Below is a list of our activities for NCCC members, prospective members, and guests. For further information please contact our Events Committee, Lindsey Cruickshanks or Eduard Verbeke, on info@netherlandscanada.nl


Events 2011

December 6th, 2011: Christmas Cocktails

Hosted by His Excellency, Ambassador Mr. James Lambert and Mrs. Lambert and the Netherlands-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (NCCC) some 130 people enjoyed a pre-Christmas Cocktail at the Canadian Ambassador's Residence in Wassenaar. This Networking Cocktail was a very succesful way to ring in the festive season with good cheer while re-connecting with fellow NCCC members and many guests.

Past events

November 9th, 2011: Annual Luncheon & Business of the Year Award

As tradition prevails, the NCCC Annual Luncheon was held once again on the second Wednesday in November. This year in the Industrieele Groote Club in the centre of Amsterdam. 92 participants enjoyed the outstanding  lobster bar and excellent lunch. This year's keynote speaker was Drs. D.A. Benschop, President Director Shell Nederland BV. Mr. Benschop's addressed the the need for energy in a time of a rapidly growing world's population related to Shell's efforts to a sustainable way of producing and working. The Royal Dutch/Shell Group incorporated its Canadian business in 1911 with a capital of only $50,000 (or about $1 million in today’s dollars). The company opened its Longue Pointe Bunkering Plant in Montréal with just six employees a few years later. Through the years Shells’ business grew, as did the country.

Nowadays Shell is one of the largest integrated petroleum companies in Canada. It produces natural gas, natural gas liquids, bitumen (a very heavy crude oil) and a synthetic crude oil derived from bitumen. As a by-product of gas and oil sands production, Shell also produces sulphur. These so called upstream activities to explore and produce oil and gas are located mainly in Alberta and British Columbia. But Shell is also active in the eastern offshore of Canada and near the Arctic Mackenzie Delta. Shell is also active in the downstream sector, the production and marketing of oil and chemical products. The company owns two refineries, two chemicals production sites and an extensive network of depots and petrol stations all over the country. Undoubtedly the most challenging Shell in Canada project of the last decade is the Athabasca Oil Sands project (AOSP) in north-east Alberta which mines deposits of bitumen-saturated sand. It extracts the bitumen from the sand and converts the bitumen into a synthetic crude oil. AOSP is a joint venture, with Shell as the operator and a 60% interest. During 2010 an expansion of the mine was completed and this year the Scotford Upgrader was expanded. Total production capacity is now 255 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day. Since the start of the oil sands development, Shell has actively taken steps to predict, manage, mitigate and monitor the environmental, socio-economic and cultural effects of its oil sands projects in consultation with our Aboriginal neighbours and other local stakeholders. Shell believes these measures are key to the success of its operations.

Business of the Year Award 2011
Each year, on an alternating basis, Canadian or Dutch companies are nominated. This year Dutch companies in Canada were judged on their contribution to the Dutch-Canadian business landscape and national economies. The nominees were KLM, Royal Dutch Shell, ING Direct and VolkerWessels. Canada’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. James Lambert announced this year's winner of the Business of the Year Award to be Royal Dutch Shell. Representing Shell, Drs. D.A. Benschop, President Director Shell Nederland BV, accepted the award in recognition of their outstanding performance in Canada.


October 11th, 2011: Golf Tournament

17th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT AT THE “KENNEMER” IN ZANDVOORT At the 11th of October last members and guests of the NCCC gathered at the Kennemer Golf and Country Club in Zandvoort for a day of sportive camaraderie. 17 People participated in the Stableford Championship whereas we had 7 participants in the Master clinic under the professional guidance of Kennemer golf-pro Mark Metgod. Mark was impressed with the skills of the clinic participants and there were 3 winners at different disciplines:
1. Winner “Chip & Putt” competition: Mary-Jane Roy of Creating Waves
2. Participant with “Best Swing”: Daniëlle Goedkoop of Air Canada
3. Player with “hole-in-one”: Ton Krol of Blue Clue Tax Solutions

The Stableford Championship was played under fierce conditions: At the very challenging “links” course as the Kennemer, with a wind-force 6 Beaufort with rain in the second part of the afternoon, the participants really had to work hard. These were the winners:
1. Winner “Longest Drive Rob Maassen of Redstone Corporate Finance
2. Winner “Neary” Enrico Gräber of Merril Lynch
3. Winner individual “Stableford” competition Jouni Puustinen HP Nederland

The winner of the individual Stableford competition Mr. Jouni Puustinen won with 39 Stableford points at an exact handicap of 21.0 and a playing handicap of 24. He was presented with 2 return Air Canada tickets to Canada by Joost Hasperhoven. Runners-up were Enrico Gräber with 37 Stableford points and Brad Unsworth with 36 points. So the numbers 1, 2 and 3 were the team-players in the TEAM UNSWORTH, the 2008 defending champions and naturally the Cup again went to them.

Suggested by Canadian Ambassador to the Netherlands, His Excellency Mr. James Lambert, the name of the “Ambassador’s Cup” was altered into “The Simon Bronsgeest Memorial Trophy”. Former Chairman of the NCCC and initiator and inspirer of the NCCC Annual Golf Tournament, Simon Bronsgeest passed away at the age of 73 in August this year. In his speech the Ambassador commemorated the relentless energy Simon has invested in the Chamber over the years and together with Simon’s sons Reiner and Justin -who both participated in the game- presented the Trophy to TEAM UNSWORTH. The 3 individual team members were also presented with three marvellous bottles of ice-wine sponsored by the Délégation du Québec. Reiner and Justin on behalf of their mother thanked the Chamber for the opportunity to be present and for the support rendered. TEAM UNSWORTH with the cup!

This year’s tournament would not have taken place without the generous contribution of the sponsors: Air Canada, Asentus Europe, Boekel De Nerée, Bombardier, Délégation Générale du Québec, Ernst & Young, ING, KLM, Shell and TD Bank. Given this year’s enthusiasm of the participants the Chamber is determined to organize a tournament again in 2012. Stay tuned!



September 29th, 2011: NCCC Networking Cocktail at Holland Gateway / WTC Schiphol

This Networking Cocktail was hosted by Holland Gateway at their premises at the World Trade Center at Schiphol Airport.  
During this get-together Holland Gateway gave a presentation on the services they render and how they can assist your company in arranging business visits or trade delegations (both inbound and outbound). For more information, please visit Holland Gateway.


Apr 11, 2011 - Annual General Meeting & Company visit Air Traffic Control the Netherlands

In the afternoon of May 11th, 2011 the NCCC held its Annual General Meeting, hosted by the Air Traffic Control the Netherlands at Schiphol East. During the AGM the annual accounts were adopted, an overview of the past and upcoming events of the year was presented and changes in the Board approved.

All current Board Members were discharged for the year 2010. Mary Farmer, Bram Gräber and Jan de Jong stepped down as Board Members. Jan de Jong of Law Firm van der Heijden & De Jong acted as Treasurer of the NCCC for the past 14 years and his portfolio was handed over to Ton Krol who was already appointed as Board Member during the 2010 AGM. Bram Gräber left KLM to become President & CEO of Transavia and Bram’s position was taken over by Harm Kreulen at KLM as well as in our Board. Mary Farmer moved back to Canada to take up a position as Professor at North Bay University.

Other new members appointed during the meeting were Khatija Govani, Managing Director at Asentus Europe and Doug McKay, Vice President International Organizations at Royal Shell. We welcome all new Board Members and look forward to their inspirational input.

After the AGM, a presentation was given by Jasper Daams, General Manager Strategy & Performance at LVNL and a guided tour was organized by the LVNL throughout their premises and the afternoon ended with networking cocktails.


Nov 10, 2010 - Annual Luncheon and Business of the Year Award

The most popular event in the NCCC calendar, the Annual Luncheon, was held again at Sociëteit De Witte in Den Haag on November 10, 2010. Chairman of our Chamber, Joost Hasperhoven, welcomed H.E. Ambassador to the Netherlands Mr. James Lambert who only recently offered his credentials to Queen Beatrix.

An introduction was given on the selection of candidates for the Business of the Year Award. Each year, on an alternating basis, Canadian or Dutch companies are nominated. Canadian companies in the Netherlands or Dutch companies trading with Canada are judged on their contribution to the Dutch-Canadian business landscape and national economies. Winners in previous years include: Fugro, Nortel, Hendrix Genetics, CN Worldwide and Mammoet Holding BV. This year, the award was presented by Canada’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. James Lambert to Canadian company, Research In Motion (RIM). As Runner Up Kubik was announced.


Representing RIM, Arnaud Bret accepted the award in recognition of outstanding performance in the Dutch marke t. In the past year, RIM, well known because of the BlackBerry, continued its record breaking growth supported by close business relationships with all three mobile carriers in the Netherlands. RIM also recently opened an office in Amsterdam and the company continues to introduce new and innovative products and develop alliances with local partners. The runner up, Kubik, designs and produces exhibit stands, live events, theme parks, retail interiors and many different kinds of brand experiences. The Toronto-based company opened an office in Amsterdam more than 10 years ago and focuses on a distinctive translation of the client’s brand values into a three dimensional environment.

The keynote speaker for this year’s auspicious occasion was the Canadian Ambassador to the European Union, H.E. Mr. Ross Hornby who addressed the topic of the “Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement” (CETA) which is currently under negotiation. Mr. Hornby explained that the EU is very important to Canada. Although the EU is Canada's second most important trade and investment partner and Canada is the EU's fourth largest investor, it is perceived that the trade relations can still be improved. The CETA should for example enable greater market access, make it easier for employees and businesses to work in the other jurisdiction and increase IP protection. Click here for info and report


Sep 28, 2010 - Seminar on Sustainable fuel for aviation

Hosted at KLM's Amstelveen head office, 4 thought-provoking speakers covered a broad range of issues pertaining to the quest for a more sustainable alternative to conventional aviation fuel (Jet-A). Bryan Sherbacow of AltAir Fuels LLC talked about the development and production of renewable jet fuel while Dirk Kronemeijer of SkyNRG focused on the opportunities and challenges associated with its use in the commercial aviation industry. László Máthé of the International World Wildlife Fund covered the environmental repercussions relating to the use and production of biofuels. He outlined a strategy to reduce land use conflicts and food shortages caused by arable land being devoted to producing renewable fuels. The final speaker of the evening, Saskia de Lang of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs talked about the government's role in promoting and enabling the use of sustainable fuels in the aviation industry.

Canada's new Trade Commissioner, Bill Pound made a guest appearance at the event. Many thanks to KLM for hosting the seminar. Spectacular photo banners relating to the theme of sustainable fuels at KLM surrounded the meeting room. They provided the perfect backdrop to a memorable and thought-provoking evening. Click here for info and report

From left to right: Bryan Sherbacow, Saskia de Lang, László Máthé, Bill Pound, Dirk Kronemeijer


May 19, 2010 - Annual General Meeting

The NCCC AGM will be held this year on the afternoon of May 19, 2010, at the beautiful Koninklijke Yacht Club in Loosdrecht, with a guest speaker and drinks to follow. An invitation with more details will be sent to members. If you would like to register in advance, please contact info@netherlandscanada.nl.


April 22, 2010 - Do we have "WIND" at our back? Foreign Telecommunications Investment Opportunities in Canada

The telecommunications market in Canada represented an approximately $50.4 billion industry in 2008, but Canadian ownership rules have historically prevented non-Canadian entities from capitalizing on investment opportunities. A recent decision by the Cabinet of the Federal Government to allow Globalive Wireless Management Corp. to operate its WIND mobile business in Canada, in spite of concerns raised by the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunication Commission regarding its capital structure, may have opened the door for foreign investment in the Canadian telecommunications industry. Recent comments on regulatory reform from the Federal Government, coupled with other developments, indicate that liberalization of the telecommunications sector may only be a matter of time.

Speakers Stewart Sutcliffe and Derek Linfield are both London-based partners of premier Canadian law firm Stikeman Elliott LLP, with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, New York, London and Sydney. This event is generously hosted by Boekel de Nereé and is offered to Chamber members and their guests at no cost.


April 14, 2010: Canadian financial and banking event at the Dutch Ministry of Finance The Hague

Chamber members and their guests attended the kick-off event for the visit of 40 Dutch civil servants from the Dutch Ministry of Finance to Canada (Toronto/Montreal and Ottawa) in May. The purpose of the visit is to examine Canada's financial system and its sound structure. The event was organized by the NCCC, TD Bank and the Canadian Embassy. TD Bank Manager Mr. Yves Sawaya and TD Bank executives from Toronto introduced and presented the theme of the trip and address specific issues, including taxes and government finance. NCCC members, Dutch company representatives and interested parties are invited to attend at no cost.