On February 28, AmCham China’s SME and Entrepreneurs’ Committee hosted the event “Redefining Diplomacy: One Village at a Time”.
The event’s keynote speaker was Brian Linden, Founder and President of the award-winning boutique hotel Linden Centre. The roundtable event aimed to showcase Linden’s innovative business model that brings together traditional and modern culture, creates cultural exchange between the East and West, and revitalizes local communities in China’s countryside.
At the event, Linden shared the story of how he successfully grew his company without taking on private investors, and instead developed win-win partnerships with local governments. Linden emphasized the importance of training and incorporating local workers into his business, leveraging existing structures to revitalize communities, and developing deeper cooperation with foreign firms. He also discussed his road to success in doing business in China as a pioneer entrepreneur for small-size ventures.
The well-attended event welcomed participants from various industries and backgrounds, representative of the diverse SME and entrepreneur community. Linden’s remarks were followed by an open discussion about the role of cultural exchange and community engagement in promoting economic growth and diplomacy. Overall, the event provided valuable insights into a successful business model that integrates cultural heritage, economic development, and social responsibility.