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Past Events Chile-United States Symposium On November 13, 2009, over 125 guests attended the Chile United States Symposium: The Bi-Lateral Relationship in Trade, Commerce, and Culture held in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ (PAFA) Historic Landmark Building. The symposium was conducted in conjunction with PAFA’s Bacchanal! 2009 Wine Auction and Gala, which took place on November 14. Now in its eleventh consecutive year in support of Academy student scholarship programs, the event features internationally distinguished winemakers and celebrity chefs. Bacchanal! 2009 celebrated the food and wine of Chile and raised $405,000. Since July 2009, PAFA has raised over $1 million in scholarship aid. The November 13 symposium addressed the vibrant trade, economic, and investment opportunities that exist between Chile and the United States as well as collaborations in the fields of agriculture, natural resources and energy, legal and financial services, cross border and tax policies, labor migration, and additional areas. "Chile is very proud of its accomplishments as a global neighbor to enhance our citizens’ access to education and our current standing as having an economy that is among the most developed in the world," stated symposium participant The Honorable José Goņi, Chilean Ambassador to United the States. "We are very thankful to PAFA for hosting this symposium, and for the graciousness of the City of Philadelphia." Joining Ambassador Goņi for the panel discussion were Mr. Walter Kemmsies, Ph.D., Chief Global Economist, Moffat & Nichol; Mr. Mark Kristoff, CEO, Traxys Worldwide; Seņor Aurelio Montes, Chairman, Viņa Montes and recipient of PAFA’s prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award which was conferred during the Bacchanal! gala; Mr. Timothy Speiss, Partner, Eisner LLP (symposium moderator); and Ms. Lori Tieszen, Executive Director, Wines of Chile U.S.A. Apropos of Bacchanal!s featuring Chilean wines, Aurelio Montes stated, "In Chile we have long known that our country has great geography and other factors that enable the production of world class wine. I am very proud that Viņa Montes has been honored by PAFA with the 2009 Thomas Jefferson Award." Lori Tieszen, said, "Chilean wines are now clearly recognized as among the finest in the world, and we believe greater share will be attained in the future." Energy and agriculture were also addressed during the panel discussion, with Mark Kristoff commenting, "Chile is rich in minerals and natural resources including copper and rare earth which will continue to increase in value around the world as a source of efficient green energy." Walter Kemmsies noted that "It is clear Chile is, and will continue to grow in prominence as, a contributor to the global economy in the areas of agricultural exports and trade."
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