Trip to Open the Bay Area Business
Community's China Landing Pad

There are many reasons why Bay Area companies have decided now is the time to expand in China. With China’s stunning economic growth, its rapidly expanding middle class, the pull of existing customers to move there, the threat of competitors getting there first, the escalating demand and premium price for Bay Area or “American” products and services, a potential prolonged local recession, and the need to be in China in this evermore “global” business world – it’s no wonder.

Like any new market, business in China comes with challenges. Relationship management is a critical competence, as are strategies to get comfortable with a new business culture and operate in a different language. That said, numerous Bay Area businesses have already braved China and found it an exhilarating, profitable experience.

China wants and needs your products and services. They want to build an economy modeled more and more on the Bay Area’s innovation economy. Recognizing the mutual benefit for our two regions in the coming Century of the Pacific, the Bay Area business community is partnering with the business and government community of Shanghai to roll out the red carpet and build a Bay Area landing pad in Shanghai’s dynamic Yangpu District.

We hope you join us on this historic trip as we learn how to successfully expand in China, use the Yangpu District as an in depth case study of how to grow in China from the ground up, see one of the most incredible cities humanity has ever built, plus, have a good time.

Hotel: Our guests will stay at Hyatt on the Bund, a 5 star luxury hotel, uniquely located on the banks of the Huang Pu River at the northern end of the Bund in Shanghai, China. It offers spectacular views of the Bund and Pudong, as well as exceptional business services, and is walking distance from many of the most important attractions of traditional downtown Shanghai. It has a large fitness center, a spa and spacious rooms with incredible views.

Ground Transportation: From arrival until departure, guests will be transported in private cars with English speakers or luxury buses.

Dining: Shanghai’s cuisine is as diverse and internationally influenced as its residents. This trip is structured to allow participants to taste a wide variety of the best Shanghai has to offer.

Air Travel: Whether you would like business class, comfortable economy seats, or just the shortest flight, we are negotiating reduced rates to ensure our guests can make this long haul trip as pleasantly as possible.

Cost:  $4,500 (includes 4-nights of hotel, conferences, ground travel, food and all other routine costs)
- Negotiated business or economy class airfare rates are available

Reasons to Attend:

• If you are considering opening an operation or finding partners in China in the next few years.
• If you seek Chinese customers for your companies products and services.
• If you have an operation in China and are considering expanding.
• If you would like to deepen your relationships with Chinese Government and Business leaders.
• If you would like to deepen your relationships with Bay Area and U.S. companies in China.
• If you would like to learn about China, see Shanghai and visit the Expo.
• If you would like to keep up on the trends that will shape the business world in the next 100 years.

About the Office:

After several years of trans-Pacific collaboration between the Bay Area Council and business and government leaders in Shanghai, we are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with Chinese officials to open a physical office in Yangpu District, Shanghai to begin the important work of bilateral trade and investment promotion between our two regions. More than just an office, the agreement is a partnership that allows the Bay Area to enhance our role as a leader in the global economy and assert our position as the key economic link to the Pacific Rim.

Council staff both in the Bay Area and Shanghai will help small, medium and large Bay Area businesses expand into the Chinese market, while working to attract Chinese businesses and investment here. The partnership has the goal of strengthening existing economic relationships between the Bay Area and the greater Yangtze region, and cultivating new ones. Experts predict that, with estimated construction needs of 2 billion square meters of buildings every year through 2020 and national renewable energy targets set at 20 percent of electric power generation by 2020, demand for Bay Area products and services will sky rocket.

The Bay Area Council’s office will open in June and will be located in the Knowledge and Innovation Community in the Yangpu District of Shanghai and Bay Area Council Vice President of Global Initiatives Kristen Durham will serve as
Director. Yangpu is one of only three designated Innovation Zones in China and has a number of attributes attractive to venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.