Global Voyage Amsterdam
- Powering Global commerce
Global Voyage Amsterdam
- Powering Global
commerce
Step into the future of global business at this half-day conference for ambitious SMEs looking to grow or expand their business into international markets.
Join leading experts and peers as we look at the latest global market trends and explore effective strategies for seamless cross-border transactions
Why attend
Insights-driven agenda
Strategies for growth
Hear from renowned industry experts about the latest trends defining global business expansion
Learn about tools and strategies to streamline your operations and stay competitive
Networking opportunities
Real success stories
Connect with fellow business professionals over drinks and canapés
Our panel of business owners share their experiences and tips for overcoming global business challenges
Insights-driven agenda
Hear from renowned industry experts about the latest trends defining global business expansion
Strategies for growth
Learn about tools and strategies to streamline your operations and stay competitive
Networking opportunities
Connect with fellow business professionals over drinks and canapés
Real success stories
Who should attend
Founders, co-founders, CEOs, CFOs, COOs and directors of SMEs, as well as e-commerce and marketplace sellers
B2B and B2C industries looking to grow and expand their businesses into international markets
Agenda
13:00-14:00
Registration and lunch
14:00-14:30
WorldFirst update: Global Sourcing, Global Payment
Sumit Arora, MD for EMEA, WorldFirst
14:30-15:00
The Future of International Trade
Edin Mujagic, Economist and Fund Manager, Investment Fund Hoofbosch
Branding
The Best Promise Wins the Market - Not the Best Product
- Lessons on the brand promise from 80 interviews with CEOs
Zat Astha
Editor & Content Creator
E-commerce
Cross-Border Growth Strategies with Shopify's Global Commerce Platform
Hou Feng
Co-founder and Sales Director
Virgina Fung
Partnerships Manager
HR & Talent
Winning HR Strategies in Trying Times: Offshoring in SEA
- Strengthen business core: Enhance mid and back-office functions at low cost
- Revenue and market expansion: land in a new market with minimal risk and maximum control
- Managing a global/regional + remote team effectively
Weiyuan
Head of Sales, Singapore & New Markets
Operation Transformation
Cost & Tax management Strategies for Cross-border Businesses
Graham Dawes
Partner in Financial Advisory-Forensic, Deloitte
Branding
The Best Promise Wins the Market - Not the Best Product
- Lessons on the brand promise from 80 interviews with CEOs
Zat
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E-commerce
Cross-Border Growth Strategies with Shopify's Global Commerce Platform
Hou Feng
Sales Director
Virgina Fung
Partnerships Manager
HR & Talent
Winning HR Strategies in Trying Times: Offshoring in SEA
Weiyuan
Head of Sales, Singapore & New Markets
Business Innovation
Design Thinking Tools and Mindset for your growth journey
- Shape your growth strategy through design thinking – 3 shifts to make design thinking really work
- Simplify to innovate
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Intermediate level
Operation Transformation
Driving cost-savings, sustainability and speed to market in your core business operations.
Beginner level
Branding through Storytelling
Build your personal and corporate brand to connect with your customers and business network on a deeper level.
Talent & Leadership Strategies
Addressing top 3 concerns for CEOs - Retaining top talent, managing a global team and navigating legislations.
A focus on 3 markets: Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillipines.
Growth mindset & strategies for CEOs/ E-commerce strategies
How B2B and B2C companies can adopt growth mindset and strategies leverage on e-commerce, marketing and growth strategies to grow globally.
15:00-15:30
How AI Can Help International Companies Enhance Knowledge and Capabilities in Europe
Meng Zhao Ph.D, Partner, Technology Consulting, Cloud Computing and AI, Dumela Business Consulting
15:30-16:00
Coffee break
16:00-16:30
International Business Expansion: Legal Structures and Considerations under the Dutch Law
Stan Ph. Robbers, Partner of HEUSSEN
16:30-17:00
Navigating Global Growth: Insights from a Top Woman Leader in eCommerce Compliance
Melanie Shabangu-Katsaris, Tax Director and Partner, Avask
Heidi Herre, Head of International Merchant Services, WorldFirst
17:00-17:30
Panel discussion: Tools and strategies to stay ahead of the game – expanding into an international, multi-million dollar business
Chair: Aaron Oxley, Head of Dealing and Relationship Management EEA, WorldFirst
Reinoud Arts, Directeur, brel home
Ruby Wang, General Manager, Hollyland Europe
17:30-17:40
Close of sessions
17:40-20:00
Networking drinks and canapés
17:40-20:00
Networking drinks and canapés
Networking drinks and canapés
Sumit Arora
Sumit is a seasoned professional currently holding the roles of Managing Director and Board Member for the EMEA region at WorldFirst, part of Ant Group.
With a strong focus on consumer needs, Ant Group’s brands AliPay+ and WorldFirst have excelled in offering frictionless payment experiences. WorldFirst’s range of cross-border payment solutions, multi-currency accounts, and foreign exchange services have bolstered international trade, supported exporters and importers, and empowered e-commerce by enabling multi-currency payments.
Throughout his career, Sumit has collaborated with esteemed entities like Pearson Education, BBC, SAP, Christie’s, Tidal Music, Liverpool Football Club, Urban Outfitters and Travelpack on impactful cross-border payment initiatives.
Edin Mujagić
Edin Mujagić is a macro economist educated at the Tilburg University, specialized in monetary economics and central banks. Edin is a regular guest in various Dutch newspapers and on television and radio. For example, BNR Business News Radio features ‘Macro with Mujagic’ on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, where Edin discusses current economic affairs in the Netherlands, Europe and the world.
Meng Zhao
Meng Zhao has many years experience building data- and AI-enabled smart connected systems and applications. Before joining Dumela, he was the data and AI architect at Signify. His work has enabled smart system integration and solved critical issues in enterprise and society, such as space utilization, energy and working efficiency improvement. Furthermore, he was actively shaping the data strategy for Signify professional indoor business. With the current position, he focuses on applying disruptive AI technologies, especially generative AI, for enterprise applications.
Stan Ph. Robbers
Stan is a partner in the M&A and corporate law practice of Heussen Lawyers and Civil Law Notaries in Amsterdam and specialises in advising and assisting both national and international companies on cross-border and domestic M&A transactions, investments and joint-ventures.
Melanie Shabangu-Katsaris
Melanie V. Shabangu is a visionary Global Expansion Strategist, E-commerce Expert, and Tax Director at AVASK, where she leads a team supporting businesses in over 50 countries. Recognised among the UK’s Top 500 Women of the Year, Melanie has an outstanding track record of building multiple 7—and 8-figure companies and guiding them from startup to successful exits.
With over 20 years of experience, Melanie has been instrumental in transforming AVASK into a global leader in indirect taxation and expansion services. Her strategic insights have fuelled the firm’s rapid growth and established it as a trusted authority in the e-commerce space.
As co-author of The Online Hustle, Melanie excels in helping businesses navigate the intricacies of VAT registration, international expansion, and EPR compliance. Her deep expertise in indirect taxation and e-commerce allows her to offer bespoke solutions that minimise risk, streamline operations, and unlock new growth opportunities for her clients.
Melanie is currently leading the development of cutting-edge tax software at AVASK, designed to provide businesses with seamless, scalable tools for global expansion. Her mission is to empower companies of all sizes to grow with confidence by simplifying the complexities of international expansion so they can focus on scaling.
With her forward-thinking leadership and relentless pursuit of growth, Melanie has become a trusted partner for businesses seeking to thrive in the global marketplace.
Heidi Herre
With over 20 years of FinTech and payments experience, Heidi currently leads the WorldFirst onboarding and service teams responsible for helping and delighting customers, making it easier for them to do business internationally.
Aaron Oxley
Aaron has a stellar track record in The Netherlands, servicing some of the top wholesalers in the industry. He has a Commercial background in the financial services, specializing in Cross-border payments and FX Risk Management. Personally Aaron loves sport, especially football and is always in for great food!
Reinoud Arts
Reinoud Arts’s education is middle technical school. In the Netherlands called MTS werktuigbouw. He runs a Sun shading company Azon Zonwering for 24th until my 42th year. This company produced and mounted solar products like awnings screens and rolling shutters.
In 2010 he started the company Brel Nederland. This company is a wholesale company specialized in motorisation for Sun shading products with products from China.
His target is a niche market product. During the years he focus more and more on battery powered motors which can be charged with solar energy.
Because this product is easy to install and will cost a lot less labour work it turned out to be a big success.
Ruby Wang
In last 10 years, Ruby Wang helped Chinese company built the European branches in different countries, like Uk, Germany, Netherlands, France and Sweden. She has 8 years experience in automotive business and 2 years in cameras industry. In 2022, she helped Hollyland built the European offices and the local team. Hollyland is a Chinese brand of wireless intercom system, video transmission devices and microphones, headquarter in Shenzhen.
Register now
Limited seats available
Session highlights
NextGen Commerce:
Economic Trends Shaping the Future
Talks
- Australia & Global Economic Trends by Tim Harcourt, the first Chief Economist of the Austrade and Research Officer with the ACTU
- E-commerce Evolution: Reflections on the Sector by Gabby Leibovich, co-founder of Australia’s #1 e-commerce group, The Catch Group
Blueprint for Global Operating Models
to Achieve Scalable Growth
Talks
- Perfecting Strategies for Global Business Excellence by Annette Kaitinis, Co-founder CEO of Scoot Boots, one of Tasmania’s leading exporters supplying equine hoof boots to customers across 90 countries and the winner of 61st Australian Export awards in 2024.
- Using Amazon as a stepping stone into the United States and Beyond by Chris Thomas, CEO at Amasphere, an Amazon marketing agency. Chris has helped over 55 Brands launch and scale on Amazon’s various global marketplaces since 2018.
Trends and Innovations in Global Sourcing
Expert Panel
- Graeme Paddock, a Real Estate tycoon turned successful Amazon Seller on why the success is in the buying, NOT the selling
- Rocky Yan, a 1688 buyer and Australia’s top-10 eBay seller.
- Still Zhu, founder at Wefulfil, a one-stop supply chain solution
The Role of Local Resources in Global Growth
Expert Panel
- Arnold Jorge, CEO at Export Council of Australia.
- Frank Li, who put Bundaberg on the map in China.
- Michael Fenech, an Australian entrepreneur, writer, start-up advisor, e-commerce expert, and a co-founder of SKUdrop.
Spaces are limited
Fill out the form to register your interest. We’ll be in touch closer to the event date to confirm your seat.
15
Days
05
Hours
28
Minutes
25
Seconds
Got a question?
No, admission charges will not be incurred.
This conference is open to SMEs looking to expand and grow their business in international markets. You may register here to reserve your spot.
Located in the 9 streets area The Dylan Amsterdam can be accessed by car and the nearest secured parking garage is Q-Park Europarking. Valet parking is available and should be booked ahead of arrival.
By public transport the hotel’s nearest tram stops are Koningsplein served by Trams 2 and 12 and Elandsgracht served by Trams 5,7 and 9 and buses N84 and N88. Centraal Station can be walked in 20-25 minutes.
Yes, please ask them to complete the booking form.
The dress code is business casual.
You can reach us by emailing [email protected].
No, we will have videographer and photographers on site but sessions will not be recorded in their entirety.
Yes, you may inform us during registration and we'll be happy to support any business queries for your cross-border business payment needs.
About WorldFirst
Founded in the UK in 2004, joined Ant Group in 2019. We provide international payment solutions to help businesses overcome trade barriers and high fees. Our goal is to enable truly borderless commerce with easy, fast and secure cross-border transactions.
Today, we’re a one-stop digital payment and financial services platform empowering SMEs to grow in global markets. Our multi-currency World Account lets you make and receive international payments, convert currencies and manage expenses – all from one platform.