Israel-America Chamber of Commerce

Future Events

Israeli Business Leaders Delegation to the U.S. – 1-3 December, 2008

The Chamber, The America-Israel Friendship League (AIFL) and Dun & Bradstreet, are sponsoring the 2008 Israeli Business Leaders Delegation, which will focus on the first global economical crisis of the third millennium.
The delegation will be led by Chemi Peres, Chairman of the Chamber; Amb. Dan Gillerman, Chairman of the Friendship League and Reuven Kuvant, General Manager of Dun & Bradstreet.  It is designed to provide participants with opportunities to share the insights and knowledge of American government officials and senior business executives, and establish business ties in the U.S.
The three day agenda includes:

• A special program at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• Meetings with senior executives of McGraw Hill, Standard and Poor’s, large investment banks and government officials in the field of economy
• The AIFL annual Partners for Democracy Award Dinner, one of New York’s central business and social events.
• Washington DC Day in collaboration with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:  a day of roundtable discussions at the White House’s Hall of Flags.

To register, ASAP, contact Ruby Shamir, Executive Director of the Israel Office of the AIFL. Telephone: 03-6424510. Fax: 03-6422001.
E-mail: rubyshamir52@gmail.com

U.S. and Israel: 60 Years of Business Partnership
in Washington D.C. – Registration Now Open

On Dec. 2 2008, The Chamber will organize a conference, in Washington D.C. on: " U.S. and Israel: 60 Years of Business Partnerships", in cooperation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Guests w ill include top U.S. government officials and presidents of U.S. and Israeli companies.
Key figures from the academic, business, and political fields will discuss matters related to Alternative Energy; Water and infrastructure; Capital Markets and Investments; Media, Entertainment and Communication; ICT and Hi-Tech; Homeland Security; and Government-to-Government Relations.
For information and registration, please visit the event webpage at: www.oscar4b.com/iacc.

U.S Delegations – in Israel

Business Opportunities in South Carolina

The Chamber invites its Members to a meeting with Harris Chewning, Project Manager and Leigh Roberson, Trade Manager, Int'l Department, both of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, 9:30. a.m., at the Chamber Conference Room, 35 Shaul Hamelech Blvd. in Tel Aviv.
The event is aimed at companies interested in investing or expanding their operations in South Carolina. The guests will describe the advantages and incentives for prospective investors in their State.
There is no participation fee but space is limited. To RSVP, contact the Chamber

Business Opportunities in Michigan

A business delegation from Michigan, headed by Gov. Hon. Jennifer Granholm, will visit Israel Nov. 14-21.

Minnesota Delegation to Visit Israel

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will lead a trade mission to Israel Dec. 11-18 to help Minnesota-based companies increase exports to the country, build strategic relationships and explore new business opportunities. The mission will include visits to IT firms, business incubators and education institutions. During his visit, Gov. Pawlenty will also speak at The Israel Business Conference.

Seminar: A New Model for Successfully Launching Your Technology Product in North America

The Chamber, with Atid EDI, which represents a number of States in Israel, and Stratus Global Partners, which specializes in helping technology companies launch products into new markets, invites its Members to a Seminar:  A New Model for Successfully Launching Your Technology Product in North America on Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (including lunch) at the Chamber Conference Room, 35 Shaul Hamelech Blvd., Tel Aviv.
The event is suitable for you if you:

• Would like to enter the U.S. with your product, which is considered hi-tech
• Need to understand how to systematically plan and evaluate effectiveness at each critical phase of your launch initiative
• Want to hear about a proven method of accessing that market at optimal cost effectiveness
• Have an annual revenue of at least $10 million

During the seminar you will learn the key criteria for an effective product launch in North America including:

• How to identify and then reach your target customer.
• How proper segmentation turns North America into many small markets
• How to translate your product’s features into real customer benefits.
• How to determine the true value propositions you can offer to the marketplace
• How to define the “whole product solution” that your product requires.
• How to determine what the best business model will be for your technology.
• How to map out the best sales strategy for your technology.
• How to identify the best sales and distribution partners for your product
• How to make informed development, financial and human resources decisions at each critical phase of your launch initiative
• How to achieve fast ROI in North America.

There is no charge for this seminar.  As space is limited, please confirm your participation by contacting Rebecca at Tel. 02-571-0199 or by Email at Rebecca@atid-edi.com.

Lecture: How to Approach an Uncertain Market

The Chamber, with Trendlines Israel,  invites its Members to a lecture on "Exporting Products for the Retail Market in the U.S. -- How to Approach an Uncertain Market" on Sunday, Nov. 18, 4-6 p.m. at the law firm of Shiboleth, Yisraeli, Roberts, Zisman & Co., 4 Berkovitz St. in Tel Aviv.
The speaker: Mark Dollinger, president of Trendlines America and a business development expert.  The event is in English. An invitation (in Hebrew) is attached.
The event is co-sponsored by Trendlines, which represents the State of Maryland in Israel, and the law firm of Shiboleth, Yisraeli, Roberts, Zisman & Co.
There is no participation fee but space is limited. To register, contact the Chamber, 03-6952341.

Past Chamber Events

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Visits the Chamber

U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Honorary Chairman of the Chamber, Hon. James Cunningham, met with the Chamber Executive Committee and CEOs of U.S. companies in Israel. The meeting at the Chamber office, on Oct. 2, 2008, was chaired by Chemi Peres, Chairman of the Chamber. The Ambassador noted that wh ile he is not an expert on the Middle East, he fam iliarized himself on the main issues concerning Israel wh ile he served in the U.N., and although he was surprised to have been offered the position, he happ ily accepted. A number of issues were raised at the meeting, including visas concerns, intellectual property and standardizations, which constitute trade barriers between the two countries. "We would happy to remove Israel from the Priority Watch List as related to IP, but we take this issue seriously and expect the Israeli government to be resolute in solving this issue." Regarding visas, the Ambassador expressed pessimism, estimating that Congress intends to minimize the number of countries eligible for a visa-waiver.

From left to right: Hon. Zalman Shoval, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.; John Harris, Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy; Hon. James Cunningham, U.S. Ambassador to Israel; Chemi Peres, Chairman of the Chamber; and Joshua Bakola, CEO of HP Israel. Participants included: Hon. Zalman Shoval, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.; Avihu Ben Nun, former Commander of the Israeli Air Force; Joshua Bakola, CEO of HP Israel; Joshua Shani, Vice President of Lockheed Martin; Avi Barber, VP of Boeing Israel; Dudi Wiessman, President of Alon Israel O il Company; Ralph Shaaya, General Manager and CEO of Citibank Israel; Zeev Zelig, CEO of Genzyme Israel, and representatives from the Embassy; Eitan Yud ilevich, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation; Advocate Yaacov Yisraeli; Yael Ravhon, General Manager of Abbott Laboratories and Irit Batat, Marketing & Business Development Director at American Express, as well as representatives from the Embassy.

The Crisis on Wall Street and its Ramifications for Israel

At the onset of the economic crisis, the Chamber initiated a conference call with Tomer Regev, Investment Manager at Morgan Stanley, on Sept. 18. Regev said that Israel, particularly now, is an important country because it offers additional channels for technology-related investments. Among the participants: Yitzhak Kaul, former Managing Director of Bezeq; Shlomo Kalish, managing partner at Jerusalem Global Ventures, and Dalia Prashker, CEO of Keren G ill Technologies Ltd.
The event was sponsored by Pitango Ventures Capital.

Business in Minnesota

The Chamber and the U.S. Embassy in Israel organized, on Sept. 24, a video conference with businesspeople from Minnesota and Israel seeking cooperation between the two states. Participants included Maiki Yoeli, Business Development Manager at the Export Institute; Eitan Yud ilevich, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation, and members of the Commercial Section at the Embassy.

New Mexico Delegation- in Israel

Tamar Guy, Executive Director of the Chamber, participated in a seminar at the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv with businesspeople from New Mexico who arrived in Israel to promote investments and cooperation with their State.

U.S. Mayors – in Israel

Tamar Guy, Executive Director of the Chamber, met with U.S. mayors who participated in the Conference of Mayors in Jerusalem on Sept. 14, 2008. The mayors included: Virg Bernero of Lansing, MI; Martin J. Chávez of Albuquerque, NM; Karl Dean of Nashv ille, TN; Roger J. Katz of Augusta, ME; Eddie A. Perez of Hartford, CT and Bob Walkup of Tucson, AZ.

Business Opportunities from Israel

Would you like to publish your own business opportunity in the U.S. and Israel? Contact Amos Fabian, amos@amcham.co.il.

1. An Israeli business development company would like to assist companies in penetrating the Israeli market or expanding its operations here (225).
2. Investment banking firm would like to source investment opportunities in Israel for U.S. investors (229).
3. A producer of red light phototherapy devices is seeking importers or distributors in the health care or cosmetic industries (226).

Business Opportunities from the U.S.

1. North Carolina trading company, specializing in the trading of agricultural commodities, is seeking importers of sugar, cereal and rice (725).
2. Georgia manufacturer of safety control products for steering wheels is seeking representatives (754).
3. Delaware provider of systems that locate, at real time, home property or merchandise in factories, warehouses and distribution centers, trucks, etc., is seeking partners (727).
4. Georgia manufacturer and supplier of apparel and bedding manufacturing equipment is seeking representatives (715).
5. Oklahoma manufacturer of horizontal and vertical centrifugal casting equipment is seeking representatives (721).
6. Georgia manufacturer of small-scale hydrogen generators is seeking representatives (716).
7. Oklahoma company, medical device research and product development company, is seeking representatives (722).
8. A Texas medical technology company has designed a medical device designed to detect breast cancer using ultrasound, rather than radiation. The exam is less than three minutes per breast. The company is seeking distributors (759).
9. Georgia manufacturer of granite memorials is seeking distributors (752).
10. Illinois manufacturer of environmentally-friendly cleaning products is seeking distributors for its new surgical instrument cleaner designed for the elimination of organic odors and stains in many industries and market applications (756).
11. Delaware manufacturer of optical systems that track inventory is seeking system integrators or value-added resellers (714).
12. Pennsylvania service provider for power generators is seeking representatives (723).
13. Georgia manufacturer of products improving concrete delivery operations is seeking representatives (717).
14. Illinois manufacturer of cases for business and industry is seeking representatives (720).
15. Georgia manufacturer of pumps designed to remove waste and water is seeking representatives (718).
16. Delaware distributor of environmentally friendly fertilizer additives is seeking distributors (729).

Seeking Candidates  for Executive Leadership Program

The Merage Foundation is seeking applicants for its Spring 2009 Executive Leadership Program, which focuses on increasing an individual's and a company's strategic ability to export their products and/or services to the United States. The program includes approaches to successful marketing, negotiation, networking, and procurement in the U.S. and increases participant understanding of U.S. trade policies and cultural differences that affect Israeli business export objectives. The participant must demonstrate a clear capacity and commitment to initiate or expand exports of their products and/or services to the U.S.
The program is limited to applicants from the Life Sciences including biotech, bio-med, medical devices, life science technologies, agro biotech as well as water and alternative energy activities related to the life sciences.
Applicants must be citizens of Israel and speak English fluently.  Except for transportation, the Merage Foundation covers all costs associated with the program, including lodging and food. The next program will run from February 1-13 2009 inclusive and will be held in Irvine, California.
Completed applications must be received no later than Nov. 14, 2008. Further information can be found on Merage's website, www.meragefoundations.com.
For information, contact Atid E.D.I., 02-5710199, or email: sherwin@atid-edi.com.

Benefits for Members

Fast-Track Visa to the U.S.
The Chamber assists its Members with a fast-track service for interviews for visas to the U.S. For information, contact the Chamber. 
Please note:

The service is designated only for business trips. The interview includes fingerprinting.
If your valid visa is inside an old passport, you can enter the U.S. presenting both passports.
The visa to the U.S. is valid until the expiration date. However, the Embassy recommends renewing the visa before the expiration date.
The approval process of visas for employees in sensitive fields might take longer than usual.
American citizens should note that renewing a passport takes 4-6 weeks.
The service includes a fee.

We ask that Chamber Members and their employees be respectful to employees of the visa sections at the Embassy, as they are doing their utmost to assist with the timely processing and delivery of the visas.

Chamber Boardroom

The Chamber is providing its Members, at a symbolic price, its boardroom on the 8^th floor in the America House in Tel Aviv. Up to 18 people can be seated around the table, or up to 35 people in a theatre configuration. Services include a first-rate projector, a "barcode" for presentation purposes. To make use of the boardroom, contact the Chamber.

New Members

In 2008, 57 companies have joined the Chamber. The following companies have joined in the last month:

MembershipFees
If you have yet to submityour Membership fee for 2008, please do so ASAP.