ATA kick-starts preparation for ATA Conference in Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA: American Telugu Association (ATA) held its second annual Board meeting in Wilmington, DE. On 6th April, 2013 at Sheraton Hotel. Besides ATA Board members, large section of Telugu community across US attended the board meeting including ATA standing committee chairs, regional coordinators and various prominent personalities from North East area.

More than 300 participants attended the meeting from all over the USA to discuss and plan for the community service activities for the upcoming 2013-14 term and preparations for 13th ATA Conference. Board meeting started with a prayer by Sameera Sripada and welcome by Ananth Reddy Pajjur, Secretary. ATA Board of Trustees discussed on various matters, which includes on upcoming 2014 13th ATA 2012 conference at Philadelphia, PA, ATA charitable programs/Vedukalu in Andhra Pradesh and many other important issues.

President Karunakar R. Madhavaram explained on various activities that were undertaken in the first quarter highlighting how ATA is focused on service to Telugu community. President Madhavaram also reported to the Board on first ever ATA Women's Day celebration 'Americalo Aadapaduchulu' in various cities across the US and told the board how overwhelming the response was, and continued on to say 'ATA will plan to celebrate the Women's Day every year and make the event as ATA signature event'.

Speaking on planning for ATA Vedukalu President Karunakar explained how this year ATA Vedukalu will be focusing on Seva (charity) services besides promoting Telugu culture and heritage. ATA Board agreed to hold this year ATA Vedukalu during the November/December time frame covering three regions of Andhra Pradesh.

Narendar Chemarla, ATA Treasurer reported to the Board on the ATA Finances for the last quarter and requested everyone to come forward to donate in support of ATA charity programs. ATA board also unanimously nominated Balwanth Kommidi, Vinod Reddy Koduru, Ram Mohan Konda, Satya Kandimalla, and Satish Reddy & Ajay Reddy for the remaining six positions in the ATA Adhoc committee for the 13th ATA Convention.

After Board Meeting, all the attendees toured the Pennsylvania Convention Center which will be hosting 13th ATA Convention in 2014. The Convention Center is ideally located in Downtown Philadelphia with over forty percent of US Telugu population within four hours driving distance. The convention center can accommodate up to fifteen thousand participants, and almost thirty five undress for the banquet dinner.

The convention center was recently renovated with the world class high tech facilities and conveniently located with a walkable distance to many top class hotels. The biggest highlight of the convention center having a separate three thousands capacity banquet hall for youth programs, as the 13th ATA convention major will be focusing on networking, entertaining and educational programs targeting youth.

At the end of the tour, ATA team was impressed with the Convention Center, its layout and facilities and thanked the ATA leadership team for selecting such an ideal center for 13th ATA Convention. As the team left the Convention center, one can see Great Spirit and the enthusiasm from the North East area ATA team as they will be hosting the 13th ATA Convention & Youth Conference in Philadelphia during July 3-5thweekend of 2014.

Evening Dinner started with ATA team socializing with local Telugu community and followed by entertainment by local talent. The highlights of the evening entertainment were melodies signing of Telugu songs by Bhaskari and Sindhu Budhavarapu, Krishna & Lathia, Vidya Narayana Swami and Venu Yenugula, children and mono acting by Raj Seelam.

Later in the evening, President Karunakar Madhavaram introduced the ATA team and ATA-2014 Conference team to the attendees. ATA President also thanked Telugu Association of Greater Delaware Valley and his team for accepting to be co-host for the 13th ATA Convention.

Speaking on the occasion Parmesh Bheemreddy, Convener ATA-2014 said local Telugu community was very excited to host the event and looking forward for the 2014 Conference. He introduced team of volunteers who are going to play major role in 2014 Conference. Conference Coordinator Bhuvanesh Boojala introduced team from Washington DC metro.

The Dinner was attended by over 300 prominent ATA donors, volunteers, supporters from across the North East region. Thanking for making TAGDV as the co-host for the 13thATA Conference, Ravi Potluri TAGDV President said that TAGDV is honored to be co-host for a prestigious organization like ATA and he said TAGDV will provide all the help needed to make the convention big success.

At the conclusion, ATA team extended their sincere thanks to Philadelphia team led by Parmesh Bheemreddy (Convener, ATA-2014), Bhuvanesh Boojala (Coordinator, ATA-2014), Madhav Mosarla (Co-Convener, ATA-2014), Krishna Dyapa (Local Coordinator, ATA-2014) and the Regional Coordinator Govind Kondakindi, Venkat Mandipadaga and volunteers Kiran Ala, Uday Kommireddy, Prashanth Guduguntla, Srinivas Reddy for providing grand hospitality for all participants and for making the event grand success.

The authentic dinner for Friday even was hosted by Convener Parmesh Bheemreddy, ATA-2014 Coordinator Bhuvanesh Boojala and evening dinner was hosted by Sudhakar Perkari, ATA President-Elect & Vinod Reddy Koduru ATA Trustee and catered by Bawarchi Indian Restaurant, Wayne, PA. ATA team also thanked media partners TV9, TV5, NTV and T10 and all print & web media.