Press Release: VietAmCham Makes Official Debut

For Immediate Release

September 20, 2009

Arlington, VA - The Vietnamese American National Chamber of Commerce (“VietAmCham”) held its Inaugural Reception on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 in the F. Scott Fitzgerald Ballroom of the Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, Virginia. The highly anticipated event marked the official debut of VietAmCham and kicked off its membership drive.

Following months of intense groundwork building, the evening started off with a cocktail networking hour, during which nearly 250 guests mingled with VietAmCham board members and honored guests. Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-La.) was in attendance and also delivered opening remarks. Congressman Cao, an Honorary Co-Chair of VietAmCham, also presented VietAmCham with a commemorative certificate of the occasion, which Executive Director Katie Dang accepted on VietAmCham's behalf.

Assemblyman Van Thai Tran (R-Ca.), also an Honorary Co-Chair of VietAmCham, flew in from Southern California to be present at VietAmCham's Inaugural Reception. Assemblyman Tran praised the Vietnamese American business community and its milestones. He also emphasized the need for an organization such as VietAmCham, stating that VietAmCham will help strengthen the business community and give a long-needed voice to this demographic during these difficult economic times.

Quang X. Pham, also traveling from Southern California, delivered a keynote address that was both uplifting and inspiring for the audience of business professionals and entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. Besides speaking about his personal triumphs as an entrepreneur, including the challenges of raising over $5 million in venture capital in 90 days for his company, Lathian Health, Mr. Pham addressed the crowd about of the importance of community.  He emphasized that “community is not where you live, but who you are.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce was represented by Raymond Towle, Executive Director of Federation Relations. In his special remarks to the audience, Mr. Towle stated that the U.S. Chamber stood ready to lend a hand to VietAmCham and help it continue to grow.

The dinner reception portion of the evening was hosted by Elizabeth Dinh of WFTS ABC Action News (Tampa, Fl.), who made fluent introductions in both Vietnamese and English. The evening was topped off with a door prize raffle during which the grand prize was a pair of roundtrip air tickets to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam plus a layover hotel and tour package in Doha, Qatar. This prize, worth approximately $5,000, was donated courtesy of Qatar Airways.

Presenting Sponsorship for VietAmCham's Inaugural Reception was provided by Regal Nails Salon & Spa and T4 Spa Concepts & Design, companies owned by “Charlie” Quy Ton, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Regal Nails, Mr. Ton's prolific franchise, currently has over 1,000 locations inside Wal-Mart stores nationwide.

About VietAmCham
The Vietnamese American National Chamber of Commerce (“VietAmCham”) aims to unite Vietnamese American entrepreneurs across the country and provide an organized structure to empower the community through economic development as well as provide issue advocacy at state and federal levels. 

Press Contact
VietAmCham
703.647.6472
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