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Annual Gala
2018 IWA China Fundraising Gala: Love Through the Dynasties
April 28,2018
The Peninsula Chicago
Thank you to Hainan Airlines, IWA Gala Live Auction
"Dream Trip to China” official airline sponsor
Hainan Airlines began operations in 1993, and today is one of China’s fastest growing airlines, committed to providing passengers with safe, comfortable, courteous and friendly service.
At the end of 2017, Hainan Airlines and its subsidiaries operated a total of nearly 1800 daily domestic and international routes with over 400 aircraft. Hainan Airlines’ modern fleet is mainly composed of Boeing 737 and 787 as well as Airbus 330 aircraft. Its award-wining international business class service features comfortable fully-flat seats with turndown service, video on demand, fine cuisine and wines, plus a host of amenities.
Since then, Hainan Airlines has developed a comprehensive network throughout China, serving all major cities. Internationally its global network links China to distant points like London, Sydney, Madrid, Rome, Moscow and Auckland, with a total of nearly 120 cities worldwide.
North America is a key part of the Hainan global network, starting with the opening of the Seattle gateway in 2008, followed by Toronto, Chicago, Boston, San Jose, Las Vegas, Calgary, Los Angeles and New York. Most recently, Mexico City and Tijuana joined the system, with Vancouver set to open in May. Chinese nonstop gateways include Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, Chongqing, Chengdu and Tianjin.
Hainan Airlines aspires to be a world-class airline company and the prominent airline brand of China. “Fly Your Dreams!”
Sponsorship, program book, auction forms can be found below
Questions, contact Pilaar Pantoja, iwa@iwachicago.org
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IWA Gala 2017, Suomi 100 Finland was held on Friday, May 5, 2017
This year IWA celebrated the centenary of Finland’s independence and all things Finnish, on Friday, May 5, 2017 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. The IWA Gala Committee prepared yet another unforgettable evening for our members and guests. Thank you to all our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests.
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IWA Annual Gala, "All Things German" was held on Friday, May 13, 2016
at The Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago
This past May, we celebrated 38 years of friendship and camaraderie as the sounds, tastes and touches of Germany flowed through the hallways of The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. The IWA Gala Committee prepared yet another unforgettable evening for our members and guests. Thank you to all our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests.
To view and order photos from the event:
Visit Photographer Jennifer Girard's website
https://jennifergirard.smugmug.com/IWA-Gala-Four-Seasons-5-2016/
2015 Annual Gala "Sawasdee Thailand"
2014 Annual Gala "Sail Away with IWA"
Each spring, International Women Associates holds The Annual Gala, its premier fundraising event. An elegant evening of entertainment, dining, and dancing, the gala includes both live and silent auctions featuring unique items and “experiences” from around the world. Each year’s gala theme reflects an aspect of IWA’s mission and membership, and the evening offers a delightful opportunity to celebrate with friends and enjoy the richness of the IWA experience.
In 2014, the thirty-sixth Annual Gala, "Sail Away with IWA" was held on Friday, April 11th, in the Gold Coast Room of Chicago’s iconic Drake Hotel. At this celebration, over 250 guests “embarked” on an imaginary cruise to honor the diverse cultures of the Mediterranean region. The guests enjoyed a “Triple-E” evening - elegant, enchanting, and entertaining. They attended a “Captain’s black-tie dinner”, then donned elaborate masks for the ball that followed. The virtual cruise included ports of call in Greece, Italy, Morocco and Turkey. The Gold Coast Room decor conjured up the colors, sights and sounds of Mediterranean lands and provided a magnificent setting for an outstanding dance performance by the children of the Southport Performing Arts Conservatory, complete with ethnic costumes, a lively dance interlude by Greek folk dancers, a classical Turkish music concert, and a sensuous Moroccan belly dance show. The guests also danced with great zest late into the night to the music of the wonderful Don Cagen Orchestra.
Guests strolled through the colorful bazaars of port countries to bid on the silent auction items. They sipped cocktails, delighted in a scrumptious dinner of Mediterranean specialties, and participated in an exciting raffle. At the live auction, four lucky guests won fabulous prizes, including a week in Aspen, Colorado, a priceless painting created by Chicago Public School students, and dream Mediterranean journeys to Turkey and Greece, complete with Business Class tickets on Turkish Airlines.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Consuls General of Greece, Italy, and Turkey, and the Honorary Consul of Morocco were Honorary Captains of the evening. “Captain” Sevil Kutay and her “Co-Captain”, Ethel Gofen, led The IWA Crew. The proceeds from the Annual Gala and Auction support IWA's educational and cultural activities, scholarship program, community service and philanthropic initiatives.http://www.iwachicago.org/event-2197800
