles, First Call Ambulance uses . It helps maintain the reliability of ambulances so that they can avoid any costly equipment downtime.

 


Network News

Phil Rowland

President and CEO, Australia and New Zealand

CBRE Asia Pacific

 

In this role, Phil Rowland leads CBRE’s Advisory businesses in Australia and New Zealand, with overall responsibility for Advisory & Transaction Services, Asset Services, Capital Markets, Project Management and Valuations.

 

Prior to this position, Phil was the APAC CEO of CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions corporate outsourcing business, overseeing six regional hubs and five lines of business, serving clients across a broad spectrum of industry sectors.

 

Phil has been advising US, European and Asian clients on a range of real estate issues for over 20 years through positions held in Asia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

1. Favourite movie?

I’ve always been a big fan of Paul Auster’s novels and screenplays, so Smoke and Blue in the Face.

 

2. Most rewarding part about your job?

Providing a medium for growth and development of people. In growing businesses across Asia, and more recently in Australia and New Zealand, the single biggest satisfaction is seeing people grow personally and professionally and the benefits that brings to their families and communities.

 

3. Who do you most admire?

Given the times that we are in right now resilience and strong empathetic leadership is paramount. I have always admired Earnest Shackleton for his spirit of adventure and deep resilience, but equally his unwavering commitment to his team.

 

4. The biggest risk you took?

Moving my family to Asia in 2006. One of the best moves we made – a rewarding and enriching 12 years in a wonderful part of the world.

 

5. Dream dinner companion?

Bruce Springsteen. Many formative teenage days listening to the boss. Would love to meet the man behind the lyrics!

 

6. Best advice you ever received?

The best advice is always the simplest and often from your Mum – she always said ‘make your own judgments of people and find the best in all of them’

 

Stryker

Australian Manufacturers Making 1000 Emergency Hospital Beds a Week

 

Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and, together with their customers, they are driven to make healthcare better. Stryker offers innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes.

 

The Hon Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, announced on 29 April that a group of four Australian-owned and operated manufacturers has teamed up with an international medical technology company and is drawing on local supply chains to manufacture emergency hospital beds in response to COVID-19.

 

Demonstrating the power of Aussie innovation and collaboration, the Australian Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has helped facilitate the partnership between Stryker South Pacific and A.H Beard, AmTek Australia, Fallshaw Wheels & Castors, and Varley Group.

 

Registered for use with the Australian Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) standards, the Emergency Relief Bed has been designed to accommodate patients in respiratory distress and provides critical surge capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Karen Andrews said within six days Stryker South Pacific, in partnership with AMGC, mapped a local supply chain to adapt the design, create prototypes and begin production of the Emergency Relief Bed in Australia. for the full announcement from the Minister.

 

Stryker South Pacific’s President Maurice Ben-Mayor said the Emergency Relief Beds partnership was a testament to the dedication and agility of Australia’s medical technology and manufacturing sectors.

 

“Every day we at Stryker are driven to make healthcare better for patients and caregivers. I’m very proud of this partnership with leading Australian manufacturers which has enabled Stryker to deliver on our mission through the Emergency Relief Beds,” Mr Ben-Mayor said.

 

Read more on this article in .

 


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The American Chamber of Commerce in Australia

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