GOVERNMENTS/ASSOCIATIONS/FASTENER GROUPS 

by Tanya Shih, Fastener World Inc.

In 2014, under the leadership of chairman Bill Chen, new northern chapter president Josh Chen, central chapter president Johnson Chang, and all committees, Taiwan Fastener Trading Association (TFTA) has given numerous activities like seminars, factory tours, and charity, and interacts closely with global fastener associations. The growth and goal of TFTA is visible to everyone.

Given the significance of southern Taiwan as the heartland of the fastener industry, activities of TFTA were mostly held in Southern Taiwan. As the annual member assembly is such a grand event to the Taiwanese fastener industry and in order to make all members appreciate different scenery of northern Taiwan via this once-in-a-year gathering, northern chapter president Josh Chen moved the assembly to Taipei this year and invited over 120 members for the two-day event (on Dec. 5-6) including the main conference and recreational activities. TFTA offered NTD3,000 as subsidies to each member for their hotel accommodation and prepared gifts for members in attendance. This has been the largest gathering of the fastener industry in northern Taiwan over the past few years.

On December 5, at the conference hall of Sheraton Grande Taipei Hotel, chairman Bill Chen and all committees presented their briefings, followed by two spectacular speeches. The topics and invited guests this time were different from before. The speaking guests were a famous Taiwanese commentator, Shieh Jin-huh, on TV shows, who spoke on “A General View of Foreign Exchange, Housing, and Stock Market,”  and another TV show producer, Vincent Liang, who spoke on “The Joyful Life.” Shieh Jin-huh explained the big data in a humorous tone and analyzed Taiwanese and global political and economic changes in recent years in an easy and understandable way, making the audience laugh. Vincent Liang initiated his speech by a combination of a few short stories to express positive thinking like proactiveness, optimism, and good deeds, and call for changing ourselves in order to influence others. On the second day, the members in attendance also participated in the “golf outing” and the “scenery tour in Tamsui”. Activities during the two days brought unforgettable memories to all participants.