Eurochambres Congress 2024

Navigating new horizons, creating opportunities

12 – 14 June
Antwerp, Belgium

Agenda

Wednesday

12 June

Welcome ceremony

AFTERNOON

Eurochambres General Assembly

📌Voka – Chamber of Commerce Antwerp Waasland, Markgravestraat 12

only for Eurochambres members

18:00 – 20:00

Welcome reception Eurochambres Congress

📌Antwerp City Hall, Grote Markt 1

Annick De Ridder, Antwerp alderman responsible for port, urban development, spatial planning and heritage

Vladimír Dlouhý, President of Eurochambres

Luc Luwel, CEO of Voka – Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp

Thursday

13 June

Opening ceremony

3 High-level panel discussions

6 Workshops

Networking breaks

Gala dinner

8:00 – 9:00

Registration and welcome coffee

📌The Provincial Government Building of Antwerp, Koningin Elisabethlei, 22

9:00 – 9:30

Official opening of the Eurochambres Congress

Cathy Berx, Governor of the Antwerp Province

Vladimír Dlouhý, President of Eurochambres

9:30 – 10:00

Opportunities and challenges for the next political cycle

This session will consider the EU competitiveness agenda for the years ahead.

The speech will focus on the intersection of politics and business, providing attendees with an understanding of the economic outlook for the coming years and the landscape that lies in store for chambers and their member businesses.

Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President of the European Commission

10:00 – 11:00

Panel discussion: Implications of the digital and green transition on businesses and the role chambers can play in supporting them

This panel will delve into the implications of green and digital transition for Europe’s competitiveness and explore ways in which chambers can contribute to this complex and inherently disruptive process. The session is highly pertinent given the critical nature of the twin transition for companies and, consequently, for chambers in their role as trusted service providers. It will look into innovative approaches, success stories, and practical perspectives from the network, demonstrating actionable strategies to position chambers as catalysts for a sustainable and digital evolution.

David Osimo, Director or Research at the Lisbon Council

Inspiring chamber best practices

  • Voka Charter Sustainable Entrepreneurship
    Sven de Vocht, Director of services, Voka – Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp
  • Technology platform for business
    Jorge Linares Ferrán
    , Director, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Valencia  

11:00 – 11:45

Networking coffee break

11:45 – 13:00

Parallel workshops

Chamber influence and visibility | Effective advocacy: strategies for chambers

In this workshop, chambers will embark on a comprehensive exploration of effective advocacy strategies. Delve into the nuanced world of influencing policies, engaging with key stakeholders, and conveying impactful messages in a timely and compelling manner. Through case studies and interactive discussions, participants will acquire insights that can  enhance their chamber’s advocacy effectiveness.

Sustainable chamber business model | Adapting expectations: evolving member needs and chamber services

This workshop goes beyond theoretical discussions, offering practical approaches to adapt chamber services to respond to member businesses’ evolving needs and  expectations. It’s a deep dive into member-centric strategies, ensuring chambers remain dynamic and indispensable.

Twin transition of chambers | Chamber operations and members support: strategies for environmentally sustainable business models

This workshop explores how chambers can lead the way in fostering environmentally sustainable business models within their communities. Discuss innovative strategies for supporting members in adopting eco-friendly practices, driving the twin transition of sustainability and operational excellence. Learn how to align your chamber’s initiatives with the global push for sustainability, benefiting both your members and the wider community.

13:00 – 14:30

Lunch break

14:30 – 15:45

Parallel workshops

Chamber influence and visibility | Building a strong brand: the chamber image in the business landscape

Craft a compelling brand for your chamber. This workshop offers an exploration of brand-building strategies tailored for chambers. From storytelling to visual identity and keeping on top of emerging communication channels, participants will learn how to cultivate and maintain a strong and impactful image in the business landscape.

Sustainable chamber business model | Revenue resilience: diversifying income sources for chambers

Ensure the financial resilience of your chamber by diversifying income sources. Delve into strategies for creating a robust revenue stream, allowing your chamber to weather uncertainties and continue providing valuable services.

Twin transition of chambers | Chamber 4.0: digitalisation of services and processes for enhanced member engagement

Embrace the digital era with Chamber 4.0. Explore innovative ways to digitalise chamber services and processes, enhancing member engagement and ensuring your chamber remains at the forefront of technological advancements.

15:45 – 16:20

Networking coffee break

16:20 – 17:30

Panel discussion: Chambers’ role in tackling skills shortages

This panel focuses on the pivotal role that chambers play in tackling enduring skills mismatches and labour shortages experienced by businesses, as well as the human resource implications of the green and digital transitions. By extension, these topics are also essential for chambers, as they strive to assist SMEs and to provide essential services to support skills development policies. How can chambers actively contribute to addressing the evolving demands of the workforce?

Discover the dynamic role chambers assume in fostering talent development, facilitating and delivering vocational training, and implementing effective measures to attract and retain skilled people.

Karen Maguire, Head of Division, Local Employment and Economic Development Programme, OECD

Martha Schultz, Vice-President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber

Inspiring chamber best practices

Attracting the youth: Talentcenter initiative

  • Christoph Pichler, Team Leader Talentcenter, Styrian Economic Chamber  
  • Julie Beysens, Senior Advisor on Education, Voka

Attracting talents from abroad

  • Paul Guerra, Chief Executive, Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

17:30 – 17:40

A global chamber network for a global economy

Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Chair of the ICC World Chambers Federation

19:30 – 22:00

Gala dinner

📌Horta Grand Café, Hopland 2

Jan Jambon, Minister-President Flanders

Dress code: cocktail attire

Friday

14 June

Insights from business and political leaders 

Discussions with economy experts

Networking moments

Closing session

9:00 – 9:30

Welcome coffee

📌The Provincial Government Building of Antwerp, Koningin Elisabethlei, 22

9:30 – 10:20

Mapping the economic challenges and opportunities for the next EU term

This session delves into the intricate economic terrain awaiting the European Union in its next term. Experts in the field will analyse the array of challenges and opportunities on the horizon. From navigating global economic trends to crafting effective policies, participants will gain valuable insights into shaping the EU’s economic agenda for the future.

Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist at European Policy Centre

Ian Lesser, Vice President at the German Marshall Fund

10:20 – 10:45

Coffee break

10:45 – 11:45

Industry evolution: exploring trade, supply chain, and new tech frontiers

This session looks into the dynamic changes – geopolitical, economic and environmental – that are shaping the future of industries and that must be central to the next five year EU policy term. We will navigate through the challenges and opportunities in relation to global trade, supply chain networks and emerging technologies to consider how industries are adapting and innovating. We will also consider the role of policy-makers – at national, EU and international level – in fostering resilience, enabling innovation, and driving sustainable growth.

Ann Mettler, Vice President of Breakthrough Energy

Ronnie Leten, Chair of Epiroc AB

Sigrid de Vries, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association

Rob Harrison, Regional Head of Business Development and Strategy for PSA EuroMed and Americas

11:45 – 12:15

A vision for the economy with Luc Frieden, Prime Minister of Luxembourg

Wrap up the congress with insightful perspectives on the economic landscape, exploring emerging trends, challenges and opportunities. This will leave participants with valuable takeaways and a broader vision for navigating the evolving economic terrain.

 

Luc Frieden, Prime Minister of Luxembourg

12:10 – 12:15

Conclusion of day 2: lessons learned and future vision

Vladimír Dlouhý, President of Eurochambres

12:15 – 13:30

Lunch

19:00 OPTIONAL EXTRA

Garden Party at Antwerp Zoo

The annual Garden Party of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Antwerp Waasland at the Zoo of Antwerp is a tradition in the city, whereby more than 1000 politicians and entrepreneurs from the region come together to celebrate the beginning of summer, with a BBQ, an evening walk and lots of networking.