ST LOUIS: The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis (AACC) recognized Seema Enterprises owner Ashwin Patel as the AACC 2018 Business Owner of the Year at the AACC Connections Dinner on May 8.
“The Business Owner of the Year award is reserved for people like Ashwin Patel who use their successful business to bring the community together,” said AACC President Al Li.
Ashwin and his wife Raksha moved from India to St. Louis in 1978 and quickly spread their entrepreneurial wings by acquiring and promoting Seema Enterprises and Seema World Travel. Under their leadership, Seema has expanded to serve multiple locations over the years
The award was presented to Patel by Pradeep Rajendran, one of the founding board members of AACC. “It is an honor to present this award to Ashwin” said Pradeep. “Ashwin has been a linchpin of the South Asian community in St. Louis for decades”
Ashwin Patel was involved in founding the Hindu Temple of St. Louis and Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center which serves as the epicenter for the Indian-American community. He has served in leading roles for several associations and councils including the India Association of St. Louis, Mahatma Gandhi Center, and Midwest FOGANA, and the Gujarati Samaj of St. Louis.
He has also served as an excellent cultural ambassador and has been instrumental in bringing South Asian movies, plays and concerts to St. Louis. He also supports many cultural organizations like the Bal Vihar Center and Surya Performing arts both financially and through his leadership.
It was fitting for Mr. Patel to be recognized at the AACC Connections Dinner where the business community commemorates Asian Heritage Month by enjoying a multi-course Pan-Asian meal and celebrating those who have had significant economic and community impact in our region.
The event was attended by more than 500 professionals from many industries, for-profit and non-profit organizations in May.
Founded in 2011, the mission of the AACC of St. Louis is to build a community of Asian professionals, Asian business owners, and those engaging in business throughout Asia.
Babu Patel
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