Industry Watch: International Trade Association
March 2006

Q&A with Christine Fauske, President/CEO, British-American Business Council (BABC)

Q: What is the British-American Business Council?
The BABC is by far the largest transatlantic business organization, with a sizeable and increasingly diverse membership. The organization has a substantial benefit offering, a professional administration and outreach to American and British business networks in Continental Europe and Asia. The very active chapter of the British-American Business Council in the Pacific Northwest is referred to as BABC-PNW.

Q. Your mission is "To play a significant and influential role in the development of trade and investment between the United States and the United Kingdom." How do you achieve that goal?
The BABC-PNW provides a forum for business executives to meet, exchange views, share trade information and work together to provide business opportunities. As the membership is diverse-both American and British, and representing the service, legal, aerospace, technology, banking and general sectors as well as government agencies-events are held that highlight general trade topics as well as those that are closely allied with a sector. After-Hours, brown bag luncheons, networking events, receptions, large information meetings are complimented by a lively social program of both casual and formal events. Companies are encouraged to invite clients and customers to attend both business and social events.

As a member of the Pacific Northwest chapter, one automatically has access to the world-wide BABC network through a membership database, member benefits, the J-1 Visa program and the annual international transatlantic business conference.

Q. What is the biggest challenge in communicating with your members?
Developing programs and services that meet the needs of our members. We must make sure that all information that is disseminated (via hard copy and electronically) is timely and paid attention to by our members and guests. There is a world of information being shared today and making ours stand out from the pack and without flooding folks is a challenge.

Q. How instrumental is the BABC in influencing trade legislation or is it more of a social organization?
The BABC-PNW is a business organization and provides a link to government without lobbying. Both through events, publications and linkages, the BABC-PNW works for companies located in the Pacific Northwest who export to the UK or have business interests there and for UK companies with a presence in the Northwest or a desire to establish one. We serve as a referral for UKTI (United Kingdom Trade & Investment) and have the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, CTED, other European and Canadian business groups and trade organizations in our membership.

Q. Tell us something about Christine Fauske. How did you get started in public relations?
After teaching on and off for many years and running a court mandated integration plan for the arts in a major midwest city in the early 1970's, I segued into arts administration. I was hired to establish and run a local county partner of the California Arts Council that had just gained non-profit status but was still responsible to a County Board of Supervisors. A local community college then hired me to be the director of their community events and continuing education programs. When I moved the Northwest, I joined the staff of the City of Mercer Island where I was a supervisor for arts and special events.

Q: How did you get involved with the BABC? Were you originally hired as President/CEO or did you start in another capacity and work your way to your present position?
I was hired as President/CEO of the British-American Business Council of the Pacific Northwest over five years ago after seeing an ad for the position. I had a small consulting and program management business and wanted another contract to fill out my portfolio.

Q: What is the most difficult part of your job and how do you overcome the obstacles?
Running an organization with just the support of a volunteer board of directors-all who have very responsible day jobs. In an effort to remain effective as leader, I have begun to outsource some of the clerical work.

Q: Relations between the U.S. and the U.K. seem strong. What is the future of our global partnership?
Excellent. There is a strong history and a purposeful determination to continue as well as strengthen the economic cooperation between the United Kingdom and the US. Both governments want to eliminate barriers to economic integration and the BABC will address inter-governmental cooperation at its next international transatlantic trade conference in London, March 29 - 31, 2006. Both American and British Ambassadors will speak at the conference and will emphasize the future of the transatlantic relationship in a dialogue sponsored by the International Herald Tribune.

Q: What advice would you give any public relations professionals, neophytes or veterans, who might want to get into international public relations? How would they start? What skills should they possess and hone?
My advice to young people is to get a liberal arts education and be open to change! The world is shrinking and changing so rapidly and radically that anyone who can write and compute will be at an advantage when the job world shifts. Study and become competent in a foreign language, join networking organizations, serve in volunteer leadership roles, continue studying on one's own after formal education is completed-especially in areas that you aren't familiar with, and promote yourself strongly and confidently!