AKRON, OHIO – The Pancretan Association of America (PAA) is holding its 43rd national convention in Greater Akron, June 29 – July 5, 2013; the last PAA national convention to be held in Akron was in 1938 and was hosted by The Cretan Association of Akron, Ohio. Previous national convention destinations have included New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The association is comprised of individuals from (or who have lineage from) the island of Crete, Greece.
“We are delighted the national PAA convention is returning to Akron/Summit County,” states Gregg Mervis, Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO. “Not only do the convention delegates have opportunities to explore our rich and diverse cultural offerings throughout their week, our travel/tourism industry has the chance to demonstrate its exceptional brand of hospitality,” Mervis adds.
The convention will include official business meetings and social/networking activities throughout the community, including: John S. Knight Center, Tangier Restaurant, Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, Greek Community Center and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 picnic grounds.
“When the Akron association was awarded the convention, we immediately went to work on developing what we know will be an especially engaging and memorable visit to our community,” states convention chairperson, Noula Kountis. “We will be commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the formal union between the Island of Crete and the country of Greece. Several local chapter members who attended the 1938 convention at the Mayflower Hotel will be present to celebrate our heritage and to boast about the evolution of Akron. We are also really excited to share the creativity of local artist Don Drumm who designed a custom pin to reflect the spirit of the immigrants who have made the United States their home,” Kountis adds.
The Pancretan Association of America was founded in the 1920’s and is the second largest Greek ethnic organization in the United States after the Greek Orthodox Church. In addition to promoting the perpetuation of the Cretan culture, the PAA supports the growth and education of its membership and youth with a scholarship program that supports the development of strong, active American citizens.
For complete convention details, visit www.pancretan.org/