• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
FREE REPORT
BEST PLACES TO RETIRE
*No spam: We will NEVER give your email address to anyone else.
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • France
      • Colombia
      • Dominican Republic
      • Thailand
      • Mexico
      • Spain
      • Argentina
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
    • Our Latest On Coronavirus ⚠️
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
Live and Invest Overseas
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • France
      • Colombia
      • Dominican Republic
      • Thailand
      • Mexico
      • Spain
      • Argentina
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
    • Our Latest On Coronavirus ⚠️
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
No Result
View All Result
Home Retirement/Living

American Chambers Of Commerce

Live And Invest Overseas by Live And Invest Overseas
Sep 18, 2012
in Retirement/Living
0
The American Chamber Of Commerce can help you get results.
208
SHARES
3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Help And Support For New Expats And Retirees Overseas

The thought of being a stranger in a strange land is exciting for some and paralyzing for others. Expats are by nature an adventurous lot; still, many would-be expats are overwhelmed by the prospect of being so “out of their element,” so they never leave their home porches. Some boldly go on their exploratory trips only to return home overwhelmed and intimidated. This is why it’s so important to plug into networks of expats in your destination country.

One organization that I have found to be very valuable in this context is the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). Most countries have AmCham offices that are also members of regional organizations, such as the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA). These are private-sector entities and boast membership rolls full of expats.

These members are not the expats swinging in hammocks with margaritas in one hand and fishing poles in the other (though there’s nothing wrong with that, of course). These AmCham members are energetic businessmen and -women who could perhaps best be described as modern-day pioneers. Many have had to forge their own relationships with local businesses and government agencies. They’ve taken their lumps, and like true entrepreneurs they’ve learned their lessons, grown savvier, and developed to become not only part of their local business communities, but also important parts of their adopted societies.

And they are an incredible resource. Some of the old-timers (expats for 30+ years) can tell stories Mark Twain might envy. They are able to steer the new, bright-eyed expat in the right direction and to advise who to associate with and who to avoid. As any businessman or -woman knows, choosing reliable and capable people to work with is one of the most important and also most challenging parts of launching and operating a business successfully. And, as any new resident in any area knows, it can be overwhelming to set up a new home, to find a social circle, and simply to live your life without a little help. Add on the task of doing all this in a new country, possibly one where you don’t speak the local language…and it can be downright daunting. As Robert A. Heinlein put it, it can be “…something like talking with an echo. You don’t get any argument, but you don’t get results either.”

AmCham can help you get results. This organization, everywhere it exists, operates within a network of reliable people who are both capable and willing to help.

In addition to social matchmaking and business facilitation, AmChams also help to provide links between the private sector and the local government of a country, as well as the U.S. Embassy. AmCham offices are not government agencies or extensions of “big brother.” They provide a means for connecting with local government in practical and pragmatic ways to assist your agenda, whatever it might be.

AmCham offices are all operated on a voluntary basis. These are groups of businesspeople who genuinely care about providing quality business resources for incoming expats, as well as maintaining the integrity and the success of business ventures in the host country.

The first step to reaping the benefits of these organizations is to become a member. Each AmCham office operates differently, but the cost of joining is not great. For example, AmCham Belize (of which I am a member) offers an annual individual membership for only $100 Belize dollars (US$50).

AmCham offices host many events throughout the year, including mixers and celebrations marking local and globally recognized holidays. Phil Hahn, the president of AmCham Belize (and my dad), reports that this year AmCham Belize will be hosting a Harbor-Cruise Mixer, an Embassy outreach event, and, on Dec. 21, an “End of the World Celebration.” These types of gatherings provide an opportunity to have a good time while connecting and mingling with people you’ll find make potentially very good partners, both socially and professionally.

Joseph Campbell told us to “Follow your bliss and doors will open for you that you never knew existed.” Wherever your paradise may be, wherever you find your bliss, follow it. But don’t remain a stranger in a strange land. Instead, become a friend, in a familiar land. With some help.

Wade Hahn

Continue Reading: Volcano El Fuego Outside Antigua, Guatemala, Erupts or Travel And Retirement In Medellin, Colombia

Tags: American Chamber Of Commerce In BelizeAmerican Chamber Of Commerce OverseasWade Hahn
Share83Tweet52
Previous Post

Golf In Medellin, Colombia

Next Post

Best Swimming Beaches In Panama

Live And Invest Overseas

Live And Invest Overseas

Live and Invest Overseas is the world's savviest source for top opportunities to live better, retire in style, invest for profit, do business, and own real estate overseas. Established in 2008, the Live and Invest Overseas' editors and correspondents have more experience researching and reporting on top opportunities for living well, investing for profit, doing business, and owning real estate around the world than anyone else you'll find.

Related Posts

3 Popular Seaside Towns In Mexico Within Driving Distance Of The States
Lifestyle

3 Popular Seaside Towns In Mexico Within Driving Distance Of The States

by Lee Harrison
May 4, 2022
0

One of the most valuable conveniences you could hope for when purchasing a home abroad can be the ability to...

Read more
The Best Places To Live Abroad And Launch A New Life

The Best Places To Live Abroad And Launch A New Life

April 27, 2022
The Eiffel tower in Paris from a tiny street

While Away Your Days In Paris

April 26, 2022
A view of Cinta Costera in Panama City, Panama

One Of The Greatest Melting Pots

April 25, 2022
A relaxing Panama shoreline

Is Retiring In Panama Still A Good Choice? If So, Where?

April 24, 2022
Ferragudo, Algarve, Portugal

How One Couple Discovered A Great New Life In Algarve

April 21, 2022
Portuguese beach villa in Carvoeiro classic fishing boats

Retirement In Algarve, Portugal, Is A Breeze For Americans

April 17, 2022
Next Post
clear water on a calm beach in panama

Best Swimming Beaches In Panama

A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas Today.

Start Your New Life Today, Overseas

LIOS Resources


  • New To LIOS
  • Ask An Expert
  • Media Center
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs

Quick Links


  • Best Places To Live
  • Best Places To Retire
  • Finding A Job Overseas
  • Real Estate

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and get your FREE report: The 10 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2022

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe

© 2008-2021 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Countries
  • Budgets
  • Archives
  • News
  • Events
  • Bookstore
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Members Area
  • Contact Us

© 2008-2021 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

The World’s Best Places To Be In 2022?

Discover Them Here…

WANT TO RETIRE OVERSEAS?

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll immediately send you a free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE in style overseas. Each day you’ll learn about the best opportunities for international living, retiring overseas, offshore diversification and asset protection, and investing in real estate around the world.