The California Turkish American Chamber of Commerce (CATA Chamber) announces its third annual business networking dinner event, ConnecTA 2012, at 7:00 p.m. on the evening of Monday, September 17 at the Hilton Costa Mesa located at 3050 Bristol Street.

This event will be the chamber’s premier event and will focus on the renewable energy, information and communication technologies, construction, and biomedical industries. Attendees must work or have dealings in these industries to participate. Participants will have the opportunity to network with senior-level leaders from California, as well as international business leaders that have flown in from overseas for this special event. In addition, guests will learn about potential business opportunities in Turkey—the world’s 17th largest economy with the fastest growth rate worldwide.

The cost is $75.00*** for dinner and $300.00*** for exhibition tables of businesses/individuals (payable via Donate section at CataChamber’s website) and a request to attend is required prior to Saturday, September 15 via the following email. Both, dinner seats and exhibition tables have limited availability. Participation to panels and exhibitions as a visitor (see details below) is complimentary.

To be considered for attendance, please email info@catachamber.org or visit www.connecta.us/register. Upon written request, your attendance will be considered and the chamber will respond with an e-mail regarding your confirmation status depending on the seat availability.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Registration essential

Bilateral Business Meetings 10:00am-4:00pm

Selected businesspeople fromTurkey meet their US counterparts

Participating Organizations: Orange County Business Council, Irvine Chamber of Commerce, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce,Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, OCTANe, Cleantech OC, Executive Next Practices Institute

Reception 4:00pm-5:00pm

Guests may attend free of charge

Networking Session (Refreshments will be provided)

Panels & Exhibitions 5:00pm-6:45pm

Guests may attend free of charge / Exhibitors – $300 fee^***

Participating exhibitors will introduce their company and products/services at booths provided

5:00pm-5:45pm

Panel I: Doing Business in theU.S.

Panel II: Business/Investment Opportunities in Turkey & Government Incentives

6:00pm-6:45pm

Strategic Connection and Deal Flow Workshop: Accelerating Turkish-SoCalBusiness Development and Action

Dinner 7:00pm-9:30pm

Invitation Only – $75 fee ^***

Reception: 7:00pm-7:30pm

Dinner: 7:30pm-9:30pm

^*** Please note: This payment does not guarantee the seat/table, and the payer will be fully refunded in case his/her RSVP is declined.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival (www.anatolianfestival.org) is gearing up for another celebration from Turkey’s heartland.

The Pacifica Institute (www.pacificainstitute.org) will host the Third Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival at the Orange County Fairgrounds from October 6 to 9, 2011.  Returning this year are popular cultural exhibits, foods, crafts, and performances highlighting the diverse history of the region, along with an array of new features.

“We are excited to be back,” said Ibrahim Barlas, President of the Pacifica Institute. “As before, there is something for the whole family to enjoy and, of course, we have many wonderful new additions, too.”

The festival will again showcase the best of Anatolia, with exhibits of the cities of Istanbul, Konya, Mardin and Van. This year, Antalya will be joined by the cities of Isparta and Burdur in the Western Mediterranean section.  Others participating will be Corum, known for the roasted chickpea called Leblebi, and Hatay, home of the cheese desert, Kunefe.

Istanbul will once again house the breathtaking Topkapi Palace exhibit, where actors in costumes will offer a glimpse into life in the Sultan’s court. Craftsmen at each exhibit will demonstrate traditional arts such as calligraphy, carving, weaving and pottery.

As ever, food will be one of the festival’s main attractions. Traditional breads and pastries, spicy kebabs and mouthwatering deserts and many delicacies from this region’s cuisine will be prepared by cooks at the festival. These will be on offer at the Grand Bazaar, with its 100 stalls along with other authentic goods.

This year, organizers have added a second traditional coffee house offering Turkish coffee and teas. Other ethnic refreshments will also be available at a replica of the Ahmet III Fountain in Istanbul’s historic Uskudar district.

On the main stage, there will be an exciting line-up of live performances. Among them will be the popular Ottoman Marching Band and the Ankara Folk Ensemble, attending with 35 performers this year.

The Pacifica Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage multi-cultural dialogue. The event is sponsored by the Los Angeles-based Pacifica Institute along with the California Turkish American Chamber of Commerce (CATA) and the West America Turkic Council (WATC).

For schedule and ticket information email info@anatolianfestival.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call (310) 208 7290.

SOURCE Pacifica Institute

RELATED LINKS
http://www.anatolianfestival.org
http://www.pacificainstitute.org