Dr Neil Parsan, T&T's ambassador to the US and the Organisation of American States (OAS), will deliver the keynote address at the 2013 Ambassadors Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington DC on Monday.
Parsan is co-chairing the event along with the ambassador of the Republic of Botswana, Tebelelo Seretse. The theme of the event is International Peace, Unity and Diplomacy. In an e-mail interview Parsan said the ball was in honour of US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Though he said the event would be attended by heads of state, governors, members of congress, ambassadors, and key state officials, he declined to give names, for security reasons. The ball is being hosted by several ambassadors to the US from countries such as South Africa, Panama, Malaysia and Nigeria.
Despite two Washington Post stories highlighting slow sales of tickets for inaugural balls, Parsan said plans and ticket sales were going well. "I am advised by the organising committee that plans are going very well and ticket sales are moving apace," Parsan said. "I am very satisfied with the planning process, the energy of the media, the great interest generated in DC over this particular event and the involvement of so many countries across the geopolitical spectrum."
One article in the Washington Post questioned the strategy of using robo-calls to spark interest in the event. Robo-calls are a marketing strategy that uses a computerised auto-dialler to call people and deliver a pre-recorded message. Describing the ball as the "new kid on inaugural party scene," the story began: "Now here's something you don't see every day: ambassadors robo-calling to sell tickets to an inaugural ball."
It said the ball involved 30-plus ambassadors, mostly from smaller countries. The promotional material, it reported, " also suggests that cabinet members, congressmen and "heads of state" will attend. "Er, really?" the story queried sceptically. "Well, they're invited, organisers say."
"Many innovative strategies are being employed to enhance reach. Robo-calling is one of many. Other strategies including tweeting, use of Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media. Traditional media use includes television, radio, print, magazines among others. The reach is in the many millions," said Parsan.
The capacity for the ball is 2,000 people. The Washington Post noted: "Some planned balls for Obama's first inaugural were cancelled when demand did not meet supply or other issues." The beneficiaries of the effort by the international community include the Keno Foundation, Microsoft's AthleTech, and the Meriwether Foundation, championed by Miss USA Nana Meriwether, who will also serve as the MC.
Parsan said the strategic partners for the ball included the United Nations Foundation, World Alliance for Decentralized Energy, US Black Chamber, International Green Energy Council, National Federation of Indian-American Associations, and the Los Angeles Times, among others. The event is be carried across major news networks from the US, India, Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific.