Dearest Friends,
Considering the unprecedented circumstances caused by COVID-19 pandemic health crisis, it is with great regret that we announce the cancellation of the 30th annual conference of the Association of the Friends of Persian Culture, scheduled to be held from September 3rd – 6th 2020, in Chicago.  Though we feel disappointed that we will not have the bounty of meeting and greeting you in person this year, we assure you that the Association is working hard to explore various options and possibilities and hopefully find a befitting alternative, including a virtual conference, during the same time.  We will share with you all the relevant information, via email, FOPC website and the American Baha’i, as soon as the outcome of our efforts are finalized.  We welcome you to be also in contact with us at:
Website: https://www.fopca.com/fa
Email: Friendsofpersianculture@gmail.com
Tel: (847)853-7896
With best wishes,
Association of the Friends of Persian Culture

Dear Friends,

Due to the current pandemic and restricted instructions, registration for 2020 conference is delayed until Monday April 27th

With great enthusiasm, the Association of the Friends of Persian Culture invites you to the 30th annual conference.  This year's conference starts on Thursday, September 3, and ends late Sunday night, September 6, 2020.  The Conference is held at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, located in West Chicago suburb.  The conference registration starts on Monday, March 23, 2020.   You can visit our website and complete your registration.  To receive a student-specific rate, students must submit a copy of their student ID to the association's office and register through this office.   

To register, you can contact the office of Association during business hours between 9 AM to 5 PM, Chicago time, at (847)853-7895, or (847)853-7896.

Like the past years, the room reservations in the Renaissance Hotel for groups who have priorities are as follows:

1. Individuals 80 years or older: Such individuals must submit a copy of their driver’s license, passport, or other forms of identification.

2. Individuals with disabilities: A valid certificate of disability or a note from the individual’s personal physician affirming his/her disability must be submitted.

3. Families with children younger than 6 years of age: A copy of the birth certificate or other forms of identification for the children is required.

These three groups must complete their registration and submit the required documentation to the Association Office beginning Monday, March 23rd through Friday, April 23, 2020.  You may send your documents via email to friendsofpersianculture@gmail.com or by fax (847)440-9044.

Name of those who are deemed eligible will be given to the hotel for a reservation for one room at the Renaissance Hotel.  Rooms that are available to attendees through this system are not transferable to other friends.  Also, the amount of the one-night stay in the hotel will be withdrawn from the applicant's account, and if the room is canceled, this amount is not refundable

Room Reservation for the rest of the participants starts on Friday, May 1, at 9  a.m., Chicago time. The main phone number for the hotel renaissance reservation is (866)204-0549. Please remember that this year the amount of the one-night stay will be withdrawn from the applicant's account, and if the room is canceled, this amount is not refundable.

More information about the conference programs can be found on the next few issues of the American Baha'i.

Association’s email address:  Friendsofperisanculture@gmail.com

Phone Number: (847)853-7896

We hope to see you all at the 30th conference of the Association in Schaumburg, Illinois. 

 Association of Friends of the Persian Culture

Please download the final program listing of this year's conference here. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view this program which you can download here.

Please download the final program listing of this year's conference here. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view this program which you can download here.

Update July 18, 2018: Friends, please note that the cancelations for the 2018 Conference ended July 15, 2018. No more cancelations will be processed at this time.

Only a handful of months are left until the Twenty Eighth Annual Conference of the Association of the Friends of Persian Culture.  The conference will commence in the evening of Thursday, August 30^th and will continue till late evening on Sunday, September 2^nd 2018.  As always the main theme of the conference is “Glimpses of Persian Culture” with a sub-theme of “Order, Justice and Ethics: Pillars of a New Society”.

The names of distinguished speakers presenting at this year’s conference are: Dr Shapour Rassekh, Dr Behrouz Afagh, Dr Payam Akhavan, Dr Abbas Amanat, Mrs. Shohreh Assemi, Dr Roya Boroumand, Dr Jane Lewisohn, Dr May Khadem, Dr Arash Naraghi, Dr Behrouz Sabet, Dr Saghar Sadeghian and Dr Nader Saeidi. The list of renowned artists performing in the evening programs will soon be posted on our website as well as in our next announcement in the American Bahá'í.

Simultaneous translation:

Please note that the association offers simultaneous translation of the main conference programs from Persian into English language. Attendees who are not familiar with Persian language, especially youth and young professionals, can benefit from this service by using their cell phone and downloading the Beonair app.  English sessions for young adults, youth and junior youth as well as classes for children ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-10 are all in English language.

How to register for the conference:

1. Register on line by going to www.fopca.com, fill out the participants’ information and complete the registration process by all major credit cards. (Please note: American Express is not accepted).
2. Call the office of the association between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM, Central Time, at: (847)853-7896 or (847)853-7895.

Hotel reservations:

To secure the best rates for the conference participants, the Association has contracts with Renaissance Hotel as well as a number of nearby hotels, names of which are listed below and on the website of the Association.  These listed hotels are the only ones that will offer special rates to the conference participants.  Furthermore, when making your reservation, you must mention that you are attending the Friends of Persian Culture Conference.  All hotels require a one-night deposit with a credit card.  If you decide to cancel a confirmed reservation, you must do it three days / 72 hours in advance of your arrival day, otherwise all hotels will charge one-night rate plus taxes for late cancellation.

The list of these hotels and their telephone numbers are:

Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, Schaumburg – (847)303-4100, Rate: $146 per night plus tax.

Hyatt Place, Schaumburg – (877) 574-7260, Rate: $129 per night plus tax. Included: Breakfast and Shuttle service. Rate valid until August 17^th, 2018.

Holiday Inn Express – (847) 259-6600, Rate: $107 per night plus tax.  Included: Breakfast and Shuttle service. Rate valid until August 17^th, 2018.

Residence Inn by Marriott-(847) 517-9200, Rate: $139 per night plus tax. Included: Breakfast. Rate valid until August 15^th, 2018.

Springhill Suites by Marriott-(847) 995-1500, Rate: $139 per night plus tax. Included: Breakfast. Rate valid until August 15^th, 2018.

Wyndham Garden Schaumburg-(847) 397-1500, Rate: $99 for 1 King, $119 for 2 Double per night plus tax. 10 minute Walking distance to the Renaissance. Included: Breakfast, Shuttle service. Rate valid until August 17^th, 2018.

For more information, please visit the Associations website at:  www.fopca.com, or call us at: (847)853-7896 or (847)853-7895, or follow us on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/associationofthefriendsofpersianculture

We look forward to welcoming you all at this year’s conference!