World Business Chicago (WBC) and Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) will honor the 80+ foreign and honorary consulates in Chicago and celebrate the strong relationship between the city and the Chicago Consular Corps at the annual Chicago Consular Corps Gala: A Tribute to Our Global Partners. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at the Hilton Chicago.

Proceeds from the gala support the Chicago Consular Corps Scholarship at the University of Illinois at Chicago and WBC/CSCI’s global initiatives, as explained in this video:

The 2016 gala will honor Patricia Woertz with the Global Citizen Award. Given by the Chicago Consular Corps, the award recognizes an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to Chicago’s international reputation, stature and global reach.

Woertz is the recently retired chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), where she fulfilled a decade of service. Under her leadership, ADM strengthened its global network and grew its portfolio of products. Named one of the most powerful women in business by Fortune and Forbes magazines, Woertz serves on many boards and was appointed to the President’s Export Council by President Obama.

In addition, GE will be presented with the Corporate Ambassador Award, honoring a company that has helped raise Chicago’s profile as a premier global business destination, for its steadfast commitment to the community and contributions to the economic growth of the city.

In March, GE announced that Chicago was selected to be a core hub of its growing digital ecosystem. With more than 2,000 employees already in the area, GE is creating 160 new jobs in Chicagoland focused on digital advancements in transportation and healthcare; Chicago will also be the lead office for GE Transportation’s Digital Solutions business. GE also recently announced that its first micro-factory for Fuse, a new approach to manufacturing that accelerates product and technology development, will be based at Chicago’s mHUB -the city’s first innovation center focused on physical product development and manufacturing.

The ChicagoNEXT Award, which honors a Chicago technology company recognized as a global leader with a  commitment to Chicago’s tech community, will be given to Microsoft.

Microsoft is a key partner to many WBC/ChicagoNEXT initiatives, supporting projects including the Connect Chicago Challenge, which aligns citywide efforts to make Chicago the most skilled, connected, dynamic digital city in America; The Chicago Venture Summit which aims to attract capital and connect investors with local companies; and ThinkChicago, which showcases the city’s advantages to top university talent from throughout the country. In addition, Microsoft supports international efforts including welcoming business delegations from across the globe.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule are the Honorary Chairs of the Chicago Consular Corps Gala, along with the Dean of the Chicago Consular Corps, Consul General Patricia Maza-Pittsford and Phillip Pittsford.

Tickets for the gala can be purchased here.