Above: Mimi Alemayehou, Executive Vice President of OPIC - will open the event set for July 10 and 11 in Washington, D.C.
Tadias Magazine
Events News
Published: Thursday, July 8, 2010
New York (Tadias) – The 5th Annual Ethiopian American Business Forum & Exhibition is scheduled to take place in the nation’s capital this weekend.
The conference – a joint project between U.S. government agencies and private companies – aims to foster new business relationships between Diaspora investors and entrepreneurs operating in Ethiopia.
The event is organized by The Ethiopian American in association with USAID’s “Africa Growth & Opportunities Act+” Program – VEGA AGOA Plus, a U.S. taxpayer-funded project designed to promote trade between the United States and African nations.
According to the organizers, “Mimi Alemayehou, Executive Vice President of Overseas Private Investment Corporation, will give the opening remarks to kick off the Forum, and Adrian Fenty, Mayor of D.C., has been invited to open the exhibition/trade show and give the keynote speech at the Forum’s luncheon on July 10th, 2010.”
The exhibition and trade show will feature over 20 ventures from the U.S. and Ethiopia.
In case you are debating whether to attend the conference or watch the World Cup finals, organizers note: “We’re working on making sure a big screen TV is available for your viewing pleasure in the lobby.”
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Update from the organizers (Friday, July 9, 2010)
Karl Wycoff, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa will speak at the 5th Ethiopian Diaspora Business Forum & Exhibition luncheon tomorrow. Other speakers at the luncheon will be: Ms. Rosa Whitaker, CEO of the Whitaker Group, the principal architect of AGOA and Ato Ermias Amelga, CEO of Access Capital and Founder and Board Chairman of Zemen Bank S.C.
If You Go:
5th Ethiopian Diaspora Business Forum and Exhibition
July 10 and 11
Four Points by Sheraton (1201 K Street, NW)
Washington D.C. – (202) 289-7600
Both days the events run from 9AM-6PM
The event is free and open to the public
Related from past events:
Video: Watch Ethiopian Diaspora Business Forum – 2008
I attended the event last year. Sorry but can’t miss the World Cup this year. They could not have selected the worst weekend to schedule anything. Come’on, It is Word Cup final!! Why didn’t they choose the following week or something?
I support 100% the spirit and necessity of this conference. The scheduling was obviously not very thoughtful. Plus, my tax money is paying for it, so I will be there to learn what’s cooking on the stove. I will catch the games there.
See ya
Luna
The world cup is on Sunday. The conference part is on Saturday. Sunday is just the exhibition. Even with that, the world cup will also be shown at the exhibition hall with free pizza and soda!
Betam Tiru idea! However, we need to diversify this conference. How can I get involved both as an exhibitor and a potential investor? I also would like to organize the same conference here in the West Coast. Who can I get in touch with at USAID? Thanks.
I have attended this event for the last three years. It is a great networking opportunity. I agree with yohannes. People are making a big deal about the World Cup thing:
A) The game is on Sunday and for only 90 minutes, may be 30 minutes over time
B) The conference is come-and-go. So you don’t have to hang around if you want to catch the game at home. You can come early and leave early
c) Simple
Have a blessed weekend everybody!
Hello!
I am a teacher in Ethiopia and I have an idea to build a school. How can I get Diaspora investment?
big up to the organizers!! Keep it up!
Fantastic! Yes, there were definitely more people on Saturday. Thank you Tadias for your support.
Well done!!