Every four years on the first Tuesday in November, the AIC organizes an all-night party for those who wish to have up-to-the moment coverage of the US Presidential Elections. This event usually takes place in a big hotel in Geneva and is open to Members of the Club and their guests. Admission is free.

 

 

2008 US Presidential Election Night Party

On November 4th, AIC members as well as the interested Geneva community watched history in the making on giant TV screens during the US Election Night Party at the Ramada Park Hotel, Geneva. Over 1400 people attended the all-night party, as Barack Obama and Joe Biden won what was probably the most significant US election of the past 100 years.

 

While results trickled in on CNN and internet reports, some diversion from the suspense present among both Democrats and Republicans, US and non-US citizens, was provided by a full slate of entertainments.

 

The festivities started at 7:00 pm with cocktails served at the cash bar and live music by the modern country music band, Tony Lewis and Tuff Love. The guests benefited from interactions with political experts in Washington through the live web-chat provided by the US Mission, while others tested their command on a "bucking bronco" graciously sponsored by HĂ´pital La Tour. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, only amusement and good laughs!

 

Children were regaled with their own amusements in a private salon with Sony games and other activities under the watchful supervision of a McDonald’s hostess kindly offered by McDonalds Restaurants, Geneva.

 

American Citizens Abroad (ACA), Republicans Abroad, and Democrats Abroad all had their own stands providing information on their respective organizations, and these were in addition to information tables from Active Languages School and Oxygen at Work, a new wellness practice geared towards stress at the workplace.

 

While activities continued in the hotel's foyer and main room, 138 AIC members and guests enjoyed a private cocktail and savoured an American-style dinner in a separate salon. A live auction (graciously led by club member Mr. Ed Karr) of an autographed T-shirt from tennis player Roger Federer raised CHF1700 for the non-profit group "Action de Soutien à l’Enfance Démunie" (ASED). The auction was followed by a 5 minute "walk through" by a few models from the fashion show scheduled for later in the evening.

 

The official ceremony began at 10:00 pm with the presentation of the US colors by the local Boy Scouts Troop and the National Anthem remarkably sung by Tony Lewis. Tal Schibler, event chair, welcomed the crowd followed by a short speech by AIC President, John J. Silvin. Results from the straw poll taken by the students of the Collège de Staël during the evening, showed an overwhelming majority of the public present voted for Obama, and among McCain voters, more men than women supported him.

 

The official ceremony was followed by an elegant fashion show featuring clothes designed by the students from the École de Couture de Lausanne. The models showed off fantasy designs based on the "US Presidential Election Night" theme, adding even more color to the evening.

 

Participants in need of a place to escape the noise and excitement were happy to retreat to a quiet room with sofas and a TV screen. By 3 am, the atmosphere was rising with excitement and emotions as participants were intensely following CNN's continuous Breaking News. The final flow of emotion came in at 5 am with Obama's historic speech.
And for those 88 diehards who with tears of joy wished to celebrate after the evening’s marathon, there was an early morning breakfast accompanied by a live video conference debate with Dr. Thomas F. Schaller, Political Expert in Washington DC, organized by the US Mission.

The party was covered by 17 media organizations with live interviews done by World Radio Switzerland, Radio Cité, Television Swiss Romande, Radio Lac and others. Print and internet media included Tribune de Genève, La Côte, PME Magazine, and Swissinfo.ch, among others.

Special thanks go to all the dedicated volunteers and companies who made this 2008 Election Night Party a success. The AIC Election Committee – Tal Schibler, Jayne Haymoz, Valérie Mims, Ed Karr, Charris Yadigaroglou, Sascha Gorokhoff, Dominique Salzmann, Kirsten Stromstad, Anne-Claude Guerreiro and former AIC’er Elaine Christen, who returned from the UK to help out – worked many hours and months to organize the evening. Many thanks also to our corporate sponsors - Hôpital La Tour, McDonald’s Geneva and the US Mission.