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Updated Sunday, December 14, 2008 9:41 am TWN, By Brian Asmus, Special to the China Post



	AmCham Chairman Chris Fay “conducts” the American Ball’s Orient Express themed ball. Surrounding him are a bevy of beautiful can-can dancers. (Brian Asmus, Special to The China Post) More Photos (2)

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American Ball 2008: All Aboard, it’s the Orient Express!

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The economy way be wobbly, but a record turnout of 500 revelers partied their cares away at the 2008 American Ball, jointly sponsored by AmCham and the American Institute in Taiwan. This year’s theme was the Orient Express, and AmCham Chairman Chris Fay served as the conductor as the storied train chugged its way from Paris to Venice and on to Istanbul, with colorful dance performances at each stop. AIT Director Stephen Young and AmCham President Andrea Wu extended greetings to the “travelers” on behalf of their organizations.

The venue was the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Taipei, filled to capacity with elegantly dressed or imaginatively costumed ball-goers. A succulent dinner was served, a feast centered on a main course of marinated Nebraska rib eye skewers with Moroccan spices, chick peas, braised eggplant, couscous, and rich red win jus.

Throughout the evening, dozens of outstanding prizes were raffled off, including the grand prize from United Airlines of two roundtrip business-class tickets to any destination served by the carrier. Other gift sponsors were the Macau Government Tourist Office, Amanresorts International, the Grand Formosa Regent Taipei, Sony Taiwan, Grand Hyatt Taipei, the Landis Taipei, the Venetian Macau Resort Hotel, Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Motorola Electronics Taiwan, the Westin Taipei, and Sheraton Taipei. In between raffle draws, guests packed the dance floor, gyrating to the beat of the pulsating music played by DeeJay Frankie.

As with all major events of this kind, the generosity of sponsoring companies was crucial to its success. Special thanks were expressed to Diamond Sponsors Pernod Ricard Taiwan and United Airlines, Gold Sponsors Corning, UPS, and Yuanta Financial Holdings, and Silver Sponsors 3M, Grand Hyatt Taipei, and Parsons Brinckerhoff. In addition, the top-quality U.S. beef was made available courtesy of the Nebraska Beef Council.

The theme of the 2009 American Ball was announced: “The Great Gatsby,” envisioning the energy and stylishness of the “Roaring Twenties,” particularly as exemplified in the exclusive luxury of Newport, the North Shore of Long Island, Bermuda and Palm Beach. Attention yachties and polo players, you will not wan to miss this one.

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