Tenth Annual Capital City Consular Corps Luncheon – May 22, 2007

Tenth Annual Capital City Consular Corps Luncheon on May 22, 2007 was presented by The Northern California World Trade Center and co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service Sacramento Export Assistance Center. The event was a collaborative effort with supporting partners: the California Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Regional Center for International Trade Development and the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

The Mistress of Ceremonies for the event was Deirdre Fitzpatrick, the Morning Anchor/Reporter for Sacramento’s KCRA Channel 3 News. Speakers included state, regional, local government officials as well as academic and international business leaders. Welcoming remarks were by  Mayor Heather Fargo of the City of Sacramento; Deborah Bowen, California Secretary of State; Don Nottoli, Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors; Secretary Dale Bonner of the California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency; Chancellor Dr. Brice Harris of the of the Los Rios Community College District. John Garamendi, Lieutenant Governor of the State of California spoke about the state of California and introduced the keynote speaker Dr. David A. Sampson, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Concluding comments were by Director of Airports, Hardy Acree of Sacramento County Airport System.

Program sponsors included the County of Sacramento California, Siemens, AT&T, Blue Diamond, Wells Fargo, City of West Sacramento, Diepenbrock Harrison, Los Rios Community College District, River City Bank, Pasco Scientific, PG&E, Sacramento Sister Cities Council, University of California, Davis, University of the Pacific, VSP, Belgium Trade & Investment, Continental Airlines, Language World Services, Inc., SMUD, and Solar Cookers International. 

High Sierra Electronics a Grass Valley, California company and JEI, Inc. of Cameron Park, California were both presented with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Certificate. The award was presented by Deputy Secretary Dr. David A. Sampson of the U.S. Department of Commerce and Sacramento Export Assistance Center Director George Tastard of the Commerce Department’s U.S. Commercial Service.

Director George Tastard worked closely with the Northern California World Trade Center in the development and execution of this premiere international trade event. At the luncheon, Director Tastard met new clients and maintained communication with existing clients and partners.

The Tenth Annual Consular Corps Luncheon was a tremendous success with over 300 guests in attendance. With a dynamic mix of Consul Generals and staff from over 30 countries, California international business leaders and California political officials, the event provided an excellent opportunity for guests to meet with other international business professionals, share and discover new business prospects, and celebrate the success of local businesses with international endeavors.