CHICAGO, December 3, 2014 – Chicago Sister Cities International and World Business Chicago hosted the annual Chicago Consular Corps Gala: A Tribute to Our Global Partners on the evening of Monday, December 1, 2014, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago (221 N. Columbus Drive). The gala’s international guest list included members of the 84 foreign consulates and honorary consulates in Chicago; keynote speaker, The Honorable Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of Commerce; The Honorable Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of the City of Chicago; The Honorable Bruce Rauner, Governor-elect of the State of Illinois; and The Honorable Judy Baar Topinka, Comptroller of the State of Illinois.
“This event showcases why Chicago is a global city,” said Jeff Malehorn, president and chief executive officer of World Business Chicago. “We are proud to be the hosts of this event and to honor the consulates, as well as our award winners for their work representing Chicago as an international city.”
The Gala had an attendance of over 600 and raised a total of over $800,000 to support the work of Chicago Sister Cities International and World Business Chicago and fund Chicago Consular Corps scholarships to the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Gala showed a significant increase in attendance and doubled its funds raised in 2014 over 2013. Chicago Sister Cities International and World Business Chicago doubled their contribution to the Chicago Consular Corps and their scholarship fund at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
High-resolution images and videos from the Gala are available for download here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w347emim0oyrezr/AAD7DtBaUCIQk7vZJt5jMVtxa?dl=0
Secretary Pritzker’s remarks can be read here: http://www.commerce.gov/news/secretary-speeches/2014/12/02/chicago-consular-corps-ball-remarks
This year, the Chicago Consular Corps honored Glenn Tilton, Retired Chairman of the Board, United Continental Holdings, Inc., with the prestigious Global Citizen Award, which honors an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to Chicago’s international reputation, stature and global reach.
In addition, for the first time World Business Chicago and Chicago Sister Cities International recognized contributions made by members of Chicago’s corporate and civic communities with three inaugural awards to be given out on an annual basis. The Corporate Ambassador Award was presented to Exelon and ComEd; the Global Innovator Award was presented to Signal; and Yoko Noge Dean, Chair of the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, was presented with the Chicago Sister Cities International Volunteer of the Year Award.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ms. Amy Rule & Consul General Patricia Maza-Pittsford and Mr. Philip Pittsford served as Honorary Chairs for the Gala.
Gala co-hosts were Melissa Bean, Chairman of the Midwest, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Lester Crown, Chairman, Henry Crown and Company; Richard A. Gonzalez, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, AbbVie; Michael J. Sacks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GCM Grosvenor and Vice-Chairman, World Business Chicago; Samuel C. Scott III, Chairman, Chicago Sister Cities International; and Miles D. White, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Abbott and last year’s Global Citizen Award honoree.
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World Business Chicago
Chaired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, World Business Chicago (@WorldBizChicago) drives Chicago’s economic growth. WBC collaborates to create jobs, cultivate talent, and put Chicago at the forefront of the global economy. A unique public-private partnership, WBC engages the region’s leaders to advance Chicago’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs.
Chicago Sister Cities International
Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI), a division of World Business Chicago, provides leadership to develop, manage and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with Chicago’s 28 sister cities in the areas of economic development, education, tourism, immigration and cultural enrichment. CSCI expands Chicago’s global reach for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses.
For more information on Chicago Sister Cities International, visit www.ChicagoSisterCities.com, follow us on Twitter (@ChiSisterCities) or “Like” us on Facebook, Facebook.com/ChicagoSisterCities.
Chicago’s 28 sister cities include: Accra, Ghana (1989); Amman, Jordan (2004); Athens, Greece (1997); Belgrade, Serbia (2005); Birmingham, United Kingdom (1993); Bogota, Colombia (2009); Busan, Republic of Korea (2007); Casablanca, Morocco (1982); Delhi, India (2001); Durban, South Africa (1997); Galway, Ireland (1997); Gothenburg, Sweden (1987); Hamburg, Germany (1994); Kyiv, Ukraine (1991); Lahore, Pakistan (2007); Lucerne, Switzerland (1998); Mexico City, Mexico (1991); Milan, Italy (1973); Moscow, Russia (1997); Osaka, Japan (1973); Paris, France (1996); Petach Tikva, Israel (1994); Prague, Czech Republic (1990); Shanghai, China (1985); Shenyang, China (1985); Toronto, Canada (1991); Vilnius, Lithuania (1993); and Warsaw, Poland (1960).
Chicago Consular Corps
The Chicago Consular corps is composed of Heads of Mission representing 85 countries from all around the world.
Chicago is proud to be home to one of the largest diplomatic communities in the Unites States. The diplomats representing their countries in Chicago work to facilitate and enhance the relationships between their respective countries and the states that comprise their jurisdiction, specifically in the Midwest.
Many of the diplomats located in Chicago are responsible for multiple states and promote trade, tourism, culture and serve the local communities from their countries.