2026 Annual Dinner
Another Memorable Evening
ATFL’s 2026 Annual Dinner brought our community together for an evening of reflection, recognition, and hope.
Thank you to our honorees, sponsors, guests, and friends who made the evening possible.
Relive the evening through our photo and video gallery.
Entertainment
Samar Salamé Hawat
Soprano
Accompanied by Georgi Chikolov, piano
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Samar Salamé Hawat is an internationally acclaimed singer holding degrees in Audio-Visual Studies and Vocal Performance from the National Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome. Based in Paris from 2006 to 2020, she created original productions like Alive and performed at prestigious venues including the Grand Palais, UNESCO, and the Vatican. Her extensive career features performances for King Charles III, a historic papal Mass in Lebanon, and major cultural festivals like Byblos and Al Bustan. With a repertoire spanning classical masterworks from Mozart to Handel, she now resides in Windermere, Florida. Samar frequently performs at regional charity galas and cultural events while preparing for an upcoming concert series across the US, France, and Lebanon.
Honorees & Awards
We are proud to honor three distinguished Lebanese whose accomplishments span the worlds of humanitarian work, education, and business.
Experience the Annual Dinner in Action
2026
The Honorable Spencer, Chairman of ATFL, Abraham on ATFL's Next 40 Years
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
Amb. Ed Gabriel, President of ATFL, on 40 Years of ATFL and the Road Ahead
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
Amb. Michel Issa, US Ambassador to Lebanon: "Lebanon's Moment Has Come"
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
Dr. Fadlo R. Khuri, President of AUB, on Service, Education and Lebanon
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, US Representitive from New York, on the US-Lebanon Partnership
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
Samar Salamé Hawat Performs at ATFL’s 40th Annual Dinner
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
Mr. Peter J. Tanous, Founding Chairman of ATFL, on How ATFL Began
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
Mr. Wael Sawan, CEO of Shell, on the Lebanese Diaspora and Hope
ATFL 40th Annual Dinner
2026 Ray R. Irani Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees
The International Rescue Committee, the Lebanese Red Cross, and Beit el Baraka at ATFL 40th Annual Dinner