Month: September 2009

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Chilean Consulate Meets Taca Airlines Official

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl suggests extending routes to Arica and Santiago.

25 Sept. 2009/–Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl met with Reyna Flores, representative of Taca Airlines.  Consul Biggs Sparkuhl

Renya Flores of Taca Airlines and Consul Biggs Sparkuhl

Reyna Flores of Taca Airlines and Consul Biggs Sparkuhl

suggested Taca extend its routes to include the Arica, Chile’s underserved northern airport.  The Consul explained that Arica is set to expand dramatically, and Santiago is presently underserved by competing airlines. 

Ms. Flores immediately offered her assistance, and requested market details from Consul Sparkuhl to present to her colleagues at Taca.  The consulate has forwarded its report on the region of Arica to Ms. Flores for consideration, and is providing market data regarding Santiago. 

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl has led investment and trade missions from Las Vegas to Chile in the past, and is optimistic about working more closely with Ms. Flores and Taca.

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Las Vegas Consulate Receives Guatemalan Under-Secretary and Consul General

2009 09 26 00 07 5025 Sept 2009/– Consul Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl joined Consular Chamber of Commerce Executive Dr. Aldo Aguire, Honorary Vice Consul of Guatemala, in welcoming Pablo Garcia Saenz, Consul General of Guatemala in Los Angeles, and Ambassador Miguel Angel Ibarra G, the Vice-minister of Foreign Relations of Guatemala,  to Las Vegas.

The Consul General and the Vice-minister were introduced to Las Vegas and made aware of the business diplomacy by the Guatemalan Vice-consulate in Las Vegas. 

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl serves as Chairperson of the Consular Chamber of Commerce.  Vice-consul Aguirre serves as President of the Executive Committee of the Consular Chamber of Commerce.

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Consul Biggs Sparkuhl Meets With Award-Winning Mayan Artist Balam Soto

2009 09 24 19 14 37
Artist Balam Soto and Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl

Renowned artist introduced to Las Vegas by Dr. Aldo Aguirre, Honorary Vice-Consul of Guatemala

24 Sept. 2009/– Consul Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl was introduced to Guatemalan artist Balam Soto at his exhibition in Las Vegas.

In April 2008, Balam was honored with a Diploma of Recognition as a “Maestro,” a Master of Visual Arts, by the National Constitutional Assembly of Guatemala for “being a valuable and outstanding Guatemalan with international success.”  

A resident of Connecticut, Mr. Soto was hosted and introduced by Consul Biggs Sparkuhl’s colleague in the Consular Corps and in the Consular Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Aldo Aguirre, Honorary Vice-Consul of Guatemala. 

Vice-Consul Dr. Aldo Aguirre and Balam Soto enjoy the show at Wynn Las Vegas

Vice-Consul Dr. Aldo Aguirre and Balam Soto enjoy the show at Wynn Las Vegas

In light of Balam’s affinity for multi-media art, Consul Biggs Sparkuhl insisted that Balam see the performance art at Parisol Down, a famous lounge at the Wynn Resort with an ongoing technological art show over a lake.  Consul Biggs Sparkuhl hosted President Bachalet of Chile at the same location last year.  

Dr. Aguirre remarked, “Spectacular.  Only Paulina would know this secret vantage point for such a fantastic show.”

Mr. Soto stayed through three shows, explaining, “Incredible!  What an introduction to public art in Las Vegas.  It gives me great inspiration.” 

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City of Las Vegas Recognizes Viviana Mehner

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl introduces Viviana Mehner to Councilman Ricki Barlow

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl introduces Viviana Mehner to Councilman Ricki Barlow

Chilean Consulate Introduces City Hall to Chilean Culture

15 September, 2009 // Viviana Mehner, President of the Chilean Association of Nevada, was honored today by the City of Las Vegas for her outstanding leadership.  The award was presented in front of the entire Las Vegas City Council, including Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Prior to receiving the award in City Hall chambers, Ms. Mehner was personally introduced by Consul Biggs Sparkuhl to Las Vegas Ward 5 City Councilman Ricki Barlow, in whose ward substantial Chilean investments have been made in recent years.   

Viviana was also introduce to the Consul’s old friend, Ward 4 City Councilman Stavros Anthony.  councilman Anthony’s ward includes the Chilean consulate itself.

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl, Viviana Mehner, Councilman Stavros Anthony

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl, Viviana Mehner, Councilman Stavros Anthony

The councilmen joined the Consul and Ms. Mehner and enjoyed live chilean music from Voces de Chile.  The performance stopped dozens of people who took a moment to hear the fantastic music in the morning sun.

 Speech of the Consul:  “Thank you for having me.  My name is Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl.  I was appointed by the President of Chile to represent my Country as Honorary Consul in Las Vegas, in 2002.
Viviana Mehner represents the kind of Chilean who makes us all proud.
An Entrepreneur, she also takes on the extraordinary civic responsibility of being a leader in our society.  Viviana has tirelessly worked to carry the torch lit by my mother, Paulina Bosch, years ago when she started the Chilean Association.
As President of the Association today, Viviana has fought hard to grow the organization , its services and events, during these trying times. 
Under Viviana’s leadership, the Chilean association has grown – much like the trade treaties of Chile herself – to include others in the culture and prosperity of the Chilean experience.
Chileans came to Las Vegas not only to partake in the opportunities of the US, but also to contribute.  Whether it is running the local car dealership, conducting the orchestra, singing to us this morning, or starting a women’s shelter, attaining fame and fortune as a surgeon, or simply a happy life in the employment of industry, we are here to stay.
These are trying times in the Unites States, and many are tempted to return to Chile’s relative prosperity.  We don’t forget where we come from, but we also do not forget our friends and community in time of need.  We are here to stay.
Viviana represents the best in Chilean American society.  I congratulate her on this substantial recognition from the City we love.”
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Consul participates in World Market Center Event

2009 09 15 18 37 33Chilean manufacturer awarded at “One Good Chair” Competition

Susan Drescher of furniture designer Tischlager designed the first runner-up winning chair, manufactured by Jason Gustafson of Coyhaique, Chile, who represents Patagonia Legacy, at the One Good Chair Design Competition at the World Market Center in Las Vegas today.

Susan Drescher and Jason Gustafson with Award-Winning Chair

Susan Drescher and Jason Gustafson with Award-Winning Chair

Tischlager and Gustafson utilized wood native to Chile and a combination of wool and cotton to create the green award-winning furnishing.

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl was joined by Lena Walther, Honorary Consul of Sweden at the Las Vegas Market, the annual furniture show attracting tens of thousands of exhibitors and buyers to downtown Las Vegas.  Both consuls are well known in Las Vegas design.