As communities around the world start learning to live with Covid, we can use our respective cross-border communication skills to work with ethnic Chinese businesses all over the world.
While we wait for Mainland China to reopen, Vietnam has reopened and Taiwan has announced a plan to reopen to business travelers in March with a shortened quarantine process.
We know it's too early to say we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we can say we know how to keep working in the tunnel.
- Chinese Chamber Member Spotlight: OSU East Asian Studies Center
- Chinese Chamber Member News
- Office, retail space for rent in NW Columbus/UA
- Chinese Sign Language classes
- Online Mandarin classes
- IMAGE grants for exporters
- Upcoming events:
- March 1 - Opportunities in HK for US medical device companies, US Commercial Service
- March 2 - Forecast of China's Economy for 2022, National Council on US-China Relations
- March 14-17 - FILMART, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- March 16-17 - Marketing Pulse, Hong Kong Trade Development Council
- March 24 - US-China Agricultural SME Showcase, US Heartland China Association
- Chinese Chamber News
- Meeting with Vietnamese American Business Council
- Past event: All-member meeting
- Community News
- Interview with resident of Columbus' sister city, Hefei
- Columbus Council on World Affairs hiring administrative assistant
- African-American China Leadership Fellows Program
- Tainan residence opens six years after earthquake
- About 26 Million People Visit Hubei During Spring Festival
|
|
Fun Fact: On March 1, 1914, China joined the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
Prior to the creation of the UPU in 1874, mail could only be exchanged between countries that had bilaterial mail agreements that defined who could collect how much from the stamp bought by the sender in the originating country. If two countries did not have such an agreement, mail between them would have to go through an intermediary country that had its own agreements with the sender's and recipient's countries.
By 2010, the way mailing fees were split between countries was making a lot of money for the US Postal Service... but after Americans started buying a lot of items online from China and the long-time agreements made it possible for Chinese sellers to mail things from China to the US for less than what Americans paid to mail things domestically, in 2020, the US renegotiated the way fees are split. You can read more about the UPU and the current status of mailing fees for US-China ecommerce on Wikipedia
|
|
Member Spotlight:
The Ohio State University East Asian Studies Center
|
The East Asian Studies Center (EASC) at The Ohio State University is a major hub and catalyst for original thought and action in the study of East Asia. With unique expertise and domestic and international partnerships, EASC continually challenges paradigms to further knowledge, increase understanding, and inspire life-long learning of East Asia and its impact on the world.
Learn more about the EASC at their website.
|
Spectrum Reach is proud to live and work in the communities we serve. Our job is to connect local businesses with their communities. It means understanding that those businesses, and their customers, are unique.
As part of the “Pay it Forward” program, Spectrum Reach is committed to providing small to mid-size businesses access to the full power of its advertising expertise, services, and products and access to insights from celebrity entrepreneurs.
Participating businesses also will receive dedicated support from Spectrum Reach sales and creative experts, a free three-month optimized TV schedule, and a free customized 30-second commercial.
Local businesses interested in participating in the “Pay it Forward” program can apply online here. The deadline for local market submissions is March 18, 2022.
Through collaboration and support from our local B2B partners, we can help the businesses that make up the fabric of our communities reach the people they need to grow.
|
|
Value Recovery Group has single offices for lease near the intersection of Kenny and Henderson, on the edge of Upper Arlington. Shorter term leases and gross leases for single office tenants are available. This is an ideal change of pace for the WFH professional.
Please feel free to share with anyone that you think would benefit from the space.
Three scenarios:
1. The majority of the west wing is available for a single user (office use)
2. Numerous users for individual offices (or a pair of offices) in west wing for lease (office use)
3. The entire depot building is available for rent for office or retail use.
Interested parties please contact Stephen Renaker, VP Business Development, at srenaker@valuerecovery.com, (614) 989-1256 (mobile) or (614) 324-5959, ext. 2070 (office)
|
|
The National East Asian Language Resource Center at OSU is pleased to share with Chinese Chamber newsletter readers an opportunity to learn Chinese Sign Language.
This opportunity comes through OSU graduate Heather Fair:
Chinese sign language (CSL) Level 1 course (online)
中国手语L1线上课程招生报名！
Class Dates: February 12 – April 16 (Saturdays)
Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Cost: $175 (10 classes)
你们的手语老师Alice带你融人到无声境地，从肢体语言开始，学习聋人母语，于中不同的交流方式，探索无声世界的乐趣。架起聋听之间沟通的桥梁，让爱充满人间。
Your Chinese Sign Language (CSL) teacher Alice Hu takes you into her silent world. Here you will be introduced to the mother language of the deaf and experience communication in a way like no other. Let us embrace the common goal of bridging the gap between the hearing and deaf, filling the world with love and happiness.
Any questions please contact:
National Science Foundation postdoctoral researcher
|
|
The Ohio Department of Development offers grant programs to help Ohio companies export their goods and services, gain export knowledge, and participate in trade missions.
The IMAGE grant provides eligible companies a 50% reimbursement of up to $10,000 in grant funds (i.e., 50% of $20,000 in eligible expenses) to engage in activities to increase export sales.
The current application period will open March 1 and closes April 7, 2022. Funding for this round can be used for activities between April 1 and June 30, 2022. Additional IMAGE funding opportunities will be announced quarterly subject to funding availability.
|
|
New Online Mandarin Class Starts March 14, 2022
CSC is excited to announce a new online Beginner class for adults meeting Mondays, 7:30-8:30pm, March 14 – May 16, 2022.
Online Course Features:
- Live interaction with the instructor and fellow learners
- Class recordings provided for review
- Course book and audio included
- Digital flashcards for practice anywhere, anytime
- Time-tested curriculum designed for and by non-native learners
- Lessons centered on targeted, practical interactions
- Join class from anywhere with high speed internet
Course fee $210. Spots are limited. Join one of the largest communities of non-native Mandarin learners in the US!
|
|
Chinese Chamber Member Quote of the Month |
|
"The Columbus Chinese Chamber of Commerce has become a valuable partner because of their help connecting us to domestic companies doing business in China and Chinese companies interested in doing business in Ohio."
|
|
Upcoming Chinese Chamber Events |
|
The Chinese Chamber is currently planning events with OSU, the Cleveland Chinese Chamber, America-China Society of Indiana, the city of Huzhou, Zhejiang, the Japan-America Society of Central Ohio, and Asian Indian-American Business Group.
Stay tuned for announcements in emails and LinkedIn posts!
|
|
March 1, 2022 7-7:45pm ET |
|
The U.S. Commercial Service is offering a FREE market briefing webinar to share information on the opportunities available in the Hong Kong market, which will be held on Tuesday, March 1, from 7pm-7:45pm ET.
You will hear the most updated market opportunities from leaders of AmCham Hong Kong Healthcare Committee and Hong Kong Medical and Healthcare Device Industries Association.
|
|
March 2, 2022 7 - 8:15 PM ET
Forecast of China's Economy for 2022
|
|
Join the National Committee on US-China Relations, in partnership with Peking University’s National School of Development (NSD), on March 2 at 7:00 p.m. EST for a virtual program with Dr. Hu Yifan and Dr. Huang Yiping in a forecast of China’s economy in the coming year. |
|
HKTDC is pleased to offer to members of the Columbus Chinese Chamber of Commerce members discount codes to waive the registration fees for FILMART and the Pulse events below.
Please contact Christine Barragan at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Chicago by email for your unique code (Christine.barragan@hktdc.org)
|
|
As Asia’s leading entertainment content trading platform, the 26th edition of FILMART will continue to showcase a plethora of sectorial content produced for TV, theatres, streaming platforms and mobiles for production companies, investors and buyers to connect and collaborate through online exhibitions and business matching meetings.
A new conference, EntertainmentPulse, will debut during FILMART Online 2022 to convene distinguished industry experts from Asia and beyond. They will uncover the latest landscapes in streaming, content creation and format, explore the future of documentary and animation, and inspire the audience with the technological breakthroughs in production and more.
The latest edition of FILMART Online 2021 showcased over 2,200 film and TV productions and brought together close to 8,000 participants from 81 countries and regions in the 4-day marketplace, some 2,600 online business-matching meetings were arranged for networking and business discussions.
|
|
March 16-17 (Hong Kong Time) |
|
MarketingPulse – Asia’s premier branding and marketing conference
MarketingPulse is an integrated branding and marketing conference where global marketers, brands, advertising agencies, media, enterprises and innovation professionals can discuss marketing trends, exchange best marketing practices and explore new collaborations in Asia. From defining new marketing strategies to events that connect players and catalyse development, MarketingPulse is not only a conference, but an inspiring rendezvous to explore new frontiers in the markets.
MarketingPulse 2021 attracted more than 24,000 viewers from over 50 countries and regions. The two-day virtual conference brought audience inspirational sharing from brands and agencies, practical marketing know-how through a series of workshops, as well as networking opportunities connecting participants with marketers in Hong Kong and around the world.
eTailingPulse - Asia’s premier e-Tailing conference
A knowledge exchange and partnership building platform for Asia’s top retailers, ecommerce experts and innovators, eTailingPulse features inspirational talks, tactical workshops and networking opportunities.
The conference offers an unparalleled opportunity for etailers to collect the latest market intelligence and learn industry best practice, enhance professional connections, and gain insights on innovative customer experiences.
Held on 16 – 17 March 2022 in Hong Kong in hybrid format, eTailingPulse will coincide with MarketingPulse – an integrated branding and marketing conference – to help attendees capitalise on growth opportunities as the world recovers from COVID-19.
It will bring you inspirational input from brands, agencies, digital strategists and e-tailing experts, practical marketing know-how through a series of workshops, as well as networking opportunities connecting you with peers in Hong Kong and around the world.
|
|
US-China Agriculture SME Showcase
March 24, 2022
|
|
Is your company a U.S.-based small-medium-sized agriculture business eyeing the Chinese market?
Are you interested in entering the China market but don’t know where to start?
Would you like to learn from top experts the keys to business success in China?
Apply to showcase your business in front of potential customers, partners, and investors in the U.S.-China Agriculture SME Showcase!
|
|
Meeting with Vietnamese American Business Council |
|
On February 22nd, the chair and executive director of the Chinese chamber met with the leadership of the Vietnamese American Business Council (VABC) in the Washington DC area to understand each other's resources and explore possible areas of collaboration.
The VABC connects US organizations with opportunities in Vietnam, including projects involving ethnic-Chinese-owned businesses in Vietnam.
Initial discussion and research indicated possible areas of collaboration in electric vehicles, medical devices, and agriculture.
|
|
In "Tips & Resources for Exporters" on February 2nd, a panel of the following speakers shared a variety of financial and service resources available to exporters in Ohio (Chinese Chamber members in bold):
- Darren Srebnick, US Dept. of Commerce: US DoC resources for exporters
- Roberta Winch, Ohio SBDC: SBDC resources for exporters
- Ed Schick, SBA: Export finance resources available through SBA
- Chelsie Karling, BriskHeat: "Choosing and Managing Overseas Distributors"
- Vinita Mehra Kegler Brown: "Top 10 Legal Considerations for Exporting"
Following the panel presentations, audience members and the panelists shared additional opportunities with each other in virtual breakout rooms.
A recording of the event, as well as the panelists' presentations can be found here.
|
|
2022 Chinese Chamber All-member Meeting |
|
On February 16, members of the Chinese Chamber gathered online for an update on the Chamber followed by networking in virtual breakout rooms.
Chinese Chamber updates shared at the meeting included:
- In December 2021, the Chamber elected the following slate of officers for 2022:
- Chair, Monica Xia
- Vice Chair, Deb Scherer
- Treasurer, Amy Lei
- Secretary, Diana Jia
- The Chamber hosted nine events in 2021, with 385 total registrations and 222 event participants
|
|
Two Places to Visit and Three Things to Eat: An Interview with a Hefei Native
By Emma Hardy, Columbus Chinese Chamber Intern
|
|
Hefei, Columbus’ sister city in Mainland China, is the capital of the 8th largest Chinese province and has a population of over 9 million people.
Not only is it headquarters of a fast-growing electric vehicle company called NIO, Hefei is also a city of history, beauty, and flavor.
A native of Hefei who spent a few years in Columbus recently shared with me some things that she thinks makes Hefei special.
Read the entire article here.
|
|
|
Columbus Council on World Affairs Hiring |
|
Open Position: Administrative & Office Assistant
Date Posted: February 11, 2022
Start Date: As soon as possible
Reports To: President & CEO
Compensation: $20-22/hour, depending on experience
Status: Part-time position, approximately 20 hours/week
Location/Time: Columbus, Ohio/Flexible, primarily during regular business hours
|
|
Applications now being accepted for the African-American China Leadership Fellows Program |
|
This 8-month mentoring program managed by the American Mandarin Society (AMS) targets early-to-mid-career African-American professionals who have demonstrated a strong interest in China either through formal study or time in country.
The program will be remote and part-time, with an in-person week-long capstone trip to Washington D.C. in November 2022.
The curriculum will focus on a core set of career skills, including communications skills, networking, goal setting, and navigating career pathways. We will pair program participants with successful African-American mentors with deep experience engaging with China.
|
|
Tainan residence opens six years after earthquake |
|
Vice President William Lai (賴清德) presided over the inauguration of a new residential building in Columbus' Taiwanese sister city Tainan to replace the Weiguan Jinlong (維冠金龍) complex, which collapsed in a deadly earthquake six years ago.
|
|
~26 Million People Visit Hubei During Spring Festival |
|
Hubei Province received almost 26 million visitors during the Spring Festival holiday that ended on February 6th. Travel was up by more than 20% compared to this time last year.
|
|
Click below to visit our members page, where you can click through to any member's website.
|
|
Keep up with news and events by following our LinkedIn |
|
The Chinese Chamber regularly posts news and events that may be of interest to people on our mailing list. Follow us today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
