FACT: China is now one of the world's best markets for business startups, even in today's downturn.

When the going gets tough, the tough start a new business -- even in China! That's what the authors of the just released book CHINA ENTREPRENEUR found in their interviews with 40 expat entrepreneurs brave enough to launch successful business ventures in China. Together these business pioneers boast 500 years of China business experience.

Please join AmCham Shanghai on Thursday, February 12^th as Professor Juan Antonio Fernandez and Laurie Underwood -- the authors who brought you CHINA CEO -- present highlights from their brand new publication. The event will also feature guest appearances from a panel of the "China hand" entrepreneurs featured in the book. 

Panelists:

Jeffrey Bernstein

Managing Director, Emerge China

Phil Branham
President, B & L Group, Inc.

Eric Rongley

CEO, Bleum Inc

Marjorie J. Woo

CEO, LMI China (Shanghai) Inc.

About the Authors:

Juan Antonio Fernandez is professor of management at the China Europe Business School in Shanghai (CEIBS). He served as the director of the Diploma in Management Program at CEIBS (2000-2002), as well as director of the Center of Entrepreneurship (2002-2005). He was a visiting scholar at Harvard Business School in the spring of 2003 and at the University of Lancaster in the UK in 2006.

Before joining CEIBS, he was professor at the School of International Business (ESCI) in Barcelona, Spain. He has taught at the Korean Development Institute in Korea, Asian Pacific University in Japan, IESE in Spain, John Cabot University in Italy, EADA in Spain, and the Mongolian Technical University in Mongolia.

From 1997 to 1999, Professor Fernandez was a faculty member of the Management Development Program at the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. His prior experience includes serving as the CFO and member of the board of directors of Anfi del Mar S.A., Norway, advisor to the Ministry of Commerce of the government of the Canary Islands, and as financial analyst for the Industrial Spanish Bank. He was also the assistant to the Commercial Attaché of the Spanish Embassy in Venezuela.

Professor Fernandez received his PhD and MBA from IESE, Spain. He received a diploma in Economics from the Economic Institute, University of Colorado.  His work has been published in the Harvard Business Review, Business Week-China, Organizational Dynamics, Business Strategy Review, Asian Case Research Journal, and the Barcelona Management Review.  He has co-written CHINA CEO: Voices of Experience, Chinese SOEs Reform: CEO and Industry Perspective, and China CEO: A Field Guide.
 
Business writer and development director Laurie Underwood has lived in greater China since 1990, first as a student and then as  a journalist and magazine editor covering business, politics, and social issues for organizations including AsiaWeek and ICRT radio station. In 2001, she relocated from Taipei to Shanghai following a wave of business interest in China's fastest developing commercial center. While studying for her MBA at CEIBS in Shanghai and working as a writer for the Economist Intelligence Unit, she co-authored CHINA CEO: Voices of Experience. After graduating from CEIBS in 2003, Ms. Underwood served as Communications Director for the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. She became director of external communications for CEIBS in the spring of 2007, and now also serves as director of development for her alma mater. When not working, she spends time mothering her two children. Her rare moments of free time are spent running, learning to salsa or learning Nepali.

Agenda:

11:30  Check-in and Networking
11:50  Buffet Lunch
13:30  Event Ends