This year’s celebration of business leaders on June 21 provided an opportunity to meet informally and spend leisure time together. The day’s program included a concert by Irena Jarocka and the Perfect group, a theatrical play “The Bear” performed by actors from the Praski Theatre, charity auctions, fashion parades, presentation of luxury cars and yachts and the traditional hat competition. A youth dancing group from Washington made quite a hit, while the races captured a lot of attention.

The BCC has for many years supported the idea of socially responsible business and initiated the ‘Share your success’ community campaign. So far club members have donated more than 1 billion PLN to charity. Those companies that are most engaged in helping the needy are awarded the Social Solidarity Medal. This year, Bishop Piotr Jarecki presented the medals to: Zbigniew Jagiełło, president Pioneer Pekao TFI S.A. and Piotr Skalski, president of Skalski Sp. z o.o. Bishop Jarecki said that he hoped that the developing enterprise in Poland would become more and more supportive.

Teksty w czterech ramkach z fotami

Marek Goliszewski – president Business Centre Club:

Sixteen years ago we met at the Służewiec Racecourse for the first time. We were different people then. Today, we see European businessmen at the Gala, Poles who are conquering Western European markets. Business leaders meet at the Gala; they are those who by running their profitable companies, give people work and pay taxes to support our country. It is they who build a strong economy. And having more money than the average Pole, it is they who know how to share this money with those in need.

Danuta Huebner – European Commissioner for Regional Policy:

I am very happy that Polish businessmen have so many more new diamonds. I hope that these diamonds are so well polished also because Poland is present in Europe and Polish businessmen have become more confident. When we look at Polish export we can see how little it is dependent on the exchange rate or the strength of the Polish currency. I believe that the time has come for us to enter the euro zone. The Polish economy is at a stage when we have to totally forget about building our strength and competitiveness using a relatively cheap work force. Today we have to totally embrace something that we call innovation. Polish competitiveness will depend on new technologies, on innovation, and how well research centres will work with businessmen.

Laureates of Honorary European Medals

• Ryszard Koczorowski, the last president of Poland in Exile – for remaining faithful to Polish values, representing Poland in Europe and around the world with dignity and skilfully combining tradition with modernity.
• Prof. Michal Kleiber, president of Polish Academy of Sciences for strengthening the position of Polish science, promoting European ideals and contribution to the development of an innovative economy.
• Dr. Janusz Kochanowski, Commissioner for Civic Rights for encouraging the application of European standards in Polish public institutions and his engagement in building a civic society.

Irena Jarocka

She gave a concert performance at the BCC Grand Summer Gala. The artist sang old favourites that every one loved to hear. Irena Jarocka has been living in USA for the last 16 years, she continues to record songs, gives many concerts and promotes Poland among Americans. She has won many awards at song festivals and is the winner of radio and press plebiscites for the most popular singer of the year.