The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) will hold its 2023 Annual Conference on April 29, 2023 at the Westin Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, the ATAA Annual Conference will bring together ATAA members, Turkish Americans, community leaders, and scholars from across the nation, Canada and Turkey. The Conference will conclude with the 100th Year Anniversary Gala dinner and awards ceremony.
REGISTRATION | PROGRAM | BIOGRAPHIES | HOTEL INFORMATION
Conference Highlights
Friday, April 28, 2023
Wreath Laying Ceremony at Atatürk Monument
Sheridan Circle, NW, Washington, DC
Turkish Ambassador’s Reception (By Invitation only)
Turkish Ambassador’s Residence, Washington, D.C.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Opening Ceremony & Welcoming Remarks
Mazlum Koşma, President, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA)
Turning Points in U.S. – Türkiye Relations
During the Last 100 Years
Moderator:
Mazlum Koşma, President, ATAA
Speakers:
G. Lincoln McCurdy
International Consultant, Former President. Turkish Coalition of America (TCA)
Paolo von Schirach
President, Global Policy Institute (GPI)
Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Bay Atlantic University (BAU)
Bülent Atalay, Ph.D.
President Emeritus, Atatürk Society of America (ASA)
Dr. Ülkü Ülgür
Founding President, ATAA
U.S. Immigration Policy Over the Years and
its Effects on Turkish Americans
Moderator:
Nilufer Esen Bilgin, MD, Ph.D.
President-Elect, ATAA
Speakers:
Andrew F. Moore, Ph.D.
Professor of Law, University of Detroit
Dr. Kağan Kocaoğlu, Esq.,
Turkish-American Attorney
Legacy of the 100th Years of
Enlightenment of Turkish Women
Moderator:
Ayca Altıntığ, Ph.D.
Assoc. Professor of Clinical Finance, USC Marshall
Speakers:
Selin Yıldız Nielsen, Ph.D.
President of Human Migration Institute
Sema Başol
Co-Founder and Board Member, Turkish Women’s Initiative (TWI)
Graduates of TWI’s Sparks Program
Luncheon
Keynote Speeches by
Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan
Ambassador of Türkiye to the US
Ambassador (Ret.) Şükrü Elekdağ
Former Turkish Ambassador to the US (video message)
Engaging Young Generation into Leadership
Moderator:
Gökhan Özalp
Past President, ATAA
Speakers:
Mehmet Efe Taşcıoğlu
Co-Founder and Chair, ATAA Youth Committee
Ela Elmas
Co-Founder and Vice Chair, ATAA Youth Committee
Mert Tokman, PhD
Professor of Marketing, James Madison University
Disasters, Solidarity, and
Turkish American Organizations
Moderator:
Mehmet Erdem Yaya, Ph.D.
Treasurer, ATAA
Speakers:
Gül Bahtiyar, MD, MPH
Board Member, Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF)
Pınar Özyürek
Donor Relations Lead, Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF)
Burcu Tansu
Western Region VP, ATAA
Engin Ateş
Mid Central Region VP, ATAA
Erdal Sipahi
Secretary General, ATAA
Presentations
ATAA United Nations Committee Presentation
Alev Wieland, ATAA Southwest Region VP and Committee on UN Relations Co-Chair; Yucel Burdurlu, ATAA Midwest Region VP and Committee on UN Relations Co-Chair, Emre Muharremoğlu, Sean Özalpasan and Ela Gӧkçiğdem
Yadigar Project Presentation
Vega Sankur, President, Atatürk Cultural Center (ATAMLA) – ATASC Chapter
Closing Remarks
100 Year Anniversary Gala
Gala Dinner
Annual Awards Ceremony
Live Music by Zafer Cınbıl & Friends
Registration is open!
For online registration, please click the button below:
Special Registration Discounts Available
As an additional benefit to our members, ATAA is offering a $25 coupon (as a discount code) to be applied to the registration fee for the 2023 Annual Conference. If you are an ATAA members in good standing, you will receive an email with the discount code to use at checkout. If you did not, please contact our central office at events@ataa.org and/or 202.483.9090.
To renew your membership or become a member please visit www.ataa.org for further details.
Current full-time students (high school and undergraduate only) will receive %50 discount to be applied to the registration fee for the 2023 Annual Conference. Valid proof of student id is required. ATAA reserves sole discretion to determine eligibility.
Please contact our central office at events@ataa.org and/or 202.483.9090 for details.
You will receive a confirmation email at the address you provided under your registration information during purchase. Please ensure that your email address is correct when registering.
The Westin Crystal City Hotel
Just minutes from Washington D.C., The Westin Crystal City boasts convenient access to the area via the adjacent Crystal City Metro Station. Nearby are popular museums and monuments, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is a mile away.
1800 Richmond Highway Arlington, Virginia 22202
703-486-1111 | 800-937-8461
Since its founding in 1979, the ATAA has made remarkable strides in representing the interest of Turkish Americans, Turkish culture and heritage in USA. Past 44 years, ATAA fought effectively against the efforts of hostile ethnic groups to distort our history and defame Turks and Turkey. ATAA has successfully empowered Turkish-American Community and member Turkish American associations through civic engagement and has supported strong U.S. – Türkiye relations through education and advocacy. As the largest independent umbrella organization representing Turkish Americans and local member associations, the ATAA shall continue to further its mission based on Atatürk’s principles of secular democracy, rule of law and human rights.
