On Sept. 12, 2002, President George W. Bush pledged the United States return to the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization with these words: “As a Symbol of Our Commitment to Human Dignity, the United States will return to UNESCO. This organization has been reformed and America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights, tolerance, and learning.”

In 1984, the US had withdrawn from UNESCO, citing poor management and values contrary to our own. New leadership in 1999 lead to reforms within UNESCO and in 2001, the House voted to authorize the $60 million dues payment required for the United States to rejoin UNESCO.

Gordon C. James Public Relations was retained by the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State to manage and produce a unique gala performance in Paris, France, as part of the celebration of the U.S. re-joining the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in October 2003. The attendees were the delegates from the 186 member countries to the UNESCO conference.

GCJPR handled all aspects of the gala, including site selection, contracting, catering, logistics, entertainment, audio, lighting and stage design and production, housing, security and credentialing, collateral materials design and printing, and travel assistance.

After an initial site selection trip to Paris in August 2003, the Carrousel du Louvre, part of the Louvre Museum Complex, was secured and contracted. GCJPR researched possible entertainment and master of ceremonies options for the concert and secured well-known actor Rick Schroeder as MC, opera vocalist Denyce Graves, jazz musicians The Aaron Thurston Trio and up and coming country singer Miranda Lambert.

In addition to the successful gala event, GCJPR also handled logistics for the VIP after-party, in which guests mingled with the gala entertainers, feasted on American style cuisine of mini hamburgers, fried chicken and petite apple pies and danced to the smooth jazz of local musicians.