The British-American Business Council,
Chicago

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Traditional Ascot Day Celebration  

To coincide with the UK's Royal Ascot Day, the BABC Chicago and British Airways cordially invite you to join us for the Traditional Ascot Day at Arlington International Racecourse.  This year's celebration is scheduled as follows:

When and Where

Date:                Friday, June 13, 2008
Time:               2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Directions:     Arlington International Racecourse, Governor's Room

Tickets: 
BABC Member - $170.00
BABC Member Table for Eight (8) - $1,310.00

Non BABC Member - $185.00
Non BABC Member Table for Eight (8) - $1,430.00

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

Whether you are entertaining clients, making new business contacts, rewarding employees with a summer outing, or celebrating your British heritage, Ascot Day is the summer's social event to see and at which to be seen!

Guests who attend Ascot Day enjoy exciting horseracing, cocktails, fine cuisine, and networking.   For this occasion, ladies wear summer outfits, as well as beautiful hats.  Men are encouraged to wear morning suits.

NEW THIS YEAR!
Gentlemen in Morning Suits:  Wear a morning suit and your name will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win two roundtrip Club World tickets to travel Chicago to London, provided by British Airways.

Men’s Warehouse Perfect Fit Rewards Program
Rent your morning suit at Men’s Warehouse Tux and Save $20 on your rental package. All you need to do is join MW’s Perfect Fit Rewards program at check out time. The membership is free, and the application is done at the store on the computer system at check out. It only takes a few minutes to complete as you'll only be asked for your address, phone and email address. It's simply a rewards card like you would use in a grocery store. MW will track your rentals and purchases, and when you've reached $500, MW will send you a $50 gift certificate. The process repeats itself indefinitely. MW also notify you of upcoming sales and special events. To find the store nearest you, visit http://www.mwtux.com.

Women's Best Hat Contest:   Be sure to wear your finest hat for this occasion!  The winner receives  two roundtrip Club World tickets  to London,. provided by British Airways.  UK milliner, Emily Birch, owner of Diva Blue in London will judge this year's contest.  For hat ideas visit the following milliner links or view the Photo Galleries. 

Diva Blue
Joan Pressley Hats
Bailey Tomlin
Siggi Hats
Peter Bettley Hats
Joy Millinery
Whiteley Hat

David's Bridal is offering 10% discount on social occasion dresses and accessories.  Click here to print coupon:  David's Bridal.  Offer expires 6/14/08.
 

GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE:  During the afternoon there will be a drawing for an exciting Grand Prize, which includes:

	Two roundtrip Club World tickets to travel Chicago to London, provided by British Airways
	Two night stay at the Four Seasons in Hampshire, courtesy of Four Seasons Hampshire.   Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, England. Enjoy Georgian manor house elegance and ultra-modern comforts within acres of rolling countryside and heritage-listed gardens. Just an hour from central London, this intimate, historic retreat promises the Four Seasons touch with storybook charm and gracious, intuitive service.
	Two British Heritage passes, courtesy of VisitBritain These passes offer free access to 600 castles, stately homes and gardens in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Raffle tickets: 

1 for $50; 3 for $100; 5 for $150

Program:

2:00-6:30 p.m.  - Cocktails
2:30-2:45 p.m.  - Welcome
3:00-4:30 p.m.  - Dining
3:00-7:00 p.m.  - Exciting horseracing
5:00-6:00 p.m. -  Women's best hat contest, and grand prize raffle drawing

Ascot Day is sure to be a memorable occasion for you, your clients, and your colleagues!

Origins of Ascot Day

Queen Anne was the founder of the Ascot course, and she is remembered by the opening race of the four-day spectacular, the Queen Anne Stakes. The monarch, an equestrian sport fan, was taking a carriage ride through the forest near Windsor Castle in 1711 when she came upon a clearing that looked perfect for racing.

The area close to the village of East Cote was bought at a cost of just £558 and she ordered it to be prepared for racing.  And so the Royal racecourse played host to its first race on 11 August that year with 'Her Majesty's Plate of 100 guineas.  Click here for more Colorful History.  

Today, the centerpiece of Ascot’s year, Royal Ascot is the world’s most famous race meeting. More than 300,000 people visit the racecourse during Royal Ascot week, making this Europe’s most popular race meeting, and the event still continues to grow each year. Royal Ascot is an internationally renowned sporting and social occasion, where tradition, pageantry and style all meet in a glorious setting against the spectacular backdrop of top class thoroughbreds and world famous jockeys competing for some of the highest accolades in horseracing. The quality of the horseracing is simply outstanding, with over £3 million in prize money on offer and a total of sixteen Group races, including at least one Group One event on each of the five days.

The action on the track is matched only by the fashions on display, with a colorful array of outfits and hats, making this one of the most sophisticated and elegant events in the summer calendar. Click here for more details on Royal Ascot.

2007 HAT CONTEST WINNERS

1st Place

Shiva Mohsenzadeh

2nd Place

Carol Ann Edwards Nasser

3rd Place

Brenda Shepherd

CLICK ON THE 2007 ASCOT DAY GALLERIES BELOW TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS

GALLERY 1

GALLERY 2

GALLERY 3

GALLERY 4