Loading ...Building Economic Bridges Gala
Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/25/2024
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Categories
Cost:
$250.00 USD
Contact Person:
Nadia Marinova
Email:
nadia@americanarab.com
Website:
https://www.americanarab.com/
Phone:
248-342-3732
Organization:
American Arab Chamber of Commerce
AMERICAN ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WELCOMES UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH JOSE W. FERNANDEZ AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE 32nd ANNUAL BUILDING ECONOMIC BRIDGES GALA IN WESTLAND OCTOBER 25
Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, will speak at the celebration of Arab American achievement and opportunity
DEARBORN, Mich. — October 7, 2024 — The American Arab Chamber of Commerce announces Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, as the keynote speaker at the 32nd Annual “Building Economic Bridges” Gala on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Soho Banquet & Event Center in Westland, Michigan. The gala will gather leaders from business, government, and the Arab American community to celebrate growth, innovation, and the vital contributions of Arab American entrepreneurs. Tickets and sponsorships are available at www.americanarab.com/bebgala.
Building on this year’s theme of Innovation, Entrepreneurial Philanthropy, and Energy, Under Secretary Fernandez will share his insights on global economic trends and how they align with the entrepreneurial spirit fueling Arab American businesses. His unique perspective will highlight the synergies between economic growth and the Chamber’s mission to create opportunities for businesses in Michigan and beyond.
“The 32nd Annual “Building Economic Bridges” Gala hosted by The American Arab Chamber of Commerce highlights the incredible achievements of leaders and businesses from local, national, and international arenas who are making significant strides across a wide range of industries” said Bilal Hammoud, Executive Director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. “Our guests will be inspired by their remarkable work as well as finding opportunities to network with visionary professionals committed to driving progress and shaping the future.”
As the largest Arab American business organization in the United States, the Chamber continues to play a pivotal role in advancing economic partnerships between Michigan and businesses across the Middle East. “This Gala is not just our biggest event of the year—it’s a celebration of the future we are building together, a future rooted in innovation, partnership, and global impact,” added Hammoud.
Fernandez’s appearance at this year’s Gala reflects the Chamber’s growing collaboration with the U.S. State Department and its continued commitment to advocating for the Arab American business community on the national and international stage.
“I’m honored to speak at the ‘Building Economic Bridges’ Gala,” said Fernandez. “The Arab American Chamber is a crucial partner in promoting global business engagement, and I look forward to working together to expand opportunities for businesses in Michigan and across the country.”
Fernandez, who leads the State Department’s bureaus and offices focused on international policies related to economic growth, energy, agriculture, oceans, the environment, and science and technology, has served in his position since August 2021. He is also the United States Alternate Governor to the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
From 2009 to 2013, Fernandez served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, one of the bureaus he now oversees. He previously was a partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP in New York. He focused his practice on mergers, acquisitions and finance in Europe and emerging markets, advising U.S. and foreign clients in the telecommunications, energy, water, banking, and consumer industries.
Most recently, Fernandez was an adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School, where he taught a course on international business transactions. He also served as the Director of the Transition Policy Committees for New Jersey Governor-Elect Phil Murphy following the Governor’s election in 2017.
He was named one of the “World’s Leading Lawyers” by Chambers Global for his M&A and corporate work, a “Highly Regarded” practitioner by the International Financial Law Review, and one of the “World’s Leading Privatization Lawyers” by Euromoney Publications. He has been Chair of the Inter-American law committees of both the American Bar Association and The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, as well as of the Cross-Border M&A and Joint Venture Committee of the New York State Bar Association.
A lifelong supporter of the arts and education, Fernandez has served as a trustee of Dartmouth College and NPR-station WBGO-FM, and on the Board of Directors of Acción International, the Council of the Americas, Ballet Hispanico of New York, the Middle East Institute, and the Partnership for Inner City Education. He was the co-founder of TeatroStageFest, a two-week Latino theatre festival in New York, and was appointed a Commissioner of New York’s Latin Media and Entertainment Commission by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Fernandez is a Dartmouth College graduate and earned a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law, where he was awarded the Charles Evans Hughes Prize and a Parker School Certificate of International Law with honors.
VIP Reception and Gala Highlights
The Gala will kick off with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner, cultural performances showcasing the richness of Arab heritage, and an awards ceremony honoring trailblazers within the Arab American community. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with top professionals and industry leaders, fostering connections that will shape the future of business and entrepreneurship.
Tickets & Sponsorship
Tickets to the “Building Economic Bridges” Gala are $250 and can be purchased at www.americanarab.com/bebgala. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Nadia Marinova at nadia@americanarab.com or 248-342-3732.
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About the American Arab Chamber of Commerce
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce builds economic bridges by promoting and empowering Arab American businesses on local, national, and international levels. Learn more at www.americanarab.com.