Awardees of Chinese origin pose for a group photo with President of the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) John Wang (4th L) and Vice President Liang Wei (1st L) at the "Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business" Award Ceremony in New York, the United States, May 28, 2008.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    NEW YORK, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Some 500 people gathered here Wednesday to pay tribute to and celebrate the achievements of the 50 recipients of the "Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business" award.

    Hailed as "the Asian American business community's most distinguished award program," the "Outstanding 50" is the largest Asian American business award program in the nation.

    It honors individuals with outstanding leadership and vision who have built a successful business or who have distinguished themselves within their community.

    The award, which is given out every two years by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC), aims to recognize entrepreneurs, business professionals, as well as corporate executives who contribute to the general economy.

    In addition to the "Outstanding 50" award, the AABDC also gives out a "Pinnacle Award" to an individual who has reached the top of his professional field.

    The 2008 Pinnacle Award recipient is Michael Chen, president and CEO of Media, Communications and Entertainment with the GE Commercial Finance.

    The year's honorees were selected from throughout the United States and represent a diverse group of Asian American ethnic backgrounds -- Chinese, Korean, South Asian, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese.

    Established in 1994, the Asian American Business Development Center, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist Asian-owned businesses to compete in the mainstream marketplace.