Akouri Leads State Department Reception Aboard the Infinity Yacht

(WASHINGTON, DC) - International Visitors Council of Detroit (IVC) recently received a grant to host the National Council of International Visitors (NCIV) Midwest Regional Conference in Detroit August 1-3, 2007. The Midwestern Regional Meeting is a professional development program sponsored and funded by the Office of International Visitors, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, under the authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, as amended. With IVC as the local host, conference headquarters are at the Downtown Courtyard Marriott Hotel across from the General Motors Renaissance Center. Attendees at the Conference will be US State Department Officials, Washington, DC Programming Agencies’ representatives and 21 Visitor Councils from Midwest cities in the NCIV network.

With Detroit located on the Great Lakes, conference guests had the opportunity to experience its international location in style as they sailed the Detroit River on the Infinity Yacht. Enjoying a refreshing summer breeze and scenic views of both Detroit and its neighbor to the south – Canada, guests were greeted by Councilman John Akouri, upon boarding the vessel. Once assembled and before leaving shore, Akouri, President & CEO of the national Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce, served as emcee for the evening. Passengers mingled with diplomats, colleagues business & civic leaders and Detroiters aboard the Infinity Yacht, known as the premier vessel in the region, having hosted exquisite parties for some of the world’s top executives. Though the temperature was hovering around the 100 degree mark, the Infinity Yacht provided first class service from the glass enclosed climate controlled main level dining room and the open-air second deck.