Greek American Students Launched Inaugural Convention in Atlanta

The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, hosted their first bi-annual convention in the South in Atlanta, GA, this past October. The conference theme focused on energy and the environment, and included panel discussions followed by workshops detailing the role of leadership in business and society in promoting environmental sustainability. Attendees also spent time networking and bonding over several NHSA sponsored activities during the convention weekend.

The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America, Inc.

The convention kicked off at The Marriott Marquis hotel where the NHSA Executive Board greeted attendees with Georgetown Cupcakes during check-in. A welcome dinner followed by Greek dancing at Plaka Taverna made it a fun night for attendees to meet at the onset of the convention.

From left: Maria Sharp, President, Lykion Ton Ellinidon Atlanta, Dr. Rom Papadopoulos, Managing Partner, Intuitus Group LLP & Intuitus Capital LLC, Jerry Couvaras, CEO & President, Atlanta Bread Company & Bake One, Alexander Thomopulos, President, National Hellenic Student Association, Jim Logothetis, Partner, Assurance Services, Ernst & Young and Konstantine Ouranitsas, Chairman, National Hellenic Student Association

The following morning, attendees enjoyed breakfast at the beautiful campus of Georgia Institute of Technology, before the conference began. The NHSA Director of Public Relations and Recruitment, Ms. Tamika Tompoulidis, served as the emcee for the conference while opening remarks were given by NHSA President, Mr. Alexander Thomopulos. Mr. Konstantine Ouranitsas, NHSA Chairman, moderated the panel discussion on leadership and corporate responsibility and the environment that included Mr. Jim Logothetis, Partner at Ernst & Young; Mr. Jerry Couvaras, CEO and President of Atlanta Bread Co. and Bake One; and Dr. Rom Papadopoulos, Managing Partner at Intuitus Group LLC. Mr. Costas Simoglou, Director of the Center of Innovation for Energy Technology at the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Ms. Ally Kelly, Executive Director of The Ray later presented inspiring new initiatives developed by the Ray to create a regenerative highway ecosystem during the energy and environment panel. After the presentations, attendees enjoyed a lunch provided by Athens Pizza.

The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America, Inc.

The convention concluded with Mr. Kostapanos Miliaresis, Co-founder of Ethelon, who conducted a motivating workshop about finding one’s passions and making a social impact for the greater good. Attendees then had the opportunity to explore the city before heading to Taverna Plaka one last time for the Greek Night with DJ Disco Hristo. The Hellenic Weekend ended on Sunday with a group picture in front of the Order of AHEPA monument as attendees made their way to the World of Coca-Cola.

The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America, Inc.

The NHSA Executive Board would like to thank our participants who traveled from near and far, as well as the special guests, speakers, mentors, and sponsors for continuously supporting our organization in our mission to unite the Hellenic and Cypriot diaspora through educational, professional and social platforms.