2009 Annual Gala Dinner
Asia Society Southern California honors Kobe Bryant, Olympic Gold Medalist and 2008 NBA MVP and Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG and President of the Staples Center
We invite you to join us in honoring Kobe Bryant for his tireless efforts to create global understanding though the power of sport at the Asia Society Southern California Annual Gala Dinner to be held on Tuesday evening, June 30, 2009, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Olympic Gold Medalist and the 2008 NBA MVP Kobe Bryant will receive the Asia Society “Global Ambassador Award” recognizing him as an outstanding humanitarian building global bridges of good will through sport.
Bryant's popularity has risen to phenomenal heights with the growth of basketball worldwide. For example, last summer Nike China launched a reality TV show called Kobe Mentu or “Kobe's Disciples” which highlighted Kobe's ability to inspire and motivate Chinese youth.
That same evening, Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG and President of the Staples Center will receive the Asia Society “Global Corporate Leadership Award.” Under his leadership, Leiweke has built AEG into one of the world's most innovative and successful sports entertainment organizations.