The British American Business Council in Scotland, the Scottish North American Business Council (SNABC), is proud to host the 19th Annual BABC Transatlantic Conference in Edinburgh from Wednesday 16^th May to Friday 18^th May inclusive.  We are delighted to confirm that the Conference will be hosted by RBS at their Global Headquarters Conference Centre at Gogarburn in Edinburgh.

The Conference will officially open with a Civic Reception, which will be hosted by City of Edinburgh Council.  This will be held in the fine City of Edinburgh Council Chambers, which is situated on the Royal Mile a short distance from the Conference Hotel:  Radisson Blu Hotel.

The theme of our 2012 Conference will be “Developing Transatlantic Relations”.  We will be looking at ways to explore every aspect of developing strong relations on both sides of the Atlantic.   We expect to attract an elite group of senior business executives from many of the world’s most successful companies, who will gather to hear and meet with business leaders from global businesses.

The conference will focus on a number of issues important to business on both sides of the Atlantic, including:

Financial Services

Innovation and Technology

Clean Technology

Defence and Homeland Security – National Security

Canada: Creating Business Links with Canada

Cyber Crime Fighting Financial Crime and Fraud in a New Era

Higher Education Transatlantic Comparisons

Our Keynote speakers and panellists will capture each sector on the agenda and discuss, from strategies for exploring new ideas, finding new talent – both academic and industrial and the role of various service industries needed to build and foster, relations including law, finance and marketing.

On Thursday evening of the Conference 17^th May 2012, BABC will hold its Transatlantic Gala Dinner.  The Dinner will be held in the spectacular and exclusive venue, Edinburgh Castle, and be hosted by the First Minister of Scotland, Rt. Hon Alex Salmond MSP. (Dress code: Business Attire).  Places at the Gala Dinner are strictly limited so early booking is advisable.

Pre-Conference  Events

Golf Event – Tuesday 15^th  May 2012

Please note that in addition to the Conference, we are hosting a Golf Event in association with the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice on Tuesday 15^th May 2012 at the Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland.  This prestigious venue is also hosting the Ryder Cup on the 26th to the 28th of September 2014.

If you are interested in taking a place at the event the cost is a reasonable £130, which includes Breakfast, Round of Golf, Lunch and a Prize giving ceremony.  We are aiming for 12 teams of 4 to take part in our very own BABC Ryder Cup! Places will go fast so please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to join us.

British-American Group of Lawyers – Wednesday 16^th May 2012

In addition to the Conference there will once again be the British-American Group of Lawyers (BAGOL) – session on Wednesday 16^th May 2012 and further information on this session will soon be available on our website.

Can you please ensure that if you wish to attend the BAGOL session, you register online as there is a registration fee.

We do hope that you will be interested in attending all or part of the activities spanning the four days.  So, please confirm your booking by visiting our website www.snabc.org via our booking system Eventbrite.

As we look forward to the substance of the NATO conferences, and the brilliant opportunity for Chicago to present itself as the World-class city that it is, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs (CCGA) has created an opportunity for members of the British American Business Council to gain unique and powerful insight.

The CCGA is one of two principal partners in arranging a series of high-level forums, entitled:  IN JEOPARDY? EUROPE AND THE TRANSATLANTIC  ALLIANCE.

This series will feature public programs on topics such as the future of the transatlantic alliance, the world economy, and other pressing global issues.   (Scroll to the bottom for scheduled sessions.)

I am also pleased to announce that the BABCC is additionally a partner in this Series.  Our members have the benefit of attending at discounted rates.   For more details about the series and to register, please go to the CCGA Web site by clicking here:   Chicago Council on Global Affairs.  For the BABC promotion code to receive the member discount, e-mail cbrenkus@babcc.org.

We encourage you to attend and look forward to seeing you.

Scheduled Sessions  

Thursday, March 1, 2012 5:30 p.m.

NATO AND THE TRANSATLANTIC ALLIANCE: THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

The Honorable Ivo Daalder, United States Permanent Representative to NATO – Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson

SAVE THESE DATES

 Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Honorable R. Nicholas Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School, and former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, U.S. Depart. of State – Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Ave.

 Monday, April 23, 2012

Martin Wolf, Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times – Union League Club of Chicago, 65 West Jackson

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State,  Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group.  Venue TBA soon.

  Other speakers to be determined.  Details will be posted on the CCGA’s  website.

At the January 12, 2012 BABCC Board of Directors meeting, K. Thomas Stevens, Principal of the law firm Stevens & Associates, was unanimously elected as the Council’s new President.   Tom is enthusiastic about meeting the challenges facing the Council and ensuring the Council stays effective and relevant to the business community. 

 The Board of Directors thanked Saul Caisman, Director, Midwest Area Risk Management- KPMG, Founding Member of the BABCC, and President of the Council since January 2008, for his outstanding service, leadership, and invaluable contributions over the years.  Saul will remain as the Council’s Treasurer.

Tom is principal of the law firm Stevens & Associates, a successor to the firm he founded in 1989. He is an English solicitor and an American attorney, admitted in Illinois, Washington, D.C., and New York. His focus is upon finance, mergers and acquisitions, entity structuring and governance, tax planning, international transactions, and best practices analyses. He is an avid supporter of young entrepreneurs, providing mentoring at waived costs and fees.  He serves on the Board of The Chicago Lean Startup Circle, a non-profit group approaching 1,000 members. He regularly speaks on issues pertaining to startup companies, law, and entrepreneurial skills, and maintains a blog at www.startup-trebuchet.com.
 
Previously, Tom served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois, whereby he was involved in corporate tax litigation concerning domestic and international/off-shore entities and transactions. Shortly before leaving government service, Tom was appointed an administrative law judge, overseeing a segment of interstate taxation issues pertaining to railroads. Such followed positions with the Tax and Bond Division of the Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago and with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

In addition to electing a new President, during the January 12th meeting, the following individuals were appointed to serve on the 2012 BABCC Board of Directors:

Officers

David Kay, Chairman – Drinker Biddle  & Reath LLP

K. Thomas Stevens, President – Stevens Associates

Jon Butcher, Vice President – Mintel

Saul Caisman, Treasurer – KPMG LLP

Cindy Shearn – Secretary – Fragomen,  Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP

Ex-officio Director

Robert Chatterton Dickson – British Consul General, British Consulate-General, Chicago 

Directors

Charles Bickers – The Boeing Company

Chris Duchene – Illinois Tool Works

Lynn Durning – Wells Fargo

Philip Gawthorpe – Marsh

Robert Gibbs – 101 Worldwide

Chris Kelleher – LinkedIn

Loretta Kuss – American Airlines

Scott Markman – The Monogram Group

John W. O’Hara – Lloyds America

Greg Onorato – British Airways

Daniel Ryan – Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.

Rupert Ward – KPMG LLP

Raymond Vermolen – InterContinental Chicago

Edward West – Baker McKenzie

See the Leadership Menu for bio information on our leadership.  If you have an interest in serving on the BABCC Board of Directors, kindly submit a letter indicating your interest and a copy of your resume.

Over 170 BABC Chicago members, colleagues, clients and friends attended the

BABCC’s annual Christmas luncheon for an afternoon of hearty feasting and merrymaking.

Guests were greeted with a traditional glass of sherry, followed by cocktails, delicious food, networking, exciting raffles, entertainment by Josh Berman, and a live auction benefiting the British Summer Studies Program.  Following the luncheon, guests continued networking at the After Party in the Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse Cocktail Lounge, sponsored by Stevens & Associates.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2012 Christmas party date!

Many thanks to our Exclusive Platinum Sponsor, American Airlines; Gold Sponsor, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP; the InterContinental Chicago; Stevens & Associates, and the Flower Firm, and to the following auction/raffle contributors:

American Airlines -  roundtrip air transportation to exciting destinations

Anita Dee Yacht Charters – 2 admission passes for 45-minute sightseeing cruise

Antler Luggage - full set of luggage:  The Liquis collection sculptured and designed to bring you the ultimate strength and lightweight solution in upright cases.

Blue Man Group – Two weekday performance tickets.

Boeing – Gift basket of Boeing model airplane and space-themed goodies.

British Consulate-General, Chicago - dinner for 4 at the British Consul General’s residence.

Chicago Architecture Foundation - Downtown Chicago Walking Tour Guest Passes.

Chicago Strategic Consulting - personal cosmetic plan, including 1 silk peel microdermabrasion treatment for silky smooth skin and 1 Botox or Dysport treatment to reduce frown lines or crow’s feet, provided by Carolyn I. Jacob, M.D., Chicago Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology

Cubs Extravaganza –   4 tickets to a Cubs game (mutual choice, excluding Platinum games); lunch for 4 at Rockit Bar in Wrigleyville; and an autographed Cubs’ memorabilia, donated by Chris Kelleher, LinkedIn

Dana Hotel and Spa – One night accommodation in a serene king guestroom.

Emissary Chicago -  a great Sake Tasting experience, education, and materials with some take home bottles for a group of 6-8 people!

Goodman Theatre - Two “preview” tickets to Camino Real, March 3-11

Hard Rock Cafe – Two $25 gift cards

Hotel Burnham – one-night weekend stay in suite accommodations

InterContinental Chicago - luxury hotel stays at exciting destinations:  Athens, Budapest, Vienna, Chicago, New York …

Lawry’s The Prime Rib – Dinner for two.

Made in Britain - Keep Calm and Carry On goodies.

Metropolitan Limousine – Round trip point-to-point chauffeured transportation in a Lincoln Town Car Sedan.

Mintel - Two club level soccer tickets for Arsenal and Newcastle United game, (UK) on Saturday, March 10th 2012–the premier English football league.

New Chicago Beer Co. - Join proprietors Samuel and Jesse Evans and take the (guided) reigns in crafting ales at their New Chicago Beer Company. You will be involved in choosing hops, malts, and yeasts, and working on the equipment.  The new brewery is located at “The Plant,” a fresh, innovative approach to using sustainable energy sources and ecologically friendly techniques for brewing.

Palomar – One night stay in a King Deluxe Room and $75 gift card for Sable Kitchen & Bar

Park Hyatt – Park view accommodations for one night in an inviting guestroom with a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and Water Tower Park.

The Redhead Piano Bar – $50 gift certificate

III Forks – Dinner for two

Roka Akor - Omakase dinner for two

Sax Chicago - Bed & Breakfast packagee:  one night of room & tax in deluxe accommodatons and breakfast for two.

Spencer’s – Jolly Posh Gift Basket including fine selection of locally made and imported British products. 

Wyndham Chicago – One night stay and breakfast for two at Caliterra Bar & Grille.

Zanies - Admission tickets valid at all Zanies Comedy Clubs.

One of your BABCC benefits is access to international intern programs offered by universities in the UK.  Aston Business School, among the top Business Schools in the UK, has one of the largest internship programs with almost 600 undergraduate students on placement each year.

Aston Business School is currently taking applications for the 2012/2013 year–with the internship beginning July 2012 and extending for one year.

Intern Program Benefits to US Companies:

* You will work with intelligent, motivated and effective third year undergraduates with an international mindset, available from July 2012 for one year

* Students are from various disciplines, including marketing, HR, accounting, IT, operations, finance, purchasing, logistics, economics/statistics, general management, engineering, and social sciences.

*Cost effective:  the ONLY cost to the organization taking the intern is the cost of a visa

With all that international interns can bring to a business—including diverse educational backgrounds, specialized expertise, and multilingual skills—your company can become significantly more competitive by taking advantage of this outstanding opportunity.

Not only will your company benefit, but you will be helping to shape today those who will shape tomorrow.

If your company would like to consider an undergraduate student intern for 2012/13, (starting July 2012), please visit http://www.aston.ac.uk/absugplacements or contact:

Carolina Salinas

011+44 121 204 3211

c.salinas@aston.ac.uk

OR

Rachel Cox

011+44 121 204 3020

r.cox@aston.ac.uk