AACE International Enters Into Special Relationship with SCCA to Form China Section
November 8, 2011
AACE International has entered into a special agreement with the Shanghai Construction Consultants Association (SCCA) to create a new section in the People’s Republic of China. The formal agreement on intent was signed during a ceremony conducted at the 2011 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA and is the first agreement entered into as part of a new strategy approved by the Board of Directors in January 2011. The agreement was the result of several years of work by the China Task Force headed up by AACE
International Past President Stephen Warhoe and Feng Shen who were instrumental in identifying the proper potential partners and cultivating the relationships with SCCA that lead to the agreement.
Under the terms of the agreement, Shanghai Construction Consultants Association (SCCA) will perform many of the functions normally performed by AACE International staff in Morgantown, WV, including recruiting new members, arranging educational classes, translating AACE International materials into Chinese and promoting certifications within the total cost management community in China. Under the new strategy adopted in January 2011, AACE International will not translate its resources and intellectual capital into a foreign language unilaterally but will rely on the strategic partnerships with well-established entities within a foreign-language marketplace such as SCCA.
According to Michael Nosbisch, AACE International President, “English is the predominant business and scientific language worldwide and the consensus belief within AACE’s current leadership is that English should be the primary language used to create our intellectual property. Having stated that, there may be significant marketing advantages to translating AACE products and services into other languages to expand the Association’s reach into new markets. Because of the significant expense and challenges of translating intellectual and collateral marketing materials into other languages, AACE’s preferred model will be to identify partners in other countries who share our vision, mission and values and can provide translation, marketing and administrative services in concert with AACE to reach those markets in a cost-effective manner. We are very pleased to have SCCA as our partner in this initiative and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.” SCCA has invited Steve Warhoe, Feng Shen, Michael Nosbisch and Julie Owen, Vice President of Regions, to conduct a series of educational programs in the week of November 14, 2011.
A special Organizing Committee has been created to help oversee this special strategic initiative. The Organizing Committee that will be responsible for implementing Phase One action plans in the China service area. The members of the organizing committee will include: Mr. Steve WARHOE, Mr. Feng SHEN (AACE), Prof. Guangbin WANG (Tongji), Ms. Guizhi MA (CECA) and Mr. Zhanguo SUN (SCCA) Mr. Dennis Stork, AACE International Executive Director, will serve as a non-voting member with voice to assure administrative implementation from AACE International.
