On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia (BABCPHL) hosted the 13th Annual Summer International Business Networking Reception. For the thirteenth consecutive year, members and friends of Greater Philadelphia’s international community gathered to celebrate the region’s status as a top US destination for innovation, investment, and trade. “Pennsylvania Gets It Done!” Science, technology, and original brands developed here catalyze transformative growth, health, and wellbeing throughout the world. People flock to the area for business, tourism, sports and entertainment, and lifesaving treatment, among other reasons as well. Corporations and individuals “come for Philadelphia and stay for Philly.” The State of Pennsylvania is a welcoming place for business, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial ventures, enabling a diverse range of commercial ecosystems to grow and succeed. The area fosters partnerships that support new technologies and contribute to economic growth and workforce development. Sponsors, special guests, and keynote speakers shared their inspiring journeys, and a portion of proceeds was donated to the Ronald McDonald Camp 2025, a weeklong overnight camp for kids and young adults with cancer. 

Jason Walker, President of the BABCPHL opened the formal speaking portion of the event, thanking sponsors, partners, and presenters before introducing Board Member, Mick Merritt, Chief Operating Officer, Penn Medicine Signature Services. Mick explained Penn Medicine’s global role in making groundbreaking discoveries that save lives. Over the past 12 years, there have been 44 FDA approvals for a new drug or therapy that is the result of ideas developed at Penn. Mick said, “there is something absolutely extraordinary happening here in Philadelphia, and the world is taking note. Penn Medicine is the epicenter of cell and gene therapy and has developed the mRNA technology platform. These technologies are converging in extraordinary ways to expand the potential impact across many diseases.” With that overview, Mick introduced Dr. Kiran Musunuru, the Barry J. Gertz Professor for Translational Research at Penn Medicine.  

Kiran spoke about the groundbreaking gene-editing technology he and his team have developed. Dr. Musunuru highlighted case studies and explained current capabilities and future therapies. The entire room of approximately 150 people were silently listening carefully. You could hear a pin drop – guests were completely quiet, until everyone audibly gasped with happiness when Dr. Musunuru revealed the amazing progress Baby KJ made with treatment. Following Dr. Musunuru’s discussion was Chris Callanan, Chief Development Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities Philadelphia Region. 

Chris talked to us about the vital role the Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia Region plays for children who are seeking lifesaving treatment in Philadelphia, and their families. He highlighted the history of the House, founder Dr. Audrey Evans, and the Ronald McDonald Camp (RMC), a weeklong overnight camp for kids and young adults with cancer. Chris explained that RMC offers children and their siblings the opportunity to escape the weight of cancer and fully immerse themselves in summer fun. RMC has been a core program of Ronald McDonald House Charities Philadelphia Region serving campers and families since 1986. Chris invited everyone to visit and volunteer at the House. It is through Chris that we were introduced to Dave Raymond, “The Original Phillie Phanatic,” our special guest. 

Dave created the personality that helped the Phillies build a multi-million dollar brand extension that has delivered billions of dollars in value over the last four decades. Dave is the hero of happiness, harnessing “the power of fun!” He enlightened guests about the “evolution of happiness,” and discussed how specialized fun delivers unrecognized revenue and brand benefits while increasing productivity and the overall health of employees, fans, sponsors, and friends. Dave actively engaged with attendees and gave everyone a task; he told guests to turn to the person standing next to them, and “tell them something good!”  

Dave’s presentation hit just the right note with the crowd and was the perfect segue to Lead Sponsor and BABCPHL Board Member, George Tiger, Global Vice President, Business Development, Almac Clinical Technologies’ comments. George tied all presentations together by talking about Almac Group’s connection to the BABCPHL, and the key role that the Company has historically played in the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.  

The final speaker was Rhett Workman, Managing Director – PHL Customer Care, American Airlines and BABCPHL VP of Strategic Development. Rhett thanked sponsors, presenters, and guests, encouraging everyone to dig deeper into their pockets to support the Ronald McDonald Camp. He drew the winning business cards for raffle gifts generously donated by The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Union and announced the silent auction winner for 100,000 miles on American Airlines award winning service from Philadelphia to destinations throughout the world.  

 Special thanks to our lead sponsors, Almac Group and Penn Medicine; premier sponsors, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and Philadelphia International Airport; silent auction donor, American Airlines; beer sponsor, Yards Brewing Company; raffle gift donors, The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Union; and to our event partners, the Commerce Department, City of Philadelphia, the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, the World Trade Centers of Delaware and Philadelphia, and the Chilean, French, German, Irish, Japanese, and Norwegian American Chambers of Commerce. We could not have offered this program without the generous support and collaborative efforts of these outstanding colleagues.  

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