On October 9, 2024, CCBC hosted a seminar on navigating business opportunities with China in Kelowna, BC. The event provided companies with essential knowledge and strategies to prepare for exporting to the Chinese market. Presenters included speakers from Jealous Fruits, Export Navigator, the University of Alberta, WPIC Marketing + Technologies, Bennett Jones LLP, and CCBC. The seminar covered a range of topics to help companies expand and grow in an international market: why the China market is particularly advantageous for BC and the Okanagan region; understanding potential pitfalls and how to navigate them; insights into digital strategies for success in China; and protecting assets in an international market.

 

The seminar offered valuable networking and collaboration opportunities. Participants were encouraged to look beyond current limitations, as engaging with experts on China can help businesses lay the groundwork for successful market entry when the time is right. Pursuing opportunities in China requires careful planning and long-term strategy, and this event aimed to equip businesses with the tools and connections needed to expand their horizons.

 

 

Tickets: Free for CCBC members and non-members

 

Address: Kelowna Downtown Library, Classroom 1 (second floor), 1380 Ellis Street, Kelowna, BC

 

About the Speakers:

 

Raeanne Anderson
Export Advisor
Export Navigator

 

With over 20 years of export experience, Raeanne Anderson is highly accomplished in the exporting world. She’s worked alongside international agrifood industry powerhouses helping them expand their markets. Whether it was contract negotiations, logistical problem solving, or networking at tradeshows and conferences, she has seen and done it all. Being fluent in both Spanish and English allowed her to connect companies with global customers in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. She also helped these companies understand and comply with rigid quality control regulations when crossing borders. Ms. Anderson’s knowledge of exporting’s complexities lends itself to assisting businesses in a clear, concise way.

 

 

Benjamin Donahue, BBA
Export Sales
Jealous Fruits

 

Benajmin Donahue is a seasoned international sales and marketing professional with many years of experience developing relationships across North America, Asia, and the Middle East. With a background in international trade, he specializes in creating and executing strategic sales plans that drive growth in global markets for the fresh produce sector.

 

After finishing his degree, he worked at BC Tree Fruits and developed a direct export program for Canadian apples to Asia. After the success with Canadian apples, he moved to Terra Exports, a produce brokerage in the US. At Terra Exports, Mr. Donahue was tasked with sourcing and developing relationship with growers in North America, Australia and New Zealand developing sales and marketing channels for their products throughout Asia and the Middle East. During his time at Terra Exports, he was made Country Manager for all sourcing regions for Vietnam and secured retailer vendor codes for many major retailers across Asia. Now in his current role with Jealous Fruits, he is in charge of maintaining and developing all offshore sales channels. Jealous Fruits is Canada’s largest vertically integrated cherry producer shipping to over 18 countries.

 

 

Professor Gordon Houlden
Director Emeritus of the China Institute
Professor of Political Science
Adjunct Professor of the Alberta School of Business
University of Alberta

 

Gordon Houlden is Director Emeritus of the China Institute, Professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta.

 

Professor Houlden joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1976, serving in Ottawa and abroad. Twenty-two of his years in the Canadian Foreign Service were spent working on Chinese economic, trade and political affairs for the Government of Canada including five postings in China. He also served at the Canadian Embassy in Havana and Warsaw, and at Canada National Defence College. His last assignment before joining UAlberta in 2008 was as Director General of the East Asian Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, responsible for Greater China, Japan, the Koreas and Mongolia.

 

Under Professor Houlden’s leadership, the China Institute has focused on contemporary China studies, with an emphasis on Canada’s trade, investment and energy linkages with the PRC, and Asian security issues.

 

 

Chloe Martin
Director of Sales Operations
WPIC Marketing + Technologies

 

Chloe Martin is the Director of Sales Operations at WPIC, where she oversees the sales and business development teams, driving strategic initiatives that help global brands expand into the APAC region. With a keen focus on digital marketing, eCommerce, and cross-border trade, Ms. Martin ensures WPIC’s teams deliver tailored solutions that enhance market penetration across China, Japan, and other key APAC markets. Her passion for blending technology with commerce empowers businesses to thrive in one of the world’s most competitive regions.

 

 

Amber Piché
Export Advisor
Export Navigator

 

An entrepreneur at heart, Amber Piché has had the privilege of working with a range of organizations, from non-profits to multinational corporations. Born and raised in the Thompson-Okanagan, Ms. Piché started out in the food and beverage industry, specifically wine, tea, and hospitality. Following this valuable experience, Ms. Piché worked in international business development in ICT and tech, created a successful start-up in the events industry, and grew a network of contacts across the globe. Whether your business is just starting out or fully established, Ms. Piché can help your company reach its export potential.

 

 

Victor Tsao
Partner, Trademark Agent
Bennett Jones LLP

 

Victor Tsao practices corporate law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, real estate development, cross-border transactions, financing, technology and entertainment law. He is also a registered trademark agent and a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada.

 

With years of experience in the Asia Pacific market, Mr. Tsao provides strategic advice to Canadian, Chinese and Japanese clients as they do business throughout the region and beyond. This includes entering new markets, corporate financing, developing their businesses and cross-border transactions.

 

Prior to joining Bennett Jones, Mr. Tsao was the managing partner of the Vancouver office of a global law firm.

 

Mr. Tsao is fluent in English, Chinese and Japanese.

 

 

Lotta Ygartua
Regional Director, Western Canada
Canada China Business Council

 

As Regional Director of Western Canada, Lotta Ygartua is responsible for building the CCBC membership base throughout the region by connecting Canadian and Chinese businesses, promoting Canada-China bilateral trade, organizing events and supporting the delivery of member services. Ms. Ygartua has over 10 years of marketing experience in the technology, marketing research, communications and art sectors. Prior to joining CCBC, she was Marketing Manager at the China-Britain Business Council based in the UK, promoting trade and business with China and organizing high-calibre events involving the Chinese Premier and the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

 

Ms. Ygartua spent several years living in China, where she studied and worked for a local company that developed products for the Chinese market. Ms. Ygartua studied Mandarin at the University of Nanjing and Nanjing Normal University. She holds a BA in Chinese and BSc in Social and Economic Geography from Uppsala University, Sweden.