MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ... - AmCham

MINUTES OF THE MEETINGOF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THEAMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN CROATIAHeld on March 19, 2010 at the AmCham Office, Radnička cesta 47.The presiding officer of the meeting was Mr. Markušić. Also present were Ms. Likan, Mr. Krmpotić,Mr. Baričević, Mr. Mahoney, Mr. Suchar, Ms. Ward and Mr. Vucić. Mr. Blažić did not attend due tobusiness trip.Minutes taken by Ms. Marina Vugrin.The meeting commenced at 9:00 a.m.AGENDA:1. February Minutes approval confirmation2. Executive Office Financial / Meeting report / Membership report3. Business Advocacy Working Groups4. Upcoming and Proposed Events5. Membership applications6. Miscellaneous1. Topic: February Minutes approval confirmationDiscussion:• no need for detailed transcript of who said what• keep only discussion points and decisions, as previously agreed• Board members gave several changes/corrections to February minutes draftDecision: The Board members unanimously approved the amended minutes of February 11 meeting.2. Topic: Executive Office Financial / Meeting report / Membership reportDiscussion:• AmCham rent agreement expires on 1 April 2011 – landlord to be approached in October• will try to get better deal, but existing rent agreement also acceptable – good pricing• Office proposed amendment to AmCham Policies and Procedures regarding AmCham documentsfiles/archives• membership payments somewhat better than 2009; cancellations stopped for now• we have achieved almost 50% of budgeted amount for new members• put non-members attending committees on potential membership list• Board members noted that non-members should not be allowed to be indefinitely on the committees– should be further discussed on Marketing/Membership Committee• still have 7 outstanding 2009 membership feesDecision: The Board members unanimously approved amendment to AmCham Policies and Procedures.The Board members decided that Office should send a final warning letter to unpaid 2009 membersstating if they do not settle the fee by 1 April they will be excluded from membership.3. Topic: Business Advocacy Working GroupsIPR Committee

• Intelektiv conference side events were big hit – Customs also satisfied and would like to do it againCost/Competitiveness• determined key issues: transparency of doing business and competitiveness• chose three topics to work on: salary burdens; parafiscal taxes – especially in Zagreb;competitiveness – specifically discuss with related government bodies, i.e. Ministry of Finance• reach out to World Bank, EBRD, EU delegation, US Embassy – to collect data on burdens• Mr. Suchar to provide contacts for KPMG person to join the CommitteeMarketing/Membership Committee• developed further proposal for Membership benefits and referral incentives and put in amounts tosee the actual costs• changed benefits scheme to apply only to new members• committee members defined that main benefit would be contacting other members using AmChamdatabase – should be careful with this as we do not want to overspam members• communicate to members they are welcome to come to AmCham Office any time and discuss theirbusiness issues• advertise committee work moreTourism Committee• Ms. Dubravka Davidović, adriatica.net elected Committee Chair and Mr. Don Hudspeth, ACMTelected Vice Chair• further objectives discussed• proposed Power breakfast on April 14 with Mr. Tom Tait – provided by Ms. Ward, US Embassy• developing list of key stakeholdersTransparency & Bureaucracy sub-committee• never got a leader and only exists on paper - proposal to cancel• in time keep only Trade-Investment committeeDecision: The Board members unanimously approved canceling Transparency & Bureaucracy subcommittee.4. Topic: Upcoming and Proposed EventsProposed luncheon speakers update• Prime Minister Kosor – regular follow-ups, no definitive answer yet; Mr. Baričević will talk to Mr.Mehun• Charlotte Ruhe, EBRD - 22 April• President Ivo Josipović – 11 May• Paul Vandoren - Head of EU Delegation – schedule for autumn• Emil Tedeschi – just an idea, but would not be fair to other member companies• Other proposed speakers: Hannes Swoboda, Ambassador Foley, Minister Šuker, Minister Popijač,Commissioner Štefan Füle, Neven MimicaUS Embassy – regional Chief of missions event – 21-24 April• organize AmCham receptionLobbyists association event• officially offered AmCham to host joint lunch with their guest from US lobbyist association• set for 29 AprilDecision: The Board members unanimously approved joint lunch with Lobbyists association.

IPR Conference brief – 25 February• very good turnout• received very positive feedback regarding presentations• AmCham got more profit than budgeted• AmCham effort was much higher than 17% profit fee we got – negotiate higher profit percentageand more exposure for next year eventAmCham EU meeting – Brussels, 2-3 March• met with Dragica Martinović-HGK Brussels, Croatian Ambassador Baričević, Larry Rossin-NATO, Hannes Swoboda-MEP• EU in transition – more power going back to EU Parliament from the Commission• Ms. Blecher (former US Commercial officer in Zagreb) offered her help with any issues we have• AmCham EU President very supportive of Croatia’s EU membership• invited all present AmChams to EBRD conference and our reception – Srbija already confirmed• Office to provide Brussels trip cost to the BoardEBRD Conference - AmCham reception - 14 May, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.• no success in finding a sponsor yet – approx. cost 18.000 kn• Office to send sponsorship proposal to the Board• proposal to have round table with three US delegates on 13 May – invite Board, Committee Chairs,US Embassy representatives – around 15 people, can be hosted at AmCham Office or KPMGOfficeEuroconvention - Adriatic Infrastructure Investment and Finance Summit 2010 – 11&12 May• organizer proposed AmCham cooperation on the eventDecision: The Board members unanimously decided that we are not interested to participate.Filipović real estate conference - 4-5 May• AmCham secured TMF sponsorshipNight of a 1000 Dinners• Karlovac County confirmed 350.000 kn donation• we never donated a field in Karlovac County• Marketing/Membership Committee will discuss about new event name, as we can no longer use1000 Dinners brand• Lisinski concert hall proposed as a possible event venue – they will provide proposal for musicians4th July Picnic – 3 July• sponsorship proposal presented• Bundek lake venue reservedEvents tender results• Mr. Mahoney excused from the discussion and decision process due to possible conflict of interestas defined in AmCham Policies and Procedures• discussion/decision to be done thru e-mail, by Tuesday 23 March5. Topic: Membership applicationsCORPORATESpartamatrix Inc. – ref. Pamela WardSMALL BUSINESSP.S. Immo – Punta Skala project, ref. Media val & AmCham member Alpheus

Vidan law office – ref. Don MarkušićSix Sigma adriatic d.o.o. – ref. Mr. Blažić, asked for quarterly paymentAxios d.o.o.- ref. Don MarkušićNutrigrupa d.o.o. – distributor of NOW foods, USA for CroatiaNON PROFITUdruga "Nikola Tesla - Genij za budućnost" - ref. Don MarkušićDecision: All membership applications were unanimously approved.6. Topic: MiscellaneousDiscussion:• March 17 meeting with US representative was a last minute event and speaker provided the inviteeslist• in the future all Board members and Office should be informedThe meeting ended at 11:45 a.m.