Moroccan American Bridges 2007 - May 14-16, 2007, Morocco

The Association of Moroccan Professionals in America (AMPA), in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco (AmCham),  Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (AIESEC), Association des Femmes Chef d'Entreprises au Maroc (AFEM), Alakhawayn University Alumni, Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion ( CDG), Casablanca Technopark, Young President's Organization (YPO), organized the second edition of Moroccan American Bridges, a series of events in Rabat and Casablanca aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, fostering business opportunities between Morocco and USA and networking among Professionals.

The event kicked off on Monday at the CDG headquarters in Rabat, where ten ambitious teams representing multiple higher education Moroccan institutions presented ten business plans to an audience composed mainly of AMPA and AIESEC members, and a jury of seasoned business leaders from Morocco, Spain and the USA. The quality, creativity and originality of the proposals were impressive. The talents and skills exhibited by the team members were remarkable as each team vigorously defended its plan and addressed tough questions from the jury.

After the ten presentations and jury deliberations, the top three business plans were selected:

1. $ 3,000 prize: Vita Club, a high end travel agency
2. $ 2,000 prize: Valorium, a paper and cardboard recycling project
3. $ 1,000 prize: Mic Mag, a magazine for Moroccan teenagers

While only the above three teams won monetary prizes, all teams were eligible for professional coaching and loan assistance with their business plans for three year.

During the following two days at the Casablanca Technopark, distinguished industry leaders and Moroccan and American government officials gave presentations covering Free Trade, IT Outsourcing, Real Estate and Franchising. The presentations spurred a great level of interest and led to lively Q&A sessions. Between sessions, attendees mingled, caught up with old friends and shared perspectives and discussed opportunities.  

During the evening sessions, Alakhawayn University Alumni and over 15 Human Resources professionals representing Moroccan and Multinational corporations, such as Microsoft, Shell and Ericsson met with AMPA members and discussed opportunities in the marketplace.

On Thursday and as a follow up to the main events, three AMPA members conducted coaching workshops with three rising entrepreneurs. The purpose was to guide the entrepreneurs polish their business plans and prepare for what lies ahead with banks, vendors, contractors, competitors, etc...

1. Vita Club tourisme du bien etre (Founder Soumaya Yaakoubi) coached by Omar Tazi.
2. BCSS Societe de Sécurité, Nettoyage Industriel, et Intérim (Founder Chaibia Balbzioui) coached by Karim Guessous.
3. Tanger-Catering (Founder Khadija Sahil) coached by Aly Horma.

In the evening, all AMPA members were treated to a dinner hosted by YPO in Casablanca. It was a unique networking opportunity with Moroccan leaders in diverse industries and a chance to hear first hand about the dynamic sectors in the Moroccan economy, challenges and opportunities.

This event was made possible by the generous contributions of Boeing, Royal Air Maroc, Casablanca Technopark, CMS Generation, Taqa, Groupe Menara, Institut CDG, Laprophan, HPS, Moroccan American Trade & Investment Council, G3P, Instituto de Empresa, and Wafin.com. The contributions made are an endorsement by the sponsors for AMPA's mission and the firm belief in encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting transatlantic business opportunities. 

The success of this event was also made possible by the countless hours dedicated by AMPA and AIESEC volunteers and other event organizing partners, who worked tirelessly the months, weeks and days leading to and during the series of events. To the volunteers, we'd like to thank each one of you for your dedication and tenacity.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2008 edition of Morocco American Bridges! 

Slideshow from Moroccan American Bridges 2007:

What AMPA Members said:

"It was a great experience to personally meet AMPA members in Casablanca and to participate in the interesting debates that were organized. As a Moroccan who decided to return to my home country few weeks ago, the topics covered gave me a first exposure to the Moroccan Economic situation and business opportunities.  It is also an excellent setting for networking. I personally appreciated more the topic regarding franchising and real estate. Keep up the good work!" - Meriem Alaoui (Fullbright scholarship recipient, University of Miami, MBA 2006, Morocco)

"Congratulations to everyone behind the organization of Moroccan American Bridges 2007. This was a very informative and well orchestrated series of events and a wonderful networking opportunity. I look forward to attending next year's event." – Ali Bettahi,(Qwest, Pleasanton, CA)

"Thank you to everyone for such an excellent value packed event. You have created an outstanding conference and built a splendid community.  I am impressed and hugely admiring of the wonderful work that you do, and I enjoyed the conference immensely" – Fatiha Occhialini (Fatiha LLC, Philadephia, PA.).

"I really enjoyed the entrepreneurship competition. It is a great idea to motivate the Moroccan entrepreneurs. And they were incredible. However, it would be nice to figure out how to add other subjects such as high tech ideas, etc (other than tourism and restaurants business). I honestly appreciate the effort and the hard work in organizing the event and also the effort of inviting all kind levels of people." – Slam Laqtib (Ingrian Networks, San Francisco, CA.)

"I thank everyone who helped make AMPA's Moroccan-American Bridges 2007 a success. The event allowed me to network with several professionals and exchange ideas about business opportunities between Morocco and the US. The event attendees got an update directly from some government officials on Morocco's economic vision. We also learned many facts and statistics from participating NGOs.  The FTA session was very beneficial for businesses aiming to introduce Moroccan products to the US market. Overall, I am very satisfied with the outcome of AMPA's event and can't wait to attend the next one." Karim Chaqchaq (AT&T, San Francisco, CA.)

Click here to view this event's brochure >>>

Click here to view this event's pictures >>>

Day 1 Sessions:

Opening Session & Welcome Messages

• Mr. Khalil Jai Hokimi, President, AMPA, USA
• Mr. Larry DeWitt, President, AmCham Morocco

Keynotes

• Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar, Minister of Industry, Trade & Economy Upgrading
• Mr. Douglas Greene, Consul General of the United States to the Kingdom of Morocco

Session 1: FTA Successes and Opportunities Roundtable

• Mr. Carl Dawson, Executive Director, AmCham Morocco (slides>>>)
  
• Mr. Rick Ortiz, Commercial Counselor, U.S. Commercial Service, Casablanca
• Mr. Mario Kerby, USAID Agribusiness program (Chemonics)
  Moroccan industrial products trade with the United States
• Mr. Michael Blakely, USAID New Business Opportunities program - Nathan Associates (slides>>>)

Session 2: Technology and Offshoring
        
Speakers

• Mr. Jamal Benhamou, Director, APEBI (slides>>>)
• Mr. Lakhlifi, CEO, Unliog Logica CMG Morocco
• Mr. Abdelaziz Bennouna , Director, HPS, Morocco (slides>>>)
• Mr. Ali Mouline, President, VoxAlto, USA (slides>>>)

Day 2 Sessions:

Opening Session & Welcome Message

• Mr. Larry DeWitt, President, AmCham Morocco

Session 1: Morocco Real Estate Opportunities moderated by Mr. Rachid Jamai, Moroccan Real Estate Federation

Speakers

• Mr. Abdelhai Bousfiha, Architect General of Morocco, Former Secretary General of the Conseil National de l’Habitat et de l’Urbanisme (slides>>>)
• Mr. Kacem El Bouanani, General Director, Actif Invest, BMCE Group
• Mr. Mohamed Samir Benmakhlouf, President, Century 21 Morocco
                                  

Session 2: Entrepreneurship & Franchising Opportunities

Speakers

• Ms. Khadija Mekouar, Manager, Moroccan Franchising Observatory United States Franchising Trends and Acquiring an American Franchise (slides>>>)
• Mr. Perry Maisonneuve , Managing Partner, Morthern Lights Consultants, Canada (slides>>>)
• Mr. Abdelouahhab Bennis, President, Natural Hair Growth Institute, USA

Program also included:

• Young Moroccan Entrepreneurship Contest (view poster)
• Franchising and Entrepreneurship
• Technology and Offshoring
• Morocco Real Estate Opportunities
• FTA Success and Opportunities Roundtable

Newtorking Sessions:

• Young President Organization (http://www.ypo.org) hosted a dinner exclusively for AMPA members on Thursday May 17th
• Cocktail with Al Akhawayn University Alumni Association Entrepreneurs
• Evening about Job Market Insights in Morocco from leading HR directors, including those of Microsoft and Dell