2022 Events

AmCham Sustainability Webinar-1: “EU Green Deal and Turkey’s Compliance Roadmap: Critical Topics for Companies” took place on October 20th. Borusan moderated the webinar, where Bahar GÜÇLÜ, Deputy Director General for International Agreements and EU, Ministry of Trade spoke on the following topics: Policy and legislative changes envisaged in Turkey within the framework of the EU Green Deal; The working groups created or initiated by the Ministry of Trade and their actions plans; Planned activities by other relevant ministries; Calendar Forecasts for Prospective Regulations within the EU and Turkey.

AmCham Food & Agriculture Committee Meeting was held at PepsiCo HQ. Topics discussed at the Food & Agriculture Committee Meeting includes an update by the leader of the Livestock Subgroup; an interactive discussion about the possible effects of Climate Council Decision published in June 2022; presentation on İzmir Agricultural Technology Center by Dr. Erçin Güdücü, Izmir Commodity Exchange Secretary General; information on Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (Aim for Climate) or other Programs by the US Authorities by Michael Francom, Agricultural Counselor at the US Embassy.

AmChams in Europe (ACE), a network of 46 AmChams from 44 countries, gathered in Sofia, Bulgaria, at the AmChams in Europe Best Practice Conference, which AmCham Bulgaria Team hosted from October 5-8, 2022. The conference welcomed over 40 representatives from 27 American Chambers in Europe and Eurasia. At the conference, AmChams discussed their development and perspectives, as well as further integration of the network. Throughout the conference, AmChams shared their good practices, looked at the ACE Benchmark Survey that provided the results of the comparative analysis between AmChams, and enjoyed plenty of social events and opportunities to get to know the Bulgarian business community. They also visited Sofia University and attended the special presentation of INSAIT Institute (Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology).

Global Turks Webinar-5 was organized with Harvard Business Review Türkiye, hosting the project’s partner institutions, as well as leading Global Turks as the role models for next generations. The 5th webinar that hosted Burak DAĞLIOĞLU, President of the Presidency Investment Office, the panelists focused on investment space across the world. Other panelists include Turhan TURHANGİL, Schneider Electric SVP Strategy, Marketing, Business Development; Gamze YÜCELAND, Takeda, SVP, US Business Unit; Emre KARTER, Citibank, General Manager.

AmCham Turkey Board met with James Quincey, Chairman & CEO of The Coca-Cola Company during his visit in İstanbul. The discussions focused on the business environment in Türkiye.

AmCham Turkey delegation led by AmCham Chair Tankut Turnaoğlu travelled to Chicago and New York for a series of events to further develop bilateral economic relations. The U.S. visit kicked-off with several visits in Chicago including a Reception at Turkish Consulate General in Chicago, Investor Meeting at Baker McKenzie Chicago HQ and Site Visit to Mondelez HQ. The New York program included 12th Türkiye Investment Conference organized by TAIK with the attendance of Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of Trade Mehmet Muş and Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank.

AmCham Turkiye, in cooperation with IKMIB (Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters' Association) organized a Briefing Seminar on FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval and certification. The seminar hosted Tania A. Martinez from USA-based Demos Global Group Inc. and cover topics including FDA processes required for exports to the USA in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. The seminar was held in two separate sessions for the cosmetics and pharma-medical device sectors. AmCham Board Member and UPS General Manager Engin KOLAT made the opening speech of the seminar.

AmCham Turkey organized its annual Back-to-Business Reception with the attendance of AmChams in Central Asia visiting Istanbul on that week. Thanks to Consul General Henick who hosted AmCham members at his residence, around 70 AmCham members, representatives from AmChams in Central Asia and US Embassy and Consulate team members gathered at the reception.

AmChams in Central Asia travelled to Istanbul in September to attend CLDP-US-Central Asia Regional Digital Trade & Women Economic Empowerment Working Group Meetings. As part of the visit, the delegation has attended to the following events organized by AmCham Turkey: MEXT presentation and Digital Factory Tour for Central Asian AmChams; Reception at U.S. Consul General’s Residence; Site Visit to 3M HQ.

AmCham Turkey Board Members attended to a breakfast meeting with MSD’s Global Emerging Markets Leadership. Emerging Markets President Jan Van Acker and EEMEA President Renan Özyerli were among the guests at the delegation.

AmCham Turkey Board Members and members from the Public Affairs Committee met with Khush Choksy, U.S. Chamber’s Senior Vice President of International Development and Senior Vice President of Middle East and Turkey to discuss potential cooperation opportunities. The meeting was hosted by AmCham member TBWA.

AmCham Board & Members gathered for a summer networking reception in Bodrum.

As part of its Ankara Roadshow, AmCham Board Members and the Team visited Alparslan Bayraktar, Deputy Minister of Energy of Natural Resources.

As part of its Ankara Roadshow, AmCham Board Members and the Team visited new U.S. Ambassador Jeff FLAKE.

AmCham Turkey, in collaboration with its program partners Korn Ferry and EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) Turkey, launched the 8th term of its Executive Mentorship Program. The event hosted by PwC Turkey, launched with an opening speech from AmCham Turkey Executive Director and EMCC’s Global President Rıza KADILAR, followed by Mentorship training by Demet UYAR, EMCC Turkey President.

AmCham Turkey Board Members and Team organized a series of doorknock meetings in Washington D.C. to draw attention to the growing importance of bilateral economic relations. 13 Doorknock visits took place in 3 days with 3 different types of stakeholders: Representatives of Public Institutions, Representatives of Congress, Think Thanks and NGOs. Please CLICK to view the full list.

As AmCham Turkey, we are pleased to host the first “AmChams Central Asia Regional Meeting” in Istanbul, with the participation of AmCham Uzbekistan, AmCham Tajikistan, AmCham Kyrgyz Republic! “Memorandum of Understanding" was signed between all the AmChams for further cooperation to strengthen business and economic relations within the region. Please CLICK to view the full program.

AmCham Diversity & Inclusion Committee organized its kick-off meeting at PepsiCo HQ, with the attendance of Inna YAKOVCHUK, PepsiCo; Tankut TURNAOĞLU, AmCham Chair; Ayşegül DİCLE AYDIN, Leader of AmCham D&I Committee; Gizem ÇAKIR ARSLAN and Gökhan GÖKNİL, Dow Türkiye, Leaders of the Disability Sub-Group; Can SÖZER, Esin Attorney, Leaders of the LGBTQ Sub-Group; Funda KALEMCİ, Nielsen IQ about the Results of AmCham Member Survey 2022; Sabiha SENYÜCEL GÜNDOĞAR and Ayşe YIRCALI of PAR who produced CIPE’s report on women’s rights in corporate compliance programs; Dr. Melsa ARARAT, Board Member of United Nations Global Compact Turkey and Advisory Board Member of 30% Club Turkey; Heather BYRNES, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, U.S. Embassy Ankara and Regional Senior Commercial Officer, Eurasia on EMPOWER HER Project.

AmCham Turkey Board Members and members participated to a Summer Reception at US Consul General's Residence to draw attention to the growing importance of bilateral economic relations.

AmCham Turkey organized a Webinar on Climate Change, hosting Arzu ÖNSAL, Vice President, Presidency of Climate Change. The webinar was hosted by Jeny STOICHKOVA of Coca-Cola and Ece AKSEL of PepsiCo. Main topics discussed at the webinar: Presidency of Climate Change's Agenda & Plans; Legal regulations for EU Green Deal process; Environmental Law; Taxonomy and strategy on Green Financing.

AmCham Turkey organized a Start-up event in collaboration with Fark Labs focusing on Turkey Startup Ecosystem General Evaluation, Turkish Startups in the Focus of Global Interest, Turkish Start-ups' US Expansion (Select USA), Investment Portfolio Approach to Innovation, Investments by Startups in Turkey, Mobility and Women.

AmCham and TAIK Board Members hosted RETA JO LEWIS, the new President of U.S. Eximbank at a meeting attended by Jeff FLAKE, the new U.S. Ambassador to Turkey.

AmCham Turkey Sustainability Committee organized a Sustainability Summit focusing on water in industry, water in agriculture, water scarcity and clean water. Committee Leader Jeny STOICHKOVA, Coca-Cola Eurasia and Middle East Operating Unit President made the opening speech of the panel session attended by Didem ERYAR ÜNLÜ, Dünya Newspaper; Blanca SALGADO, Global Technical Leader, DuPont Water Solutions; Michael GOLTZMAN, Vice President, Global Policy & Sustainability, The Coca-Cola Company; Prof. Erkan ŞAHİNKAYA, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Bioengineering Department.

AmCham’s 3rd virtual update session with the US Embassy covering bilateral economic relations as well as consular affairs hosted Jeff FLAKE, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey; Heather BYRNES, Regional Senior Commercial Officer, Eurasia; Jayne HOWELL, Country Consular Section Coordinator and Roy PERRIN, U.S. Economic Counselor.

AmCham Turkey Board members participated to a series of meetings with Turkey and US public sector members, as well as leading private sector leaders and stakeholders to further improve bilateral economic relations, trade and investments. One of these meetings include a meeting with Mitch LARSEN, Executive Director, Europe & Eurasia, US Department of Commerce.

Launched in March 2021, Global Turks par Excellence Project aims to reach out to the top Turkish professionals around the globe. Global Turks Webinar 3 were organized in cooperation with Harvard Business Review Türkiye, hosting the project’s partner institutions, as well as leading Global Turks as the role models for next generations. Panelists include: Tarcan KİPER, Co-founder & CEO, Neo Auvra Digital Health and Bionics Inc; Derya MATRAŞ, Vice President for Middle East, Africa & Turkey, META; Orhan GÖKSAL, CEO, Intelligent Papers LLC, Palo Alto, USA / Chairman, Ritmus - Salesforce, Turkey; Evren ERYÜREK, Director of Product Management, Google Cloud.

AmCham Turkey delegation attended to Tashkent International Investment Forum & AmCham B2B Meeting in Uzbekistan between March 24- 26th, 2022.

AmCham Turkey Board members participated to a series of meetings with Turkey and US public sector members, as well as leading private sector leaders and stakeholders to further improve bilateral economic relations, trade and investments. One of these meetings include a meeting with Fahrettin KOCA, Minister of Health of Turkey.

AmCham Board hosted Myron Brilliant at a roundtable meeting in Istanbul. The hybrid roundtable meeting that was held at Esin Attorney Partnership HQ, focused on U.S. perspectives in a changing world, U.S.-Turkey relationship and developments with Ukraine and Russia.

AmCham Board Members attended MOU Signing Ceremony between TOBB and the US Chamber of Commerce. As part of the event, AmCham Turkey signed a partnership agreement with TOBB to work on an “E-Commerce Mentorship Program” matching AmCham member companies with TOBB member SMEs.

At AmCham Turkey’s 7th Women's Day Event held in cooperation with EBRD and Harvard Business Review Türkiye, we hosted industry leading professionals to discuss UN Women’s International Women’s Day 2022 Concept: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” , recognizing the contribution of women around the world to build a more sustainable future for all.

AmCham Turkey Board members participated to a series of meetings with Turkey and US public sector members, as well as leading private sector leaders and stakeholders to further improve bilateral economic relations, trade and investments. One of these meetings include a board meeting with John MURPHY, The Coca-Cola Company Global CFO.

AmCham Turkey Board members participated to a series of meetings with Turkey and US public sector members, as well as leading private sector leaders and stakeholders to further improve bilateral economic relations, trade and investments. One of these meetings include a meeting with Erika OLSON, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State.

AmCham Turkey held its 18th Ordinary General Assembly on March 3, 2022, with the attendance of Presidency Investment Office President Burak DAĞLIOĞLU and the new US Ambassador Jeff FLAKE.

AmCham Turkey Board members participated to a series of meetings with Turkey and US public sector members, as well as leading private sector leaders and stakeholders to further improve bilateral economic relations, trade and investments. One of these meetings include a board meeting with Nureddin NEBATİ, Minister of Finance and Treasury of Turkey.

AmCham Turkey Board members participated to a series of meetings with Turkey and US public sector members, as well as leading private sector leaders and stakeholders to further improve bilateral economic relations, trade and investments. One of these meetings include a board meeting with Jeff FLAKE, the new U.S. Ambassador to Turkey.

AmCham Turkey Chair meet with existing and potential members regularly at virtual breakfast meetings to give an update on AmCham’s recent activities and events as well as exchange of ideas.

AmCham Turkey Healthcare & Life Sciences Committee hosted Derya UNUTMAZ, Professor of Immunology at the Jackson Laboratory based in U.S. at a Webinar on "The Recent Developments Pertaining to the Covid-19 Outbreak". MSD Turkey General Manager Gözde GÜLLÜOĞLU made the opening speech of the webinar followed by brief remarks from Prof. Unutmaz and a Q&A session.

AmCham Turkey Digital Economy Committee – a partner of Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator Program – organized two Webinars on Program Introduction to bridge the gap between corporates and tech start-ups. Levent ÖZBİLGİN, General Manager, Microsoft Turkey made the opening speech of the webinars introducing Microsoft GrowthX accelerator program with a mission to help startups scale. The virtual program supports qualifying startups across 4 pillars: Tech enablement, Market access, Co-creation, Investor Readiness.