Annual International Gala Honors Chicago’s Diplomatic Community

On Friday, November 1, World Business Chicago, Chicago Sister Cities International and the Chicago Consular Corps hosted the Chicago Consular Corps Gala: A Salute to Global Leadership at the Hilton Chicago. The annual gala is Chicago’s premier international event honoring the Chicago Consular Corps – an international group of consulates representing 87 countries around the world.

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot opened the event with welcome remarks.

At the event, two Chicagoans and two Chicago companies were recognized for their contributions to advance Chicago as a global city in meaningful and impactful ways:

• Global Citizen Award: The award honors an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to Chicago’s international reputation, stature and global reach. The 2019 Global Citizen honoree is Samuel C. Scott III.
• Corporate Ambassador Award: The award honors a company that has helped to raise Chicago’s profile as a premier global business destination and has contributed to the economic growth of the city. The 2019 honoree is PwC.
• ChicagoNEXT Award: The award honors a Chicago technology company recognized as an industry leader on a global scale. The 2019 honoree is Future Founders.
• Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) Volunteer of the Year Award: The award honors a CSCI volunteer committee member who has played an important role in furthering the organization’s mission to promote Chicago as a global city, developing international partnership and networks, sharing best practices through citizen-to citizen connections, particularly in the areas of business, culture, education immigration and tourism. The 2019 honoree is Ruben D. Ocampo.

The gala’s international guest list included members of the 87 foreign and honorary consulates in Chicago. Chicago’s business and civic leaders were also in attendance along with the city’s cultural communities.

The 2019 Chicago Consular Corps Gala was made possible by presenting sponsor Greeley and Hansen and host sponsors, GCM Grosvenor, Sam and Dona Scott, United Airlines and Wanxiang America Corporation. Platinum sponsors of the event include Abbott Laboratories, Ariel Investments, Citadel Securities, Exelon, McKinsey & Company, Motorola and PwC.

John C. Robak, President of Greeley and Hansen served as the Gala Chair for the second year in a row. Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Ms. Amy Eshleman and Consul General Patricia Maza-Pittsford and Mr. Philip Pittsford were Honorary Chairs of the Gala.

A Flickr photo album of the Gala photos will soon be available on the World Business Chicago website.