Ovation Gala

Get Ready to Shine at the Ovation 2023 "Bright Lights" Gala!

Join the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce and Applied Materials as we cast a brilliant spotlight on Austin's AAPI community and shine a beacon on our incredible collective success. 

As the "best Asian celebration in Austin," the Ovation Gala remains the opportunity to dress our best and shine bright in the city we call home. But this event is more than just a celebration; it's about enabling the vital, year-round work of the Asian Chamber. We are delighted to invite you to join our festivities, sponsor Ovation, and become a part of our purpose.

Know Before You Go

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM - Cocktail Hour; 7:00 PM - Dinner Begins
Location: JW Marriott Austin, 4th Floor - 110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
Theme: Bright Lights
Attire: Black tie, cocktail, and/or traditional Asian attire are welcome. Lighted costumes or elements are encouraged. Have fun expressing your vision of "Bright Lights." Come dressed to impress!
Parking: The main hotel parking garage entrance is located on Brazos Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Rates are $19 per vehicle for self-parking and $29 per vehicle for valet. Alternate parking is available around the corner at the Austin Convention Center - entrance on Brazos Street. This map shows both garages and where to valet.

Lifetime Achievement Award and Keynote

Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan
Director, National Science Foundation

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Sethuraman "Panch" Panchanathan to Ovation 2023 as the recipient of the GAACC Lifetime Achievement Award and keynote speaker.

The Honorable Sethuraman Panchanathan is a computer scientist and engineer and the 15th director of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF is a $9.5B independent federal agency and the only government agency charged with advancing all fields of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and STEM education.

Born and raised in Chennai in India, Dr. Panchanathan has a distinguished career in science, technology, engineering, and education that spans more than three decades. His scientific contributions have advanced the areas of human-centered multimedia computing, haptic user interfaces, person-centered ubiquitous computing technologies for empowering individuals with a range of abilities.

On June 18, 2020, Dr. Panchanathan was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate as the new Director of the National Science Foundation.

Meet Dr. Panchanathan at Ovation "Bright Lights" on November 4th! 

GAACC Business Awards

Each year, the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) recognizes businesses and individuals that illuminate our community with their brilliance. Our community nominates exceptional enterprises to receive one of four business awards:

1. APA Community Organization of the Year

2. Creative Arts Entrepreneur of the Year

3. Emerging Business of the Year

4. Business of the Year

JOIN US at Ovation 2023 to celebrate our amazing Business Awards recipients!

"Heads Or Tails" is a fun community game - a bit like a coin flip meets musical chairs - and FANTASTIC PRIZES are in store for those who win! Heads Or Tails participants at Ovation have the chance to win:

Tito's Handmade Vodka Gift Basket

Immortal Studios Complete Catalog

Two 2024 Asian Eats ATX Night Market VIP Tickets

$1,000 Gift Certificate for Kim Ortiz Photography

Heads Or Tails entries are available for purchase now.

GET YOUR SPOT

From private, chef-prepared dinner experiences for you and your friends to unbelievable helicopter tours of Central American rainforests, we've curated incredible opportunities for our live auction.

EXPLORE AUCTION PACKAGES

Be Dazzled By Our "Bright Lights"

Ovation is known for fantastic local, Asian entertainment, and the 2023 "Bright Lights" gala is no different! Join us and enjoy performances and hospitality by these incredible talents. 

Adela Uchida
Anchor & Reporter, CBS Austin

We are delighted to welcome Adela Uchida back to the Ovation stage! In her capable hands, our AAPI leaders, luminaries, and influencers will get the spotlight they deserve.

Adela is an award-winning anchor and reporter for CBS Austin. She is an incredible storyteller who has a knack for connecting deeply with her audience. We can't wait to see Adela at Ovation November 4th!

promqueen

promqueen is a second-generation queer Vietnamese American pop-rap artist based in Austin, TX. As a daughter to Vietnamese-born parents, promqueen draws lyrical inspiration from her family history, own experiences and self-reflection as second generation Asian raised in Texas.

Her musical background is a blend of classical piano training and endlessly listening to her dad's Eagles and Aretha records. promqueen's sound is a sonic cocktail of Rosalia, Missy Elliot, and Doja Cat.

promqueen is about to blow up - join us and see her up close!

Grace Plays Violin

Many of our attendees adored Grace Plays Violin at Ovation 2022, so we're bringing her back!

Fusing classical virtuosity and soaring string lines with the beats of pop, rock, and hip-hop, Grace's performances connect with all audiences. 

Her performances have taken her across the United States, including shows at Formula 1, SXSW, Austin City Limits, and shows with touring artists. Grace's work has been featured in film, TV, and music recordings. See her at Ovation on November 4th!

The Love of China

The Love of China School of Dance, located in northwest Austin, gives young people the rare opportunity to learn traditional Chinese dances with students aged from four to eighteen.

The school is well known in the Austin area and has performed at countless cultural events as well as its own recitals, always in front of packed theaters.

Students grow in determination and confidence. They are given a chance to connect deeply with their heritage, participate in unforgettable experiences, and gain pride in their culture.

DJ Supermcn4sty

DJ Supermcn4sty, privately known as Steph Nguyen (they/them), is an open-format DJ, producer, and social media manager based in Austin, Texas.

Steph began perfecting their craft in 2017 and, within a few years time, their experience has expanded to organizing successful benefit events for local/national charities, spinning at the hottest bars and nightclubs throughout Texas, weddings, DJing at music festivals such as SXSW in 2019 and 2022 as an official artist and a roster of events for Urban Outfitters, Frida Friday, Las Ofrendas, Future Front, American Institute of Architects, Informal Systems, just to name a few.

Our 2023 Ovation "Bright Lights" Sponsors

Our deepest appreciation goes out to these generous sponsors. Their involvement makes this event possible. Thank you for supporting the AAPI business community in Central Texas!

Title Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsors

Media Sponsor