Texas Turkish American Chamber of Commerce’s Board members attended the 7th World Chambers Congress that organized by the
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the World Chambers Federation (WCF) and the Mexico City National Chamber of Commerce (CANACO), the Congress took place in Mexico City under the theme of ‘Enterprise–Network–Prosperity’. The Congress attracted 1,200 participants from 105 countries.

“Over the last three days we have not only underscored the importance of investment and innovation for economic growth but we have also considered the role of chambers in achieving this,” said Rona Yircali, World Chambers Federation Chair.

“The World Chambers Congress never fails to underscore how vital chambers are as a vast resource of information, tools and services. It also highlights chamber potential and dynamism,” Mr Yircali concluded.      

Closing addresses were also given by ICC Chairman Gerard Worms, ICC Vice-Chairman Harold McGraw and President of the Mexico City

National Chamber of Commerce Arturo Mendicutti Narro.

The Congress comprised four plenary sessions, an advantageous business programme and an array of practical workshops relevant to the chamber and business community. It also provided plentiful networking opportunities to position the Congress as the most important event of the year on the chamber calendar.

The Congress also featured Mexican President Felipe Calderon and World-renowned speakers including Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola Chief Executive and environmental researcher Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute.    

Over 90 media representatives attended the Congress and attracted sound media coverage in the region.

The Congress concluded with a Gala dinner featuring a video presentation of Qatar, destination of the 8th World Chambers Congress in 2013. Entertainment followed the closing ceremony and was provided by World Class Mexican singers and Mariachis.

2011 World Chambers Competition winners announced

The winners of the 2011 World Chambers Competition were announced Friday during a special award ceremony held on the closing day of the 7th World Chamber Congress in Mexico City. 

The winners in each category were: 

Best Unconventional project
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce (Canada) – Funny Money 
The Cambridge Chamber believes that it is paramount to instil strong financial literacy values in the next generation of national and international leaders. Since its inception in 2005, the programme has been presented to over 400,000 high school children across Canada. 

Best International Project
Canterbury Employer’s Chamber of Commerce (New Zealand) – Recover Canterbury, the role of a Chamber of Commerce when disaster strikes 
On 4 September 2010 a devastating earthquake hit New Zealand. But within hours, the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce or the Employers’ Chamber was operating as a key reference point for the region’s businesses. Their project demonstrates the unique and vital role that a chamber of commerce can play to protecting and supporting the business community. 

Best Small Business Project
New South Wales (NSW) Business Chamber (Australia) – Online Growth Programme 
The Online Growth Programme is a comprehensive, educational and coaching programme designed to help small businesses go online, and improve their web presence and e-business capabilities. The programme specifically assists small business owners, regardless of industry focus, across NSW and the Australian Capital Territory in both rural and urban areas, to develop and implement practical action plans for successful online operations. 

Best Corporate Social Responsibility Project
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (Turkey) – Ozimek 
This project aims to preserve, develop and increase employment opportunities by enabling individuals to benefit from vocational and technical education institutions in Turkey. The project aims to address unemployment in Turkey which intensified significantly after the crisis. 

The 2011 edition of the World Chambers Competition attracted 48 entries from 31 countries. 

Winners each receive €1,000 generously donated from Competition sponsors and chamber members. 

Organized by the ICC World Chambers Federation, the Competition is the only global awards programme to recognize the most innovative projects undertaken by chambers of commerce and industry from around the world. Due to the recognition that Competition projects receive, previous finalists and winners have experienced a significant positive impact on their local and national profiles and influence.