On May 28 2009, Universal Orlando Resort’s Asian Pacific Heritage Month Task Force as well as the Diversity & Inclusion Team and ASPIRE (Asian Pacific American Team Members Standing together to Promote, Inspire, Recruit, Retain, and Empower Tomorrow’s UO Leaders) held their annual cultural fair and expo, CelebrAsian. The event was the grand finale to a month-long celebration of the Asian Pacific culture.
Once again, local cultural organizations, student associations, and businesses participated. Sound Stage #33 came alive with the beat of the Hung Fut Pai Chinese Martial Arts & Lion Dance Association to start the festivities and ended with the distinguished Orlando Taiko Dojo Japanese drummers. Other prominent acts included SinoElite’s musicians and acrobats, saxophone solo by Gary Lau of Global Media, Lanakila’s Polynesian Review, Orlando Chinese Professional Association’s fan dance, and dances performed by UCF’s Filipino Student Association and Delta Phi Lambda Asian Interest Sorority. In addition, vendors such as Panda Express, Bento Cafe, Mama Ely’s Bakery, CiTea, My Kokeshi, Samara Fashions, Global Media (Asia Trend and Chinese calligraphy) participated as well as J Club (Japanese calligraphy and origami), Asian American Heritage Council, Raja Yoga Meditation Center (including henna demonstrations), Elemental Nursery, Taj Mahal store, Feng Shui Associates, Raj Travel Service, and IACE Travel. The Universal Orlando ASPIRE and Asian Pacific Heritage Month Diversity Task Force also had exhibit tables featuring curry food samples and curry facts, chopstick use and etiquette, anime, Chinese astrology, lei contest entries, and elaborate food carvings from Universal chefs. Last but not least, there were exhibits of photos and memorabilia from Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore, and drawings for Universal Studios Dubailand.
The Diversity and Inclusion Team and the ASPIRE task force are proud to host several multicultural activities and events throughout the year. Universal Orlando Resort encourages team members to take part with internal affinity groups as part of their diversity initiatives and core mission values. “Every year this event gets better and better. I credit our ASPIRE group which collectively invite some of the best of the local Asian Pacific community to help enlighten and bring ethnic awareness to our team members. We are fortunate to be able to experience this diverse and culturally-rich signature event right here on property,” said Tim Arnst, Senior Vice President of Universal Parks and Resorts, adding “this is a wonderful way to conclude Universal Orlando Resort’s Asian Pacific Heritage Month celebrations.”
