In her opening statements, ABCK’s MC-Ms. Claire Hayden from LivinQ8, thanked guests for their attendance. Ms. Hayden then introduced the 34 Infantry Division “Red Bull” Band, from the U.S. Military who then played the U.S. national anthem followed by the Kuwait national anthem. Ms. Hayden thanked the band and then introduced ABCK’s Chairman Oswaldo Rueda who thanked the guests for being there and he spoke about the role that ABCK has had in being an advocate for American corporations in Kuwait, as well as connecting Kuwaiti corporations with American interest to several industries, with the help of the U.S. Embassy.
Mr. Rueda then introduced H.E. Ambassador Lawrence Silverman, who thanked ABCK for their great contribution throughout the past years, and the future plans for further collaboration between the U.S. Government and Kuwait. He made remarks regarding the steps that both governments are taking in order to make a more collaborative and positive relationship between Kuwait and the U.S., as well as organizations that are currently working to aid American interest in Kuwait.
Ms. Hayden thanked the Ambassador for his speech and then called on to ABCK’s Executive Director- Mrs. Esra Cavdarli Menke, and Mr. Rueda in order to recognize our sponsors. ABCK’s Gold Sponsors for the 34th Annual Gala were: Gulf Facilities Trading & Contracting (GFT), represented by Mr. Sam Jauhari, Gulf Agency Company (GAC), represented by Mr. Filip Bjorklund, IFA International Travel and Tourism, represented by Mr. Ayman Sawires, Al Mulla Exchange, represented by Mr. Praveen Singh, Raytheon, represented by Mr. Gary Menke, and Four Seasons, represented by Mr. Didier Jardin. Finally, the Executive Director recognized ABCK’s Airline Partner- Emirates who provided two Business Class tickets from Kuwait to Dubai.
After the recognition of the sponsors, dinner started to be served and the live entertainment was resumed. To finalize, ABCK’s staff gathered ABCK’s Chairman, Vice Chairman, Executive Director, and Board members around the podium, in order to conclude the event with ABCK’s 34th Annual Gala cake cutting ceremony.
