Matthieu Ventelon (SKEMA 2017), Ambassador of the Shanghai-Suzhou chapter

Could you briefly tell us about your career since graduating from SKEMA Business School and what motivated you to become an ambassador for the SKEMA Alumni Shanghai-Suzhou chapter?

Since graduating in the spring of 2017 in Suzhou, I launched my career in the wine industry in China, joining a wine import company in Shanghai. In December 2018, I decided to follow my passion and set up my own business: Hedonia, a training institute dedicated to wine and etiquette. Since then, I've been running this structure, which has established itself as a key player in promoting wine culture in China. Becoming an ambassador for the local chapter was an obvious choice for me. SKEMA offered me a unique training and international experience, and I wanted to help boost the alumni network in a region as dynamic as Shanghai-Suzhou. This role also enables me to share my knowledge and forge links between a variety of profiles with a common base: SKEMA.

How do you plan to energize and animate the Shanghai-Suzhou chapter as its ambassador? Could you share a few ideas for events or initiatives you'd like to put in place?

I'd like to continue offering regular events for alumni in the Shanghai-Suzhou region, around relevant and convivial themes such as :

• Innovation and entrepreneurship, to highlight the initiatives of alumni and local players;
• Wine and French culture, to create immersive experiences;
• Interdisciplinary meetings, to foster synergies between alumni with diverse backgrounds.
  My aim is to organize a variety of events, with formats such as workshops, conferences or tastings, that provide both quality content and a framework conducive to networking.

What message would you like to pass on to alumni to encourage them to join and become actively involved in the SKEMA Alumni Shanghai-Suzhou chapter?

As alumni, we all have the opportunity to strengthen the SKEMA community in this booming region. Here are three good reasons to get involved:

• A wealth of professional and personal opportunities: every event is a chance to forge links, find partners or simply broaden your horizons.
• An investment in your own network: by actively contributing, you strengthen a community which, in turn, can help you at every stage of your career.
• Memorable moments: events are not just about professional exchanges; they're also a chance for alumni to get together in a friendly, inspiring atmosphere.

Make the effort to come, even when the events aren't free! We keep prices affordable so that everyone can enjoy them. You'll always leave with a new contact, an idea or, quite simply, a smile.