BABC's Visitor Exchange Program

As a truly integrated, transatlantic business organization, BABC would like to call your attention to our J1 Visa Program. Many members have already taken advantage of our Exchange Visitor Program (J1 Visa).

BABC is authorized by the United States Department of State to issue the Certificate of Eligibility necessary to secure a J1 Visa to transfer qualified employees into the United States from the UK and other countries.

If you are transferring staff to the United States from anywhere in the world, our J1 Visa Program may well offer you a very expedient, easy and cost-effective solution. We offer this Program exclusively to members of BABC chapters.

For further information on the J1 Visa Program please contact Ricardo Maldonado at 215-790-3627 or rmaldonado@philachamber.com

Raising Your Company's Profile

Lately, have you given thought to raising your company's profile and brand awareness among your fellow BABC members?

All of our programs are designed to provide a marketing opportunity, as well as a resource, for our members.

Sponsoring a BABC event can be a great way to promote your company's brand and services. There are a variety of sponsorships available and we are happy to work with you to identify the optimum sponsorships to meet your marketing needs; and to ensure that you get maximum business value from it.

The core benefits include:

Pre-event Promotion – including having your corporate name and logo on the event invitation sent to all BABC members and on the event calendar on our website.

Day of Event Promotion – including the opportunity to introduce the event and display marketing collateral and signage.

Post Event Publicity – including corporate recognition in the next issue of our newsletter; and a list of attendees.

As businesses today are more cost conscious, this is a very affordable way to promote, market and advertise your company. And we will work closely with you, as a member,  to make sure the opportunity meets your expectations.

And don’t forget another way to advance your company’s visibility is by attending BABC’s events.

For more information in sponsoring programs and events please contact Sheryl Rothberg at 215-790-3690 or srothberg@philachamber.com

Get Prepared for Tax Time! Go Global!

The British American Business Council's stellar panel of international tax experts will allow members to glean valuable business intelligence on recent changes in international tax transactions. As an added value, members will be able to earn two hours of continuing professional credits. Network with your peers at the helm of global companies in the Greater Philadelphia region to share your questions.

The BABC offers members the unique opportunity for face to face interaction with the Associate Chief Counsel (International) at the IRS, Hal Hicks. He is an expert in a wide range of International Tax areas, particularly International M & A, foreign tax credit, inbound and outbound planning and tax controversy matters.

In addition to addressing recent changes, panelists can field questions on formations of joint ventures and partnerships, cross-border transactions, including tax-minimization structures.

Recent US & UK International Tax Developments

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

The panel features industry-leading speakers:

Hal Hicks, Associate Chief Counsel at the IRS responsible for International Tax

Gary Wilcox, Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and former Deputy Chief Counsel at the IRS

Mike Swanick, Partner and Global Tax Leader of the Pharmaceutical Practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers

Jonathan Hare, UK Tax Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers

For more information, please call 215-790-3627, or click here to register.

BABC Transatlantic Conference: Go Glasgow!

The 2005 BABC Transatlantic Conference is an international 4-day event that will provide an unrivalled opportunity to participate in an exciting transatlantic business networking event that will focus on providing delegates with information on trading between North America and the United Kingdom. With a diverse program of business and fabulous social events that will enable all participants to network, share intelligence and promote business.It will include interactive discussions and presentation led by key decision makers, from both side of the Atlantic.  The Conference will take place in Glasgow, Scotland from the 21st to the 24th of October 2005.

For more information on the conference please visit www.snabc.org or contact Jean Shedden at jean@snabc.org

Wales and the Greater Philadelphia Area

A delegation of thirteen companies from the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors in Wales, UK, visited Philadelphia on June for BIO 2005 and to explore new business links with the Greater Philadelphia region.

The visit is part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategy to develop trade and investment opportunities between Wales and this region. The Welsh Minister for Economic Development and Transport, Andrew Davies, A.M., has visited Philadelphia on three occasions to meet with representatives of both Innovation Philadelphia and the GP2 Network and, in October 2004, he delivered a speech to the British American Business Council (BABC) International Conference held in the city. A cross-sector trade mission from Wales to Philadelphia resulted in over $ 10 million dollars worth of potential business. In May 2005, Sheryl Rothberg, Director of BABC in Philadelphia, met with the Welsh First Minister Rhodri Morgan during a visit to Wales.

Member Profile:
Wheatley UK Limited

One of our members, Wheatley UK Limited, has learned the value of BABC membership. Wheatley UK Limited is the UK sister company of Wheatley US Limited, headquartered in Bala Cynwyd just outside Philadelphia. According to Chairman William A. Wheatley, both firms are management consulting firms with an emphasis on problem resolution and disputes resolution for large construction projects around the world. They share an identity as "The Wheatley Companies ^SM."

After marketing London law firm Speechly Bircham for several years, Wheatley UK Limited was finally invited in June of last year to provide a proposal for consulting services in connection with a litigation matter for a large US client with problems in connection with a power plant project in the Middle East. The litigation was to be heard in the UK under English law. Through its BABC connections, Wheatley UK Limited was able to field a group of experts with UK credentials. Because of this, Wheatley UK Limited was awarded the assignment in June of this year and is now working the assignment with a team of five experts. BABC connections were crucial in enabling Wheatley UK Limited to qualify for this assignment.

To learn more about Wheatley UK Limited visit www.wheatleyuk.com