November 2022 Newsletter

Making connections at ADIPEC '22

Guests at CBC Abu Dhabi's ADIPEC reception

The Canadian Business Council was delighted to participate in this year’s ADIPEC conference, the world’s largest gathering of energy professionals, from October 31 to November 3, at the Abu Dhabi National Convention Centre. We were part of a delegation of over 60 Canadian companies in attendance.

In partnership with the Trade Commissioners Service Office, we organized a successful business-to-business networking program, facilitating fruitful connections between Canadian companies and Middle Eastern clients. On the evening of November 1, we hosted a Canadian Business Council reception, and we are so grateful to everyone who participated. It was a fantastic opportunity to network and relax after a busy day at the exhibition.

We could not have done it without the support of our amazing sponsors: the Embassy of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Canada-UAE Business Council, Concorde, Carbon Connect, and Air Canada.

Sheena Viado, Canadian Business Council,
and Carol Milne, Total Solutions

Sally Koornneef, Embassy of Canada

Dhia Hussain and Marte Flaaten,
Canadian Business Council

Deepu Syriac, Air Canada, and
Kyle Proyshyn, Government of Saskatchewan

Meet Marte, our new Relationship Manager

Marte Flaaten, CBC Abu Dhabi Relationship Manager

Please welcome CBC Abu Dhabi’s new relationship manager, Marte Flaaten. Marte has lived in the UAE since 1999, and is originally from Norway. She has a law degree from Sorbonne University and seven years of experience working in business development, helping many companies across different facets of the energy sector set up operations all over the UAE. Marte has been with us for two months now, and this is what she has to say:

“I am amazed by how exciting and fun this journey has been so far. I am lucky to have an incredible team back me up. Thank you to both the board members of CBC and the trade commissioners representing the Embassy of Canada.

In combining my experience in the UAE with what this position entails, I really hope I can be of value to our members, help them network, and allow them to create long-lasting relationships within our community. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a larger corporation, networking will always prove itself to be beneficial.

We are very active in helping companies market their businesses through events, webinars and social media campaigns. Please get in touch if we can help your business.

Overall, I am very excited to work alongside the Canadians in the UAE—it’s an absolute pleasure. So if I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet, please reach out to me at any time. I would love to learn more about your goals and understand how we can help and collaborate with you.”

Update: Education Community of Interest

Welcoming our new corporate members

With over 17 years of experience in the clean energy sector providing ESG-driven, identity-preserved waste (IPW™) solutions, Delta CleanTech is considered a technology industry leader in CO2 capture, solvent and glycol reclamation, and hydrogen-fuelling infrastructure.

ATB LEGAL is a full-service legal consultancy in the UAE. Our core practice areas include DIFC and ADGM court representations, arbitrations before DIAC, ICC and ADGM, legal drafting of contracts and deeds, banking and insolvency, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property filing of patent, trademark and copyright, UAE wills registration, UAE mainland litigation management through Arabic lawyers, company formation in mainland and the freezone, and typing and PRO Services.

Gowling WLG has been in the Middle East for 15 years. We focus our practice on the UAE's rapidly expanding technology sectors and vision for a knowledge-based economy. Our core practice areas of technology, intellectual property, corporate, commercial, energy, and infrastructure are strategically aligned to serve the goals of the UAE economy.

Members Update

Maplewood Canadian International School (MCIS) is an educational leader in curriculum delivery, offering an exceptional Alberta Curriculum that opens doors all over the world for endless opportunities.

• MCIS is a Canadian curriculum school delivering a high-quality program to students from ages 4 to 19
• Strong family community school
• The first school in the UAE to utilize Google Tools
• Sports facilities: large pool, gymnasium, outdoor pitch
• A wide range of extra curricular options is available.

"Maplewood school community is the best school community to be a part of because we are welcoming, supportive, and a family."

We thank our member, Imad Khalil, Group Admin Manager of Universal Group Holding for always supporting our events with prizes. 

CBC Abu Dhabi's new look

We are very proud of what the Canadian Business Council has achieved since we were first established in 2005. We recently decided it was time for a new, updated look to reflect our new location, at the Business Inn, CI Tower, on Khalidiya St., as well as our vision for the future. We are very proud to reveal our new brand, which you can see in action on our relaunched website!

Member tip: Writing thank you notes

Robyn Albers, Global Speech Academy program director MENA and CBC Abu Dhabi board member

As we approach the end of 2022, it's time to think about colleagues and clients who have made a positive difference in your business, career, or life. Taking time to show appreciation is a low-cost investment that can have a substantial return. People who feel valued are more engaged and more creative, and have greater job satisfaction and motivation.

It's common sense to thank those who have made a difference, but unfortunately, it's not common practice. Here are some quick tips to help you compose an effective thank-you message in less than five minutes. Just remember the word THANX:

T - Take time to think about the person and their specific actions

H - Be honest and avoid exaggerating. The message will be more sincere.

A - It's about them. Focus on the reader and not yourself. Use “you" language.

N - Think natural, new and novel.  Write your own message and avoid store-bought thank you cards.

X - Expedite your message. Send you message as soon as possible for maximum impact.

For a fun and practical team-building activity for your company, contact Global Speech Academy. We can deliver this content in a 30-minute talk or a two-hour “Appreciation At Work” workshop.

Meet CBC Abu Dhabi’s interns

Zaira Usman

This summer, I had the privilege of supporting CBC Abu Dhabi as a marketing intern. I helped increase the CBC’s presence on platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn. I also interviewed members at events, soliciting their feedback to improve CBC’s offerings and using the footage to create videos to help increase our membership. As a proud Canadian, I am grateful for the chance to contribute to an organization that helps Canadians network and prosper in the UAE.

Emaan Ali

I am currently a business relations and marketing intern for CBC Abu Dhabi, where I gather member feedback, help streamline services to cater to member needs, and promote the CBC on social media. Working with the CBC has provided me with a lot of hands-on experience and opportunities to network with people in my field, which has given me the skillset to nurture those relationships in the business world.

Upcoming events

November 24, 2022
Community of Interest: Education

November 25, 2022
Set Yourself Up for Success Using DISC Workshop

December 6, 2022

Community of Interest (COI): Healthcare and Life Sciences

December 8, 2022

Christmas Social with Amcham Abu Dhabi

Seeking newsletter submissions

CBC Abu Dhabi welcomes newsletter submissions from all our members. If you have news you would like to share or tips for the Abu Dhabi-UAE- Canada community, please send your submissions  to admin@cbcabudhabi.com by December 6.

Thanks to our platinum and gold members

Thank you to Amy Robertson, a member of CBC Abu Dhabi, for helping us put together this newsletter. Amy is a freelance strategic communications consultant, writer and editor.

Connect with her on LinkedIn to learn about how she can help you. 

Mobile Number: +971 52 968 9870 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates   admin@cbcabudhabi.com | www.cbcabudhabi.com