On Thursday, 29th November 2018, Professionals in International Trade (PIT) in partnership with Michael Page and Teeling Whiskey held a successful End of Year Networking Event to thank our members for their involvement, participation and support of PIT over the year and to celebrate the upcoming holiday season.
The event was attended by more than 60 participants from across the international trade and investment industry, comprising representatives from Australia; Singapore; France, Norway; Italy; Colombia; Ireland; Malaysia; Slovenia; the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The evening provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on PIT’s events across 2018; to hear about PIT’s plans for the coming year; build personal and professional business relationships; and to celebrate a successful end to the year.
Annual Overview
Over the year, PIT has grown to a staggering 400 members whom collectively represent over 50 different countries. Having successfully organised and held five (5) events throughout the year, PIT is fulfilling its mission of connecting and supporting like-minded individuals whom work and share a common interest in international trade and investment, business and foreign affairs.
These events included:
- PIT’s Rebranding Launch at KPMG in March
- A Speed Networking at Austrade in May
- A Panel Discussion on How FTAs impact on Global Trade at the UK Department of International Trade in July
- A Professional Branding Workshop at NSW Trade & Investmentin September
- PIT’s End-of-Year Networking Drinks on November 29 at Michael Page.
We hope that through these events, our members have been able to build professional and social networks; exchange ideas; deepen their knowledge of the international trade, investment and industry development industries and most importantly to have fun while building long-term trusting relationships which underpin all commercial, governmental and personal interactions.
Looking Ahead
In addition to organising continued networking and professional development events for members in 2019, as we look to 2019, PIT’s vision is to expand in the following areas:
- Further developing the PIT Job & Career Portal as an effective means of connecting individuals seeking to build or further their careers in international trade and investment with employers seeking to access the best talent available in the industry;
- Continuing to grow PIT’s network to encompass representatives from all foreign countries that have a trade and investment presence in the Australian and NZ markets.
- Continuing to build strong partnerships with strategic organisations that will add value to PIT’s members and help deliver quantifiable cost savings to the industry.
- Other initiatives such as establishing a mentoring platform to connect young, early stage professionals with experienced Managers and Trade and Investment Personnel whom can provide valuable industry relevant career advice and support.
Partner Appreciation
PIT would also like to thank our partners whom have been an incredible source of support for our success, namely our corporate sponsors such as Austrade; Daniel Sommer Photography; Driftwood Group; the Export Council of Australia (ECA); Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA); KPMG; LinkedIn; Michael Page; the NSW Department of Industry; the Polyglot Group; Teeling Whiskey and the UK Department of International Trade.
PIT Chairman Daniel Spencer with Liz Lalor from Teeling Whiskey
We would also like to record our appreciation to mentors such Tamara Leizer, Lisa McAuley and Peter Hocking for their valuable guidance and mentorship in establishing PIT as an incorporated association to advocate for and support international trade and investment professionals in Sydney.
A shout out also goes to PIT’s Executive Committee members
whom have demonstrated exemplary commitment; discipline and drive over the year in establishing this association, engaging with our members/partners and organising events, all on a voluntary basis.
Daniel Spencer; Fatou Ndiaye; Martin Roa Skramstad; Yara Vasina, Lean Soh, Rachel White, Kelsey Hill; Alexandre Kohn)
Special thanks goes out to, Daniel Spencer our Chairman whom initially founded PIT as an informal professional networking group and for bringing the Executive Committee together in numerous ways.
Looking ahead, a new year brings change and so it is with PIT’s Executive Committee with Daniel making a move to Singapore for a new personal and professional advenutre and Fatou Ndiaye, one of our Vice-Chairs returning to Paris, France to work in the corporate social responsibility space. We wish them both all the best in their future endeavours.
Most of all however, PIT would like to thank each and every one of you, our members without whom all this would not be possible. Your engagement; participation; support and feedback throughout the year has been immeasurable in making PIT what it is today.
New Executive Board & Committee Members
Given these changes, PIT is on the lookout for highly motivated, talented, reliable and emotionally intelligent individuals to join us in forming a new Executive Committee for 2019.
A meeting to elect PIT’s new Executive Board & Commitete Members will be held at 6pm on Monday 17th December.
If you may be interested to join PIT’s Team or to find out more about supporting PIT then we ask all interested candidates to email pitnsw@gmail.com. We will then share more details on the positions available and the process to apply.
Thank You & See You in 2019!
The PIT End-of-Year networking drinks event came to a close after 2 hours of networking; drinks; good food and even better company. PIT hope our members found it an enjoyable experience to connect with some wonderful peers and to get to know each other better.
We thank our kind hosts at Michael Page in supporting us with this gorgeous venue and Teeling Whiskey for offering a tasting of premium Irish whiskey to our members. PIT looks forward in continuing to engage, work with you our members, and for your support over the coming year.
We would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and great Holiday season ahead. See you in 2019!