What AmCham can do for you?

AmCham's Vision
To be the leading business organization facilitating and stimulating two-way free trade and investment between Trinidad & Tobago and the United States of America.

AmCham's Mission
To foster two-way free trade and investment between Trinidad & Tobago and the United States of America by:

• Providing a forum for the dissemination of information and exchange of opinions
  
• Influencing policies and legislation
  
• Facilitating business opportunities

In this context, AmCham Trinidad & Tobago will serve the needs and represent the interests of its members.

Our strong mix of formidable local and international member companies; strong networking links; close association with the U.S. Embassy; alliances with the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) and the Chambers of Commerce of the United States of America (COCUSA); all ensure rapid access to what you need to compete effectively both locally and in overseas markets. We can therefore secure for members strategic information on doing business in a particular country; as well as set up introductions to the right business organisations or companies in the US and throughout the western hemisphere.

As your doorway to economic development, AmCham T&T offers the following services:-

Executive Appointment Service

How does it work? Here are the steps:-

- A request for the Executive Appointment Service is sent to the AmCham in the country of your choice or to the relevant Chamber of Commerce in the United States. Details of your company's business, the length of your stay and the number of appointments that you would require per day are to be included in this request.

- Confirmation is received from the corresponding AmCham or Chamber of Commerce. Research is then done to seek out best-matched companies for you to do business with. Letters are sent and dates and times of appointments are set.
- Upon your arrival to that country, you will receive an itinerary of appointments and profiles of the companies that you will be meeting with. These companies, in turn, would already have received your company profile through the corresponding AmCham or Chamber of Commerce.

You may of course require additional services such as a meeting room with refreshments; possible site visits; taxi service etc. These can be arranged with the corresponding AmCham or Chamber of Commerce. In most cases, a fee is charged. This is discussed individually with companies wishing to use this service.

AmCham Trinidad and Tobago also offers this service to foreign companies
wanting to do business locally. Companies are charged US$50.00 per appointment. Discounted rates can be negotiated for 6 appointments and over.

Introductions
You may already be in contact with a company with whom you would like to do business or make an alliance. AmCham T&T will send a letter of introduction for member companies which will include details such as length of membership in AmCham, your company's involvement with Chamber activities etc.

Access to Membership Database
Every quarter, an updated database of our membership is provided, highlighting the company's name, address, names of the primary 3 executives and their email addresses, phone and fax number.

Meetings
You will receive notices of our Monthly Meetings, held usually on the second Friday, starting usually at 8:15 a.m. and ending between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. These meetings start with AmCham T&T business followed by a guest speaker and a discussion session.

The format of most meetings is a breakfast, which is held at no cost as far as possible. Occasionally these meetings may incur a cost or take the form of a Luncheon or Dinner, which is also on an additional cost basis. This may be the case if there is a special event or an important overseas visitor.

Executive InfoSession

Launching a new product or service?

AmCham's InfoSessions are an excellent way of niche marketing to the decision makers of our 275 member companies, as well as to the wider business community. AmCham will be responsible for sending out notices of the meeting to our members and the wider business community, registration, organizing the room and refreshments as well as any other administrative duties that may arise. Your company will be responsible for the cost of this meeting. An Executive InfoSession costs approximately TT$5,000.00 or US$850.00 based on an attendance of 40-50 persons.

Visa Drop-Off Facility
You are eligible to use the visa drop-off facility for obtaining business and vacation visas from the U.S. Embassy. This is available to Senior Managers of member companies and their immediate families. Please contact Phyllis Johnson at the Secretariat who will answer your questions on the use of this facility.

Website - www.amchamtt.com
AmCham's new upgraded website features a brand new home page with links to government ministries, the diplomatic corps, press releases, trade information, Hamel Smith (M.) and Company's Investor's Guide, a membership directory, a pre arrival guide to Trinidad and Tobago and links to AACCLA. We also encourage feedback on how the website can be improved for members and investors alike.

Linkage
The Chamber's magazine is called Linkage, and you will receive copies of every issue published. This trade magazine has become a source of information not normally available from other media. It includes articles on current legislation impacting on businesses; information on the Free Trade Area of the Americas and other trade related issues; trade leads; and much more. Linkage is also an excellent medium for your company's advertisements. For further information on this opportunity, please contact Juliet Gomez at the Secretariat.

Direct Mail
AmCham will distribute a flyer or document advertising your company's products and services to our membership on your behalf. We request 300 copies of the printed flyer as well as a copy of the flyer via e-mail or on diskette. Your advertisement will be placed in our regular mail packages to the membership. The cost of this service is TT$500.00 per mail out.

AmCham T&T InfoCentre
Our InfoCentre features a number of useful directories and other reference books, as well as access to information through the AmCham's network in Latin America and the United States.

Incoming & Outgoing Trade Missions
Details available upon request.

AmCham T&T Committees
AmCham T&T has eight committees which meet regularly to carry out their work programmes. Participation in one of these committees ensures interaction with key decision makers in the US and Trinidad & Tobago as well as a direct voice on issues affecting your national and international business. The Committees' terms of reference are listed as follows:

• Safety, Health & Environmental Committee (S.H.E.)
  To monitor development in this sector and serve as a resource to AmCham for providing information and opinions regarding environmental legislation and activity. To also promote industry awareness and responsibility among the wider membership. The S.H.E. Committee has (4) Sub-Committees which are the Conference, the Road Safety, the Technical and the Information Sub-Committees.

• Trade and Investment Committee
  To promote trade between the USA and Trinidad and Tobago by providing information on trade issues and monitoring treaties and trade agreements. To serve as a resource to AmCham for information and opinions on trade activity and legislation.

• Legislative Committee
  To monitor development in the government's legislative agenda and influence draft legislation to support AmCham's strategic goals. To provide guidance and advice to Members on matters that affect trade and investment in Trinidad and Tobago.

• Programmes and Events Committee
  To design and coordinate business and social activities that would be of interest to the membership. To also assist the other committees in organizing their own events. The Programmes and Events Committee has (3) Sub-Committees which are the Speakers, the Golf and the 4th July Sub-Committees.

• Membership Committee
  To screen applications and design programmes to promote and maintain a strong, interested and active membership.

• Communications Committee
  To provide professional knowledge, assistance and guidance for AmCham's printed and electronic publications.

• Overseas Security Advisory Council
  To encourage American investment abroad by facilitating a dynamic exchange of information which can be used to make informed corporate decisions on how best to protect assets in an increasingly competitive and global economy.

• Secretariat Advisory Team
  To recommend financial and accounting policies to the Board. To monitor dues and pricing of other products and services. To advise on investment and methods designed to safeguard the assets of AmCham.

Our other Services/Benefits include:

• Free company profile in our publication: Business Guide to Trinidad & Tobago, which is updated every other year.
  
• Advertisement opportunities in AmCham T&T's publication, 'Membership Directory and Business Guide to Trinidad and Tobago'.
  
• Conference Room facility at the Secretariat for out-of-office training sessions/meetings.
  
• Sponsorship opportunities at AmCham T&T events.
  
• Use of our global network of (23) AmChams in (21) countries through AACCLA & COCUSA to make contacts.
  
• Free advertisement of your company's information on our website: www.amchamtt.com, and link to your company's website through your logo placement on same.

Access to Government

• Promotion of your views on key issues during our quarterly breakfast meetings with Cabinet Ministers and in the U.S. through our lobbying trips to Washington D.C.
  
• Representation on Government committees.
  
• Use of the AmCham Safety, Health & Environment (SHE); Trade and Investment; and Legislative Committees to comment on key issues.
  
• Use of AmCham's involvement with other leading organizations, such as the Heads of Chambers in national committees.

Business Information and Research

• Access to manufacturers or suppliers across the hemisphere.
  
• Updates on important trade and business developments via our E-news letter.
  
• Information on Trade Shows and Conferences.

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE ALL YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS
CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP