Personal Letter of Thanks from Lebanese Festival General Chairman to All who Participated in LEBFEST '07!

Dear Sponsors, Partners, Staff, Volunteers, Diplomats, Business & Civic Leaders, Performers, Vendors, Promoters, Press, Clergy and Festival-goers:

I wish to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your unparalleled support for this year's LEBFEST! As you know, Lebanon has always been a refuge, an open home, for different religions, nationalities, and peoples. And as southeast Michigan is home to so many Lebanese, LEBFEST! offered not only a day for us to gather and rejoice in the splendor of our rich culture, heritage and traditions - but to also share these treasures with the thousands whom attended, both Lebanese and non-Lebanese alike.

The beauty of downtown Birmingham reminded so many of us of our beloved Lebanese capital Beirut. I am pleased to tell you that city officials and business leaders from across Birmingham welcomed LEBFEST! with great enthusiasm and have already begun working with us to plan next year's festival. We extend to them our gratitude for their partnership and appreciate their tireless efforts to accommodate all of us in Shain Park.

And it goes without say the multitude of thanks we send to both our Festival Grand Marshall and our Festival Host Committee Chairman Paul W. Smith. Their leadership, coupled with the selfless work and dynamic support of Team:LEBFEST, the 2007 Festival Co-chairs, the Festival Host Committee Members, and our College & University Ambassadors, proved to be immeasurable.

To me, LEBFEST! was a dream whose seeds were rooted long ago. And, to see this dream come full bloom was personally rewarding and I am eternally grateful to all who nourished and helped fuel the realization of this dream. LEBFEST! could not have happened without the generous contributions of so many including each and everyone of you - and of course, The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce.

Again my friends, thank you and may God bless you.

Warmest personal regards,

Councilman John Akouri

LEBFEST! General Chairman