Do not miss this great event
Los Angeles & Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce Business Award Luncheon – Friday September 16TH
11- 2 PM
ORANGE COUNTY IRANIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNOUNCES 2022 BUSINESS AWARDS NOMINEES
Entrepreneur Maryam Zar will deliver the keynote address at Sept. 16 luncheon and networking expo, which is expected to attract more than 350 attendees
IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 7, 2022 – Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce (OCIACC) today announced a slate of 33 nominees for its 2022 Business Awards, which will be presented live on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at the Irvine Marriott Hotel during a luncheon and networking expo. OCIACC received 110% more nominations this year than in 2020, indicating pent-up demand following the pandemic.
“This year’s slate of nominations show the diversity and strength of local companies and entrepreneurs leading the Southern California economy to recovery following the pandemic slowdown,” said OCIACC founder Shani Moslehi. “Our nominees reflect the mission of OCIACC and are united by their commitment to uplift others in pursuit of expanded economic opportunities.”
Nominations Show Diversity of Business Community
The 2022 OCIACC Business Awards provide a platform for Iranian business voices to be heard:
● OCIACC received eight “Business of the Year” nominations, a category designed to recognize exceptional excellence in customer service and valued products/service.
● Five nominations were submitted in the “Entrepreneurship” category, which seeks to identify people successfully initiating new business concepts and managing the risks.
● The “Longevity” category, which recognizes businesses in good standing for 10-plus years, received three nominations.
● OCIACC is set to recognize five “Customer Service” nominees among companies routinely providing exceptional customer service.
● Finally, the “Woman-Owned Small Business” category garnered 12 nominations among female founders showing overall excellence and growth in the early years.
The nominated companies comprise Archico Design Build, Armis Handmade Jewelry, Baharnaz Gallery, Brax Jeweler, CHILD International, CorpNet, Dateolate, Delarman, DJ Babak,
Dr. Shoura Khatibloo, Ph.D., LMFT, Ducere Global Business School, FKB Design
Johnson Criminal Law Group, Laguna Dental & Orthodontics, Liart, Mojgan Food Gallery
Mona Niko Gallery, Nice Saffron, Norooz Clinic Foundation, OCB Accountants, Pegah Photography, Piraphics, Quick Trip Delivery, Sahar Cyrus Real Estate Agent, Sanni Photography, Scott English Plumbing, Seeb Magazine, Shima Photo Studio, St. Rose of Lima Home Health Care and Tiya Studios
Winners will be announced live during the event. Organizers have convened an outside panel of judges to evaluate all nominations, and each winner will receive a glass award and certificates from city, county, and state officials.
Event Speakers Selected to Educate and Inspire
OCIACC also announced that the 2022 Business Awards luncheon would feature a lineup of speakers and panelists who will share personal experiences and business-building tips.
Keynote speaker Maryam Zar will discuss how OCIACC advocates for its members and connects businesses to government resources. An OCIACC board member, Zar immigrated from Iran to the United States in 1979. Like most Persian immigrants, she could not return to her home country following the Iranian revolution. As Iran emerged from the war, Zar returned to Iran in 1992 and made her mark as a pioneering female advertising executive, although women in the workplace were unwelcomed. Zar became an editor for Iran News, an English-language daily newspaper, and a correspondent for publications based in London and Dubai, including MEED and Gulf Marketing Review.
California State Senator David Min will speak about California’s small-business recovery plans. Elected in 2020, Min represents Orange County’s 37th State Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim Hills, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park.
Also during the event, Shirin Behzadi, who serves as chair of the OCIACC board of directors, will moderate a panel discussion among government leaders and successful entrepreneurs who have grown their companies through strong public-private partnerships. Behzadi is the former CEO of Home Franchise Concepts and a current investor, advisor, and speaker. The panelists include City of Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent, half-Iranian and the first chief to live in Irvine for decades; Nicole’s Kitchen Owner and Chef Nicole Dayani, Cymbiotika Co-Founder and CEO Shahab Elmi; and Iranian-American actress Nazanin Nour.
The OCIACC Business Awards luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, Calif. Tickets are available here, and media interviews are available with OCIACC Founder Moslehi, event speakers, and award nominees and winners.
About OCIACC
OCIACC is an inclusive chamber of commerce founded and managed by business owners and professionals committed to promoting business growth and expanded economic opportunities. OCIACC’s platform includes a robust networking, marketing, and referral infrastructure; strategic power partnerships with key outside leaders and organizations; and enhanced community outreach and advocacy on behalf of members. Learn more at ociacc.com.
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Media Contact:
Cara Stewart, Altalunas Inc.