ANCA Grassroots and Banquet Bring 1,400 Around ‘Hye Tad’

LOS ANGELES—The ANCA Grassroots Conference and the Annual Banquet brought together more than 1,400 supporters of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Western Region for the weekend-long conference and banquet held at the Loews Hollywood Hotel and the adjacent Roy Dolby Ballroom.

The weekend events kicked off Fri., Nov. 29, with the 2013 ANCA Grassroots Conference, which brought together artists, academics, legal experts, and political officials for a three-day discussion of issues of importance to the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

ANCA Grassroots featured four panels—Film & Arts; Homeland-Diaspora; Western Armenia; and Transnational Justice—and two workshops—Hye Votes and iZartonk. On Sunday, ANCA Grassroots hosted the groundbreaking Hye Tad Global Initiative, which brought together six ANC leaders from the Middle East, Armenia, Europe, Australia, South America, and Canada who shared their perspectives live via Google Hangouts linking the global “Hye Tad” efforts via the internet.

This year’s ANCA-WR Annual Banquet was held at the Roy Dolby Ballroom, home to the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball, and featured a special menu by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan receives “Khrimian Hayrig” Award.

The ANCA-WR honored Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti with its “Man of the Year” Award; Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan with its “Khrimian Hayrig” Award; legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian with its “People’s Champion” Award; California State Assemblyman Khatcho Achajian with its “Legislator of the Year” Award; Ara Soudjian with its “Vahan Cardashian” Award; and Manas Boujikian with its coveted “Legacy” Award.

Last week the ANCA-WR announced the Ghailian family as the 2013 ANCA-WR Annual Banquet sponsor. “Philanthropy is a cornerstone of the Ghailian family, which includes Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Julia Ghailian, Mr. and Mrs. Carlo and Gisella Ghailian, Mr. and Mrs. Angelo and Lori Ghailian, and Miss Monica Ghailian,” said the ANCA-WR in announcing the generous sponsorship.