Allan A. Eimert, CEO
European Search Group A/S
 
My general feeling about the trip is that it met my expectations in full with regards to the introductions to different programs and contacts made with people in charge.
 
I am looking forward to pursuing 1-3 different projects as a result of it and hope that my good impression continues during the application period.
 
I have also passed contact names on to key people from Medicon Valley and know that Michael Ørum (vice chairman of MV) is going to get in touch with Robert Wallis.
 
It is important to stress that a direct flight to Cardiff is essential and must be pursued - since the bus trip from Heathrow was just diabolical and something I will not endeavour in the future.
 
Jan Grænge, Vice President
Proviso Fondsmæglerselskab A/S
 
I got a good impression of Wales’ past as well as its hopes and wishes for the future.  I also got a good impression of its energy situation in the short term and its gamble to build new property in the harbour areas.  Furthermore, I got a good impression of what types of companies have established themselves in Wales.
 
My initial conclusions from all this information is that it seems that the main focus is to bring jobs to the area, without any clear priorities as to what type of employment they wished to promote, which will in the short term create bottle-neck problems.  The focus on redevelopment in the harbour area seems to lack any relation to the original towns and the infrastructure of the area, which is why I see a great risk that the area will not be able to bear this development in the long run.
 
When I asked some slightly more demanding questions, such as what type of employment they wished to attract and whether there were such qualified people in the area, it was clear that they did not wish to answer such questions.  Furthermore, it was clear that they did not wish to make clear to what extent projects were being financed with local funds as opposed to external funds.
 
All in all, I think the tour was extremely informative at a general level, but due to a very intensive programme, it was difficult to explore important matters in depth.  As a networking event, it has been a fantastic tour in the company of a number of pleasant people resulting in some very good contacts.

I am pleased to say that BCCD has been able to carry out an important and very challenging event successfully as the Executive Evaluations below witness.  As with any challenging event, there are lessons to be learnt, but nothing serious.  BCCD has managed to brand Wales and place in on the agenda of many gazelle companies looking to expand their export activities.
 
BCCD is particularly grateful to Nicolai Lassen and Hanne Schwensen, Lassen.net Executives (www.lassen.net), whose experience with organising events, hard work and determination guaranteed the success of the mission.  I would also like to thank International Business Wales for hosting this mission and Ambassador David Frost for his great help with the final stages of the planning.
 
This event is a good example of the potential value of the Chamber for its members.
 
Mariano A. Davies, Chairman

Anders Wulff Larsen, Senior Manager
Danske Bank London
 
The programme as such was not that important - the participants were.

As you might remember we were initially promised a much bigger delegation than the one that went, so I think it is fair to say that we were a bit disappointed.   We will however definitely consider participation in future events, because the idea/forum is basically good.
 
Hans Sørensen, CEO
DinGartner ApS
 
The opportunity to join the Cardiff Mission came at the same time as I am looking to purchase a Garden Centre between Stansted and London as a base for expansion in the UK.

Besides a large price and population difference (in Wales' favour) I was impressed by the spirit of Cardiff/Wales. One can feel the excitement of being an "emerging nation". There is a definite - can do, will do, want to - feeling in the streets.

The professional competence of the people seems high, and there is a strong competitive environment that I and my company can thrive in...........I'm looking into it. Maybe instead of starting in London, we could start in Cardiff and expand to London.