Find out more about the event.
Transcription
Find out more about the event.
COMMUNICATIONS USA EDITION Issue 1 - March 2016 A GREAT VISION A GRAND EVENING A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE University of Canterbury Foundation in America, Inc. UCFA An extraordinary evening unfolded in San Francisco in the famed Julia Morgan Ballroom of the Merchants Exchange Club on October 7, 2015. Hosts Dr David and Leigh Teece brought New Zealand to San Francisco and San Francisco to New Zealand as a prelude to new Pacific friendships and partnerships. The ballroom was filled to capacity with over 300 by-invitation-only guests who experienced authentic Maori dancers, internationally recognized opera singer Hadleigh Adams, and spectacular chef-inspired creations. Following the multi-course dinner, an impressive panel of invited intellectuals discussed: • The Trans-Pacific Partnership, which could transform New Zealand into a free trade launching pad for the Pacific Basin. • The New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement, a powerful engine for engagement since 2008. • Science and technology-based development, combining to create trade opportunities in a land where the quality of life is second to none. • Christchurch and UC's post-earthquake renovation, which is by far one of the largest and most aggressive urban-renewal projects ongoing in the world today. • The visual and performing arts in New Zealand, gaining acclaim throughout the Pacific and beyond. Dr David Teece Dr David Teece Guest Panel Participants UCFA President / Chairman and Principal Executive Officer of BRG Leon Grice New Zealand Consulate General in Los Angeles Claudia Batten Regional Director New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Dr Rod Carr UCFA Board Member / University of Canterbury Vice Chancellor Brian Monahan and Matthew Monahan Co-Founders of Matrix Partners Roy Ferguson Former New Zealand Ambassador to the United States Phil Veal UCFA Board Member / Executive Officer at Rangatira Investments Carl Worker Former New Zealand Ambassador to China V032216BRLLCUC Page 2 Issue 1 - March 2016 University of Canterbury Foundation in America, Inc. In addition to the exceptional generosity of Dr David and Leigh Teece, the UCFA was very supportive as well as keenly interested in promoting awareness of the US$1.5 million fundraising goal as it relates to the Chemistry Building Campaign referred to as “Old Chem”. The "Old Chem" building is located in what will eventually be the center of the UC town campus in Christchurch. A vision for the UCFA event was adapted to not only support the fundraising goals for UC, but to create an evening which would build lasting friendships and encourage personal visits to Christchurch and other beautiful destinations in the region. The event raised nearly US$100,000 for the "Old Chem" Campaign. In addition to a grand evening, each guest left with a visually stunning collector book about New Zealand, as well as award-winning Mount Beautiful pinot noir and sauvignon blanc wines. Beyond the generosity of those hosting, and those attending this event, opportunities for strengthening relationships between the United States and New Zealand were highlighted to promote greater trade and investment overall. A “50/50” Vision - 50 friends for 50 years - was also launched as a potential endowment to enable future exchange students to study at UC. Leigh Teece If you are interested in supporting UCFA or the "Old Chem" Campaign, please contact UCFA liaison Byron Russell. USA 801-556-1607 V032216BRLLCUC [email protected] Page 3 Issue 1 - March 2016 University of Canterbury Foundation in America, Inc. “The vision of congested cities, pollution and lost time was the inspiration to create a unique and compact personal transport solution.” This is the vision of YikeBike, a Christchurch company demonstrating New Zealand as an internationally recognized High Technology/Green Energy hub. A YikeBike was generously donated and carried to the US, beginning its maiden voyage on the streets of San Francisco. The YikeBike then made its way to multiple UC Alumni events in Seattle, Vancouver, New Hampshire, Google New York in New York City, and Google in Houston. Some brave UC Alums actually took the bike for a spin on more than one occasion, experiencing for just a moment, as YikeBike would promise, "a personal transportation device that is reasonably safe, maneuverable for congested cities, and incredibly easy to pack and fold." YikeBike's donation to the auction, and their ongoing support for UCFA, are both greatly appreciated. NZ +64(3) 377-2850 The Exclusive Travel Group, a luxury travel company focused on creating bespoke itineraries for travelers to New Zealand, continues to explore a potential partnership with UC to help raise funds for "Old Chem". The collectors book graciously provided to each guest at the UCFA event captures all that is exotic about New Zealand and the South Pacific. On behalf of the UCFA, an enormous THANK YOU to Air New Zealand, a corporation which has practiced a rich history of charity since 1940, and has a long standing relationship with UC. Their support to UC broadly, as well as to the "Old Chem" Campaign specifically, have proven invaluable. They were in fact the first corporate foundation to contribute to the UCFA event, donating multiple airfares for auction, raising US$9,000. heartfelt THANK YOU is sincerely expressed to all those individuals and corporations who attended, donated or otherwise supported the UCFA event. UCFA welcomes your continued interest, engagement and support. V032216BRLLCUC Dr David Teece, President Brian Service, Vice President Craig Hillier, Treasurer Michael Aldridge Dr Rod Carr Dr Fiona Ciaran Jonny Lindroos Dr Gary Starling Michael Carr-Smith Phil Veal