XVII NAZC on the web

"We hope you will join us for an experience of a lifetime,” lures the newly launched website www.nazc2014.org of the XVII North American Zoroastrian Congress (NAZC) to be held in Los Angeles (LA) from December 29-31, 2014. To be hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of California (ZAC) in coordination with the California Zoroastrian Center (CZC), the theme for the Congress is "Faith and Unity.”
"Programming is geared towards everyone from newborns to seniors,” states the website adding, "We will make it a Congress to remember for all!” With details yet awaited in the sections marked for Adults, Social and Entertainment Program, Gala Event planned for New Year’s eve, a visitor browsing through the website is told "sneak peak coming soon.” For the first time, the Congress will offer a "Teen Track” which will consist of interactive sessions, and engage teens in learning about their religion and culture using the tools and technology prevalent in their lives. "We encourage youth and teen delegates to bring their laptops or tablets and/or smartphones to their hands on, interactive workshop style sessions.”
In addition to babysitting facilities for those aged under five, as at the last NAZC, a religious education program for children aged five-12 years will be monitored by Vehishta Kaikobad. All materials for the mini-Congress will be provided as part of the children’s registration fees and they will be entitled to a child’s meal.

Even though the registration fees have not been announced the website mentions that registration will open in April and the early bird offer will continue until August 31. The venue for the Congress being The Hilton, Congress delegates have been offered a special rate of $107 plus tax per night for the three days of the Congress plus three days prior and post Congress for those interested in enjoying its idyllic location close to Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach and more. Under the head of "Vacation,” their website states, "Come for the Congress, and stay for a road trip to the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon, where you can see the prominent 7,136-foot rocky peak named ‘Zoroaster Temple.’” The room tariff is inclusive of Continental breakfast and shuttle service to and from LA International Airport. The hotel’s rooms accommodate four people comfortably and the management is also willing to provide additional rollaway beds, upon request, for $10 per night, depending on availability, specifies the website.
Expecting attendance from around 1,000 delegates, the organizers are seeking support through sponsorship, advertisements and sales at the Congress. Since they are also keen to include the World Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra, donors who make a payment upwards of $ 5,000 have been promised an opportunity to be a patron conductor for a "simply elegant short piece” under guidance from Farobag Cooper. To raise funds, soon the Congress online store will be auctioning prints by famed Zoroastrian artist Jimmy Engineer. These prints will be autographed by the artist at the Congress. They are in need of volunteers in the domains of entertainment, finance, logistics, program, public relations, social, technology, youth, as also volunteer performers.
Striving to create "a fantastic, memorable and worthwhile experience for our fellow Zoroastrians from around the world,” an email from ZAC president Tehmi Damania and CZC president Shida Anoshiravani looked forward to engaging "Zoroastrians of all ages with a passion for their religion, culture and community.” Referring to the opportunities for networking at the Congress, the Facebook page of the Congress carries a quotation, "An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. May you be open to each thread that comes into your life – the golden ones and the coarse ones – and may you weave them into a brilliant and beautiful life.” Yet another quote on the Facebook page reminds: "F-E-A-R has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run; or Face Everything and Rise,” hoping the Congress will offer the community a platform to elevate itself.