The sixteenth annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival in San Jose showcased 90 films from 30 countries, highlighting the creative talent and diverse stories of the African diaspora. Festival founder Chike Nwoffiah hosted three days of screenings and cultural celebrations, which included honoring Silicon Valley Chief of Protocol Deanna Tryon with the UBUNTU Award for her community service. The event underscored the festival’s mission of connecting international filmmakers with local audiences and fostering cultural unity through the power of cinema.
The Silicon Valley Office of Protocol (SVOP) held its fall reception at Rosewood Sand Hill to honor Chief of Protocol Deanna Tryon for her leadership and the organization’s growth since 2013. Local officials and representatives from 23 countries gathered to celebrate SVOP’s vital role in connecting the San Francisco Consular Corps with the region’s technology and innovation sectors. The evening highlighted the successful partnership between the public and private sectors in fostering international engagement across 54 Bay Area cities.
On October 27, the Silicon Valley Office of Protocol (SVOP) hosted its annual fall reception at Rosewood Sand Hill, bringing together international consular representatives and local leaders to celebrate regional collaboration. During the event, SVOP Chief of Protocol Deanna Tryon was honored by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for her decade of service in connecting the global community with Bay Area industry partners. The gathering highlighted the SVOP’s ongoing mission to foster international growth and promote Silicon Valley’s innovation on a global stage.
The Silicon Valley Office of Protocol is welcoming San Francisco native Maryam Muduroglu to its team. Muduroglu is joining the office and will lead its Silicon Valley Host Committee as chair. Created in 2015, the Silicon Valley Host Committee consists of 50 leaders from Silicon Valley, and helps fund the Silicon Valley Office of Protocol’s daily operations, events and global engagement programs.
On September 26, 2024, the Silicon Valley Office of Protocol had the honor of welcoming Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his inaugural visit to Silicon Valley. The delegation was warmly received at San Jose Mineta International Airport by local dignitaries, including Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, who presented a city proclamation. President Faye engaged in meetings across Palo Alto, San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara with representatives from leading technology companies such as Nvidia, Arm, and Skylink. This visit underscores our commitment to fostering international collaboration and supporting Africa’s digital transformation. We look forward to productive partnerships between Silicon Valley businesses and Senegal.
The Silicon Valley Office of Protocol proudly welcomed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his delegation to California during their recent U.S. visit. Accompanied by Minister Sridhar Babu Duddilla, the delegation met with key Silicon Valley companies to strengthen ties and explore collaboration opportunities for Hyderabad and the state of Telangana. Their visit highlights Silicon Valley’s role as a global hub for innovation and diplomacy, fostering partnerships that drive economic and technological progress. The office was honored to support these meaningful engagements, building bridges between California and India.
On September 18th, the acting Governor of California, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Koulanakis, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, and other officials greeted the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, early Monday morning as he arrived at San Jose Mineta International Airport with a delegation of government representatives. The Prime Minister was met by Silicon Valley Chief of Protocol Deanna Tryon, and received a red-carpet welcome. The whirlwind visit to Silicon Valley to meet with high-tech leaders ended later Monday, when the Israeli contingent departed the same airport.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara were welcomed today (Monday), at San Jose Mineta International Airport, by California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
A reception was held Wednesday evening, May 10th, 2023, at Filoli House and Gardens in Woodside to honor Ambassador Gentry Smith, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security. Over 120 local business and government leaders attended, including elected officials from the 53 cities and 5 counties outside of San Francisco that are served by the Silicon Valley Office of Protocol. Guests included members of the San Francisco Consular Corps, law enforcement officials, including Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, State Department officials, local elected officials and international diplomats, law enforcement officials, Airport officials, and business leaders at this event.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa received a warm welcome from San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and other local officials when he touched down late Saturday night after a whirlwind trip across the country as he begins a very busy trip through California.