U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Recently, I attended a professional development workshop offered by USPAACC.com (U.S. Pan American Chamber of Commerce).  I was thrilled to be surrounded by the Pan-Asian culture…I tried to take note of all things cultural.  Here’s a short list of what I remembered (lost my notes).

• Centerpieces were ceramic plates designed in honor of the” Year of the Rat”

• There were plenty jokes about short men

• The meal was grilled salmon over a bed of rice and spinach (maybe seaweed, I’m not sure)

• Heard fabulous testimonies of humble beginnings outside the U.S.

• Huge emphasis on learning and higher education

• The USPAAC honored and highlighted their scholarship winners

• There was an air of partnership…building of alliances and willingness to support one another

Some were offended by the rat image in front of our meal, but I thought it was a nice cultural touch.  I really enjoyed one speakers comparison of how she normally might have lunch in Hong Kong.  She said, the fish would have been brought to the table live for selection and then prepared, she might also have had her meal on a moving boat...both of those scenes sound exciting to me compared to the cold and drafty ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in D.C.