It is a long standing tradition of the American Latvian Youth Association (ALJA) to come together each Thanksgiving to celebrate what has been accomplished and chart a path forward for the organization. ALJA boasts several hundred members and has been active in the US since the 1950s.

Earlier this fall, LatCham's board, reached out to ALJA about making ALJA members integral to LatCham's overall long term strategy of enabling individuals in their careers and helping to aid and support entrepreneurship and career advancement opportunities. As a result, numerous ALJA members have already joined LatCham and more are joining in 2009.

One person we reached out to was ALJA's 2008 membership director, Karlis Antons. Karlis was immediately encouraged by the concept of LatCham and became actively involved from the first day he heard of the organization. Karl is now a board member of LatCham and he was also recently elected President of ALJA.

Karl is ready for the challenges ahead. Attached is Karl's address to the ALJA Congress and part of a presentation he made with LatCham VP, Juris Lazdins. The results were very encouraging.

Latvian Chamber of Commerce in the Americas
ALJA Congress in Chicago – Lecture

Every Thanksgiving weekend marks the annual Congress of the American Latvian Youth Association (ALJA), this year taking place in the windy city of Chicago. This not-for-profit organization comprised of Latvian youths, ranging from 16 to 35 years old, is focused on preserving the Latvian culture via a number of drivers: cultural gatherings, social events, athletic contests and scholarship programs offering opportunities at home and overseas. Being very involved in the North American Latvian society and serving on the Board of Directors of ALJA for a number of years, I have come to find that professional development opportunities are precisely what these motivated Latvian youths are looking for. As the median age of the members of ALJA is of the University years, they are looking for a chance to gain valuable work experience that will prepare them for their professional careers. The notion of linking this future workforce with professionals already serving in their respective industries was conceived a number of years ago. I understood the disconnect between these two talent pools and therefore have worked on a number of initiatives to bridge the gap – including the Latvian Chamber of Commerce in the Americas.
Juris Lazdins and I introduced LatCham to a group of 30+ eager ALJA members, giving a lecture during the Congress in Chicago. I began by explaining my work history and my connection gap theory amongst professionals and the next generation of leaders sitting in front of me. Touching on the numerous initiatives I’ve been involved with concerning the American Latvian Association, ALJA and other organizations - I introduced the Latvian Chamber of Commerce in the Americas and the immense potential it holds for them. Juris went into detail as to the history, structure and current developments within the organization. By the end of the lecture we had 15+ young professionals/students from all across the globe that are interested in joining and growing this organization. This all inclusive, grass roots approach to business networking will ensure a win-win situation towards individuals, corporations, governments and other entities that get involved in the Latvian Chamber of Commerce in the Americas. It was a great recruiting effort for LatCham, getting members of ALJA proactive about their professional business opportunities.

To those future leaders!

Karlis Antons
LatCham VP of Membership & Professional Development
ALJA President