The 9th World Chambers Congress began June 10 in Torino, Italy bringing together chamber and business leaders from 109 countries. Under the theme ‘Identity, Community, Vision’, the world’s largest gathering of chambers will address current global trends affecting chambers of commerce and their respective communities, from economic recovery to climate change and other pressing issues that transcend national boundaries.

Peter Robinson, USCIB’s President and CEO, and Cindy Duncan, senior counsel and SVP of international Carnet development attended the congress.

Organized by the International Chamber of Commerce’s World Chambers Federation (WCF) and hosted by the Torino Chamber, the biennial Congress offers hands-on solutions to support the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises, and showcases pragmatic tools for trading in today’s global marketplace.

“Chambers of Commerce play an increasingly important role in the global economy and are central to ICC’s vision to promote trade as a driver of growth, jobs and sustainable development. The World Chambers Congress is an essential forum to promote knowledge sharing between chambers from around the world—driving real innovation in the important services they offer to businesses and in the development of public-private partnerships,” said ICC Chairman Terry McGraw.

Mayor of Torino Piero Fassino who inaugurated the event said: “Torino is happy and honoured to host the 9° World Chambers Congress and welcomes all those who have come here from every corner of the world. Chambers of commerce are a privileged tool in the economic world to circulate ideas, create projects and start a dialogue with markets that are becoming more global and articulated. We are proud to host the Congress, especially because Torino can count on important international assets that we are strongly promoting abroad.”

Taking place over three days, the 9th World Chambers Congress features four plenary sessions on a range of issues including the changing nature of world trade, the impact of migration and the availability of skills, how chambers can help businesses adapt to the challenges of climate change and the need for business input from local contexts into the Millennium Development Goals.

Find out more about the 9th World Chambers Congress by visiting the website.

The International Chamber of Commerce’s World Chambers Federation 9th World Chambers Congress – set to take place this June in Torino, Italy – will feature two exciting networking initiatives that will allow participants to seek new international business opportunities, learn new dynamics within their industries and build enduring business relationships.

According to participants, networking is the first reason why they attend the Congress. ‘Network Connections’ and ‘Business Excellence’ are part of the business program developed by the Torino Chamber of Commerce, and represent a unique opportunity to ensure a sustainable future for chambers, business leaders and companies, through the use and creation of an international and professional long-lasting business network.

Cindy Duncan, USCIB’s senior counsel and SVP for international trade services, will be moderating a panel during the congress about the ATA Carnet, the Merchandise Passport for which USCIB is the American National Guaranteeing Organization. The ATA Carnet is a customs document that allows for the temporary tax- and duty-free import of professional equipment, commercial samples and goods for fairs and exhibitions. With over 70 countries part of the member system, Duncan’s panel will seek to encourage non-members to join.

Network connections program

Over the three days of Congress, there will be five one-hour time slots, during which delegates can book meeting appointments with fellow participants they wish to meet. This meeting will occur in the ‘network connections box’ – a dedicated space for the networking program located in the heart of the exhibition area. Each participant will have 20 minutes to interact with peers and will be able to have up to nine appointments throughout the Congress.

This program is free of charge and participants are invited to request their participation during the online registration process. Once registered, delegates will be able to start booking their networking appointments starting May 5, via the Congress website.

Business excellence program

This new level of networking experience is especially targeted to foreign delegations interested in having their business meetings off-site. The program is based on field visits to companies from different sectors including automotive, aerospace, textile, fashion, design, energy, environment, health, food and wine industries. These visits will be customized depending on the delegate’s interests and are available at a supplementary cost.

Connecting with the participants from the World Chambers Congress, means connecting with the business world.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF) has received a record number of innovation and best practice projects for the World Chambers Competition, a prominent feature of the ICC WCF 9th World Chambers Congress to be held in Torino, Italy in June. WCF is a specialized division of ICC encompassing chambers of commerce from every region of the world.

Open to more than 12,000 chambers across all five continents, the competition has received 80 applications from 40 countries for the 2015 edition, making this year’s event the biggest since its launch in 2003 in Quebec City.

“The World Chambers Competition is more than just an awards program. It is a unique forum to showcase the ingenuity behind cutting-edge business projects undertaken by small- and medium-sized enterprises that are part of chambers of commerce worldwide,” said Rona Yircali, Honorary Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation and Chair of the Competition jury.

“The competition is an unparalleled opportunity to raise the profile of these ground-breaking projects and give them significant and much deserved visibility in the world business community,” Mr Yircali said.

The 9th World Chambers Congress, taking place from 10-12 June in Torino, Italy is the largest global gathering for chambers of commerce. Held every two years in a different region of the world, the Congress is the only international forum for chamber leaders to share best-practice experiences, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities and learn about new areas of innovation from other chambers around the world.

Read more on ICC’s website.