Fourth Edition · Annual Diaspora Leadership Summit

Romanian Community Summit

September 18-20, 2026 · Chicago

The Summit returns to Chicago, community-organized through the partnership of Romanian diaspora organizations across North America, Europe, and beyond. This year is the most ambitious to date.

About the Summit

The Romanian Community Summit is the largest annual gathering of the Romanian diaspora in North America. Built and run by the community, the Summit convenes leaders across business, government, faith, culture, and civic life for three days of programming, networking, and recognition. The Romanian United Foundation is the founding and convening organization.

Dates

Sep 18-20, 2026

Format

3-day hybrid (Fri VIP / Sat full day / Sun half day)

Location

Chicago, IL

Attendance

800-1,000 daily

Livestream

GlobalRomania platform

Edition

4th annual

Program

Three days. One community. A program shaped by partners across the diaspora.

Friday · Sep 18

VIP welcome dinner. Invitation-only kickoff with Honorary Board, sponsors, and special guests.

Saturday · Sep 19

Full-day Summit. Keynotes, panels, awards, exhibitor showcase, GlobalRomania livestream.

Sunday · Sep 20

Half-day closing. Community picnic, Heritage Trail, partner-led sessions.

Honorary & Advisory Board

The Summit is guided by an Honorary and Advisory Board of senior religious, diplomatic, cultural, and community leaders. The Board lends prestige and visibility to the Summit and provides nonbinding strategic input on its direction, program, and impact.

Florin Cimpean

Religious Leader

Administrative Bishop, Church of God Romanian Territory

Chicago, IL

George Roth

Diplomatic

Honorary Consul of Romania, San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco, CA

Bogdan Banu

Community

President and Founder, Romanians of DC

Washington, DC

Dan Ozarchevici

Diplomatic

Honorary Consul of Romania to Kentucky

Florence, KY

IPS Nicolae Condrea

Religious Leader

Metropolitan, Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Two Americas

Chicago, IL

Daniel Chiu

Religious Leader

Pastor and Founder, Logos Baptist Ministries

Niles, IL

Dorian Branea

Cultural

Romanian Cultural Institute

New York, NY

Lucian-Ilie Stanica

Diplomatic

Consul General of Romania to Chicago

Chicago, IL

H.E. Andrei Muraru

Diplomatic

Ambassador of Romania to the United States

Washington, DC

Mihai Lehene

Founder

Founder, Romanian United Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Honorary and Advisory Board is non-executive. Its role is institutional weight and strategic counsel.

Partners · Community-Organized

The Summit is built through the partnership of Romanian diaspora organizations across North America, Europe, and beyond. Every edition builds on the last - in scale, in quality, and in impact.

Romanian United Foundation

convening org

Romotana

confirmed program partner

Steven Bonica

confirmed program partner

ROCO Chicago

confirmed program partner

More being announced