"TACCI ANNUAL GALA SPONSORED BY EST 1923" WAS A SUCCESS!

TACCI Annual Gala Sponsored by EST 1923 Hosted More Than 200 People at the New York Athletic Club Last Night

Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI) held its annual gala last night at the NY Athletic Club with the attendance of more than 200 people, including Turkish, American and International state dignitaries, top company executives and representatives, TACCI board members and many other guests. Some of the famous guests were Hon. Mevl�t Cavusoglu (president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), H.E. and Mrs. Ertuğrul Apakan (Ambassaddor of Turkey to the UN), H.E. and Mrs. Mehmet Samsar (Consul General of Turkey in the US), Mr. and Mrs. Fazli Corman (Deputy Permanent Representative of Turkey to the UN) Mr. Cenk Uygur (Turkish-American journalist and political commentator on MSNBC), Mr. and Mrs. David Schneider (The Coca Cola Company Senior Advisor to the Chairman), Mr. and Mrs. Celal Secilmis (TACCI President), Mr. Engin Tuncer and Mr. Murat Caglar (Representatives of the EST 1923, title sponsor of the gala), TACCI Vice Presidents Ms. Sevil �zisik, Mr. Tahir Erimli, Mr. John Driscoll, Mr. Nazim Kalkanci and TACCI Board Members Mr. Burak Alpaslan, Mr. Ali Cinar, Mr. Ali Dogan, Mr. H�seyin �nver, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Meirowitz, Mr. Salim G�r�r, Mr. Ridvan Sezer; Mr. Serhan Kara and Mr. Ahmet Canlı (Turkish Commercial Attach�s in New York) Ms. Neslihan Kaptanoglu (TOBB USA Representative), Ms. Elizabeth Daly (Mayor Bloomberg's Office, Director of Department of International Trade), Mr. and Mrs. Erhan Atay (Turkish American Businessmen Association), Mr. Decosta Headley (Advisor to Congressman John L. Sampson), Mr. Joseph Reagan (President of Greater Louisville Chamber), Ms. Alev G�nay (NY Representative of Invest in Turkey - ISPAT - Agency), Mr. Mustafa Mer� (Former TACCI President and T�rkon America President), Mr. Yildirim Eroglu (GM of Vakıfbank New York Branch), Mr. Alp Ozaman (Marketing Manager of Turkish Airlines New York), Mr. Alp Baysal (Vice President of Kiska Construction), Mr. Mehmet Kirdar (President of Turkish American Business Forum).  

Also, Turkish State Minister Hayati Yazıcı and President of Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges Mr. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu sent special proclamations that were shared with the audience. 

This year's gala was sponsored by EST 1923, a new brand, created by legendary household brand Ey�p Sabri Tuncer, which is about to launch its global brand EST 1923 soon, starting from the US. EST 1923 refers to the initials of the original brand and it also reflects the establishment year of the brand, for the obvious reason. Mr. Engin Tuncer of EST 1923, traveled with Mr. Murat �ağlar for this event exclusively from Istanbul, Turkey. Mr. Tuncer gave a speech to the audience and he expressed his content about entering the US market with the instruments that TACCI offer to its members. 

The other sponsors were Turkish Airlines and Vakıfbank New York Branch. Special items were also available for the silent auction throughout the night and the gift raffle, where a lot of guests won the chance to dine at the best Turkish restaurants in town or to spend a weekend at the very room where Agatha Christie wrote her novels in Pera Palace Istanbul. The other donations for the silent auction and the raffle were made by several companies including The Marmara Manhattan Hotel, The Marmara Pera Hotel, Pera Palace Istanbul, Istikbal Furniture USA, Suedmod Leather, Serrra Mediterranean Bistro, Ali Baba Turkish Cuisine, Ak Cafe NJ, Turkish Kitchen, SipSak Restaurant, Tulair International Corp, CN Wire, Turkish Express Line, G�ll�oglu USA, Dervish Restaurant, Chef Claude Alain Solliard, Seckin Management, Calık USA, Artist Shandor Hassan, H�rriyet USA and Esprit Wellnes & Spa. The press sponsor of the gala was TurkishNY.com where you can find the exclusive event photo gallery. (Photo Gallery Links 1 - 2 - 3 - 4) 

During the evening The Rick Bogart Trio played famous jazz standards and provided an elegant New York ambiance, which were accompanied by the delicious food and the premium Turkish wines provided by House of Burgundy (Thanks to Mr. Mehmet Y�r�koglu). The emcee of the night was, TACCI board member and attorney Mr. Mark Meirowitz who also shared the stage with TACCI President Mr. Celal Secilmis during the awards ceremony. Several important people for TACCI were presented award plaques including Mr. Ertugrul Apakan, Mr. Mehmet Samsar, Mr. Cenk Uygur, Ms. Sevil �zisik, Mr. Mustafa Merc, Mr. Ali Cinar, Dr. Kayhan Civelek, Mr.  Engin Tuncer, Mr. Ihsan Baytan of THY New York and Mr. Joseph F. Reagan. All the distinguished guests who received the awards gave a speech about the beautiful evening and they praised TACCI members for their efforts in helping and guiding the companies to increase and foster bilateral trade and investment opportunities between U.S. and Turkey.