Caravan Beirut in Washington, DC

Spring 2016 Newsletter
Caravan Beirut in Washington, DC
On April 8, over 2,000 guests gathered to celebrate the launch of Caravan Beirut, hosted by digital
retail platform Bucolik and Mariana Wehbe Public Relations, in partnership with the American
Lebanese Chamber of Commerce. Featuring Lebanese fashion, accessories, jewelry, homeware, art
and photography, Caravan Beirut invited visitors on a curated tour of Beirut, right in Washington, DC!
Thirty Lebanese designers gathered in the U.S. capital, setting up a luxurious 4 day pop-up store in
Washington’s upscale Georgetown neighborhood. Guests were invited to see the creative side of Beirut
in a contemporary warehouse transformed by architect Rabih Geha, with homemade delicacies prepared
on-site by Tawlet.
Continued on page3
Inside This Issue
2
New Members
6
Members News
8
AmCham Annual General Assembly
and Electoral Assembly
9
Amcham MENA Council Conference
and Women in Business Awards
10 U.S. Trade Fairs
This issue is sponsored by Hilton Hotels
Spring 2016
2
New Members
Ziad Dalloul
Chairman & CEO
Africell Holding sal
Tel: +961 1 966 777
www.africell.com
insurance provider of Capital Protection and Crisis
Management in the US, developing strategic
alliances with many of the most respected firms
in the insurance industry, and creating customtailored solutions for clients worldwide. The
company works closely with high net worth
individuals, corporations, financial institutions and
non-profit organizations across the globe, assisting
them with the financial protection of their most
valuable assets – their key executives and family
members. C H Toro International (CHTI) helps
you assess and reduce vulnerability, limit your
financial risk, and guarantees immediate access to
the best response consultants in the business.
Africell is one of the fastest-growing mobile
telecommunications operators in Africa. We
have established ourselves as the number one
provider in Gambia and Sierra Leone and are
rapidly growing our newer operations in DRC
and Uganda. Africell Holding owns 100% of American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce
Africell’s operations in Gambia, Sierra Leone,
Paola Chakhtoura
DRC, and 98.99% of Africell Uganda. The total Director 1153 Foch Street
number of active subscribers reached 13 million in Address Beirut
Central District
2015. All four operations offer voice and 3G data
P.O.
Box
175093
Beirut, Lebanon
services. Our portfolio now spans West, Central,
Phone/ Fax +961 1 985330-1
and East Africa; and Africell Holding continues Web www.amcham.org.lb
its ambitious expansion plans by targeting two E-mail info@amcham.org.lb
additional operations, whether by acquisition
or through a greenfield approach before Board of Directors and Officers
2018. Our nimble, streamlined organizational
structure allows us to seize opportunities. We are
Chairman
determined to deploy our cumulative knowledge Salim J. Zeenni and experience to quickly replicate our past Maher Y. Beydoun VP for Public Relations
Arslan M. Sinno VP for Membership
success as we enter new markets.
Victor Patatian
Director Global Specialty
Markets
CH Toro International, Ltd
Tel: 3059311732
CH Toro International, Ltd serves a diverse
clientele residing around the world, and has
grown to become the largest independent
Richard A. Haykel Walid T. Assaf Nadim Kassar Rabah Jaber Fadi Saab
Nadim Romanos Hani Raad Barbara Batlouni Gaby Tamer Bana Akkad Azhari
Michel Sawaya
Jean Riachi Doumit Raidy Sami Fahed
VP for International Affairs
Treasurer
Secretary General
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Spring 2016
Caravan Beirut gave Lebanese designers the
opportunity to break into a new exciting market,
making it another testament for the ongoing
cultural and economic exchange between the
U.S. and Lebanon.
3
Continued from page1
Cavelier, André Marcha, Rania Farsoun, Mukhi
Sisters, and Bil Arabi. Exceptional artwork was
also beautifully displayed throughout the venue by
photographers Patrick Baz, Roger Moukarzel and
Emile Issa; painters and artists Michel Karsouny,
Amin Sammakiyeh, Hania Rayess, and Helen
Caravan Beirut featured home furniture and Zughaib.
accessories brands such as Bokja, Maison Tarazi,
Nalbandian Carpets, Kanzaman, and Racha Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed
Ceramics; fashion designers Jessica K, Little her full support at a welcome dinner held at the
Bluffers, Nour Hammour, Karoline Lang, Milia Lebanese Embassy in the U.S. in honor of the
M, House of Paisley, Lala Rose lingerie, Mojo visiting designers and Lebanese delegation. Mayor
Beach, and Moon + Fable; accessories such as Bowser said she hoped this would be the start
Sarah’s Bag, Madame Reve, Senteurs d’Orient, of a long cultural relationship between the two
Choux à la Crème, and Lumalu lipsticks; as well countries.
as jewelry designers Selim Mouzannar, Nada Le
Spring 2016
Caravan Beirut was made possible with the
support of the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism as
well as the Lebanese Embassy in Washington,
D.C. and its distinguished Chargé D’affaires
Carla Jazzar.
4
their fields: “Good Morning America” weekend
edition co-anchor and “The View” co-host, Paula
Faris; Lebanese-American inventor, designer,
entrepreneur and angel investor, Tony Fadell, the
“father of the Ipod;” and attorney and co-founder
of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United
During the same week, the American Task Force States Senate, Victoria Reggie Kennedy.
for Lebanon hosted its 18th gala awards night
at the Fairmont Hotel, with AmCham Lebanon The event drew hundreds of guests, including
as the Gibran Patron and supporter. The event members of Congress and such dignitaries as
honored three outstanding Lebanese-Americans Charles Boustany, Darrell Issa, Ralph Nader,
who have made significant contributions in Edward Spencer Abraham and many more.
Spring 2016
5
VIDEOS
LBCI
MTV
Al Hurra
ATFL Dinner
ATFL Performance
Spring 2016
6
Member News
Phillip Morris Supports the Tobacco Farmers’ Community
Lebanon is a tobacco growing country where
approximately 24,000 farmers and their families
rely on this crop for survival. Growing tobacco
is highly labor intensive, and agricultural lands
are located mainly in less developed regions
where growers live in difficult conditions and
lack educational opportunities for their children.
As part of its charitable initiatives, Philip Morris
Lebanon has been working hand in hand with the
Lebanese Tobacco Growers’ Syndicate to support
the tobacco farmers’ community and allow new
opportunities for the development and growth
of its youth. As a result, Philip Morris Lebanon
developed a program aimed at providing tuition
support to the children of tobacco growers who
have successfully achieved their schooling in
public schools in tobacco growing villages and
encourage them to continue their education. For
the third consecutive year, and with the support of
the Minister of Finance and the Regie Libanaise
de Tabac et Tombacs, Philip Morris Lebanon
made a financial contribution of $100,000 that
was distributed among 150 students to help them
pursue their university education.
SETS Celebrates 25 Years of Success and Growth
acquisition and delivery, with the number one time
attendance and payroll solutions in the market
along with a leading HR solution. SETS has
more than 1,000 references coming from primary
companies in all sectors and has accumulated 25
years of in-depth expertise in HRMS offerings.
SETS held its annual strategic dinner on
January 10, 2016 at the Playroom, marking
its 25th anniversary and gathering employees
from Lebanon and the region under the theme,
“Together Committed for a Brighter Future.”
The event included speeches and presentations
by top management, which reflected the
alignment in SETS’ strategy along with the huge
success and expansion accomplished during the
past years, through offering its customers bestof-breed brands, IT solutions and services. The
presentations were followed by a lovely dinner
and a hilarious comedy show.
In addition, as a Dell exclusive agent in Lebanon
for more than 20 years and having partnered with
top international brands and vendors, SETS is a
preferred partner in end-to-end IT solutions and
services for primary enterprises and major financial
institutions in the country.
SETS is very excited about the future as we continue
to expand, driven by a team of professionals,
dedicated
to
delivering
an
added value and
competitive edge
to our customers
through
service
Among its many achievements, SETS is proud to excellence.
be the first HRMS vendor in terms of customer
Spring 2016
7
AMIDEAST Welcomes 500 to Its First Gala Dinner
The AMIDEAST/LEBANON Advisory Board
hosted its first Fundraising Gala Dinner at the
Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut on April 8, attended
by 500 prominent business, political, and
social figures. AMIDEAST’s education and
development activities in 12 Arab countries touch
the lives of half a million individuals a year. “I am
so honored to head AMIDEAST, an organization
that is doing so much to assist young people in
this region to expand their opportunities,” noted
Ambassador Theodore Kattouf, President and
CEO of AMIDEAST.
Since 2010, the 28-member Board of Lebanese
business and civic leaders has played a vital
role in helping AMIDEAST/Lebanon launch
the Entrepreneur Institute (300 entrepreneurs to
date), a U.S.-accredited Professional Certificate in
English Language Teaching program, and expand
AMIDEAST’s impact in helping Lebanese and
Palestinian students win scholarships to study
in the USA (78 students have won scholarships
totaling over $13 million to date).
The purpose of the event was to spread awareness
about the organization’s wide range of services
and impact in Lebanon, and to raise additional
contributions to help even more students win
scholarships at prestigious American universities
to empower their lives and careers. A movie
presenting testimonials of students whose lives
have changed thanks to AMIDEAST was shown,
contributions were raised, and those in attendance
enjoyed the evening’s lively entertainment. Board
Chair Mr. Anis Nassar noted during the dinner,
“Our commitment to you is that we shall not leave
any student behind.”
La Maison Du Café – Café Najjar
An
elegant
Lebanese bistro
coupled with an
aromatic coffee
bar, where mood,
savory food and
the best coffee
ever assembled
satisfies clienteles
with a very affordable check. Hakini Lebneni Coffee by Najjar is the perfect place for a mouthwatering Lebanese breakfast, or a consistent yet
enjoyable Lebneni lunch and dinner made simply
the best to ensure satisfaction.
La Maison Du Café – Café Najjar was founded in
1997, with the idea of creating an attractive point
of sale serving as an outlet and a retail shop at
once. This concept has succeeded over the past
years, and has been franchised in Lebanon and
other Arab countries.
Partners developed a clever strategic decision,
a new concept that keeps the coffee from Café
Najjar as a primary product. Café Najjar’s motto
“Wein Fi Lebneni, Fi Najjar” has triggered an
authentic Lebanese concept with a new experience
that is simple and appealing at the same time.
Hakini Lebneni - Coffee by Najjar is the brand; a
perfect combination of two MADE IN LEBANON
products.
Hakini Lebneni - Coffee by Najjar envisions a
presence in any territory of the globe, where an
elegant Lebanese bistro fits. We have the knowhow and we can teach you our business.
Our
motto
is:
“A good dining
experience becomes
outstanding when
combined with a
great coffee.”
Spring 2016
8
Century 21 Launches New Department
Century 21 Lebanon is pleased to announce
the launching of a new department for all real
estate services and transactions. We provide real
estate owners with all needed official documents
and legal papers for their property: we have a
specialized team that can act on behalf of the
owners for all real estate form needs, including
deeds, contracts, liens, contract for deed, and
many other official forms as required.
We can save time by handling all the formalities
in governmental departments and land registrars
to check for any
disputes,
clear
problems, and get
all the official forms
and documentation
needed to finalize
any real estate
transaction, or to
solve any problem
or dispute.
AmCham Annual General Assembly and Electoral Assembly
The American Lebanese Chamber of Commerce New Board of Directors
held its annual ordinary general assembly on
March 30, 2016 at Le Vendome Hotel, followed Arslan Sinno
Dora Flour Mills
by an electoral assembly.
Bana Akkad Azhari
The Bank of New York Mellon
Barbara Batlouni
Doumit Raidy
Fadi Saab
Gaby Tamer
Hani Raad
Jean Riachi
Maher Beydoun
Michel Sawaya Nadim Kassar
Nadim Romanos
Rabah Jaber
Richard Haykel
This year the board members were elected by Salim Zeenni
acclamation since the total number of candidates Sami Fahed was 17. We congratulate them all!
Walid Assaf
After a welcome word from AmCham Chairman
Salim Zeenni, Secretary General Nadim Kassar
presented an overview of the 2015 activities.
Treasurer Walid Assaf then reviewed the financial
status of the Chamber, followed by Mr. Farid
Daou from Ernst and Young, who presented
the auditor’s report which was distributed to
all attendees. The elections for a new board of
directors followed the general assembly. The
AmCham Lebanon Board of Directors is elected
every 4 years and the board is comprised of 17
members.
AMIDEAST
Raidy Printing Group S.A.L.
Top Capital Finance
G. Tamer Holding
Cisco Systems
FFA Private Bank
SOLIDERE
Citibank
Fransabank
Hermes for Marketing & Distribution
Almaz Jaber Group
Haykel Hospital
Zeenni Trading Agency
Fahed Group
SMLC – Pepsi Cola
Spring 2016
9
AmCham MENA Council Conference
and Women in Business Awards
On March 22, AmCham Egypt recognized the BEST WOMAN in the CORPORATE SECTOR:
local and regional winners of the MENA Council IMAN MUTLAQ, CEO of Sigma Investments
Women in Business Awards as part of a special (JORDAN)
ceremony held on the margins of the women’s
summit, “Women in Business: The Key to
Economic Growth,” (click for video) hosted by
AmCham Egypt’s Women in Business Committee
and featuring influential female leaders from
across the MENA region and the United States.
The Conference sessions addressed several
issues, including ways to harness the economic
power of women, the rise and growth of women
entrepreneurs in the Arab region, addressing
and defeating our unconscious bias, and ways to
engage men in the gender discourse.
For the fourth year in a row, the AmCham MENA BEST WOMAN in the NON PROFIT SECTOR:
Council held a special ceremony honoring the YASMINE HELAL, Founder, EDUCATE ME
notable achievements of female leaders around (EGYPT)
the MENA region.
The 2015 MENA Council Award Winners are
as follows:
BEST WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR:
HALA BEYDOUN, Founder, Cocoa & Co.
(LEBANON)
BEST COMPANY for WOMEN to WORK for:
FATTAL GROUP (LEBANON)
Represented by Mr. Michel Fattal
Spring 2015
10
Continued from page 9
BEST BANK SUPPORTING WOMEN
OWNED and WOMEN LED BUSINESSES:
BLC BANK (LEBANON)
Represented by Ms. Karyl Akilian, Head of
Brands Management
Congratulations to all winners, and especially to the LEBANESE WINNERS!
US Trade Fairs
Listing for International Buyer Program (IBP) 2016
http://www.export.gov/eac/show_short_trade_events.asp?CountryName=null&StateName=null&IndustryName=null&TypeNa
me=U.S.%20Trade%20Fair&StartDate=null&EndDate=null
Event
WasteExpo 2016
InfoComm International 2016
International Franchise Expo 2016
Fancy Food Show 2016
Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo ofthe American
Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) 2016
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2016
International Woodworking Fair 2016
Farm Progress Show 2016
Solar Power International 2016
WEFTEC 2016 Water Environmental Federation
Technical Exhibition and Conference
MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2016
Location
From
To
Las Vegas, NV
6/7/2016
6/9/2016
Las Vegas, NV
6/8/2016
6/10/2016
New York City, NY
6/16/2016
6/18/2016
New York City, NY
6/26/2016
6/28/2016
Philadelphia, PA
7/24/2016
7/28/2016
8/3/2016
8/6/2016
Atlanta, GA
8/24/2016
8/27/2016
Boone, IA
8/31/2016
9/1/2016
Las Vegas, NV
6/26/2016
6/28/2016
New Orleans, LA
9/24/2016
9/28/2016
Las Vegas, NV
9/26/2016
9/28/2016
Salt Lake City, UT