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CCBC Diverse Canada Virtual Mission 2021

Connecting Diverse Canadian Business Leaders with the China Market

September – November 2021

COVID-19 has suspended travel and slowed international business development, but China’s control of the pandemic and economic rebound poses a unique opportunity for Canadian businesses and exporters.

 

With the intention of fostering diversity in Canada-China business, this CCBC program is designed to connect diverse business leaders, including those identifying as women, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ2+, with the resources and support they need to enter and succeed in the China market. In recruiting delegates for this Mission, CCBC prioritized the recruitment of delegates who identify as women, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ2+.

MISSION OVERVIEW

From September to November 2021, the Diverse Canada Virtual Mission will lead a delegation of up to 20 Canadian business leaders to build connections and create business plans for China market success. Leading up to the Mission on November 23-24, delegates will undergo 10 hours of specialized training focused on brand positioning, digital marketing, Chinese business culture, funding business expansion, and protection of IP.

 

Mission delegates will participate in a virtual business exhibition and pitch presentation open to the Canada-China business community, trade commissioners, and China market business contacts, and will participate in an interactive virtual Mission program featuring roundtable discussions with distinguished speakers, industry breakouts, and B2B networking opportunities. CCBC will arrange two curated meetings per delegate with the aim of helping delegates work toward their China market goals.

 

All delegates will be granted complimentary virtual participation in two premier CCBC virtual events: China’s 14th Five-Year Plan: Opportunities for Canadian Companies to Pivot and Expand in the World’s Largest Consumer Market on September 28, and the 43rd CCBC AGM and Business Forum. Taking place October 27-28, CCBC’s AGM and Business Forum is an annual event that convenes bilateral business leaders for a two-day hybrid conference examining current opportunities and obstacles in Canada-China business.

 

PROGRAM AT-A-GLANCE**

September 21, 2021
3:00pm – 5:00pm EDT
Workshop 1*:

 

  • Introduction to Doing Business in China
  • Onboarding Networking Session
  • Theme: What is your Mission Goal

 

September 28, 2021
11:00am – 2:00pm EDT
China’s 14th Five-Year Plan: Opportunities for Canadian Companies to Pivot and Expand in the World’s Largest Consumer Market
Complimentary registration! ($50 value) 

 

October 5, 2021
3:00pm – 5:00pm EDT

 

Workshop 2:

 

  • China Market Entry and Growth for Canadian Brands
    About WPIC: WPIC Marketing + Technologies drives online revenue for global brands in China, Japan and South East Asia through data, analytics, e-commerce solutions, essential support services, and more. With over 17 years of Western management and APAC operations in digital and IT sectors, WPIC has successfully deployed and grown over 550+ brands in Asia and has global reach across China, Japan, Asia Pacific, North America and Europe.

    Presenter: Peter McMath, WPIC Marketing + Technologies

  • Introduction to Alibaba’s Digital Platform
    Rising consumer spending power and enthusiasm for online shopping are driving businesses to tap into China. Online retail now accounts for more than half of total China retail market, and we are seeing consistent double-digit growth in imports from Canada to China year-over-year. With 800 million+ monthly mobile active users in the ecosystem, Alibaba Group’s cross-border B2C platform, Tmall Global, is building the future infrastructure of cross-border e-commerce to help merchants, brands and small businesses in North America reach and engage with Chinese consumers. From health supplement, superfood, beauty, maternity and baby fashion to outdoor sport fashion and gears, Canadian brands are highly sought after, and often regarded as premium and trustworthy. Join us to learn about the retail landscape and opportunities in China, and how to enter and succeed in the market through China’s largest B2C cross-border e-commerce platform, Tmall Global.
     
    About Tmall Global: Launched in 2014, Tmall Global is Alibaba’s dedicated channel for cross-border e-commerce. It is the largest and most comprehensive cross-border B2C online marketplace targeting the Chinese market. The platform allows brands and retailers without operations in China to sell to Chinese consumers, and connects more than 29,000 brands from 87 countries and regions with consumers across Alibaba’s platforms.

    Presenters: Nicole Lin, Tmall Global, and Shanshan Tang, Alibaba Group

 

October 12, 2021
3:00pm – 5:00pm EDT
Workshop 3:

 

  • Chinese Business Culture
    This session will offer delegates valuable insight on the intricacies of Chinese business culture and the importance of ‘getting it right’ when meeting a Chinese business counterpart for the first time. A key mantra in business is to ‘know your customer’ and nowhere is this more true than in China. Delegates will come away with a few key cultural pointers on how to make a positive impression and also what pitfalls to avoid in your personal interactions. Real-life experiences will be highlighted in the session, providing delegates with practical examples on how to ensure a successful business trip.
    Presenter: Sarah Kutulakos, Canada China Business Council (CCBC)

 

  • Preparing your venture in China – IP, Licensing and Partnerships
    As creators, users and suppliers of original work, you have an enormous amount invested in your products. Choosing the right protection from the different legal remedies available can demand extensive knowledge of different industries, especially if you are operating in a different country. George Tai, Partner at Dentons Canada LLP, will cover topics including international framework for registering IP, commercializing IP, and corporate structures Canadian SMEs should be aware of when operating beyond Canada.

    About Dentons Canada LLP: As part of the renowned global team, Dentons has an established history in all six of Canada’s key economic centers—Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. With roots reaching as far back as 1839 in Canada, we are truly “in and of the community,” providing our clients with our leading and seamless legal services in common and civil law, in English and French. Dentons is proud to act for of a wide variety of clients in Canada, ranging from startups to industry icons in both the public and private realms, and is positioned to support the success of our domestic Canadian clients and the vast array of international players that are investing and developing their presence in the Canadian economy. More than 500 lawyers and professionals across our Canadian offices provide clients with on-the-ground legal talent and leading experience across many industries, including key sectors of the Canadian economy.


    Presenter: George Tai, Dentons Canada LLP

 

October 19, 2021
3:00pm – 5:00pm EDT
Workshop 4*:

 

  • Developing your Pitch for the China Market
    This session will be supported by our CCBC Chapter Directors and we hope all delegates can make the session. 

     

    During this session we will request each delegate to:
    1) Share their Mission goal
    2) Explain what they hope to learn about the China market over the course of the Mission
    3) Let us know what kinds of contacts you hope to market

    4) Let us know about areas of interest that have come up since you joined our Virtual Mission Program

     
    This is an important session to enable us to support you in achieving your mission goals. It is also an important session for you to build connections with your fellow delegates. During this session we will also offer initial guidance on creating your pitch video.

 

October 27-28, 2021
Two-day virtual conference, timed for Canadian attendees

 

CCBC’s 43rd AGM & Business Forum

Complimentary registration! ($99 value)

 

 

November 2, 2021
3:00pm – 5:00pm EDT
Workshop 5*:

 

 

  • Perfecting Your Pitch Session before a panel of industry experts

     

    CCBC will invite industry experts we believe can offer valuable support, insight and advice to our delegates. This will also be an important networking session for delegates.

     

    Finalized Pitch video will be due by November 4.

     

     

 

November 9, 2021
3:00pm – 5:00pm EST
Workshop 6:

 

  • Diverse Entrepreneur Toolkit: Services and Support to Fund Business Expansion for Canadian Exporters Q&A

    Presenter: Jennifer Cooke, Export Development Canada (EDC)

 

November 16, 2021
4:00pm – 5:00pm EST Pre-Mission Delegate Networking

 

November 23, 2021
Timing TBA
Virtual Mission Day 1*
Program details to be announced in the coming weeks 

 

November 24, 2021
Timing TBA
Virtual Mission Day 2*
Program details to be announced in the coming weeks 

 

*Indicates delegate participation is mandatory
**Draft schedule subject to further updates

 

PRESENTERS

Jennifer Cooke
Director of Inclusive Trade
Export Development Canada (EDC)

 

Biography

Jennifer Cooke joined EDC in 2010 to work directly with Canadian companies and help them succeed in international markets. As the Director for Inclusive Trade, she leads a team that is focused specifically on helping more women and diverse Canadian entrepreneurs realize their global potential with confidence by removing barriers, creating an equitable playing field, and increasing accessibility to products and services. Working directly, as well as through key partners, EDC offers specialized and reliable trade knowledge, facilitates exports of goods and services with financing and insurance, and provides connections to enable all companies to achieve international success.

Nicole Lin
Business Development Country Manager – Canada
Tmall Global

Biography

Nicole joined Alibaba, Tmall Global in 2018, and has since worked as a BD manager for the Americas region, and category manager for the Tmall Overseas Fulfilment team. Nicole has extensive work experience in both FMCG and luxury retail, and is now focusing on helping Canadian brands and partners tapping into China through Cross-Border Ecommerce.

Peter McMath
Chief Revenue Officer
WPIC Marketing + Technologies

 

Biography

Originating from an entrepreneurial background as Founder and Executive, Peter is obsessed with solving problems. Having built and executed solutions across every department of a company, Peter is now committed to leveraging his holistic experience in value creation and growth for organizations seeking market entry and market growth in the Asia Pacific regions.

 

From ideation to execution, Peter has developed products, built consumer brands, managed international sourcing and complex supply chain logistics and discovered partnership opportunities. Ultimately, Peter’s impact has created value for organizations and customers in over 40 countries.

 

Peter’s strong ability to identify and understand the core problems, then communicate a concise and appealing vision forward allows him to effectively identify key objectives and execute a plan to profitability and success.

Sarah Kutulakos
Executive Director & COO
Canada China Business Council (CCBC)

Biography

Sarah joined the CCBC in 2007 and has since revitalized CCBC’s role as Canada’s premier bilateral trade and investment organization. Sarah has re-centered the Council’s activities around providing business services, catalyzing business growth and activity, and advocating for stronger Sino-Canadian bilateral trade and investment. This has resulted in extensive public outreach activities, internal infrastructure improvements, the launch of new programs such as the Business Incubation Centre, and thriving member relations.

 

Prior to joining CCBC, Sarah worked for 11 years in marketing, product development, and management with a major multinational corporation, where she had multiple assignments involving China. Sarah managed worldwide product businesses that marketed to China and used China-based sources of supply. She was also involved in several projects requiring cooperation with the Chinese government. Sarah has led both established and start-up businesses within the context of a global corporation and has broad emerging market business experience, and has been involved in the Greater China region since the late 1980’s when she lived and worked in Taiwan. There, she was the first non-Chinese employee of a local high-tech start-up firm, where she gained a deep understanding of Chinese business practices.

 

A fluent Mandarin speaker, Sarah’s interest in China began at the University of Wisconsin, where she studied Chinese, marketing, and international business. She holds an MBA in finance and operations from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. She frequently speaks on China issues, including marketing, trade, investment, and Canada-China relations.

George Tai
Partner
Dentons Canada LLP

Biography

George’s practice centers on Mergers and Acquisitions, Securities, Corporate Finance and Corporate/commercial transactions, primarily in the energy and technology sectors. George also has extensive experience advising technology companies having successfully negotiated complex licensing contracts, service agreements and software development agreements domestically and internationally with numerous multinational original equipment manufacturers, telecommunications companies and software companies. George has experience in structuring and negotiating international commercial transactions, advising a number of Canadian-based clients on transactions in Asia, and with Asian-based clients pursuing investments and business opportunities in Canada.

 

Prior to joining Dentons as a partner, George was the financial managing partner of a Calgary-based mid-sized law firm. George held several leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer of a NASDAQ software company where he was responsible for operations of seven offices worldwide (four of which were in Asia) and subsequently appointed as Chairman of the Board. He was also the Co-Founder and Vice-President of a TSX listed venture capital mutual fund, advising the board of directors on investments in biotech companies, healthcare companies and software companies.

Shanshan Tang
Alibaba Global Business Lead – Canada
Alibaba Group

Biography

Shanshan joined Alibaba in 2016, and is now based in Vancouver as lead of Alibaba Global Business in Canada, responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of the globalization of the Alibaba Group ecosystem in Canada. She received an MBA degree from Oxford University and Bachelor’s Degree from UBC. Shanshan’s presentation will highlight Alibaba’s oversea business strategy and how Alibaba is contributing to local SMEs.

For more information,
please contact your regional Chapter Director:

 

• Atlantic: Laura Markle
• Quebec: Philippe Jeanneau
• Ontario: Jeff Zhang
• Prairies: Philippe Jeanneau
• BC: Philippe Jeanneau

• Beijing: Noah Fraser
• Shanghai: Edward Dai

 

CCBC thanks CanExport Associations for partial funding support for this program.

 

Canada China Business Council (CCBC)