AABC is a professional networking organization whose main
purpose is to improve
business to business contacts between people doing business in the Netherlands. The club includes a
broad variety of nationalities and professional
backgrounds.
How it
works We hold monthly networking luncheons and borrels featuring interesting guest speakers. There are also
special events
during the year such as our Labor Day Picnic and
Thanksgiving Dinner. If you are not already a member, register now!
IMPORTANT NEW US TRAVEL
REQUIREMENTS
Beginning August 1, 2008, the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization (ESTA) will be accessible via Internet for
citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program
(VWP) countries to apply for advance authorization to
travel to the United States under the VWP.
Effective January 12, 2009, all VWP travelers will
be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization
prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the
U.S. under the VWP.See the US
Consulate website or download this ESTA tearsheet for
more information.
Click here to find out more about sponsoring
the AABC.
======== PAST EVENTS
========
January Networking Borrel
We held our annual January Networking Borrel at Horlings - Accountants and Tax Advisors.
This event was free for AABC Paid Members and their guests.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Nov 27, 2008
We held our annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Amsterdam Hilton.
A full selection of Thanksgiving food favorites and live entertainment made this a Thanksgiving to remember.
Live Music: "3 of a Kind", powered by Canon.
4 November: U.S. Election Night 2008 See and buy US Election Night photos here!
Our all-night event brought more than 600 people to the Hilton Hotel Amsterdam to watch this historic election.
The excitement was high during the night of up to the minute national election coverage, entertainment, exciting panel discussions, and food.
Hosted by the Hilton, Amsterdam, Amsterdam American Business club, U.S. Consulate, American Chamber of Commerce, Nyenrode University, and The Wall Street Journal.
September 15 2008 Networking Borrel at Baker & McKenzie We kicked off the autumn networking season with a great borrel at Baker & McKenzie. This event was free for AABC Paid Members and their guests.
Labor Day BBQ Picnic -- 31 August 2008
Our annual traditional American-style
Labor Day barbecue picnic was great fun! Many AABC members and friends came out for hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, plus all sorts of fun and games.
Gerard Jongerius Spoke at June
2008 Luncheon
On June 16 we held our season-ending luncheon at the Guru
of India restaurant in Amsterdam. Gerard Jongerius,
Executive Director of the Henry Hudson 400 Foundation,
spoke about the celebrations, preparations and the great
trans Atlantic business opportunities marking 400 years of
Dutch-American ties.
Robert Bragar Spoke
at May 2008 Luncheon
Our guest speaker in May was Mr. Robert Bragar,
Chair of Democrats Abroad Netherlands. His
topic was "America’s elections: What’s
next?". In addition to the lively discussion of
America's election, this was another great opportunity to
network with others in the international business
community.
AABC Commemorated Dutch-American
Friendship Day 2008
The AABC held our annual commemoration of Dutch-American
Friendship Day on Tuesday, 15 April 2008. It was a lovely,
well-attended event featuring Chargé d'Affaires a.i.
Michael Gallagher of the US Embassy as our keynote speaker.
Meet & Greet Wine Tasting 2008
Held
Our annual Meet & Greet took place on February 21 at the
Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. Wine tasting was provided by
Floractive. Live entertainment was by
Essential Voices", powered by
Canon. Raffle prizes included 2 tickets to
the USA via Continental Airlines.
Jan-Willem Groot Spoke in January
2008
We are pleased to have had Jan Willem
Groot, deputy mayor of Amstelveen, as the guest
speaker at our luncheon on January 21.
December 2007 Luncheon and Annual General
Meeting
Our December Luncheon and Annual General Meeting was held
on Monday, 17 December, at the Hard Rock Café in Amsterdam.
Entertainment was provided by the Amsterdam-based
improvisational comedy group easylaughs. The Annual General Meeting
was productive and this well-attended luncheon provided
great networking.
Thanksgiving Dinner
2007 The American Chamber of Commerce in the
Netherlands (AmCham) and the Amsterdam American Business
Club (AABC) held our annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the
Amsterdam Hilton Hotel on Thursday, 22 November 2007. US
Consul General Marjorie Ames was the guest speaker.
Live music was by "Essential Voices", sponsored by
Canon. The dinner was very well-attended and was a great
way to give thanks with family and friends.
Farewell Cocktail for Stedman
Graham on Oct 16
This was an exclusive "Paid Members Only" farewell
reception for bestselling author Stedman Graham at the
Amstel Hotel. It was very inspiring and encouraging to see
such interest in supporting the steps being taken here in
the Netherlands to benefit from the tremendous asset that
growing workforce diversity provides.
2007 Labor Day BBQ
Picnic
Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, plus all sorts of fun and
games! Lots of AABC members and friends turned out for our
annual traditional American-style barbecue!
Mark Fuchs of Van Lanschot Bank
Spoke at May Luncheon 2007 We were pleased to
have as our guest speaker Mr. Mark Fuchs, Senior Private
Banker at van Lanschot Bank in Amsterdam. It was very
interesting to learn about Van Lanschot's role in the Dutch
banking industry. It was also another great networking
opportunity with plenty of time to mingle with other
members.
AABC Commemorated Dutch-American
Friendship Day 2007
The AABC's annual commemoration of Dutch-American
Friendship Day 2007 took place on April 19th at
Ginger's Restaurant, located at WTC
Schiphol Airport. See pictures of the event.
Event sponsor: Schiphol Group/Schiphol Real
Estate
Guest of Honor: US Consul General Marjorie
Ames
Speakers
* Mr Pieter Verboom, CFO Schiphol Group
* United States Consul General Marjorie Ames
* Amsterdam Alderman Lodewijk Asscher
Live entertainment was provided by solo singer and pianist
"Con Espressione," powered by Canon.
Meet & Greet 2007 a
Success Our 2007 Meet and Greet brought together
hundreds of business professionals for great networking in
a uniquely personal and enjoyable environment. It took
place on 22 March at the Amsterdam Hilton. Free wine
tasting was provided by Floractive. Live entertainment was
by "Essential Voices," powered by Canon. There were also
hot appetizers and snacks, a cash bar and a raffle giving
away great prizes, including two tickets to the US on
Continental Airlines!
Katherine Farnon of Wereld Omroep
Spoke in February 2007 Our February luncheon took
place on 19 February at the Amsterdam Hilton. We were
pleased to have as our guest speaker Katherine Farnon, head
of strategy and business development at Wereld
Omroep.
It was very interesting to hear how Wereld
Omroep is evolving in response to the changing multi-media,
international communications challenges.
ING Bank's Peter van Leeuwen Spoke
in January 2007 Our January Luncheon took place
at the Amsterdam Hilton on 15 January 2007. We were pleased
to have as our guest speaker Mr. Peter van Leeuwen,
Director International Business, ING Bank. He shared
insights about the international climate in business
investment in the Netherlands.
December 2006 Luncheon and Annual
General Meeting Our December Luncheon and Annual
General Meeting were held at Boom Chicago on 18 December.
The luncheon featured a sample from Boom Chicago's new
comedy show "Me, MySpace, and iPod".
Thanksgiving Dinner
2006
The American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands
(AmCham) and the Amsterdam American Business Club (AABC)
held our annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Amsterdam Hilton
Hotel on Thursday, 23 November 2006. See photos of the
event here: Thanksgiving Dinner
Photos
Entertainment was sponsored by Canon.
IBM's Harry van Dorenmalen Spoke in
October 2006
IBM Nederland's Managing Director, Mr. Harry van
Dorenmalen, was the guest speaker at our October 16th
luncheon at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel.
It was very interesting to hear him speak about
multinational business in the Netherlands. The luncheon
was also a great opportunity to network with others in the
Amsterdam business community.
Marjorie Ames Spoke at
September 2006 Luncheon
The new AABC luncheon season kicked off with our exciting
luncheon on September 18th at the Amsterdam Hilton
Hotel.
Our guest speaker was the new US Consul General, Marjorie
Ames. We welcome her warmly on behalf of the Amsterdam
American business community!
2006 Labor Day BBQ
Picnic
Hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, plus all sorts of fun and
games! Lots of AABC members and friends turned out for our
annual traditional American-style barbecue!
June 2006 Boat Tour Marked
Beginning of Summer
Our June AABC boat tour/luncheon was well-attended and had
nice weather. It was a great networking opportunity while
riding along the Amsterdam canals.
Next season's luncheons will begin in September.
Theo van Maaren Spoke at
May 2006 Luncheon
Theo L. van Maaren, senior partner of Baker & McKenzie and
head of their Asia practice group, was our guest speaker at
the AABC Luncheon on May 15th. His topic: "A different
approach — doing business with Japanese and American
companies in the Netherlands."
The luncheon was a great networking opportunity for
Amsterdam businesses!
Dutch
-American Friendship Day 2006 Well-Attended
In cooperation with WTC Schiphol, the AABC held our Annual
Dutch-American Friendship Day 2006 on 19 April in the
Schipholgebouw at Schiphol.
The friendship between
the Netherlands and the United States of
America is the United States’ longest unbroken, peaceful
relationship with any foreign country — over 220 years!
John Adams, the second president of the United States,
arranged for the Netherlands to recognize America as an
independent nation officially on 19
April 1782.
The speakers for our Dutch-American
Friendship Day featured:
United States Ambassador to the Netherlands, Roland
Arnall
Boom Chicago comedian Greg Shapiro
CFO Schiphol Group Pieter Verboom
Jacob Gelt Dekker, co-recipient of the Terry Dornbush
Award for fostering the relationship between the
Netherlands and the US
Fatima Elatik Spoke at March 2006
Luncheon
Fatima Elatik, Deputy Major of Amsterdam Zeeburg, was our
guest speaker at the AABC luncheon on 20 March. She shared
interesting insights about the interconnectedness of the
Amsterdam business community with the larger Amsterdam
community and gave practical suggestions for how the
Amsterdam business community can become more
involved.
Meet & Greet Wine
Tasting 2006 a Success! The annual Meet & Greet
Trade Event, bringing together hundreds of business
professionals, took place this year at the Amsterdam Hilton
Hotel on February 13. This stimulating event attracted
between 300-400 guests who met, mingled and networked. Over
thirty companies had booths at the event to showcase their
goods and services. Free wine was provided by Wines Way and
many great raffle prizes were given away! Look for this
once-a-year opportunity again next year.
NEWS (22 February 2007): Congress
creates a new "Americans Abroad Caucus"
On February 22, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and
Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) sent a letter to their
colleagues in the House of Representatives inviting them to
join the "Americans Abroad Caucus, dedicated to the
estimated 4 to
6 million American citizens living and working
overseas."
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