GLENDALE—The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) announced today that Lina Davidian, Esq. will chair the organization’s Annual Gala Banquet set to take place on Sunday, October 16 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, CA.

“Having served on the ANCA-WR Annual Gale Banquet Committee for several years, I am pleased and honored for the opportunity to Chair the 2016 Gala event.  The success of this annual banquet from a financial and public outreach standpoint is vital to the realization of ANCA Western Region’s invaluable community-serving goals and inspirational programs. Following the high bar set by our record-breaking 2015 banquet, I pledge my energy and effort to work with our highly dedicated committee members, and the ANCA-WR Board towards continuing our successes,” stated Davidian.

The Annual Gala Banquet is the premier event for the ANCA-WR and the Armenian-American community, where activists, supporters, donors, and public officials come together to acknowledge the work of the organization and to pay homage to annual honorees whose contribution to the Armenian Cause is recognized each year.  The annual dinner provides crucial financial support to the ANCA Western Region, which serves as a vital center for advocacy, activism, education, and community development.

This year’s Gala Banquet will highlight the many successes and projects of the ANCA-WR over the past year, among them the exponential growth of the organization in the region in way of establishing chapters and activating communities outside of its home base in California, the ANCA-WR voter registration and Get-Out-the-Vote HyeVotes campaign, passage of local and state resolutions, incorporation of Armenian Genocide education in public schools, as well as educational, youth, and community development programs.  

“The ANCA-WR Board is elated that long-time Banquet Committee member Lina Davidian, Esq., has graciously agreed to bring her vast experience and dedication to serve as our Annual Gala Banquet Chair this year. We have every confidence that Lina and her talented team of Banquet Committee members will once again succeed in organizing a highly successful and memorable event for all of us. The Annual Gala Banquet serves not only to educate our community, guests and elected officials about the inspiring work of the ANCA-Western Region, but it also helps to fund the many activities, programs, and initiatives that we organize throughout the year. We rely greatly on the success of the Annual Gala Banquet and are certain that the community at large will once again come out to support our organization as it continues to pursue all aspects of the Armenian Cause while serving the needs of our growing Diaspora,” stated ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian.

Last year, the sold out Gala Banquet attracted over 1,400 attendees as it honored a variety of individuals who have served their community and their country. Past honorees at this hallmark event have included former attorney general, and current California Governor, Jerry Brown; CA Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin De Leon, CA Majority Leader Walter Karabian, California State Assemblymember and Candidate for California’s 24th Congressional District Katcho Achadjian, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan, rock band System of a Down, and legendary late coach Jerry Tarkanian.

The 2016 Gala Banquet Committee members include: Anita Altounian, Pattyl Aposhian, Lorie Bartamian, Arsho Beylerian, Jacklin Boyadjian, Lena Bozoyan, Maria Cozette, Carine Chorbajian, Patil Derderian, Armine Der Grigorian, Marie Filipian, Garine Garabedian, Harry Geozian, Louise Gill, Elizabeth Gourjian, Sevada Hemelians, Salpi Jejeian, Karina Kargodorian, Vicken Kargodorian, Raffi Kassabian, Silva Kechichian, Maral Nazarian, Hermineh Pakhanians, Shant Sahakian, Vahagn Thomasian, Louisa Tutunjian, Sarin Vartanian, Souzi Zerounian, Armine Sherikian and Theresa Ghevondian DerOhanessian.

To purchase tickets or obtain sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.ANCAWRGala.org or call 818.839.1918.  For up to the minute updates follow ANCA-WR on social media:  Facebook.com/ANCAWesternRegion, Twitter & IG – ANCA_WR.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices and supporters around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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