On Wednesday, December 11, 2013, the British American Business Council (BABC) of Greater Philadelphia hosted its Annual Holiday Luncheon Celebrating British Arts & Culture & the Season to be Jolly, featuring Derek Gillman, Former President and Executive Director of the Barnes Foundation as the keynote speaker and The Honorable Michael A. Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia as the special guest. Approximately 200 people gathered for the BABC’s signature event in the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz Carlton, Philadelphia.
This special program included a wonderful presentation by Mayor Nutter about the recent UK Trade Mission he and his team led to London at the beginning of November, and the important business relationships that developed as a result. Philadelphia is truly a global City with strong ties to the UK. During the coming months and years the City will continue to build upon those connections, welcoming British companies to the region and helping local, homegrown entities expand overseas.
Derek Gillman provided an excellent discussion about the Barnes Foundation and some educational and humorous anecdotes about the history of the collection. Derek introduced The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre cast who performed the sidesplitting show The Mechanicals from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. To add to the merriment of the day Charlie Whitfield, Whisky Master and Macallan Brand Ambassador led guests through an informative and fun whisky tasting. Immediately prior to this Rennie McConnachie, Senior Business Development Manager, Aberdeen Asset Management beckoned the Piper Charlie Rután, who marched throughout the ballroom while the haggis was paraded up onto the stage and Rennie read The Address to A Haggis.
More than 25 exciting prizes contributed to the BABC from local retailers, restaurants, hotels and sports teams were raffled off to lucky winners during the program, including two roundtrip business/first class tickets on United Airlines to/from Europe, Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Hawaii – exclusive airline sponsor of the program. Attendees greatly enjoyed the busy program and all of the festive accompaniments.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Aberdeen Asset Management and HSBC Bank USA N.A.; the exclusive airline sponsor United Airlines; and to our corporate sponsors PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and UK Trade & Investment for their generous support.
To view pictures from the event, click here.
