Western Canadian chapter of American Chamber  of Commerce focused on expanding cross-border commerce

CALGARY; LARGEST AMERICAN CITY NORTH OF THE 49TH 

David Parker, Calgary Herald -

The western Canadian chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham West) is forging ahead with renewed enthusiasm and a new focus on better serving a wider geography after the setbacks caused by the pandemic.


© Provided by Calgary HeraldLee Malleau is board chair of AmCham, which is broadening its geographic reach and scope of the industries it serves.

Lee Malleau, board chair of AmCham West, says she is encouraged by the loyalty and energy of her board and the support of members shown by their interest in the first two events the organization has been able to hold recently.

The first in-person event was an energy panel hosted by ARIS — SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services that responds to the innovation needs of industry — moderated by Brad Robson, vice-chair of AmCham West and president and CEO of Dotted i Strategies.

The second was a sold-out luncheon at the Ranchmen’s Club when an attentive audience listened to a message from U.S. Consul General Holly Waeger Monster, followed by a fireside chat with Malleau and a lively question period.

It was a good opportunity for Monster to finally address a face-to-face Calgary business group since arriving in the city last summer amid public health restrictions.

AmCham West serves as the first point of contact with the U.S. Commercial Service at the consulate — well represented by commercial specialist Connie Halder but expecting a new director to be posted here within a couple of months.

The local chapter has experienced and diverse board members who act as the go-to persons for any of its members needs.

Malleau is a good example.

Her education and background in journalism, communications, economics, business and management are a great asset to the organization.

She runs her own company, Globalnomics, a multidisciplinary corporation focusing on strategic and action planning, project management, research and analysis, and international investment.

In various executive roles, Malleau has facilitated new investment across Western Canada over the past 25 years, including as CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission where she led the city’s Olympic business programs through the 2010 Winter Games.

Also a recognized community leader, Malleau has a strong volunteer track record, including past-president of her Rotary club and recipient of the international organization’s Paul Harris Fellow Award for her service.

In her current volunteer role as chair of AmCham West, she has a mandate to broaden the organization’s focus on the energy industry and to expand services to better reflect the geographical area covered by the consulate.

That means canvassing for directors and new members in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as across this province.

Patrick Lamoureux, president of Lams & Associates — a business advisement firm based in Sherwood Park — is an AmCham board member who is helping facilitate a followup energy panel in Edmonton in early June, partnering with the Edmonton Chamber, Edmonton Global and the Alberta Enterprise Group.

In Calgary, AmCham West will be present alongside the U.S. Consulate in its booth at next month’s Global Petroleum Show. It is holding an agritech event at the Calgary Petroleum Club on June 16 and 17, and future events are planned that will embrace digital and creative media, reflecting the diversity of industries the organization serves.

Much of what it offers its members is in support of their pursuit of access to new markets through education, a willing network of business and government leaders, and as a resource of trusted information that will help stimulate and encourage positive investment both at home and internationally.

That means AmCham West has access to the right resources to help any small, medium or large company in its efforts to facilitate cross-border work.