FOCUS 2009 to Land in Chicago
January 29, 2009 · Filed Under Press Releases
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: press@agbu.org
Website: www.agbu.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
FOCUS 2009 Set to Land in Chicago This Summer
After much success in New York City for 2007, the highly anticipated biennial AGBU FOCUS weekend is heading west to Chicago, Illinois for 2009.
Plans are already underway and FOCUS invites all young Armenian professionals to join in the celebration, which will take place from July 16-19, 2009 in one of the most dynamic American cities. Hundreds of Armenians are expected to attend from all parts of the globe for a weekend that includes networking & cultural events, a club night and a formal gala celebration.
Looking Back
FOCUS premiered in New York City eight years with the goal of bringing together all AGBU youth program participants and alumni to honor AGBU’s 95th anniversary. Former campers, counselors, interns, and athletes joined current Young Professional groups to celebrate the variety of international programs that have made, and continue to make, a difference in the lives of young Armenians everywhere. Pre-event fundraising efforts raised an astonishing $25,000 for various AGBU youth programs, and the success of this event made FOCUS into a biennial affair.
In 2003, FOCUS headed north to Montreal, Canada, to honor AGBU’s Generation Next Mentorship Program of Southern California, which partners students from the Glendale area with local Armenian-American mentors. With hundreds in attendance, Montreal was the debut city for the FOCUS on Art fundraising exhibit and auction, which included works by young aspiring artists attending the AGBU Children’s Centers in Yerevan, Armenia.
Two years later, FOCUS 2005 landed in South Beach, Florida for a weekend of sold-out events, including an elegant gala at Miami’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Participants from over 30 international cities paid tribute to the AGBU Scholarship Program, which has provided financial assistance to full-time college students of Armenian descent for over five decades. The weekend raised over $30,000.
In 2007, FOCUS returned to New York City to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the AGBU New York Summer Internship Program (NYSIP). For over two decades, NYSIP has provided college and graduate students the opportunity to gain professional internship experience, participate in cultural, networking and social events with like-minded peers, and live in Manhattan’s energetic East Village neighborhood. The record-breaking sum of $85,000 was raised through donations made in honor of Mrs. Rita Balian and her husband, the late Vartkess Balian, who were the founders of the internship initiative.
Moving Forward
FOCUS has become an internationally renowned event that unites Armenians the world over for a professionally, culturally and socially enriching weekend. The FOCUS 2009 weekend is slated to begin with the traditional Thursday-night networking event known as Perspectives. On Friday, FOCUS will welcome hundreds of guests to its always exciting Club Event at a hot venue in the heart of Chicago. Saturday will begin with the ever-popular FOCUS on Art event at noon and continue with the Gala celebration set in one of the city’s most elegant venues. FOCUS will conclude on Sunday with a special Brunch.
“We are extremely excited to bring young Armenian professionals from all over the world to meet and reunite in Chicago,” said FOCUS co-chair Arda Berberian. “Each and every FOCUS is a landmark occasion, as friendships grow and young Armenians come together and celebrate our sense of community under the umbrella of AGBU.”
“With such positive feedback after New York City in 2007, we hope that FOCUS 2009 will only continue to surpass our guests’ expectations,”
co-chair Aline Markarian added.
Participants should mark their calendars for July 16-19. Rooms have been reserved at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel and a special rate is available for reservations made only through AGBU beginning April 2.
For up-to-date information, please visit www.agbu.org/focus or email focus@agbu.org.
org/focus or email focus@agbu.org.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians on five continents.
Leadership Announcement
January 22, 2009 · Filed Under Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2009
KNAR BASMADJIAN AGBU TORONTO CHAIRPERSON
Toronto – The Central Board of the Armenian Benevolent Union (AGBU) is pleased to announce that Ms. Knar Basmadjian will be serving as Chairperson of the Toronto Chapter for a term of two years, effective January 1, 2009.
Ms. Basmadjian, has served AGBU and the Toronto Armenian Community for many years. She is a professional engineer who holds an MBA, is currently an Investment Advisor and Associate Portfolio Manager at CIBC Wood Gundy. Her financial acumen and background and her experience with Chapter affairs will serve the corporation well.
AGBU ARMEN-ONTARIO CORPORATION
Mr. Berge Setrakian, President of AGBU and Mr. Barry Berge Papazian, Secretary of AGBU and President of AGBU Armen-Ontario are also pleased to announce that Mrs. Lena Sarkissian will join Armen-Ontario’s Board of Directors.
Mrs. Sarkissian has been the chair of the Toronto French School Board for the past three years and a member of the Board since 1999. She has also chaired the Nominating & Governance Committee and The Major Gifts Committee.
With her experience and involvement in the Armenian Community and The Toronto French School, Mrs. Sarkissian will definitely be an asset to the Corporation.
The Central Board of AGBU is confident that the Toronto Chapter and Armen-Ontario will be well served with these postings for the continued growth and success of AGBU in the greater Toronto area.
AGBU President’s New Year’s Message
January 13, 2009 · Filed Under Press Releases
Attached below is a New Year’s Message from AGBU’s President, Mr. Setrakian.
PDF in English.
PDF in Armenian.
Virtual College Presentation in Toronto
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Over 150 attendees gathered at the AGBU Alex Manoogian Cultural Centre to watch the presentation of AGBU’s newest educational resource, the Armenian Virtual College (AVC) to be launched in January 2009. The AVC is an accredited Internet-based, distance-learning program, which aims to facilitate Armenian studies.
The coordinator and founder of the new project, Dr. Yervant Zorian made an extensive presentation. Dr Zorian is also the chairman of AGBU’s Silicon Valley chapter, as well as a member of the AGBU Central Board.
The presentation was followed with an open discussion session. The crowd showed great enthusiasm for this new project, with anticipation of great growth within the online community. The audience was treated to a wealth of information from Dr Zorian’s vast knowledge of the field.
The Armenian Virtual College is ready to create a virtual learning community that will foster both the cultural education, and social connections that are otherwise out of reach to students across Diaspora.
Visit AGBU.org for further information on the launching of AGBU’s Armenian Virtual College.
Maggie Concert Photos
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AGBU Toronto Images
