Mei Xu Receives 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Philip Merrill College of Journalism

May 1, 2009 - PRLog -- Mei Xu, Creator and CEO of Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Bay Candle, has been honored with the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland’s Tenth Annual Alumni Association Awards Gala http://alumni.umd.edu/annual_awards/school2009.cfm.

The University of Maryland’s Tenth Annual Alumni Association Awards Gala was held at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in College Park, Maryland on April 18, 2009 to celebrate the accomplishments of twenty-one exceptional members of the University of Maryland family.

“Award recipients are honored for the service to their fields of study, to their communities and to alma mater that have made them a proud reflection of the leadership potential that is nurtured at this university. They have made their indelible marks on Maryland,” said Danita D. Nias, Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations and Development at the University of Maryland.

A graduate of the class of 1992, Mei holds a M.A. in Journalism and Communications from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Beijing Foreign Studies University where she earned her B.A. in American Studies in 1989.

After working for a brief period of time at a medical equipment company in New York City, Mei and her husband established their own company, Pacific Trade International, in 1994. Driven by a passion for home fragrance and design, Mei created the company’s signature candle and home fragrance brand Chesapeake Bay Candle® http://www.chesapeakebaycandle.com. The brand became an immediate success by offering candles in modern color palettes, combined with a striking finish and unique fragrance pairings that stood out amongst all other candles available in the American market of the mid 1990s.

Today Chesapeake Bay Candle is one of the largest candle and home fragrance companies in the U.S, available at Target, Kohl’s, Pier 1 Imports and numerous other renowned retailers.

In 2005 Mei established her second company, Blissliving® Home http://www.blisslivinghome.com, a home lifestyle brand for the stylish consumer seeking modern design with global influence. Blissliving Home’s collections of modern bedding, linens, decorative pillows, candles and bath and home accessories are available via an online boutique and select premium retailers around the globe. Since its establishment the brand has built a reputation as a fashion leader in the industry. Numerous products have received awards for their outstanding designs.

In addition to driving her businesses, Mei furthers foreign language education in the U.S. and China by providing support to schools with the objective of establishing sustainable partnerships, student exchange programs, and language summer camps. She established the Mei Xu Cultural Exchange Foundation in 2004.

Mei is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization, The Committee of 200, and the U.S. China Business Council. She has participated in the Initiative for Global Development organized by Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, and Bill Gates and is actively involved in promoting the leadership of professional women.

Mei’s business leadership and her efforts on behalf of education, women initiatives and global anti-poverty have earned her this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

For more information please contact:
MAREIKE FINCK - 301.816.4224 x 233 – mfinck@blisslivinghome.com
STEPHANIE TAIT – 301.816.4224 x285 –stait@blisslivinghome.com

# # #

Established in January 2007, Blissliving Home is the new interior lifestyle brand for the stylish consumer seeking modern design with a global influence. Our product offerings includes bedding, sheets, decorative pillows, candles and home accessories.