Founded in August 1984 as a non-profit organization, USPAACC has since become a stalwart voice for and a strong supporter of the Asian American and minority business community. Today, USPAACC continues to grow and to serve the needs and interests of the Asian American and minority entrepreneurs with seven regional chapters nationwide: Northern and Southern California in the West Coast, Texas in the Southwest, Georgia in the Southeast, Illinois in the Midwest, New York in the Northeast, and the National Capital Area.

USPAACC also continues to be the leader in bringing contract and procurement opportunities to the table with corporate America and the federal government, first-rate educational and cultural diversity seminars, Procurement Connections, the E-Portal for suppliers and buyers, third party certification, the Asian American Suppliers Council (AASC), and the preeminent national Asian American Business Conference, CelebrASIAN.

Through CelebrASIAN, USPAACC has brought pioneering programs such as Break Business Cultural Barriers to Succeed, Woman Pioneers Summit, International Trade Series, Summit of Supplier Diversity Managers and Buyers, Franchising and the renowned Guanxi* Opportunity Fair (*Guanxi is a commonly used Chinese business term meaning “connections” or “relationship”), and continues to bring added value to the Asian American business community and their partners in corporate America, the federal government, and the minority business community. In addition, USPAACC’s Scholarships Program awards each year, over $100,000 in educational aid to some of the most talented and hardworking Asian American youths.

CelebrASIAN, the largest annual national Asian American business conference, has also become synonymous with recognizing the achievements of outstanding Asian Americans and the young talent of the Asian American community through the Excellence Awards and Scholarships. Past Excellence Award recipients include Nobel Laureate Subrahmanian Chandrasekhar, Time Magazine “Man of the Year” Dr. David Ho, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Olympic gold medalist for speed-skating Apolo Ohno, golf champion Tiger Woods, architecture icon I.M. Pei, and many more outstanding Asian Americans.

2005 Highlights USPAACC as a Major Player

President George W. Bush greets USPAACC

President & CEO Susan Au Allen at The White House

ASIANS have a saying, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) took this audacious single step in 1984.

Today, USPAACC stands firm and strong like an oak tree. Over the years this organization, which mingles with the movers and shakers in Washington, DC, as well as the crème de la crème of Corporate America, has itself become a major player in the national scene.Images of the Year 2005 attest to this, as highlighted in its anniversary celebration. Not one, but two, cabinet officials graced this year’s celebration of USPAACC’s 20th anniversary. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao opened the three-day event. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez gave the Anniversary Dinner keynote speech. Gala Anniversary Night was a star-studded affair. Top executives of Corporate America, and also leaders in business, the arts and science, cleared their schedules and flew to the nation’s capital for the event. Outstanding individuals and corporations were recognized with awards. USPAACC, represented by National President & CEO Susan Au Allen, Regional Presidents and other leaders, shared center stage with these kindred spirits: against-all-odds achievers, and genuine success stories. Likewise, this year USPAACC handed out an unprecedented 21 College Scholarship Awards. Education of the nation’s future leaders is an investment that USPAACC takes seriously.The Federal government itself takes this organization seriously. When the U.S. Department of Commerce needed an Asian Pacific American trade organization to coordinate contracting opportunities in the APA business community, as part of its post-Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts, who did they invite to the table? USPAACC, a reliable minority business partner through the years. Two decades of USPAACC’s sustained growth do not come easily. They are a result of a partnership of smart, dedicated and never-say-die leaders and members with common goals and shared values. To be sure, leadership is a main ingredient of USPAACC’s enduring success. Through four U.S. presidents, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, the exciting Information Technology revolution, globalization, Asia’s financial crisis, and the tragic September 11 terrorist attacks, USPAACC had a steady hand at the helm: Overcoming challenges and welcoming changes. Indeed, the world of 20 years ago is a vastly different world from today, resulting in a New Paradigm, a new model for success. With a proven track record, and a thriving partnership with its members and all major sectors of society, the USPAACC leadership is more than equal to the task. Here’s to the next 20 years!

With U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and his wife Edilia (left)

With U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L.Chao (right)

Celebrating USPAACC’s 20th anniversary by planting the Prosperity Tree at the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C are, from left: P.I. Joy, Southeast Chapter President; Susan Au Allen; Chairman and Congressman Donald Manzullo; Jhoon Rhee, martial arts guru; Matt Evans, U.S. Capitol Landscape Architect (partly hidden); Varghese Chacko, Midwest Region President; Tim Wu, Northern California Region President; and Allen Wu, Northeast Region President.