Israel-America Chamber of Commerce

Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, was the keynote speaker at the Chamber's Annual Award Gala Dinner held on June 15, 2010 at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, the Honorary Chairman of the Chamber, Hon. James B. Cunningham. Hundreds of Chamber Members, Israel's leading businessmen, and public figures, and business delegations from Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio and Texas, participated in the event.
In his keynote address, Minister Ben Eliezer emphasized the importance of business relations between Israel and United States, which have benefitted the entire globe by enhancing the quality of, and saving, lives, thanks to investments in medical devices, Internet technology and energy-saving products.

The Chamber Awards were presented to:

* Mr. Benny Landa, for his excellence in hi-tech entrepreneurship and for investing in education
* Hon. Donald Plusquellic, Mayor of Akron, Ohio, for promoting trade relations between his city – and other U.S. cities – and Israel
FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), for introducing technology and science to hundreds of Israeli students
Noble Energy, for investing in Israel's natural gas
The Ambassador's Award was granted to FedEx Express, for its leading role in operating daily cargo flights to and from Israel.
The Chamber also granted a Special Recognition Award to Mr. Elisha Yanay, former Vice-President of Motorola and President of Motorola Israel, for promoting Israeli hi-tech in the world.
Ms. Noa Babayof, accompanied by Mr. Amit Erez, provided the artistic break.
Participants in the event included past Presidents of the Chamber: Hanan Achsaf, Asher Halperin and Arie Maklef; Members of the Chamber's Executive Committee: Chemi Peres Chairman of the Chamber and Managing General Partner of Pitango Venture Capital; Dan Halpern, Vice Chairman of the Chamber and co-CEO of Iftic; Ruth Arad, EVP Head of Risk Management Control at Bank Leumi; Yossi Attoun, Managing Director of FedEx; Alon Barnea, CEO of GraphTech Computer Systems Ltd.; Advocate Yossi Ben Dror; Avihai Degani, CEO of Gallery IP Telephony Ltd.; Advocate David Gilat of J. Zaltzman, Gilat, Knoller, Salomon & Co., Law Offices and Notary; Shlomo Grofman, co-chairman of FaireFund; Rami Guzman; Dov Hoch, President of Clarity Advisors; Yael Ravhon, General Manager of Abbott Laboratories; Zvi Rome, President and CEO of Petco International; Gerry Stoch, President of New York State Trade Office; Ilan Tropen and Ishai Wureit, COO of Gilad Government Relations & Lobbying; U.S. Embassy Officials, and many distinguished guests.
The event was sponsored by Automotive Equipment Group, Boeing Company, Continental Airlines and FedEx Express.