CONWAY — Brad Lacy, president and CEO of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said last year’s trip to China was “life-changing” for him, and the Chamber is offering the public a chance for such an experience.
The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a nine-day trip to China in October, and a pre-tour briefing will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the Chamber, 900 Oak St. The cost is $2,099 (based on double occupancy), which includes round-trip airfare from San Francisco, hotel accommodations, 20 meals, transportation, sightseeing and a professional tour guide.
Lacy said the company Citslinc has held these trips for decades, taking Americans to China through chambers of commerce.
Lacy and T.J. Johnston, executive vice president of the Chamber, went to China last year through the American Chambers of Commerce Executives to check out the trip before offering one to the public.
One of the highlights of the trip for Lacy was walking on the Great Wall.
“It’s been something I’ve always wanted to see, and to be able to walk on it, which is very difficult, actually — it’s really steep — was almost surreal,” Lacy said.
Johnston said it also was his first trip to China, and he recommends it.
“It’s a whirlwind tour,” he said. “It’s fast, it’s furious, but extremely fun and enjoyable.”
He said seeing the Forbidden City and, particularly, Tiananmen Square were his favorite memories.
“We went through a China version of Conway, if you will, a university town with over 30 universities,” he said.
“There is a business component to it,” Johnston added. “On your first day, you will actually spend time with the embassy folks. That’s just a few hours of mind-blowing facts,” he said.
Lacy agreed.
“That really gave you a good understanding of the country and probably dispelled some myths,” Lacy said, including “that [China owns] everything in the United States — that would be one.
“The people are so gracious, so interested in talking with you. It’s almost embarrassing that I didn’t know their language, and many, many of them know some degree of English,” Lacy said.
The trip, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, through Saturday, Oct. 29, features sightseeing through Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou.
Lacy said the tour guides are excellent because being a tour guide is a respected, sought-after job in China.
“To me, it’s what makes it such a good deal, because the country is so big, because the cities are so big — just not having to worry about anything,” he said.
“You definitely come away understanding the scale — you can’t imagine how many cranes you will see,” Lacy said. “It must have been what it was like to see New York City in the late 1800s.”
He said it was interesting to see the high-speed rail being built, which is supposed to be operational by 2012.
“I came away with seeing the sheer determination of them as a nation,” Lacy said. “I think for American business people — it’s important to understand the country, because obviously their relationship with us as a nation is very important right now.
“It is a great introduction to the country from a cultural standpoint. I feel now like I could go by myself and not be totally overwhelmed.”
Lacy, who plans to go on this year’s trip, said Conway had a visit from a Chinese company this year.
Even though the business didn’t locate in Conway, “there was a connection there we would not have,” he said, because he and Johnston had been to China. “We will continue to see a lot of Chinese investment come to the U.S. That’s another reason I’m so passionate about this trip — we need to understand. Even though that one didn’t work, I look at it as good practice.”
Lacy emphasized that the trip is open to everyone — individuals who participate do not have to live in Conway or be members of the Chamber.
“If you’ve ever wanted to go to China, this is your shot at it,” Lacy said.
For more information, call Kathy Wyrick, vice president of investor relations, at the Chamber, at (501) 327-7788, or e-mail kathy@ConwayArkansas.org.
Reservations for the pre-tour briefing must be made by e-mailing GetSmart@ConwayArkansas.org or by calling the Chamber.
A brochure is available at www.conwayarkansas.org/china.