This year’s Festival of Arts And Culture Exhibition Award (FACE Africa) scheduled to hold in Atlanta Georgia USA which will showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage and tourism has been aptly described as the ‘Giant of Africa’ and the heart of Africa for a good reason. It is richly endowed with ecological and cultural resources, which are of universal recognition from threads of history, diversity, legend and conquest.

With Nigeria’s booming tourism industry, its development and growth must meet international standards, awareness must be created, other cultures must be made sufficiently known not only because the world has become a global village but because people appreciate what they understand, according to Princess Asha Okojie-Osazuwa, one of the organizers of FACE.

Okojie-Osazuwa disclosed that the platform will create the environment to network, do business and capitalize on the fast growing hospitality and tourism sector in Nigeria. She said that there will be star-studded events, live performances from local and international artistes, entertainers, celebrity guests, and a movie premier, including; cultural dance groups, beauty contest pageantry, and activities that promise to give the audience a fulfilling weekend.

Endorsed by Nigeria’s Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Abuja, the two-day culture and tourism investment expo & award is expected to attract over 1,000 attendees, dignitaries, delegates and people from all walks of life to the city of Atlanta.

The event will be held from May 2-3, 2014 at Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta, 1900 Sullivan Road, Atlanta, GA 30037, by the organizing team of FACE CEO, Princess Asha Okojie-Osazuwa; AfriQtalk CEO, Toks Onabanjo; Pan African Chambers of Commerce’s Kingsley Ituwe; DJK Consult CEO, Temidayo Babalola; Prime Media CEO, Adekoya Adegboyega Yusuf, Dengit Music, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Nigeria, Atlanta.

Organizations such as Association of Nigerians Organization in Georgia, Association of African Women in the Diaspora, Nigeria in Diaspora organization, Upward African Women, and Arik Airline will be recognised for their support in the African Diaspora.

The symposium will consist of workshops, conference and breakout sessions. The exhibition will display quality products and services on a single platform, ideal for profit comparison. The cultural expo entails cultural displays, business networking, health education, pageantry, fashion show, comedy, movie premier and cultural dance, including local and international exhibitors, wide range of products and services catering to a diverse audience, domestic and international clientele with a view to promoting culture and tourism.

The outcome will create e-commerce shoppers for goods, products and services, online business directory, comprehensive tourism resources, travel guide and tourism, online reservation for tourist destination, accessibility to travel agencies and tourism investment forums. These efforts will help boost tourism and enable tourist and investors gain confidence and insights to travel destinations for sustainable tourism and foster the spirit of friendship and harmony between the two countries, the organizers said.

The Pre-event and Award will be filled with a night of cultural entertainment, celebrities, comedy, acoustic music, cultural dance, drama, fashion show and performances. The cultural expo entails cultural displays, business networking, health education, pageantry, fashion show, comedy, movie premier and cultural dance, including local and international exhibitors, wide range of products and services catering to a diverse audience, domestic and international clientele with a view to promoting culture and tourism.

Invited Keynote speakers, moderators, sponsors, special guests and those on panel discussions will make presentations, participate and attend the Award Gala. Prior to the Award night, the new search will be on for FACE of NEHITA, a cultural beauty pageant that is designed to motivate and inspire young women to become leaders of tomorrow, instill self confidence by empowering them with knowledge, maximize their talents, and leadership skills to create awareness through beauty, intelligence, and diversity to achieve personal growth and development.

FACE Award 2014 will be hosted by Joseph Benjamin Chibuzor and Lawrence Akhidenor (MC LARRY D). There will be live performances from local and international artistes such as Bez Idakula, Ayoola Johnson, Joel Amadi, (Joe El), Majekodunmi Ibrahim Olayiwola (General Pype) Joseph Chibuzor, Oko, Waconzy, Kola Gbedu Master and cultural dance groups.

The Award ceremony is scheduled for May 3, designed to celebrate Indigenous heritage and in recognition of excellence in service, outstanding achievements, leadership, contributions and honour individuals and organizations that have dedicated their lives and time to the continued growth and promotion of culture, heritage, language, libraries, archives, museums, awareness, and preservation of language, environment, arts in schools, and educational programming in Africa and the African Diaspora.

•Photo shows members of the FACE Award Organizing Committee.