PRESIDENT’S LETTER: JUNE/JULY 2020
To our BABC Members and Friends,
Over the last two months, we have all experienced the personal and professional impacts of COVID-19. We have all been challenged in ways we could never have imagined. Fortunately, we responded quickly to this unprecedented time and adapted accordingly.
The BABC of Georgia provided a full calendar of virtual events during the month of May. The current pandemic has not slowed us down. We have been able to offer a vast selection of webinars on some very interesting and educational topics.
Our VP, Simon Jenner, hosted a webinar on E-Communication and the advantages to communicating a message with speed, but also how this speedy communication, without thought, can be detrimental to your personal life and career.
One of our newest Corporate Members, Security Centers International, hosted an event on Crime Trends and Cyber Security Threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an eye opener to learn that while statistics on serious and violent crime are down, statistics in other areas like burglaries, auto theft and vandalism were on the increase. The webinar also included the psychological impact this period of isolation is having on human behavior.
On a lighter note, we were excited to host, for the very first time, our virtual Afternoon Tea. Some of our guests even wore hats to really get in the Afternoon Tea atmosphere. To add to the fun, our Event’s Chair, Kafi London, had prepared some trivia questions on the history of this quintessentially British occasion. Do you know when and by whom Afternoon Tea was first introduced? Do you know the difference between Cornish and Devon Cream Tea?
We are also thrilled to have developed stronger ties with the BABC Network. The various Chapters have been sharing and participating in each other’s events. Some of our webinar participants included BABC members from Boston, Philadelphia and Miami. This new approach to virtual functioning has not only allowed our members to stay connected during this time, it is now opening up opportunities for them to showcase their expertise with fellow BABC members around the United States.
On May 5th negotiations were launched towards a UK-US Free Trade Agreement and further rounds of talks will take place every six weeks. UK Government analysis shows that a trade deal with the US could lead to a $19 billion increase in trade which would be mutually beneficial to the UK and the US. The UK’s relationship with Georgia is already a strong one and we look to seeing that foundation being built upon.
From September, the BABC in Philadelphia will be partnering with their Department for International Trade (DIT) Board Members and the Welsh Government, to offer the BABC Network a series of quarterly webinar briefings on the US-UK Trade discussions. These webinars will be open to all our members in order to keep you updated on the talks.
During these Summer months we will not be slowing down our provision of virtual events, because we understand the need to Connect, Learn and Grow. Our selection will include COVID-19 and the Future of Financial Markets and a Women’s Series discussion on Practical and Tactical Strategies to Re-evaluate and Reimage Your Future.
Our Beer, Business and Banter this month will be a Pop Quiz Edition. So, I encourage you to brush up on your trivia. Who knows, those questions about Afternoon Tea might just come up!
If you have a topic you would like to share with our members, please be sure to let us know and we will be delighted to add your webinar to our Calendar of Events.
Despite these uncertain times, we are currently in the process of planning our late Summer, Autumn and Winter in-person events, beginning with our Annual Garden Party. We hope to have a date decided upon in the next coming weeks. So, get your hats and fascinators ready!
In the meantime, I wish all our members and friends a safe, healthy and POWER-filled Summer and I look forward to seeing you in a couple of months.
With warm regards,
Jennifer Riis-Poulsen
President
