Lakeside President Chairs China Sister Cities Swinging Shanghai Gala
Lakeside Bank President and Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Board President Raymond Spaeth chaired the “Swinging Shanghai” dinner gala on September 6th for the China Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program at Maxim’: The Nancy Goldberg International Center, a replica of the famous Parisian restaurant. The event celebrated the cosmopolitan sophistication of Shanghai as ‘Paris of the East’ in the 1920’s and 1930’s and included a six-course dinner, dancing, live music, entertainment, Chinese culture and a silent auction.
Nearly 150 people packed the sold out event that raised money for the China Committee, which was established in 1985 to build relationships with Chicago’s two Sister Cities in China - Shenyang and Shanghai. The mission of the China Committee is to strengthen the partnerships among business, government, cultural and educational institutions, and healthcare concerns in these three great cities. The China committee, consisting of over 70 volunteers, pursues its mission through a series of cultural exchanges, professional dialogues, the establishment of sister school relationships, and cooperation on issues of public policy and economic development.
Representatives from the Chinatown community deeply involved in business in China attended the event and were able to get further acquainted with the China Committee’s activities. Company sponsors included: Raymond Lee and Sydney Lee of Golden Country Oriental Food, Eric Chang and Steve Wang of Chinatown Hotel and Chicago Suites International in Shenzhen, Mr. Frances Yip and Mr. Perry Lau of Richland Group Enterprises, and Mr. See Wong and Mr. Peter Siu of the Grand Imperial Hotel.
The Chicago Sister Cities International Program, under the auspices of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, provides leadership to develop, manage and coordinate comprehensive programs and projects with the Chicago’s sister cities. It aims to increase international trade, promote economic development and support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, medicine, social services, environment, and technology with its sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses.
For more information about the China Committee visit www.chinachicago.com.
Photos
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Bill Spence (left) & Ray Chin (right), Co-chairs of Chicago Sister Cities China Committee, Ray Spaeth (center), Gala Dinner Chairman
(left to right) The Honorable Anne Burke, Justice of Illinois State Supreme Court, popular TV broadcaster Linda Yu, and Bill Spence, Co-Chair of Chicago Sister Cities China Committee
Attendees at the festive Swinging Shanghai Gala, a creative black-tie event.