Advice on working Asian markets
With Textile Allied Care Trades Association members increasing their involvement with Asian companies, the association
decided to invite Dr. James Chan to be the keynote speaker at its 2008 annual
conference.
The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort in Austin, TX,
from April 30 to May 3.
Dr. Chan will highlight the educational programs, bringing to the table his
expert knowledge of the potential benefits and pitfalls that come with dealing
with Asian, and, in particular, Chinese, companies.
Upon leaving an academic teaching career in 1981, Dr. Chan took up a position as
China Area Manager with a subsidiary of publishing giant Harcourt, Brace,
Jovanich.
Two years later, he founded Asia Marketing Management, a consulting firm that
assists companies of all types that engage in business with Asia.
During his presentation, Dr. Chan will answer questions that have been submitted
to TCATA beforehand, as well as any that arise during the program, which is
entitled “Building Relationships with Asian Partners: Skills and Attitudes.”
It is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 3.
TCATA has also scheduled two other guest speakers to deliver in-depth business
sessions on Thursday and Friday.
The Thursday program will be headed by Dr. Randall Peeters, a man who has lived
an extraordinary, active life and has amassed an impressive resume.
Professionally, he holds a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, and he was a
chief scientist for Power Play Energy. He has also served as vice president of
engineering and chief scientist for GenCorp. Aerojet.
In his spare time, he participates in a variety of hobbies such as skydiving,
base jumping, rock climbing, and scuba and free diving.
His love of overcoming challenges lead him to become the eighth oldest person in
the world to complete the Adventure Grand Slam, which consists of climbing the
highest mountains on every continent and reaching both the North and South
Poles.
He will deliver a session on “Setting a Personal Vision” from 4 to 6 p.m. on May 1. The unique and energetic presentation will encourage
and show attendees how to take an introspective look at their own lives.
Dr. Peeters has learned many lessons from his experience and will share with
attendees his belief that leading a vision-directed life results in greater
productivity, inner peace and happiness.
The final speaker on TCATA’s list is Jeff VanKooten, a senior consultant with the Center for Generational
Studies.
He specializes in exploring and communicating issues of cultural change and
generational understanding.
With experience as a business professional, high school teacher, youth worker
and pastor in his repertoire, VanKooten understands people of all ages and
backgrounds.
He is scheduled to speak from 9 a.m. until noon on Friday, May 2. His session
will be called “From Newspaper Ads to Jobs.com — Recruitment and Retention in the New Millennium.”
VanKooten will emphasize the importance of employers being able to find and keep
good people in the workplace, especially since he believes the expectations
around jobs have shifted considerably since the “baby boomer” generation and that long term labor shortages exist on the horizon.
He will unveil a proven system that has helped many companies reduce their
employee turnover by as much as 50 percent.
In addition to the educational sessions, TCATA has prepared a full schedule of
meetings and social events.
On Wednesday, April 30, the association will host its board of directors meeting
from 12:30 to 3 p.m. An opening reception is slated for later in the evening at
6:30 p.m.
Golf lovers will tee off in the association’s golf tournament the following morning at 8 a.m. Afterward, there will be a
tournament awards luncheon from 1 to 3 p.m.
Later in the evening, TCATA will host its Young Timers Party from 7 to 11 p.m.
On Friday, there will be a meeting for distributors and one for manufacturers.
Both will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
The conference will come to a close on Saturday night when the association
presents a closing reception and party from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
The cost for the annual conference will be $675 each for members, provided those
attendees sign up prior to the March 30 early registration deadline.
After the March 30 deadline, the cost goes up to $725 per member.
Spouse registration is $295 each prior to March 30, and $345 each after.
TCATA has also reserved discounted room rates at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines
Resort and Spa. Attendees pay only $210 nightly for single or double occupancy,
$235 for triple, and $260 for quad. There is an additional $10 resort fee per
night, per room.
To make reservations, contact the hotel at (512) 308-1234 and mention the TCATA
conference.
Downloadable registration forms are available on the site.
