World music was the theme of the evening on Saturday, March 8, when 400 leaders from Atlanta's international, cultural, civic, and business communities arrived at the beautiful new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center to enjoy the annual black-tie affair that GCIV proudly sponsors each spring to honor the men and women serving as Consular representatives in Georgia. Click here to see photos from the event.

Guests of honor were 38 members of the Georgia Consular Corps. Georgia Commissioner of Economic Development Ken Stewart presented a toast in honor of the Consular Corps. In response, the Honorable Carlos Layus, Consul General of the Argentine Republic and Dean of the Consular Corps, thanked the state of Georgia and GCIV for hosting Georgia’s diplomatic community at the event.

Exciting live and silent auctions raised funds to support GCIV's work to promote international understanding through citizen diplomacy. This year, GCIV partnered with the Consular Corps to offer many exciting travel packages and exclusive items for auction. Proceeds from the evening benefitted both GCIV and the Consular Corp's Habitat for Humanity project.

Young Audiences, Woodruff Arts Center, provided the evening's surprise entertainment. World percussion ensemble Ritmo Blu's lively performance brought many guests to their feet. In addition, each guest went home with a music CD from one of the countries represented at the ball.

Claire McLeveighn, Director of External Affairs and International Relations for the City of Atlanta, and Shell Stuart, GCIV's Executive Director, introduced members of the Consular Corps. Consul General of the UK Martin Rickerd spoke to the audience about the Consular Corps' Habitat for Humanity Project and introduced Bobby Spann, Director of International Development Alliance & Asia-Pacific Sales for Delta Air Lines. Mr. Spann spoke about Delta's support of GCIV's mission and citizen diplomacy programs.

As GCIV's only fundraising event, the International Consular Ball featured unique items in both a live and silent auction. The live auction featured luxurious travel packages, many of which were paired with Delta Air Lines tickets. The trips included getaways to Toronto, the Greek Isles and Turkey, Germany, Mexico, Quebec, Switzerland, and at any InterContinental Hotel location in the world. The Consular Corps donated many special items to both auctions. There were two raffle prizes available to guests: two tickets on Delta’s award-winning Business Elite service to any destination on Delta’s international route network, and 200,000 Priority Club Reward Points, redeemable for five nights at any InterContinental Hotel worldwide.

In addition to the exciting live auction and entertainment, guests enjoyed an elegant dinner and dancing until midnight. CNN International Anchor Ralitsa Vassileva served as the evening's emcee. GCIV would like to thank our corporate partners, and patrons for their support of GCIV and the 27th Annual International Consular Ball.