How do you appropriately thank the consular corps for its ongoing contributions to the prosperity of the city's business community? You throw an entertaining bash at Hotel ZaZa where you honor the men and women of the the city's 94 consular offices.
That's just what the Greater Houston Partnership did Saturday night with the 12th annual World Trade Soirée. The organization wined and dined the diplomats, who comprise the nation's third largest consular corps. Welcoming more than 600 guests were soirée chair Brandi McDonald and honorary chair Rod Nelson, a GHP board member.
Before the full contingent of guests arrived, VIPs were treated to an early reception in one of the hotel's famed suites on the upper floors where ContentActive's Leisa Holland-Nelson and Francisco + Co.'s Ellie Francisco hosted. While sipping champagne and lighter libations, guests surveyed the bird's eye view of Hermann Park.
A cornucopia of international entertainment and foods awaited guests who poured into the hotel ballroom and who wandered outdoors to try their luck at the poolside casino tables. Key players in the spirited "Cirque du Houston" scene were GHP president and CEO Jeff Moseley and chairman Larry Kellner. Public officials joining the party included Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Houston City Councilwoman Brenda Stardig and Bellaire City Councilman Corbett Parker.
So who was there? Café Adobe president and CEO Bob Borochoff, Capital One Bank market president Annella G. Metoyer, Houston Community College chancellor Mary S. Spangler, Greenberg Traurig's Roland Garcia, fashion designer Jerri Moore, and Miata Beysolow of Liberia's Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
The Brazilian dancer was part of the international entertainment at the World Trade Soirée gala.
