James D. Melville Jr.

The Estonian American National Council announces that U.S. Ambassador to Estonia, James D. Melville Jr., will be among the featured speakers at the EANC’s November 5, 2016, gala event, which for the first time is coming to San Francisco and the West Coast.   

Saturday, November 5, will be a full day of activities. The public is warmly invited to a series of panels bringing experts together to discuss topics including:  

- Transatlantic security and US-Estonia relations: addressing today’s security challenges in this dynamic political environment

- Engaging with our history: goals and modalities for telling our stories, and continuing to engage Estonian-Americans with our history

- Carrying the legacy forward: strategic directions for EANC; as well as issues and ideas from grassroots Estonian organizations and communities.

Lunch will be hosted by Enterprise Estonia, Silicon Valley, and will include a sampling of Estonian companies and investors. The topic is Estonian start-ups, and why Estonia continues to churn out startups that go global. 

 
The jam-packed day will also include a book signing for the “Estonians in America, 1945-1995: Exiles in a Land of Promise,” a photo exhibit and showing of a documentary film.
To be announced shortly: the 2016 EANC awards recipients who will be honored at Saturday evening’s gala awards reception and dinner.

Make your travel arrangements and reserve your hotel room now at the San Francisco Marriott Union Square to receive the special conference room rate ($209 per night). Call +1-415-398-8900 and mention the Estonian American National Council to receive the conference rate, which is available for 3 days both before and after the meeting dates (subject to availability). Go to “EANC Gala & Awards” at www.estosite.org for more details and registration information.

If you are interested in volunteering with the event, or would like to get updates from the planning team (which includes west coast EANC council members Mati Otsmaa, Mai-Liis Bartling and Marit Davey), please contact Mai-Liis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sponsorship and program advertising opportunities are available!  

Details are on EANC’s website www.estosite.org, or contact Linda Rink:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (215-546-5863).