WHAT: 2024 GAACC Ovation Gala - Awaken The Dragon
WHEN: Saturday, November 16th, 2024 | 5-10 pm
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Austin
208 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, Texas 78704
For additional information, including event schedules, parking information, and what to expect, check out our Know Before you Go message:
Ovation is the annual celebration of Asian Pacific American heritage and accomplishments hosted by the
Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce.
Silent Auction
Bidding is open for the Ovation 2024 Silent Auction, including offerings from Ali Khataw Photography, Chef Uyen Pham, Wanderlust Wine Co., Kasama Tastings, White + Warren, and Camaroncito EcoResort & Beach.
Anyone can bid online for these fantastic packages - not just Ovation attendees!
What's Happening at Ovation?
We work to curate the best Asian-oriented experience possible for you at Ovation with stellar entertainment, thoughtful, dynamic inspiration, and connections galore.
Keynote Speaker: Jerry Won
See Jerry In Action:
See Jerry In Action:
Jerry Won is a renowned keynote speaker and creative entrepreneur who speaks on storytelling, personal branding, and Asian American leadership. He is the Founder & CEO of Just Like Media, an innovative storytelling company home to the award-winning Dear Asian Americans podcast - whose guests include Vice President Kamala Harris - and the Asian Creator Awards, celebrating the leading creators and creator economy leaders in the Asian American community.
He is also the Founder of World Class Speakers, a speaker training and coaching platform to lift up marginalized voices on stages all over the world.
His speaking clients include JPMorgan, Harvard Business School, Dartmouth Tuck, Google, Pepsi, Meta, and more. In May of 2023, he was invited by The White House to host a conversation with Vice President Harris at The White House Forum for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. He has been featured for his expertise in Forbes, Business Insider, LinkedIn, and more.
Jerry earned his B.S. from USC Marshall and MBA from Michigan Ross, where he served as President of the Student Government Association. He lives in Southern California with his wife Kyunghwa and children.
Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team
The Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team (TDDT) is an Austin, Texas-based dragon and lion dance group operating and performing continuously since 2000.
Their goal is to share and, in many cases, to introduce the art of dragon and lion dancing to the community. They are one of the few teams performing year-round for a wide variety of events. Their prime performance season is during the Lunar New Year (early February or March) where they perform a gauntlet of back-to-back performances for businesses and organizations all over Central Texas.
ATX KDC
Established in 2007, ATX KDC is UT Austin's premiere K-pop and modern Korean dance team. They are very involved in the local community - performing for various on and off-campus events such as Unity Talent Show, CSA Mid-Autumn Festival, TASA Night Market, Dallas K-fest, and many more.
ATX KDC's passion extends beyond live performances - they also love to create covers for their YouTube channel. Through these efforts, they hope to share their passion for dance with UT, with Austin, and beyond.
Connect With ATX KDC:
THE RUAN SISTERS
The Ruan Sisters are Claire Zhang, a 6th grader from Steiner Ranch Elementary School, and Cleo Wang, a 10th grader from Vandegrift High School. Ruan is a traditional Asian instrument, played since the Qin Dynasty, with almost 3000 years of history.
The Ruan Sisters' mesmerizing music creates an enchanting atmosphere captivating audiences and bringing a touch of tradition to any occasion. Beyond their personal pursuits, they are strong advocates for musical education. They believe that every note played and every melody created contributes to a richer, more harmonious world.
Connect With The Ruan Sisters:
DJ Steady B
Shannon Burton, professionally known as DJ Steady B, is a seasoned artist who has left an indelible mark on the music scene for over two decades.
Starting out as a Hip Hop and R&B DJ, Steady B has evolved into a versatile multi-genre talent, adept at remixing and producing tracks that captivate audiences worldwide. Currently based in Austin, Texas, he originally hails from the Midwest where he cultivated his passion for music.
Whether he’s spinning tracks in a packed club or headlining a festival stage, his dynamic stage presence and innovative musical stylings continue to captivate audiences. With his wealth of experience and boundless drive, he is poised to remain a cornerstone of the music scene for years to come, leaving an enduring legacy in his wake.
Sway With Pray
SWAY WITH PRAY is more than a dance studio—it's a space where Bollywood dance meets joy, inclusivity, and artistry. Here, every step, every beat, and every class is infused with the energy and spirit of Bollywood, offering a warm and inviting space for all levels. Whether you’re a bride dreaming of a mesmerizing Sangeet performance, a beginner looking to embrace Bollywood’s rhythmic charm, or someone seeking to experience the joy of dance, Sway with Pray is ready to welcome you into this world of rhythm and expression.
From the moment young Prayrana Sharma watched her first Bollywood movie, something came alive! Growing up in Hyderabad, India, she was captivated by Bollywood icon Sridevi, who could tell stories with just a look and express a world of emotions through her graceful movements. Mesmerized by this artistry, Prayrana began practicing those captivating dance sequences on her own.
Now a dedicated Bollywood Dance Teacher in Austin, Texas, Prayrana is committed to sharing the magic of Bollywood dance with everyone.
Emcee: Jenni Lee
Jenni Lee is an investigative reporter and midday anchor at KVUE, ABC's affiliate in Austin, Texas.
Jenni joined the KVUE News Team in June 2015. The veteran journalist has worked in the Austin TV market since 2001.
Before arriving in Austin, Jenni worked at KBTX-TV in Bryan and College Station after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin.
For more than 20 years now, Jenni has been breaking and covering stories important to our community and to our world.
Jenni's work has been recognized by numerous organizations: the Radio Television Digital News Association; the Texas Association of Broadcasters; the Lone Star Emmy Chapter; the Texas Medical Association, the American Cancer Society; the American Water Works Association; the Diversity Council and the Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities.
Connect With Jenni:
2024 GAACC Business Awards
Each year during the Ovation gala, the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding enterprises and individuals from our Central Texas community. These awards signify excellence in business, community engagement, and cultural visibility.
Congratulations to our 2024 awardees!
APA Community Leader of the Year
Ruchi Gagrani
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sammy Lam
Emerging Business of the Year
A Better Force
Business of the Year
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Achievement Award
Jerry Won
Community Impact Award
Clifford K. Chiu
OVATION 2024 SPONSORS
Our generous Awaken The Dragon Sponsors make it possible for the GAACC to create and deliver programs in support of the AAPI business community in Central Texas all year long.
THANK YOU!
VIP & COCKTAIL RECEPTION SPONSOR
The Ovation Gala is 100% produced by small, local businesses.
"AWAKEN THE DRAGON" DETAILS
When
Saturday, November 16, 2024 | 5-10 pm
Where
Hyatt Regency Austin
Attire
Come dressed to impress! As always, black tie, cocktail, or traditional Asian attire are welcome. Wear red!
Dragon-inspired attire, accessories, or other fashion elements are encouraged. Have fun expressing your vision of what it means to awaken the dragon!