NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CROATIAN AMERICANS
NFCA
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CROATIAN AMERICANS
NFCA CULTURAL FOUNDATION
For Immediate Release Contact: Erik Milman, 202-331-2830
NFCA HOSTS CROATIAN AMERICAN BUSINESS LEADERS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS AT ITS 10TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
Washington, DC (May 24, 2003). The National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA) will hold its Tenth Annual Assembly of Delegates next week in Washington, DC on May 30-June 1. The convention will be held at the Marriott Hotel at the Metro Center, Washington, DC. Delegates from throughout the country, some journeying from as far away as California and Nebraska, are expected to attend the Assembly.
The theme of this year Assembly will be "Croatia and the United States: The Basis for Partnership." Among other things that will be focused on is the NFCA's continued promotion ofCroatia's economic development. In that connection, members of the NFCA's Commercial Advisory Committee and selected NFCA delegates and invitees will participate in a private meeting with members of the United States Chamber of Commerce on Friday afternoon, May 30. Mark Van Fleet, the Managing Director of International Programs will address the delegates on this subject in the private portion of the Assembly on Saturday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m.
On Saturday, May 31, the luncheon speaker will be Zoran Perkovic, Minister Consular and Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will speak on the political and economic situation in BiH particularly as it affectsCroatians there.
During the public portion of the Assembly beginning Saturday, May 31, at 1:00 p.m., Mr. Stjepan Safran, President of Hrvatska Obrtnicka Komora (theCroatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts) based in Zagreb,Croatia, will be a featured speaker. Delegates will further hear about the NFCA's continuing work on its plans to help implement theUS-Croatia Business Partnering Initiative with the US Chamber of Commerce. Jonathan Benton, the Deputy Director of South Central European Affairs at the U.S. State Department will address the delegates and guests on the prospects ofCroatia joining NATO and its role with respect to other Euro-Atlantic alliances.Croatia's Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Ivan Grdesic, another featured speaker will address the Assembly and the public at 2:00 p.m. regarding foreign policy issues andCroatia's relationship with the United States.
The Assembly's welcoming reception on Friday night, May 30 will be held at the Washington Court Hotel (525 New Jersey Ave. NW). This reception will featureCroatian wine and salute Mr. Bernard Luketich for his Silver Anniversary as National President of theCroatian Fraternal Union (CFU). The local CFU Lodge 1976 and the NFCA will co- host Friday nights affair. A more formal reception will be held for delegates and guests on Saturday night, May 31 at theCroatian Embassy on Embassy Row which will feature the superb cuisine of Chef Ivo Svircic.For more convention information, please call Erik Milman at the NFCA office at 202-331-2830.
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