International Trade Center Marks 22nd Anniversary with Awards Gala and International Expo

On October 31, 2024, the International Trade Center (ITC) celebrated its 22nd Anniversary at the Hilton Americas in downtown Houston with its annual Awards Gala. The prestigious event was hosted by a distinguished committee including Hon. Wea Lee, Hon. Robert Eckels, Mayor John Whitmire, Congressman Al Green, Hon. Gezahgen Kebede, and Christopher Hollins, with Congressman Green and Christopher Hollins serving as Honorary Gala Hosts.

The evening’s highlight was the presentation of the Impact Awards, honoring leaders across various sectors:

• Diplomatic Impact Award: Katherine Ho, Regional Director, U.S. Department of State

• Inspiration Impact Award: Bishop James Dixon, Chairman of the Board, Harris County Sports and Convention Corps

• Business Impact Award: Dr. James Chao, Founder, Foremost Group

• Minority Business Impact Award: Dr. Laura Murillo, President, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• Education Impact Award: Dr. Tsai-Yen Li, Chengchi University

Houston International Expo Debuts

This year’s celebration also marked the inaugural Houston International Expo, a transformative three-day event poised to become an annual tradition. The Expo featured seminars by renowned experts, insights into global trade and investment opportunities, and exploration of emerging industries worldwide.

Spotlight on Mr. Wea Lee

The driving force behind the ITC, Gala, and Expo is Mr. Wea Lee, affectionately known as the “Mayor of Chinatown.” A visionary leader with a storied career in Houston, Mr. Lee, along with his executive assistant Jennifer Lopez, brought together a dynamic coalition of business and community leaders to make these events a resounding success. Heidi Powell-Prera of Global Vision Contemporary was proud to do the marketing for the Expo and Gala.

Notable speakers included:

• Danny Nguyen, a prominent commercial real estate entrepreneur, whose engaging talk on investments inspired attendees.

• Lisa Philips, who provided invaluable insights into exporting opportunities.

• Ambassador Juan Sosa, who highlighted Panama’s incentives for retirees.

The Expo offered attendees unparalleled networking opportunities and direct access to industry leaders, making it an unmissable event for October 2025.

Houston First Appoints Wea Lee to Board

On May 8, 2024, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and the City Council appointed Mr. Wea Lee, Chairman of the International Management District, to the board of Houston First, a public agency dedicated to attracting businesses, events, and tourists to Houston.

Mayor Whitmire praised the new appointees for their diversity and expertise, noting, “The board will now be majority women and includes Mr. Wea Lee, the first person of Chinese descent to serve—reflecting Houston’s global reach and connections.”

Mr. Lee, who chairs the Southern News Group and oversees a vast media enterprise spanning print, radio, TV, and internet platforms, expressed gratitude for the appointment. He also serves as the Honorary Consul of Guinea.

In his acceptance, Mr. Lee remarked:

“I am humbled and honored by my appointment and look forward to showcasing Houston as one of the most dynamic, energetic, and business-friendly cities in the world. This is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultures, cuisines, religions, and languages that make Houston a truly global city.”

Accompanying the announcement was a photo of Mr. Lee alongside Houston First President and CEO Michael Heckman, and fellow board members Nicki Keenan and Roxann Neumann.

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