HvO World Award

This year, it took more than a couple of months to come to a final decision of the Awarding 2020 in Tokyo. Due to travel restrictions imposed on international travel due to the worldwide spread of Covid-19, the original plans to hold the event in Barcelona, were changed to the prestigious Roppongi Hills Club.

On the day of the ceremony, we enjoyed a beautiful sunny day with a gentle breeze blowing in the crisp air with just a hint early autumn …

We had many guests from various prize-winning corporations including new entries for this year, as well as invited supporters living in Japan, despite being held during the middle of Silver Week, a busy 4 consecutive day holiday in Japan.

For the first time in the history of the HvO, a special plaque of the HvO World Prestige Award’ was exclusively presented to those who have achieved the unique distinction of winning the original award for five consecutive years.

The festivities began with the arrival of fashionably attired guests, soon after the door opened, exactly on time…

The temperature of the venue seemed to gradually raise as the guests exchanged friendly words, reuniting with friends from previous events or exchanging business card with new acquaintances.

Once all the guests were seated, the curtain raised for the commencement of the Awarding…

Dr. Taro Shirakawa, a member of the HvO Academy, gave his opening remarks on behalf of Mr. Nick Hawkins, the chairman of the Academy who unfortunately couldn’t attend due to the travel ban for COVID-19.

And then, Dr. Shirakawa presented a certificate and a trophy to each winner as they were called by name and came to the stage.

For the winner who won the award for five consecutive years since the very first event in 2016, a plaque of ‘the HvO World Prestige Award’ was presented by the HvO Academy with a special commendation.

The special awarding was followed by other regular winners that we all are familiar with.

Some of them were only a step away to the superior award for the next year…

Happily, we witnessed the birth of a new winner whose innovative technology has been recognized for yielding results as a high-profile product in the market.

As we basked in the afterglow of excitement, we transition to the eagerly anticipated sumptuous full-course dinner…

But before that, Mr. Henry Seals who graduated from Harvard University and currently holds a key position in a global enterprise, gave his toast in fluent Japanese as well as in English, instead of Mr. Conway Downing who performed this role at the past 5 events, including last year in Milan.

Picking up the cue from Henry’s enthusiastic toast, the entire hall filled with a cheerful and bright party mood…

An elaborate and lavish French-style banquet full of seasonal delicacies was then served to all the guests.

As they fully enjoyed the feast together, each table was gradually enveloped in an even more unstrained atmosphere…

Between courses, the guests also enjoyed lively conversations sharing information about academia, personal interests, travel, etc.…

Even guests who met each other for the first time, hit it off right away and shared the wonderful moment of borderless conversation.

Even the top management of market-leading companies cultivated their acquaintance with one another, exploring potential opportunities.

The party was in full swing toward the end…

Approaching the crescendo, Mr. Mike Hayashida, the owner of YDC Tokyo and principal liaison of the HvO Academy, gave his closing remarks including some feedback to the review in the year 2020.

As if they were reluctant to leave the venue, the participants kept exchanging permission to take commemorative photos with one another…

Hoping for a reunion at the next occasion in 2021, the annual event dropped the final curtain under the mantle of night …  See you all in Barcelona, next time around!