2024: Celebrating 10 years of the CDCC

This year marks a significant milestone for the Czech-Slovak Dutch Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) as we celebrate our 10th anniversary. Founded in May 2014 as an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization, the Chamber has been dedicated to fostering business relationships between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic for both companies and individuals.

A decade of growth and events

Reflecting on our first decade, we have hosted a wide range of events, including:

• 13 receptions, first at the Czech Embassy and later also at the Slovak Embassy
• 7 festive Christmas dinners for our members
• Annual boat trips in Amsterdam, a tradition since 2016
• 3 business missions to the Czech Republic
• Numerous seminars and webinars on tax, legal, marketing, HR, and more recently, AI
• Several golf tournaments.

Our evolution: From Czech to Czech-Slovak

Originally established as the Czech-Dutch Chamber, we embraced an exciting new chapter in late 2019 when the Slovak Ambassador in the Netherlands approached us about extending our support to Slovak businesses. The idea was warmly welcomed. In the business world, Dutch entrepreneurs often see the Central European region as a unified market, where boundaries between Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary are less relevant. Expanding our reach to promote both Czech and Slovak businesses felt like a natural next step. In February 2020, at the Slovak Embassy in The Hague, we proudly announced our new name and broader scope, becoming the Czech-Slovak Dutch Chamber of Commerce.

Navigating the COVID-19 years

When we held a reception in February 2020, little did we know it would be our last in-person event for nearly two years. Like many, the pandemic posed challenges, particularly for organizations that thrive on face-to-face interactions. While we lost some members during this period, especially smaller businesses struggling with costs, we remained resilient and focused on recovery.

Looking forward: Recovery and growth

Thankfully, we have since rebounded. With new members joining and a resumption of our activities, we’re optimistic about the future. We are committed to providing the essential support and networking opportunities that Czech and Slovak businesses need to succeed in the Netherlands.

The power of networking

Expanding into a foreign market requires building a strong network of contacts—whether that’s with business facilitators, suppliers, partners, or clients. That’s where the Chamber comes in. Over the years, we’ve witnessed many success stories and have been proud to play a part in connecting businesses. From partnerships formed between our members to introductions leading to future business deals, we’ve seen the real impact of these connections.

Celebrating a decade of success

Our journey began in June 2014 with our inaugural event at the Czech Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague. Ten years later, we returned to the same elegant venue to celebrate our anniversary, reflecting on the incredible journey and looking ahead to the future.