CHICAGO - The Serbian Unity Congress is pleased to announce the completion of its 16th Annual Convention and its Second Annual Business Conference, held in Chicago, IL, October 26-28, 2006. The Serbian Business Conference was the second of its kind held in the United States of America since 1929.

Guests and attendees at the conference were able to browse exhibitions, listen to panels, and attend gala dinners honoring Serbian dignitaries. The guests included many American and Serbian officials and businessmen, including Congresswoman Melissa Bean and President of World Trade Center Chicago Mr. Thomas Panek. The SUC would especially like to thank all members of the Chicago Serbian Unity Congress Chapter and Serbian American Community for their help in organizing the convention.

Over twenty Serbian companies and municipalities had exhibitions, showcasing their programs and products. Officials from the Serbian Government included: Minister of Diaspora dr. Vojislav Vukcevic and representatives of best municipalities in Serbia: Indjija, Zrenjanin, Loznica, Pecinci. There were also Mission Director of USAID Serbia Mr. Keith Simmons and Mr. Arthur Keys, President of its implementation partner International Relief & Development (IRD), as well as Mr. Steven Rosenberg, Chief of Party for Municipality Economic Growth Activity Project. President Tadic sent his best wishes via his special representative Mr. Vuk Jeremic.

Congressman Rahm Emanuel sent his Assistant to participate at our event. Other special guests at the convention were the Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro, Ivan Vujacic, Desko Nikitovic, the Consul General of Serbia and Montenegro in Chicago.

Some of our Serbian-American businessmen present included Alex Machaskee, retired publisher of “Plain Dealer”, the largest newspaper in Ohio, with over 1.5 million subscribers, Miroslav Djordjevic, Slobodan and Mira Pavlovic, Martin Selak, Louis Milicich and others.

In addition, there were panel discussions on the topic of Kosovo and Metohjia, moderated by Dr. Vojin Joksimovic and about Serbian young people networking.

Many members of the Serbian media attended this event and published articles in Politika, Ogledalo from Chicago, Srpska Televizija, Frankfurt’s News, Pink, TV Station 4S from Chicago, and had live reports by Chicago’s Serbian Radio and Radio Belgrade. Entertainment at the Gala Dinner was headlined by a stunning performance by St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Tamburitzans from Pennsylvania. The dinner was very well attended with over 300 guests.