BABC
The British American Business Council is committed to promoting transatlantic trade and investment between the US and the UK
Contact: Lauren Hunt T: 0845 603 6650
BABC Patrons
Major conference comes to city
Birmingham has been chosen to host a major transatlantic business conference in June. The British American Business Council (BABC)
annual conference takes place from 6-8 June and will attract delegates from all over Britain and North America as businesses in the city, led by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), seek new markets in the post-Brexit era. The decision follows the success of Birmingham’s
high-profile presence at the conference in Chicago in May last year, when the Midlands chapter of the BABC received wide praise for sending the biggest delegation from a single city as well as demonstrating the significant level of interest in transatlantic trade that exists in the Midlands.
‘It is vital that as a city and a country we explore new markets for the post-Brexit era and the BABC can play a vital role’
Professor Julian Beer, president of the BABC Midlands chapter and deputy vice-chancellor at Birmingham City University, said: “We are tremendously proud to have won the right to stage this important conference. “It is vital that as a city and a country we
explore new markets for the post-Brexit era and the BABC can play a vital role. Each year, it brings together members of its chapters to its annual transatlantic business conference for a two-day programme of high level business discussions and networking among senior executives from a broad cross-section of business sectors who are actively engaged in transatlantic business. “The conference was a huge success five years
ago when it was last held in Birmingham and we’re delighted that the spotlight will again fall on the city.”
In the windy city (from left): Russell Jeans, Prof Julian Beer, Lauren Hunt (Birmingham Chamber) and Paul Faulkner during the Chicago BABC conference
The conference is a highly sought after
occasion for which many of the American states and British cities bid. The event has previously been held in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC and Chicago. Chamber chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “Our
large and influential presence in Chicago won us many friends and we are delighted that the BABC is bringing the conference back to Birmingham.” “We are extremely proud to win the right to
hold the conference in the city and for the Chamber it is further confirmation of our growing international influence, not just in transatlantic trade but the rest of the world.” Mr Kehoe, also chairman of the West Midlands
Growth Company, added: “It’s all about connectivity and it’s vital that as we prepare for the post-Brexit
world we get the name out there. The BABC conference is extremely important because we now have a very different role outside Europe.” Russell Jeans, the GBCC’s chief operating
officer, said: “It is now incumbent on the GBCC and BABC to create an unforgettable conference in Birmingham. The venue will be announced shortly but we aim to stage an event that will address all of the key issues for British and North American business to trade. The BABC us a hugely influential body and we expect to attract key business and political figures to Birmingham.” The BABC, which incorporates British American
Business, is the largest transatlantic business network, with 22 chapters and 2,000 member companies based in major business centres throughout the North America and the UK.
A look back at BABC’S last visit to Birmingham
The last BABC transatlantic to be held in Birmingham brought together some 300 US, Canadian and British civic and business leaders in the city. The conference brought together 23 chapters for a two-day programme of
high level business discussions and networking. The BABC used well known venues such as the Symphony Hall, Birmingham Council House and the International Convention Centre (ICC). Key speakers included the business secretary of the day, current Lib Dem
leader Vince Cable, as well as former Labour home secretary Lord John Reid, Dr Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover and Bob Schumacher, managing director, UK and Ireland, United Airlines. In his speech, Dr Speth, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, spoke about
a ‘chronic shortage’ of people going into science and engineering in the UK, a subject which is still causing concern to British commerce and industry.” Steve Allen, head of Mills & Reeve’s Birmingham office and 2013 conference
The way we were: The 2013 BABC conference in Birmingham
chairman, said of the event: “The conference enabled Birmingham to develop closer ties with businesses based across the US, and demonstrated why the city is continuing to attract a rise in inward investment.”
February 2018 CHAMBERLINK 33
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