On the occasion of the 105th Anniversary of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Western District Committee of the AGBU will host its annual Gala Banquet, on November 12, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA.

The event, which will be attended by AGBU President Berge Setrakian, Vice-President Sinan Sinanian, members of the Central Board and the Western District Committee, and distinguished guests from California and elsewhere, will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, and the on-going involvement AGBU maintains in our local communities of California, and the Western United States.

“On this occasion, the AGBU Western District Committee will honor the keynote speaker of the evening, former prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, Dr. Armen Sarkissian, from London, England, for his philanthropy, leadership, and exemplary role in promoting the best interests of the Armenian nation and its rich cultural heritage throughout the world,” said AGBU Western District Committee Chairman, Haig Messerlian.

Dr. Sarkissian, a well-known philanthropist and influential civic leader, with vast business and political networks in major capitals around the world, is the founding President of Eurasia House International in London, which fosters critical dialogue and cooperation among political and business leaders. It is involved in bridge building between the West and the vast geographic space extending from Eastern Europe to Russia, to CIS and China. He is Director of the Eurasia Centre at the Judge Business School, Cambridge University.