Last night, October 19, sixty-five members of the Minnesota Club hosted a relaxed reception for Governor Pawlenty and his delegation on the scenic rooftop garden of Element Fresh at the K-Wah Center. The governor was in-town for just 36 hours (he stopped on his way to India, where he is leading a trade delegation), but he was kind of enough to spend two hours with the Club, chatting informally with a wide range of Minnesotans at work in Shanghai and elsewhere in China. The Club presented the governor with an “official” membership certificate, which was followed by brief remarks that included a Sven and Ole joke. Below, Club president Andrew Hill (left) and the governor, with the certificate.

A special thanks to: everyone who attended the reception; the governor’s staff and the Minnesota Trade Office for helping to arrange the reception; Scott Minoie and Element Fresh, for providing a wonderful atmosphere and venue. And, finally, a very special thanks to Governor Pawlenty for his ongoing interest in Minnesota’s relationship with China, his friendship with the Minnesota Club of Shanghai, and for being so generous with his time on Friday night. Safe travels to India.