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The Dallas Regional Chamber’s International Business Council (IBC) is gearing up for it's 13th Annual International Business Achievement Awards (IBAA) Luncheon and Expo. The IBAA recognizes businesses whose global successes and outstanding civic involvement have raised the international profile of the Dallas metroplex and contributed to the economic growth of the North Texas region. There are three Awards presented at the event: Large Corporate Award, Small to Mid-Size Award and Individual.
The IBAA Small to Mid-Size Award application’s deadline has been extended until August 15th and all eligible companies are encouraged to apply. The application is available on the IBC’s website: www.dallaschamber.org/global. Applicants must meet the following criteria for eligibility: 1) must be located in the 12 county DFW Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), 2) have $150 million in annual sales or below, 3) must show growth in international business development, 4) have a distinctive method of achieving growth and continued success and 5) show active involvement in civic affairs through business development or professional activities. Companies need not be a Chamber member to apply. Click here for the online application.
The IBC is also proud to announce the 2008 International Business Achievement Award Honorees for the Large Corporate and Individual categories.
Individual Honoree: Guillermo Perales
Guillermo Perales, owner of Sun Holdings, has been called “the alchemist of franchising” by the publication Latino Leaders; he is a man with vision and audacity. He created a franchise empire with over 140 restaurants, which includes 46 Golden Corrals, 78 Popeyes, 15 Burger Kings, five Dennys, and one Bennigans— and continues to grow his portfolio. A Mexican by birth, Perales has been a long time proponent of U.S. – Latin America economic and business ties; always stressing the importance of a continued alliance with our neighboring countries.
He is the largest Hispanic franchisee in the U.S.; the publication Hispanic Business has ranked Sun Holdings number 31 in the Top 500 Hispanic Business list and the fastest growing Hispanic-owned company in the nation for the past five years. He was recently recognized as one of the Most Influential Leaders in the Latino Community by Latino Leaders magazine and by Ernst & Young with the Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 award.
Large Corporate Honoree: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
The Large Corporate Award will be accepted by Jeff Fegan, CEO of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The airport's commitment to the economic success of the region and continued support to international growth has made it this year's Corporate Honoree. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a landmark institution of the North Texas region. It is the third busiest airport in the world in terms of operations and seventh in the world in terms of passenger traffic. The Airport contributes $16.6B to the North Texas economy every year, supports more than 300,000 full time jobs with payrolls totaling more than $7B. The Airport has been voted by passengers 'Best Customer Service in the Americas' for the past two years, as surveyed by Airports Council International. It is also a major reason why 25 Fortune 500 companies now call North Texas home - the latest example being AT&T.
DFW International Airport is not only an example because of its commitment to economic growth but its dedication to environmental prosperity. It has found the balance between economic growth and sustainable measures of improvement.
“DFW International Airport and Guillermo Perales exemplify international growth and success,” said Meredith Dowling, Vice President of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s International Business Council (IBC). “It is our honor to award them, an outstanding individual and a landmark institution that represent the acomplishments of our growing region,” continued Dowling.
The event will take place on November 13th, 2008 at The Fairmont Dallas (1717 N. Akard Street Dallas, TX 75201) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. For more information on the 13th Annual International Business Achievement Awards Luncheon and Expo, please visit www.dallaschamber.org/global or contact Luisa del Rosal at lrosal@dallaschamber.org or 214-712-1901.
A special thank you to the 13th Annual International Business Achievement Awards’ Platinum Sponsor: Citi.
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Richard Knight, Jr. 
R. Gerald Turner