Annual Gala & General Meeting

JASO is community. This year we’re thinking holistically; we want to give you a chance to learn more about the wider Japan community here in our home. We’ve invited some of the other incredible Japan-related organizations to showcase their work at our Gala. We also have a new strategic plan being implemented, expressed through the six threads of focus in the Gala logo, plus a range of new communications initiatives.

Location: The Mark Building at Portland Art Museum, corner of SW Main & SW Park at 1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
Date: 6-9pm, Thursday May 23rd, 2024

Your Gala experience includes:

Food
Deviled Eggs with Miso, Fried Shiitake, Pickled Shimeji and Togarashi
Ham & Gruyere Korroke with Ponzu, Aioli and Bonito

Rice Table: Spicy Salmon Tartare, Chicken Yakitori, Miso-Grilled Eggplant, Fried Shiitake, Edamame, Cucumber, Pickled Carrots and Daikon, Kimchee and Soy-Cured Eggs

Island Table: Shoyu Chicken, Kalua Pork, Kalbi Ribs, Tuna Poke, Calrose Rice, Mac Salad, Vegetable Pancit, Cucumber-Wakame Salad, Grilled Pineapple, Grillions Scallions and Coconut-Braised Greens

Beverages
Sake: A selection of Momokawa and G from SakeOne
Beer: Asahi SuperDry, Culmination Phaedrus IPA and Pilsner, pFriem Japanese Craft Beer
Wine: Shiba Wichern 2021 Willamette Cuvee Pinot Noir, 2021 Willamette Blanc, Denison Cellars Pinto Noir, Pinot Gris
A selection of non-alcoholic beverages available

Community Showcase Visit our Japan-related community members and learn about their activities

Build Your Japan Connectivity in our Community Our biggest strength is our network. Bring your business cards (or not), but come prepared to meet as many people as possible. You can talk in English, chat in Japanese, use both at whatever level you are comfortable with. Language is for communication, and we want to get to know you! Our networking-focused format enables you to connect widely – you can walk and greet, stop and chat, or sit a while longer and talk. Start new relationships and build current ones. Join colleagues, see friends, bring clients, and create new friendships.

Support JASO A portion of your registration fee is a tax-deductible donation going directly to support our programs. Help more AND bid on some amazing Silent Auction items or purchase Raffle tickets to win $250! We’ll also draw the winner of 2 round-trip main cabin tickets to Japan from our sponsor Delta Air Lines live during the evening.

A Gift To You courtesy of Columbia Sportswear Every attendee receives an Employee Store Pass with great discounts to shop at the Columbia employee store when you check-in!

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Our Gala is also our General Meeting, so you can meet our new and returning Board members in-person.

Attire: this one’s always tricky because yes it’s a gala and yes it’s also Portland, and yes people have different standards anyway. We like Business Casual / Smart Casual / Casual Elegance – but we’ll be equally happy to see you whatever you wear :-)

Parking: The Portland Art Museum – Mark Building, is on the Park blocks, with plenty of street-side parking nearby. Their is one parking lot adjacent to the venue at SW Main and SW Park, and others close by at Broadway& SW Jefferson and Salmon & SW 11th.

Our sponsors: Everyone who buys a ticket to attend, a raffle ticket, or wins a silent auction item contributes to JASO’s work. But we owe a special thank you to our sponsors – who go the extra mile (or two, or more) to make sure all our programs are well-funded and able to continue securely. In addition to our presenting partners Delta Air Lines and Portland Japanese Garden, already committed are NW Natural, Live Your Color, Uwajimaya, Business Oregon, Lane Powell, Prosper Portland, Mackenzie, and The Standard, with more signing up every day.