WASHINGTON, DC – From exploring cutting edge social media and leveraging the mainstream American media to new strategies in grassroots advocacy and electoral campaigning, the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) Armenian Cause 2.0 conference will energize and empower seasoned and novice community activists with the latest technology and tactics to take Armenian American advocacy to the next level, explained ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

Armenian Cause 2.0 is about raising our voices and raising our sights – it’s about taking our Cause to the next level,” said Hamparian, in his latest video message to activists to attend this unique conference. He explained that while the last ANCA national conference in 2006 was “very inspirational, very educational, very energizing” much has changed since then. “In 2006 we didn’t have Facebook, we didn’t have Twitter, the social media revolution had yet to take place. This conference rides the wave of the social media revolution, helping us learn and leverage new tools and skills to move our issues forward.”

Armenian Cause 2.0, in addition to hosting larger group sessions on broader issues including the the state of Armenian advocacy today and perspectives on legal and political efforts to secure justice for the Armenian Genocide, will include a series of break-out sessions offering participants hands-on advocacy training and new techniques to effectively work with the U.S. media, utilize social media in Armenian American advocacy efforts, and expand our voice in the upcoming 2012 election cycle. Students participating in the conference will have a special break-out session on expanding the Armenian American presence on campuses across the country.

The weekend’s educational schedule will be complemented by social and networking programming, (all included in the registration fee) that features:

— A welcoming reception with a skyline view of the White House and the monuments on the Washington Mall.

— A private guided tour and “Tea on the Terrace” garden reception in the home of President Woodrow Wilson, the signer of the Arbitral Award, and the location of the famous Armenian painting, L’Esperance.

— A catered evening dinner reception at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.

— An evening cruise past the monuments along the Potomac River, with drinks and food.

To register for the conference and take advantage of the special ANCA hotel rate of $149/night plus tax, visit https://www.anca.org/conference. Please note that by special arrangement, the ANCA hotel rates have been extended to Friday, June 3rd.