The Canadian Business Council (CBC) Abu Dhabi held its annual Maple Leaf Ball (MLB) on Saturday, 12 March 2022 at the Bab Al Qasr Hotel. The event gathered prominent members of Emirati and Canadian government and business community.

Mr. Dhia Hussain, Chairperson of CBC Abu Dhabi

Mr. Dhia Hussain, Chairperson of CBC Abu Dhabi, welcomed and thanked all the guests for gracing the gala. In his address, he stated that after visiting many countries around the world and his association with many people of different color, race, religions and languages, the conclusion is that people all want the same thing - security, good company and good friends. Mr. Hussain spoke about how the Canadians understood these facts long back and started celebrating the maple leaf spirit over 100 years ago. The spirit of diversity and the iconic maple leaf became the centerpiece of Canada's National Flag, raised for the first time on February 15, 1965. He then acknowledged the dedication and the hard work of CBC Board of Directors and staff.

From left to right: CBC Board of Directors and staff: Hani Abu Ghazaleh, CEO of Mental, Kim Jeffery, Consultant at  Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Faiza Usman, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning & Business Performance at Mubadala Investment Company, Hans Fraikin, Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner, Dhia Hussain, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at M3 Marine Technology, Robyn Albers, Program Director MENA of Global Speech Academy, Katherine Verrier-Fréchette, Managing Director (MENA) of Awz Horizons Ltd. and Sheena Viado, CBC Operations Coordinator.

The event’s Master of Ceremony (MC) was Hans Fraikin, former Board Member and Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner who initiated the event by announcing the program for the evening with live music, four-course dinner, amazing prizes and silent auction items, courtesy of the following generous sponsors and donors.  Silver sponsors: Air Canada, Abu Dhabi Grammar School (AGS) and PAL Aerospace; and Bronze sponsors, AWZ Ventures, CAE and CARA Jewellers.

The ball was attended by CBC Corporate members including the Embassy of Canada in the UAE, PAL Aerospace, CAE, Maplewood Canadian International School, and L3Harris Technologies. National anthems of the UAE and Canada were played. Students from the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi also volunteered for the event. The evening was concluded with live entertainment by Big Mouth Band. A fantastic time was had by all!

CBC Abu Dhabi heartily thanks the generous sponsors, prize donors and supporting partners:

Please click here to view the MLB photos.

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About CBC

Canadian Business Council (CBC) Abu Dhabi is a membership-based organization that represents Canadian business people and companies in Canada and in the United Arab Emirates. CBC hosts many business events and supports its members to create business opportunities in the United Arab Emirates and in Canada through a wide network of relationships and contacts in both countries. CBC members include businesspeople that work in UAE-based companies as well as those representing  Canadian companies both from Canada, and here  in the UAE. CBC members share common interests in creating excellent business relations and to strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Canada. CBC Abu Dhabi – Creating Trusted Connections.