From <strong>the</strong> editor President's column Foreword Dear <strong>AmCham</strong> Members: “It was <strong>the</strong> best <strong>of</strong> times, it was <strong>the</strong> worst <strong>of</strong> times, it was <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> wisdom, it was <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> foolishness, it was <strong>the</strong> epoch <strong>of</strong> belief, it was <strong>the</strong> epoch <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>credulity, it was <strong>the</strong> season <strong>of</strong> Light, it was <strong>the</strong> season <strong>of</strong> Darkness, it was <strong>the</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> hope, it was <strong>the</strong> w<strong>in</strong>ter <strong>of</strong> despair, we had everyth<strong>in</strong>g before us, we had noth<strong>in</strong>g before us, we were all go<strong>in</strong>g direct to heaven, we were all go<strong>in</strong>g direct <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r way - <strong>in</strong> short, <strong>the</strong> period was so far like <strong>the</strong> present period, that some <strong>of</strong> its noisiest authorities <strong>in</strong>sisted on its be<strong>in</strong>g received, for good or for evil, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> superlative degree <strong>of</strong> comparison only.” The above quote from Charles Dickens’ A Tale <strong>of</strong> Two Cities gives a metaphorical mirror <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> economic prospects fac<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> world for 2013. These are <strong>the</strong> best <strong>of</strong> times for many countries <strong>in</strong> ascend<strong>in</strong>g Africa and Asia. Huge numbers <strong>of</strong> peoples have been, and are be<strong>in</strong>g, lifted out <strong>of</strong> abject poverty. A grow<strong>in</strong>g and entrepreneurial middle class is catalyz<strong>in</strong>g fur<strong>the</strong>r development and good governance. Annual growth is averag<strong>in</strong>g 5 percent or more. It is also an endur<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>ter <strong>of</strong> despair for many countries <strong>in</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>ual conflict with o<strong>the</strong>rs or among <strong>the</strong>mselves – Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq. And <strong>the</strong> worst <strong>of</strong> times for large parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> population <strong>in</strong> welfar<strong>in</strong>g areas <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world <strong>in</strong> countries like aMERICAN Room Greece, Spa<strong>in</strong> and Portugal – families fac<strong>in</strong>g eviction, falls <strong>in</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g standards measured <strong>in</strong> scores <strong>of</strong> percentage po<strong>in</strong>ts, 50 percent youth jobless rates. Writ<strong>in</strong>g an outlook for <strong>the</strong> transatlantic economy <strong>in</strong> 2013 is not a perilous undertak<strong>in</strong>g for an economist. One follows a trend <strong>in</strong> a l<strong>in</strong>e graph, tries to estimate <strong>the</strong> effect <strong>of</strong> a recent significant policy change with a vague econometric model or formula, stirs <strong>the</strong> results and puts it all toge<strong>the</strong>r with some coherent prose. The problem is <strong>the</strong> unidentified variable or factor – someth<strong>in</strong>g that may, or may not, happen – whose effects one cannot foresee. In <strong>the</strong> section <strong>AmCham</strong> <strong>News</strong> 40 Years Ago, you can read what <strong>the</strong>n <strong>AmCham</strong> President Dan Piliero saw <strong>of</strong> what 1973 holds for <strong>the</strong> economy. Little could he foresee <strong>the</strong> oil price shock <strong>the</strong> world would endure a few months later and <strong>the</strong> persistent economic effect this would have on <strong>the</strong> transatlantic economy – to this very day. When <strong>the</strong> facts change, an economist changes his m<strong>in</strong>d. Receive this economic outlook, for good or for evil, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> superlative degree <strong>of</strong> comparison only. Whatever 2013 may hold for us all <strong>in</strong> a material sense – we wish you a happy and warm Christmas season and a healthy new year. Simon Paul Editor Dutch Room <strong>AmCham</strong>’s Meet<strong>in</strong>g Room Facilities at Schiphol WTC Exclusively for Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>AmCham</strong> The <strong>American</strong> <strong>Chamber</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Commerce</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers all members a unique members only service. All members <strong>of</strong> <strong>AmCham</strong> are able to make use <strong>of</strong> its first class private meet<strong>in</strong>g rooms at WTC Schiphol Airport. This location <strong>of</strong>fers direct access to Schiphol International Airport’s arrival and departure halls, tra<strong>in</strong> station and is easy accessible by car with ample park<strong>in</strong>g space. All <strong>in</strong>clusive rates – Book<strong>in</strong>g an <strong>AmCham</strong> meet<strong>in</strong>g room is very easy. <strong>AmCham</strong> <strong>of</strong>fers her members all <strong>in</strong>clusive rates which means that by book<strong>in</strong>g a meet<strong>in</strong>g room your guests are well taken care <strong>of</strong>. No need to order, c<strong>of</strong>fee, tea, water, s<strong>of</strong>t dr<strong>in</strong>ks or AV equipment – it is all <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> room rental fee! Occupancy 1 Part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day 2 Parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> day Lunch Low High Low High Low High <strong>American</strong> 1-10 Persons A280 A360 A505 A650 A405 A520 Room 10-20 Persons A300 A395 A540 A710 A430 A570 Dutch Room 1-6 Persons A160 A210 A290 A380 A230 A300 All prices are exclusive <strong>of</strong> VAT and valid for <strong>the</strong> current calender year only. Over <strong>the</strong> past few months we’ve witnessed <strong>the</strong> reelection <strong>of</strong> President Barack Obama <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States, <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>stallation <strong>of</strong> new Cab<strong>in</strong>et members <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands, and <strong>the</strong> rescue <strong>of</strong> Greece from bankruptcy by <strong>the</strong> Eurozone and <strong>the</strong> International Monetary Fund (IMF). There is no question that we’re liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a time <strong>of</strong> change and complex challenges. For <strong>the</strong> leaders <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S., Europe and <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands - for all <strong>of</strong> us - focus is essential. Acquir<strong>in</strong>g new members and enhanc<strong>in</strong>g value for exist<strong>in</strong>g members is always an area <strong>of</strong> focus for <strong>the</strong> <strong>AmCham</strong> Board and staff. I am delighted to announce that we recently upgraded <strong>the</strong> memberships <strong>of</strong> Gilead Sciences, TMF Group Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands and <strong>the</strong> Marriott Hotels <strong>of</strong> Amsterdam to Patron Memberships and added eBay, Baxter and McDonald's as new Patron Members. I want to extend a warm welcome to <strong>the</strong>se organizations as well as to our new Contribut<strong>in</strong>g and Corporate Members which <strong>in</strong>clude my own municipality <strong>of</strong> Wassenaar. Increas<strong>in</strong>g our membership means so much more than add<strong>in</strong>g names to our organization. New members mean enhanced network<strong>in</strong>g opportunities for all <strong>of</strong> us. They mean a stronger political voice <strong>in</strong> The Hague. And <strong>the</strong>y mean that we can reach more <strong>in</strong>dividuals through our successful Young Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals program. 1 part <strong>of</strong> a day: 09.00-13.00 hrs. or 13.00-17.00 hrs. 2 parts <strong>of</strong> a day: 09.00-17.00 hrs. Lunch time: 11.00-14.00 hrs. High tariff: valid September until June Low tariff: valid June until September <strong>AmCham</strong>’s priorities are clear - Advocacy, Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Network<strong>in</strong>g and Young Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. And we are ga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g strength as our members grow <strong>in</strong> number. Over <strong>the</strong> past months I have seen a strong commitment <strong>of</strong> our members to drive change and <strong>the</strong> will<strong>in</strong>gness <strong>of</strong> our government partners to work more closely with us. Capacity: can handle up to 20 persons, 35m 2 , boardroom style; Multimedia: 3M beamer, screen, free WiFi <strong>in</strong>ternet access, spider phone; Extras: fully air-conditioned, fully automated bl<strong>in</strong>ds and luxaflex, whiteboard with markers Capacity: can handle up to 6 persons, 20m 2 , boardroom style; Multimedia: 3M beamer, screen, free WiFi <strong>in</strong>ternet access; Extras: fully air-conditioned, fully automated bl<strong>in</strong>ds and luxafex, whiteboard with markers. Note: no telephone l<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> this room. Note: Meet<strong>in</strong>gs can be arranged between 8:30 AM till 7 PM. If a meet<strong>in</strong>g starts before 9 AM or ends after 5 PM <strong>AmCham</strong> has to be <strong>in</strong>formed well <strong>in</strong> advance. A surcharge applies <strong>of</strong> 75 Euro per extra hour or part <strong>the</strong>re<strong>of</strong>. For additional <strong>in</strong>formation: www.amcham.nl/our-meet<strong>in</strong>g-room-facilities For reservations, please contact <strong>the</strong> <strong>AmCham</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice: <strong>of</strong>fice@amcham.nl or 020-7951840. I am extremely optimistic about <strong>the</strong> future - that a solution can be found to <strong>the</strong> Euro crisis and a path secured to economic growth <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU, that <strong>the</strong> US debt and budget problems can be resolved, and that barriers to (transatlantic) trade reduced. Toge<strong>the</strong>r we can <strong>in</strong>fluence <strong>the</strong> future. Happy holidays to all <strong>of</strong> you. Helen Mets-Morris President <strong>AmCham</strong><strong>News</strong> A Q4/2012 4 5