On Thursday, July 14, 2016, the British American Business Council collaborated with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Chilean Chamber of Commerce, French-American Chamber of Commerce, German American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Irish American Business Chamber & Network, Inc., Italy-America Business Council and Network, Mid-Atlantic – Eurasia Business Council, Norwegian- American Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Israel Chamber of Commerce, and Select Greater Philadelphia for the Summer 2016 International Business Networking Reception at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA).
Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, and admired the modern artwork on display before being escorted into PAFA’s spacious Annenberg Gallery for brief remarks. Robert Palaima, President and Chairman of the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce, kicked off the program by welcoming everyone to the 6th edition of the Summer International Business Networking Reception. Elizabeth Racheva, Vice President of Major Gifts of PAFA gave a short address to guests, talking about the remarkable history of PAFA and reminding everyone of the artistic power residing in Philadelphia.
Harold Epps, the City of Philadelphia’s Director of Commerce, was this year’s keynote speaker. A professional with 30 years of corporate experience, Epps acutely described Philadelphia’s position in the international market, touching on some of the city’s anticipated developments, including the installation of new ports and Philadelphia’s Export Plan. He spoke of untapped potential within Philadelphia and encouraged the international business community to unite together, stressing that “collaboration is key.”
The program closed with a raffle of exciting prizes including a Chilean Carmenere, a French Rose, a PAFA membership, club level seats to a Philadelphia Union match donated by the British American Business Council, tickets to the Irish American Business Chamber Ambassador’s Awards Luncheon, and a golf certificate for NACC Philadelphia’s Annual Golf Outing.
