CHICAGO: Chicago Chapter of Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) hosted its 3rd Annual Business Convention & Gala on Sunday September 17 at Rosemont Hyatt Hotel with attendance from many corporate executives, State and local Government officials, Asian-American and small and minority business leaders and non-profit organization activists.
The objective of the event was to promote common cultural heritage and create binding relationship among business community. Chairman and Founder of GOPIO Chicago Gladson Varghese welcomed all the business leaders, political leaders and other esteemed guests. He also stated GOPIO is one of the largest Indian organizations outside India with Chapters in over 20 countries.
President and Founder Hina Trivedi in her Presidential address stated GOPIO Chicago is on the path of rapid growth and invited all the business leaders to be part of the organization.
In his inaugural address D.B. Bhati, Consul of India, Chicago, said Business Conferences like this should be deemed the first step to bring Indian business owners under one umbrella. Indian Americans should expand their businesses to India as well, since India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world’,
Raja Krishnamoorthi, US Congressman, who was one of the keynote speakers, congratulated GOPIO Chicago leadership for hosting a Business Conference like this and promised support to the Indian community and GOPIO Chicago to create a business environment that will help to grow Indian businesses, especially the startup companies.
State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia said that businesses are failing mainly on account of lack of proper direction to grow and paucity of required funding to launch new technology products. She also presented an Award to Lovely Varughese.
Mayor Mickey Straub said GOPIO Chicago created a platform for all the small and large Indian business owners to do business networking and grow their businesses.
Several awards were presented during the event. Business man of the year award was given to H.R Pundit Corporation CEO Mr. K.K. Reddy, Community leader of the year award was given to Dr. Bharat Barai, Student of the year award was given to Ms Payal Patel.
U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi presented the Leadership award to Gladson Varghese, State Representative Linda Chapa Lavia presented Mother’s Rights Award to Lovely Varughese. Community service awards were given for excellent community service to Consul of India D.B. Bhati, Mayor Mickey Straub, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Consul of India O.P. Meena. Humanitarian Award was given to Zahid Hameed, Sponsorship recognition to Lisa Victoria Waller, Syed Hussaini, Avani Trivedi, Abdul Gafoor, Manoj Kumar Singamsetti, Nick Gakhal and Nambirajan Vaithilingam.
The event was attended by Board members Savi Singh, Vikrant Singh, Syed Hussaini, Hement Trivedi, Sharan Walia, Nambi Vaithilingam, Vinoz Chanamolu, Chandrasekar Reddy, Manoj Kumar Singamsetti, Hitesh Gandhi and Laddi Singh.
The Emcee for the evening was Dr. Ajit Pant. President Hina Trivedi thanked all the dignitaries, GOPIO Board members, CEOs of various companies, media, sponsors and all the audience for their support for GOPIO Chicago.
The Business Conference ended with Bollywood style entertainment programs including dances, music and DJ. At the end of the program, Indian style dinner and cocktails were served to the guests.
India Post News Service
