Summer 2017 International Business Networking Reception
Presented by the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce
July 26th, 2017
5:00 – 7:00 PM
On Wednesday, July 26th, 2017, over 250 attendees from twelve different international chambers gathered at the Summer 2017 International Business Networking Reception hosted by the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. The event was held on the fifth floor of National Museum of American Jewish History, as networkers gathered and enjoyed wine, courtesy of Wines of Chile USA, on a balcony overlooking the historic Independence Hall.
This was the seventh consecutive year for the event, and featured members from partnering organizations including: Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia; British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia; 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 Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia.
Attendees enjoyed food and beverages as they conversed and listened to welcoming remarks, courtesy of Robert Palaima, President & Chairman of the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, before Keynote Speaker, Councilman At-Large David Oh, Chairman of the Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy and Minority Whip for Philadelphia City Council, was introduced. Palaima thanked those in attendance and acknowledged the reception’s Corporate Sponsors: Aramark, Delaware River Stevedores, Inc., Temple University’s Fox School of Business CIBER, Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP, Santander Bank, NA, and Wouch, Maloney & Co., LLP for their generous support of the night’s event.
As Councilman Oh took the stage, he began his remarks by referencing a recent injury he had suffered while returning to his Philadelphia home after a long night at work. He spoke about motivation and spirit, and how he was motivated to return home from the hospital after seeing his children’s reactions to his injury. He then related this to the city of Philadelphia, and how the city has recently established an international trade presence that had been somewhat absent in years prior. Councilman Oh credited this to the cutting-edge businesses, organizations like the Chambers of Commerce, and people within the city of Philadelphia, and explained how they are what push the city forward. He acknowledged the twelve chambers that had gathered at the reception, and noted that organizations like these are what motivate the mayor’s office to become a larger player in the international business world. Councilman Oh closed by thanking all in attendance, and offered an invitation into his office for anyone with any suggestions or ideas they may have, adding “If you do not push us, we will not come together.”
Once Keynote Speaker Councilman Oh had concluded, Robert Palaima retook the stage and began the business card raffle for the evening, which featured prizes on behalf of the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, Philadelphia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, British American Business Council, Irish American Business Chamber & Network, Inc., and the French American Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you to all attendees, sponsors, and partnering organizations for making the Summer 2017 International Business Networking Reception such a success, as well as the National Museum of American Jewish History for their hospitality, and Day by Day Catering for the delicious food and excellent service.
For more photos of The Summer 2017 International Business Networking Reception, please visit our Flickr page.