THE 9th TRANSPACIFIC ENTREPRENEURIAL CONFERENCE
*UPDATE* If you missed our 9th Transpacific Entrepreneurial Conference, click the button below to watch recorded videos of our sessions. To sponsor next year's conference, please reach out to mark_byrne@cancham.org. We look forward to seeing everyone next year!
In its ninth year, the Transpacific Entrepreneurial Conference is the premiere platform to learn about the latest opportunities of investing in Canada and Hong Kong. As Canada puts the pandemic well behind them, Hong Kong, too, is poised for a major comeback and welcomes enhanced connectivity through commerce. The two regions share strong people‐to‐people and business‐to‐business ties, with major bilateral investment in diverse sectors from finance and technology to consumer goods and agribusiness.
Through a mix of online and in-person events, participants can connect with each other across the Pacific to network, explore possibilities and to do business. This conference will discuss the latest opportunities for companies looking to expand into Canada, Hong Kong and Greater China as well as the impact and possibilities the Greater Bay Area Initiatives would bring to Hong Kong.
TARGET AUDIENCE
- Industry executives, investors, businesses and family offices
- Canadian companies in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area
- Companies interested in pursuing opportunities in Canada and in Hong Kong Entrepreneurs and start-ups of different industries, types and sizes
PROPOSED TOPICS
- Canada as a premiere destination to live, work, invest and play.
- Provincial perspectives in trade and investment
- A Canadian brand expanding their footprint into Hong Kong/China/Canada
- Hong Kong’s global footprint into China, ASEAN Countries, Canada and conversely, Canada's global footprint into Hong Kong, China and Asia
- Top 5 things to consider when businesses expand their footprint across markets Attracting talent into Hong Kong
- Vision and Strategy: starting a business in Hong Kong/China/Canada
- Scaling up of SMEs to boost productivity and achieve sustainable growth
If you missed our previous 8th Transpacific Entrepreneurial Conference, here's a recap of our conference in our EDM, view our lineup of speakers on our Website and watch our conference on our YouTube channel.
DAY 1 CONFERENCE:
Mapping, Connecting and Expanding Footprints in Trade and Investment in Major Cities Thursday March 2 (07:45 -12:55 HKT) / Wednesday March 1 (18:45 - 23:55 EST)
07:45 - 08:10
REGISTRATION
08:10 - 08:21
OPENING REMARKS
- Madeleine Behan, Governor of CanChamHK, & Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Entrepreneur & Small Business Committee.
- Sonja Chong, Hong Kong-Canada Business Association, National Vice Chair and National Treasurer.
- Alex Tam, Chairman, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, CIBC Capital Markets.
08:21 - 08:40
SESSION 1: Keynote Speech
- Keynote Speaker: Jennifer May, Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.
08:40 - 09:00
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
09:00 - 09:50
SESSION 2: Canadian Footprints in Hong Kong. Stories of Growth in Canadian Clean Technology and Green Building Capabilities
- Moderator: Rachael Bedlington, Consul General of Canada to Hong Kong & Macao.
- Guest Speakers: Catherine Siu, Co-Managing Principal, B+H Architects HK; Felix Cheung, Founder & CEO, IXON Food Technology Ltd; and Nicolas de Mascarel, Managing Partner, Templewater.
09:50 - 10:20
NETWORKING
10:20 - 11:05
SESSION 3: Connecting and Growing via Partnerships
- Sharing experiences of connecting and growing cross-border businesses between Mainland China, Hong Kong, and globally – particularly highlighting the importance of having strong partnerships.
- Moderator: Helen Peng, Chief Human Resources & Communications Officer, Sun Life.
- Guest Speakers: Albert Yu, CEO Asia, BMO Financial Group; and Gordon Lam, Independent Director, BMO China Co Ltd.
11:10 - 11:40
SESSION 4 PART 1: In Conversation With Rosemary Goater, Co-Founder, SystematicEdge & Stephen Phillips, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong.
- Moderator: Stephen Phillips, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Invest Hong Kong.
- Guest Speaker: Rosemary Goater, Co-Founder, SystematicEdge.
11:40 - 11:55
SESSION 4 PART 2: Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES)
- Guest Speaker: Charles Ng, Executive Director, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES).
12:10 - 12:45
SESSION 5: Fireside Chat with STS Capital Partners
- Exit Strategy: Selling Your Business 101
- Moderator: Terence Chow, Head of RBC Wealth Management - Asia.
- Guest Speakers: Vivien Webb, Senior Advisor, Asia Pacific, STS Capital Partners.
12:45 - 12:55
CLOSING REMARKS
- Sophia Chan-Combrink, Executive Director, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
DAY 2 CONFERENCE
Creating Bilateral Business Footprints via New Initiatives in Hong Kong and Canada. Friday March 3, (08:00 - 13:00 HKT) / Thursday March 2 (19:00 - 00:00+1 EST)
08:00 - 08:50
SESSION 6: Virtual Networking
- Panelists and Industry Experts Meet & Greet via Airmeet
09:03 - 09:08
OPENING REMARKS
- Emily Mo, Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto).
09:10 - 09:55
SESSION 7: Connecting Talent Footprints between Canada and Hong Kong
- Innovative Approach to Closing the Talent Gap and Managing Expectations.
- Moderator: Christopher Chen, Head of Investment Promotion, Invest HK (Canada).
- Guest Speakers: Catherine Chen, Founder & CEO, AvantFaire Group; Jacklyn Chan, Associate, Office of Government Affairs, Goldman Sachs; Paulina Kociolek, Math and Science Teacher, Hong Kong International School; and Ralph Chammah, CEO, OwlGaze.
10:10 - 10:55
SESSION 8: Diversifying and Developing Your Investment Footprint in 2023
- Investment Perspectives and Opportunities in Real Estate.
- Moderators: Carol Yuen, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Alpha Grand Consulting Group; and Keelan Chapman, Associate, ChapmanCraig Ltd.
- Guest Speakers: Nigel Smith, Independent Strategic Advisor; and Patrick Wong, Senior Research Analyst - Asia Pacific Real Estate, Team Leader, Bloomberg Intelligence.
11:10 - 11:55
SESSION 9: Presenting Your Innovation & Technology Footprint
- Elevator Pitches by Creative Start-ups, Highlighting their Presence and Achievements in 2022.
- Moderator: Rajeev Dewan, Partner, Capital Markets & Securities, McMillan LLP.
- Guest Speakers: Evelyn Cahill, CEO & Co-Founder, Style Carousel; Ivan Lau, CEO and Co-Founder, Pantheon Lab; and Raymond Mak, CEO, Farmacy.
12:10 - 12:55
SESSION 10: What is the Future of Sourcing, Trading and Manufacturing for China and Beyond?
- Moderator: Rosemary Goater, Co-Founder, SystematicEdge.
- Guest Speakers: Jack Chong, General Manager, Prosperity Lighting Group; Kendall Lo, CEO, Kazoo Technology; and Sheldon Li, Co-Founder and CEO, Buyandship.
12:55 - 13:00
CLOSING REMARKS
- Cindy Ho, National Chair, Hong Kong-Canada Business Association & Partner, DS Avocats.
DAY 2 CLOSING NETWORKING COCKTAIL
Friday March 3, (18:00 - 20:30 HKT)
18:00 - 18:30
REGISTRATION
18:30 - 18:40
OPENING REMARKS
- Madeleine Behan, Governor of CanChamHK, & Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Entrepreneur & Small Business Committee.
- Alex Tam, Chairman, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, CIBC Capital Markets
18:40 - 18:55
SESSION 11: Fireside Chat with CanChamHK Governors
- Moderator: Alex Tam, Chairman, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, CIBC Capital Markets.
- Speakers: Dr. Aron Harilela, CEO and Chairman of Harilela Hotels Ltd; Elizabeth Thomson, Chairwoman, The Amber Foundation; Chairwoman and Founder, ICS Trust (Asia) Ltd; Fang Bourne, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, BMO Financial Group Asia; Iggy Chong, Managing Director - Head of Enterprise Private Clients, Asia, RBC Royal Bank Of Canada.
18:55 - 19:00
CLOSING REMARKS
- Sophia Chan-Combrink, Executive Director, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
19:00 - 20:30
SESSION 12: In-person Networking with Light Canapes and 2 x drink vouchers
