The 2024 American Ball added a touch of Southern charm to Taipei, as over 200 guests gathered for a Nashville-inspired celebration. Held at the Grand Hyatt Taipei on October 19, the event – co-organized by AmCham Taiwan and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) – embodied the Country Glam spirit, offering a lively evening of music, food, and fun.
As guests mingled, they were treated to glasses of Luc Belaire Gold sparkling wine in hand. A photo station – complete with cowboy hats and bales of hay – invited attendees to embrace the evening’s down-home charm, providing an ideal backdrop for capturing moments of country-inspired elegance.
The night kicked off with an electrifying performance by ARS dance group, inspired by the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders’ iconic Thunderstruck routine, with a surprise guest performance by AmCham Director of Publications Julia Bergström. Master of Ceremonies Clint Brewer brought his Texan charm to welcome guests before inviting AmCham Taiwan President Patrick P. Lin and AIT Director Raymond Greene to the stage for a toast.
Grand Hyatt Taipei impressed with a mouthwatering six-course meal that blended Southern comfort with five-star glamour, featuring Maryland pan-fried crab cake with scallops and caviar, San Fransisco clam chowder, lemon sorbet, roasted U.S. beef tenderloin with cheese polenta cake and cowboy beans, and a vanilla mousse with blueberry cream, as well as petit fours for a sweet finish.
Live music from ARS Music filled the ballroom with country hits and toe-tapping favorites, while DJ Kyle kept the dance floor busy with hits spanning decades. A late-night snack cart featured chili dogs, chicken popcorn, chocolate cupcakes, and caramel popcorn, adding a playful Southern twist to the festivities.
Those too shy to dance could hit the cocktail saloon to enjoy classic drinks made with liquor provided by Beam Suntory. At the bourbon bar, guests could enjoy Eagle Rare, Sazerac Rye, and 1972 provided by Dxcel. For those eager to test their aim, the Wild Wild West game station offered some friendly competition. Guests armed with Nerf guns took aim at “bad guys,” vying for coveted sheriff badges in a lighthearted nod to old-time Western fun.
Guests could also enjoy Auchentoshan Three Wood, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey, and Hatch Green and Red Chile Wine at the tables. For those looking to head home safely, Uber Taiwan generously provided an NT$200 discount promo code for rides.
The 2024 American Ball was made possible by the generosity of numerous sponsors, including Grand Prize Sponsor United Airlines; Wine & Liquor Sponsors Beam Suntory, Dxcel, Hatch, and Luc Belaire; Gold Sponsors Invisalign and Qualcomm; and Silver Sponsors Air Products San Fu, Delta Air Lines, HSBC, Grand Hyatt Taipei, McDonald’s, and Uber.
Raffle draws throughout the evening offered tempting prizes, with the grand prize – two business-class roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the United States – courtesy of United Airlines. Other prizes were donated by Aloft Anping, Aloft Taipei Beitou, Amba Taipei Songshan, Beam Suntory, Courtyard by Marriott Taipei Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Taipei, Hotel COZZI, Delta Air Lines, Éclat Hotel, Everrich, Four Points by Sheraton Yilan Jiaoxi, Four Points by Sheraton Linkou, Gloria Manor, Grand Hilai Taipei, Grand Hyatt Taipei, Hotel Royal Group, Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei, Kuan’s Living, Lawry’s Taipei, Le Méridien Taipei, Leputing, Mandarin Oriental Taipei, Renaissance Taipei Shihlin, Smith & Wollensky, Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel, The Landis Taipei, The Regent Taipei, The Marriott Taipei, The Place Taipei, The Westin Tashee Resort, and York Business Interiors.
