FinnFest 2011 Names “Blue Ribbon” Board

July 19, 2011 - PRLog -- The FinnFest 2011 organizing board is pleased to announce a group of distinguished individuals supporting and serving as an advisory “Blue Ribbon Board” for the upcoming festival and conference in San Diego, August 10-14. The group met earlier this year at the Town & Country Resort Hotel, the venue for the upcoming FinnFest 2011, to discuss the various offerings and sponsorship opportunities for the event.

The Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Board is Mr. Marvin Suomi, a Finnish-American entrepreneur from Los Angeles and the President of the Republic of Finland, Mrs. Tarja Halonen, will head the Blue Ribbon Board as the Patron of the Event.

In addition, the Blue Ribbon Board includes:
•   Mrs. Kirsti Westphalen, Consul General of Finland, Los Angeles
•   Mr. Arthur Collingsworth, Founder of the Millennium Technology Prize  
•   Mr. Dick Enberg, Finnish-American sportscaster
•   Mr. Paul Halme, Finlandia and Paloheimo Foundations    
•   Dr. Erkki Ruoslahti, Finnish American Scientist, Founder of La Jolla Cancer Research Institute and Sanford Burnham Institute
•   Mr. Esa-Pekka Salonen, Conductor and Composer, Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra
•   Mr. Rock Schnabel, Former U.S. Ambassador in Helsinki, Finland
•   Mr. Derek Shearer, Former U.S. Ambassador in Helsinki, Finland
•   Mrs. Armi Kuusela-Williams, First Miss Universe 1952, resident of La Jolla
•   Mr. Albert Williams, Retired American diplomat

The 28th annual FinnFest Conference and Festival, an event highlighting contemporary Finland and celebrating the unique Finnish-American heritage, will be a window to Finland for its attendees. Celebrated since 1982, FinnFest has grown into a large festival that attracts up to 10,000 people from all across the United States, Canada and Finland.

FinnFest 2011 offers five days (August 10 – 14, 2011) of events spanning the spectrum of music, sports, art, film, education, family and business programs. Thousands of North American, local and international visitors are expected to attend the annual event. Tickets to FinnFest 2011 can be purchased at www.finnfest2011.com. Ticket prices range from $25 for a single day to $99 for five days of activities. In addition, there are various senior and youth discounts available. For more information about FinnFest, visit www.finnfest2011.com or connect with us on Facebook.