Three Days of Insight, Networking, and Collaboration in Lisbon.
AmChams in Europe (ACE), in cooperation with AmCham Portugal, organized the 2024 Best Practice Sharing Conference with 56 participants from 31 AmChams. ACE BPSC held in Lisbon, Portugal on September 24-26, 2024.
The first day, an insightful Transatlantic Business Summit was organized by AmCham Portugal, where our very own Ajša Vodnik, Elias Spirtounias, Daniel Andrich & Peter Dahlen, participated in a panel discussion on cross-border perspectives. They shared their insights on emerging challenges: geopolitical, economic, technology & innovation, U.S. relations, investments in Europe and free trade, but also the advancement of an open market. The day concluded with a spectacular Gala Dinner, enriched with a Fado and Aria performance. President of AmCham Portugal Antonio Martins da Costa welcomed the ACE delegation. Remarks were also given by the U.S. Economic Attaché, Anna Margolis. In the elegant setting of Picadeiro Real, our colleagues had the opportunity to engage in enlightening conversations with members of AmCham Portugal and other guests about the future of transatlantic relations and the vital role of AmChams in fostering bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Europe.
The second day of the conference kicked off with a warm welcome from ACE Chair Ajša Vodnik, followed by the annualAmChams in Europe Benchmark Survey presentation, delivered by ACE Vice Chair Elias Spirtounias. The presentation spurred lively discussions on data analysis and forecasts for the upcoming year. During a scenic lunch at the Museum of Electricity, Antonio Martins da Costa, President, AmCham Portugal, briefed the team on the EDP Group and Portugal’s ambitious energy transition goals. The afternoon sessions featured engaging breakout discussions focused on the ACE strategy, introduced by ACE Chair Ajša Vodnik. Delegates explored AmChams’ key pillars of work: networking and best practice sharing, advocacy, and member empowerment. The breakout groups delved into topics like organizational performance, member engagement, networking strategies, and communication challenges. These sessions were expertly facilitated by ACE strategy team members Daniel Andrich, Aida Casamitjana, Peter Dahlen, Susan Danger, Mila Malairau, Marko Mirocevic, Daria Sivovol, Elias Spirtounias, and Marc ter Haar. The day concluded with a memorable visit to Guincho and Cascais, where participants enjoyed an extraordinary dinner.
The third day began with an informative morning session from AmCham EU, offering a current perspective from Brussels. Following this, ACE Board members engaged in a productive board meeting. The group then transferred toFLAD for the Creative Network Presentations, showcasing innovation from AmChams across various countries.
Five American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) were at spotlight, presenting their innovative projects:
AmCham Bulgaria: EmpowerHer Program
Amcham Finland: Launchpad USA
AmCham Latvia: American Music Night
AmCham Slovakia: Mapping the Potential of Eastern Slovakia
AmCham Ukraine: Wartime Economic Empowerment for Ukrainian Women Leaders
AmCham Finland’s achievement was recognized for its exceptional contribution to the network and commitment to innovation.
The day’s highlight was a traditional TukTuk tour around old Lisbon, followed by a walking tour of the Baixa district and a dinner in Chiado.
After three days of insight, innovation, networking, and collaboration, the AmChams in Europe Best Practice Sharing Conference in Lisbon concluded with excitement for next year’s gathering.
Considering our time in Lisbon, we must acknowledge that we represent a network of 50 AmChams from 48 countries. The future of AmChams is bright as we aim to expand our scope of work. We have confidence in our capacity to create partnerships, create cooperative relationships, and achieve shared prosperity. Our combined efforts will undoubtedly lead to a more dynamic and influential future for AmChams across the globe.