Conference Overview

Before organizing PassageMaker, Mike worked with The Brock Group, an international trade and investment consulting firm managed by President Reagan's former US Trade Representative and US Senator Bill Brock in Washington DC. Mike moved to Asia in 1994 and has structured sourcing investments in over 250 production classifications for clients during his time in China. He received a double degree in Diplomacy and Economics in Washington DC and went on to gain an International MBA from the University of South Carolina and a year of full-time graduate level courses at the Harbin Institute of Technology and the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.

Recognized as an expert on China sourcing, Mike has been a featured presenter on a number of high profile seminars. Mike chairs the advisory board of the China Sourcing Information Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, and advancing the China sourcing profession by providing free resources to the public such as the China Sourcer e-magazine, an ask-the-experts service, video tutorials and an endorsed service providers list.

Before building a career in China, Mike spent two years as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar studying Japanese factory management in Tokyo and Osaka. Later he studied the Chinese language in north-east China and Beijing. Mike is fluent in written and spoken Chinese. Originally from New York state, USA, Mike is currently based in Shenzhen.

Maryann's exposure in the fashion business is comprehensive. She started her career in apparel export, working for Mexx Consolidated (Far East) Ltd., the Gap (Far East) Ltd., Simint SPA for Armani Exchange and Mast Industries (Far East) Limited. She further pursued her career as Brand Manager in the retail sectors of clothing and eyewear, marketing known brands such as "CLOSED" - casual & jeans wear, Vivienne Westwood, Krizia and United Colors of Benetton's Sisley.

Maryann studied fashion and obtained her MBA from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

While completing his Commerce Law degree at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, Brendan took courses at a number of prestigious academic institutions around the world to extend his education, including International Trade Law at the University of Economics and Politics in Hamburg, Chinese Contract Law at the Beijing University of Politics and Law, and International Copyright Law at Queens University in Canada.

Despite his legal and economic education, Brendan’s entrepreneurial blood proved too strong to ignore. He leveraged his wealth of experience and built several successful businesses that have made millions of dollars by importing high quality merchandise from China and selling at a profit. Brendan now teaches people from all walks of life realize their dreams of leaving the 9-to-5 rat race to become successful importers in their own right.

For more information, go to www.chinaimportformula.com.au.

Prior to joining Stylesight, Saisangeeth worked in branding for See by Chloe at Richemont Luxury Asia Pacific and honed her international experience while in New York with prestigious names such as Derek Lam, Donna Karan and Fresh before settling into a career in trend services at Trend Union.

A graduate of Boston University and Parsons, the New School for Design, Saisangeeth also writes for publications such as Beaux magazine, China Fashion and Fashion Jewelry.

Zach enjoys the challenge of strategic marketing in a competitive, commercial environment while operating in broad international scenarios. Since launching Ming-Global in the middle of the dreaded global financial crisis, he has managed to acquire prestigious clients such as Campari, Bausch & Lomb, Beam Global and Audi, planning marketing campaigns and undertaking active measures in brand forecasting and planning.

Zach is known among his professional peers as a “connector” because of his unique networking and social skills transcending cultures and boundaries, giving his company a cutting edge in the global sourcing market.

Zach was born in Mangalore, India and was awarded a scholarship to do his MBA in Australia in 1998. He currently resides in Australia.

Seeing the success of eBay as the overall triumph of eBay’s APAC Cross Boarder Trading business, Bernard is also striving to develop new business opportunities by evangelizing the three key principles of eBay – Trust, Selection and Value – and to affirm eBay as the most secure and reliable online auction platform for sellers and buyers.

Prior to joining eBay, Bernard was the Regional Sales Manager for Avery Dennison HK, responsible for leading the Asia sales team for selling, promoting and implementing electronic commerce solutions to leading garment manufacturers in Asia, generating business demands to achieve revenue targets.

Bernard graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.