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EVENTS
ABOUT US
The objective of the Assembly is to coordinate the activities of member Turkish American associations and individual members of the Assembly for the purpose of presenting a more balanced view of Turkey and of the Turkish people, and emphasizing the importance of enhanced understanding between Turkey and the United States. [more]
BECOME A MEMBER
By becoming a member you will be part of a network of Turkish-Americans and friends of Turkey who care about the historic relationship between the two peoples and who are aware of the crucial role each one of us plays in strengthening the relationship and promoting an accurate and fair picture of Turkey and Turks. [Join ATAA]
Past Events
ATAA Marks a Success with Its 27th Annual Convention
The 27th Annual Convention of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) took place in Washington, DC on November 9-11, 2006. This year, under the able leadership of Nurten Ural, through the hard work of many volunteers and the dedication of the Central Office staff, the Convention preparations started months in advance and the three days long program went very smoothly. The theme of the Convention was "Building Bridges to Strengthen Relations" and it can be said that the convention accomplished that. The location was at the Sheraton National Hotel, in Arlington, Virginia, minutes away from the Reagan Airport and very close to downtown Washington, DC. Attendance, especially to the day panels and lectures, was excellent. Nurten Ural, who took over the ATAA presidency during the Convention, was attentive to all details of the Convention including fiscal accountability. To his credit, Vural Cengiz, the outgoing ATAA President, left ATAA in good financial health.
The first day of the Convention, Thursday, November 9th, included a bus tour of Washington, DC in the morning. The entire afternoon was dedicated to the Turkic programs. ATAA had already organized a cultural gathering of all Turkic peoples during the ATAA Nevruz celebrations in the spring of 2006. The Convention program was geared more to evaluate and encourage the political activism of the different Turkic groups and allies. In the evening, there was an unforgettable performance by the famous Azerbaijani singer Azerin at the rooftop ball room of the hotel overlooking the Potomac River and Washington. Azerbaijan Diaspora Minister Nazım İbrahimov, who was a guest at the Convention, was instrumental in bringing Azerin to Washington, DC. Vural Cengiz organized the Minister's visit.
On Friday, November 10th, great leader Atatürk was remembered with a special program in the morning. During the rest of the day, there were panels on the Armenian, Cyprus, anti-defamation, public advocacy topics and energy corridors. Keynote speaker during the luncheon was Ambassador Nabi Şensoy. In his speech, as well as in his other remarks during the Convention, the Ambassador stressed the significance of unity within the Turkish community in the U.S.A. He praised ATAA's accomplishments and efforts in the last 27 years in giving a cohesive voice to the Turkish community. The evening ended with a visit to Gencay Kasapçı Exhibit, followed by a reception at the Turkish Embassy, graciously hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Şensoy.
On Saturday, November 11th, there were three simultaneous programs: Turkish American Business Partnerships Track, Component Associations Track, and Turkish American Students Track. All were well attended. The keynote speaker during the luncheon was Honorable Osman Ertuğ, the Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In the afternoon, all groups convened to listen to programs on the "US-Turkish Relations" and "Importance of the Melungeon Community to Turkish American Relations". Former Consul General to İstanbul, David Arnett, who recently discovered that he was a Melungeon, gave a very interesting and warm speech about his experiences in Turkey. His speech was already translated to Turkish and was published in the October 2006 issue of Türk Dünyası magazine. Later on the afternoon every body relaxed with a program on Turkish tea, folk dancing by the Washington, DC Turkish Folk Dance group and a film on Turkey, "Smokey Misconception", by Brad Grimm, a young American film maker.
The speakers of the Convention were experts in their areas and the panels were coordinated with great care to cover all issues of concern and interest to the Turkish American Community. Günay Evinch, Lydia Borland and Dr. İnci Bowman were instrumental in getting the speakers and organizing the panels. The evening ended with a great Republic Day Ball hosted by the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC. There was a moving power point presentation about the historical events leading to the establishment of the Turkish Republic, which brought tears to all. The Turkish American Award was given to Dr. Brent Kennedy, the leader of Melungeon community, who is recovering from a serious stroke. Güler Köknar, the former outstanding Executive Director of the Assembly, Fahir Atakoğlu, Marcus Mann, Orhan Gürbüz, Richard Haass were the other awardees. Three component associations also received awards: Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM), American Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC), and Pittsburgh Turkish American Association (PTAA). The evening went on until the early hours of the morning with the lively performance of Zeliha Sunal and İlhan Özülü. The dancing was intense, the music was superb. We now look ahead to a productive year in ATAA and start preparing next year's convention.
2006 ATAA Convention was made possible by the generous support and dedication of the companies listed below.
ATAA extends warm thanks and great appreciation to all!
Daily Sponsors
ATA-DC
SALTZMAN & EVINCH
GLOVER PARK GROUP
PNC BANK
THE LIVINGSTON GROUP
In Kind Sponsors
ELIF CATERING
PNC BANK
TULUMBA.COM
TURKISH AIRLINES
The 27th Annual Convention of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) took place in Washington, DC on November 9-11, 2006. This year, under the able leadership of Nurten Ural, through the hard work of many volunteers and the dedication of the Central Office staff, the Convention preparations started months in advance and the three days long program went very smoothly. The theme of the Convention was "Building Bridges to Strengthen Relations" and it can be said that the convention accomplished that. The location was at the Sheraton National Hotel, in Arlington, Virginia, minutes away from the Reagan Airport and very close to downtown Washington, DC. Attendance, especially to the day panels and lectures, was excellent. Nurten Ural, who took over the ATAA presidency during the Convention, was attentive to all details of the Convention including fiscal accountability. To his credit, Vural Cengiz, the outgoing ATAA President, left ATAA in good financial health. 
The first day of the Convention, Thursday, November 9th, included a bus tour of Washington, DC in the morning. The entire afternoon was dedicated to the Turkic programs. ATAA had already organized a cultural gathering of all Turkic peoples during the ATAA Nevruz celebrations in the spring of 2006. The Convention program was geared more to evaluate and encourage the political activism of the different Turkic groups and allies. In the evening, there was an unforgettable performance by the famous Azerbaijani singer Azerin at the rooftop ball room of the hotel overlooking the Potomac River and Washington. Azerbaijan Diaspora Minister Nazım İbrahimov, who was a guest at the Convention, was instrumental in bringing Azerin to Washington, DC. Vural Cengiz organized the Minister's visit. 
On Friday, November 10th, great leader Atatürk was remembered with a special program in the morning. During the rest of the day, there were panels on the Armenian, Cyprus, anti-defamation, public advocacy topics and energy corridors. Keynote speaker during the luncheon was Ambassador Nabi Şensoy. In his speech, as well as in his other remarks during the Convention, the Ambassador stressed the significance of unity within the Turkish community in the U.S.A. He praised ATAA's accomplishments and efforts in the last 27 years in giving a cohesive voice to the Turkish community. The evening ended with a visit to Gencay Kasapçı Exhibit, followed by a reception at the Turkish Embassy, graciously hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Şensoy. 
On Saturday, November 11th, there were three simultaneous programs: Turkish American Business Partnerships Track, Component Associations Track, and Turkish American Students Track. All were well attended. The keynote speaker during the luncheon was Honorable Osman Ertuğ, the Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In the afternoon, all groups convened to listen to programs on the "US-Turkish Relations" and "Importance of the Melungeon Community to Turkish American Relations". Former Consul General to İstanbul, David Arnett, who recently discovered that he was a Melungeon, gave a very interesting and warm speech about his experiences in Turkey. His speech was already translated to Turkish and was published in the October 2006 issue of Türk Dünyası magazine. Later on the afternoon every body relaxed with a program on Turkish tea, folk dancing by the Washington, DC Turkish Folk Dance group and a film on Turkey, "Smokey Misconception", by Brad Grimm, a young American film maker. 
The speakers of the Convention were experts in their areas and the panels were coordinated with great care to cover all issues of concern and interest to the Turkish American Community. Günay Evinch, Lydia Borland and Dr. İnci Bowman were instrumental in getting the speakers and organizing the panels. The evening ended with a great Republic Day Ball hosted by the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC. There was a moving power point presentation about the historical events leading to the establishment of the Turkish Republic, which brought tears to all. The Turkish American Award was given to Dr. Brent Kennedy, the leader of Melungeon community, who is recovering from a serious stroke. Güler Köknar, the former outstanding Executive Director of the Assembly, Fahir Atakoğlu, Marcus Mann, Orhan Gürbüz, Richard Haass were the other awardees. Three component associations also received awards: Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM), American Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC), and Pittsburgh Turkish American Association (PTAA). The evening went on until the early hours of the morning with the lively performance of Zeliha Sunal and İlhan Özülü. The dancing was intense, the music was superb. We now look ahead to a productive year in ATAA and start preparing next year's convention.