On Saturday, April 14, 2007, nearly 500 leaders from Atlanta's international, cultural, civic, and business communities gathered in the elegant Oceans Ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium 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 37 members of the Georgia Consular Corps. U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson and Secretary of State Karen Handel presented a toast in honor of the Consular Corps. In response, the Honorable Remedios Gomez Arnau, Consul General of Mexico and Dean of the Consular Corps, thanked the state of Georgia and GCIV for their efforts in recognizing the work of the Consular Corps in Georgia.

Manuel De Barros, Director of Protocol at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Shell Stuart, GCIV's Executive Director, introduced members of the Consular Corps.

In addition to the distinguished Georgia Consular Corps in attendance, several diplomatic representatives from Washington, DC came to Georgia for the ball. We were proud to welcome representatives from Ecuador, Lithuania, and Denmark.

The International Citizen Diplomat Award was presented this year to Gerald Grinstein, CEO of Delta Air Lines, for the company's excellence in furthering the cause of international and mutual understanding. Ambassador Andrew Young presented the award to Mr. Grinstein on behalf of Delta.

During the evening, guests enjoyed a special performance by a Bahamas Junkanoo group, as well as an elegant dinner and dancing until midnight. The emcee of the evening was CNN International Anchor Ralitsa Vassileva.

As GCIV's only fundraising event, the Consular Ball featured a unique silent auction and raffle. Silent auction special items included getaway stays in Italy, Argentina, and the Bahamas. In addition, attendees enjoyed bidding on more than 100 gifts from around the world, including over twenty donations by the Georgia Consular Corps, ranging from fine art, wines and even dinners at the Consuls' official residences. The raffle prize this year consisted of two Delta Air Lines round-trip Business Elite tickets to any international destination in the Delta network. Congratulations to Virginia Bradley, winner of this exciting raffle prize!

GCIV would like to thank our corporate partners, community partners, and patrons for their support of GCIV and the 26th Annual International Consular Ball.