New York City, N.Y. – Apr. 29, 2016 – GOPIO International, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (www.gopio.net), has announce the 27th Anniversary Celebrations and GOPIO Biennial Convention 2016 to be held in New York, USA at the Marriott Hotel near LaGuardia Airport on June 24-25, 2016. The theme of the conference is “Strengthening Connections between India and the Global Indian Diaspora through Business and Technology,” and will provide an opportunity to connect and network with people of Indian origin worldwide.
Delegates from over 25 countries are expected to attend the convention which starts on Friday, June 24 with an inauguration and welcome reception. Next day, June 25 will consist of a full day conference sessions to deliberate on the Global Indian Diaspora; evaluate GOPIO’s progress in 27 years; network, exchange ideas, and connect with PIO/NRI delegates from around the world. The event will end with a Grand Finale Banquet at the World’s Fair Marina Banquet Hall on Saturday June 25 evening.
The conference will evaluate, assess, debate, discuss and deliberate on the current, critical issues of interest and concern that confront over 25 million people of Indian origin, living in countries outside of India. GOPIO International President Niraj Baxi invites all PIOs (People of Indian Origin) and NRIs (Non Resident Indians) to avail of this opportunity to attend, emphasizing “This conference will examine several pertinent issues, providing a unique forum for education, information and interactive participation.”
Baxi continued, “On behalf of the newly elected Executive Council of GOPIO International, I invite all GOPIO members to join us at our 2016 Biennial Convention, and help unite forces as we reach across to Indian community worldwide. We want to be the voice of any and all NRIs and PIOs taking initiatives to grow and strengthen our organization. Given our new motto of “GOPIO means business”, the thrust of this convention will be to help connect the global Indian community, enable and promote intra-Diaspora business ventures, as well as bilateral sharing of business resources with India.”
Lal Motwani, Convener, GOPIO Convention 2016 and GOPIO Tri-State New York Area Coordinator extends his invitation to join in, saying “This convention will have a great emphasis on Diaspora’s involvement and contribution in Business, Technology and Investment. Therefore, it is beneficial for you to participate, network and to be known in the Diaspora. We have a great opportunity for you to provide exposure to your business and/or service as a sponsor of the convention, or to place an advertisement in the souvenir journal brought out at the convention.”
The major thrust of this year’s conference sessions will be on Entrepreneurship, Business, Technology and Investment within the Diaspora and India. A second track of conference will be organized by GOPIO Council chairs to develop their strategy for future actions.
Commenting on the upcoming Convention 2016, GOPIO founder president and Conference program chairperson Thomas Abraham said that GOPIO has come a long way since 1989 to sensitize governments across the world on issues of the Indian Diaspora in a timely manner and seek solutions to them. “In 27 years, the Indian Diaspora has moved from outside the political main stream in many countries to political leadership, and this trend will continue. The objective now is to mobilize the Diaspora resources, both professional and financial to help not only India but the Diaspora itself, and the countries they come from,” said Dr. Abraham.
GOPIO leadership hopes that this convention will help charter its course for the organization. “During the last many years, GOPIO has made rapid strides as there have been several new chapters and increased awareness of GOPIO’s advocacy role for issues of the Indian Diaspora,” said Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International.
“In the past, GOPIO election has been conducted at the General Body meeting at our Biennial Convention. As the previously scheduled General Body meeting got postponed for reasons beyond the control of the convention organizing team, we moved forward with the election, which could not be postponed. So now, as per GOPIO Bylaws the new team has organized the General Body meeting at the 2016 Biennial convention in New York City. With leadership of experienced GOPIO people in New York area taking charge to manage and deliver the convention, and the fact that New York area has many delegates to fulfill Bylaws requirement for this meeting quorum, it was a smart decision to hold the General Body meeting, along with the convention in New York.” continued Singh. More details of the convention will be available at http://www.gopio.net/ or contact: GOPIO Convention General Convener Lal Motwani at 516-581-3332.