Meridian hosts its 49th Annual Ball
On Friday, October 20, 2017, Meridian hosted its 49th Annual Meridian Ball, welcoming the largest number of distinguished guests in the event’s history. For nearly 50 years, the Meridian Ball has served as a special opportunity for leaders from across the public and private sectors in Washington, D.C. and beyond to come together in the spirit of international collaboration and celebrate Meridian's ongoing efforts to prepare leaders for a complex global future through the exchange of ideas, people and culture.
This year’s Meridian Ball was chaired by Former United States Ambassador to Belgium The Honorable Tom C. Korologos and Former Secretary of Labor The Honorable Ann McLaughlin Korologos. Senator Mark Warner and Ms. Lisa Collis, and House Speaker Paul Ryan and Mrs. Janna Ryan served as the Congressional Co-Chairs. The White-Meyer Co-chairs were Mr. Glenn Youngkin and Mrs. Suzanne Youngkin, and Mr. Andrew Florance and Mrs. Heather Florance.
The event brought together a distinguished group of leaders across sectors in Washington, including Meridian Board of Trustees Members The Honorable Alonzo L. Fulgham, Steve Lebling, Jeffrey Malinak, The Honorable Ann Stock, Drew Maloney, The Honorable Laurie S. Fulton, Megan Beyer, Janet Blanchard, Jon Clifton, Tom Higgins, Fred P. Hochberg, Maria Pica Karp, Michele A. Manatt, Michael Pickrum, Steven J. Quamme, Deborah Taylor Ashford, and The Honorable Walter L. Cutler. Other notable attendees included Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.), CNN’s State Department Correspondent Michelle Kosinski, BBC World News Anchor Katty Kay, Congressman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Congressmen Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Mrs. Marie Therese Royce, Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Secretary of Veteran Affairs David Shulkin, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and many others.
The evening kicked off with intimate dinners hosted by Ambassadors representing 25 embassies from every corner of the world - Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and Tunisia. Following dinner, guests gathered at Meridian's historic campus for dessert, dancing, networking, and dialogue. This year’s Latin theme featured musical performances by Trio Caliente, as well as Latin inspired foods and desserts including a nacho bar and Tres Leches cake station.
The 49th Annual Meridian Ball was made possible by Ball sponsors Bayer, Chevron, Gallup, BGR Group, DLA Piper, Hess, Long & Foster | Christie’s and many others. Meridian is grateful for all of its sponsors whose support made this year’s ball a record-breaking success.
The full program from the 49th Annual Meridian Ball can be found here.
