By: CHRIS GRAEME
THE CRÈME de la crème of Lisbon’s business community were out in force on Saturday night to celebrate the American Club’s 60th anniversary dinner and dance at the Hotel Sheraton.
The American Club has played an important role and made a vital contribution towards Portuguese-United States commercial and bi-lateral relations since its founding in 1947.
During the past couple of years, its networking luncheons have hosted distinguished speakers from Portuguese political, artistic and business life including, among others, Dr. José Vieira da Silva, the Minister for Social Security, Dr. Fernando Teixeira dos Santos, Finance Minister, the President of the Gulbenkian Foundation, Dr. Emilio Rui Vilar, the President of the Luso-American Foundation, Dr. Rui Machete,
 Gen. Galvão de Melo and Anne Taylor Grave, Executive Director of the American Club in Lisbon. |
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and the former Chief Executive of Millennium bcp bank, Dr Paulo Teixeira Pinto.
The American Club was founded in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War in 1947. Even in 1945, as the war was reaching its dramatic climax, and Portugal was rife with espionage and counter espionage, a group of American businessmen resident in Portugal began to get together over lunch to discuss business opportunities that would open up in post-war Portugal.
Over the next few years, the group expanded, being joined not only by arriving entrepreneurs, but also members of the American diplomatic community. In 1947, a committee was formed and the then called ‘American Men’s Luncheon Group’ was formed.
By 1954, there were 127 members, of whom 50 were non-American, and the organisation began to undertake several regular activities which are still part and parcel of the club today.
Since the mid-1960s, the American Club has supported the American Scouts in Portugal, the American Club scholarship programme with the Fulbright Commission, the Academic Awards Programme, shared with the Luso-American Development Foundation, offering scholarship programmes to two bright Portuguese students to study in the United States, and the American Club Award.
In 1970 came the first American Club Golf Tournament in conjunction with the American Women’s Club.
Today, the club, mindful of promoting Portuguese-US relations, is widely recognised as an important meeting place for business-minded Americans, Portuguese and other nationalities living and working in Portugal conducting business with both.
It holds the prestigious Order of the Infante Dom Henrique in recognition of its contributions to foster relations between the United States and Portugal.
Although starting out as a men’s business club, its doors are wide open to women, who make up 15 per cent of its members, including its last President Blaine Tavares, Honourable Secretary Diana Redford and Executive Director Anne Taylor Grave. Its President is Charles Buchanan.
The American Club’s next luncheon meeting will take place on Monday, October 8 at the Hotel Real Palácio when the Guest of Honour will be Steven Preston, Managing Director of the US’s Small Business Administration.
For further information including membership and subscriptions contact: [email protected], phone 213 529 308, or visit www.americancluboflisbon.com
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