More than 200 members of the Gujarati community from across the tristate area gathered on January 3, 2026, at the Umiya Dham Temple in Edison, New Jersey, for a curtain-raiser event ahead of the Second United Gujarati Convention, scheduled to be held in Orlando, Florida, in May 2026. The high-energy gathering brought together presidents, office bearers, and senior representatives from nearly 50 Gujarati associations, reflecting the growing momentum behind efforts to unite Gujarati organizations across the United States under one national platform.
The four-day United Gujarati Convention will be jointly organized by the Federation of Gujarati Associations (FOGAUSA) and the Gujarati Society of Central Florida. It is set to take place over the Memorial Day weekend from May 22 to May 25, 2026, at the Renaissance Hotel in Orlando. The upcoming convention follows the success of the inaugural United Gujarati Convention, which was held in Dallas in 2024.
Founded in 2021, FOGAUSA was established with the goal of bringing together Gujarati associations from across the country to strengthen community impact, encourage collaboration, and amplify the collective voice of Gujaratis in the United States.
A National Platform for the Gujarati Diaspora
According to the organizing committee, the Orlando convention is designed as a comprehensive national gathering that blends culture, business, community building, and entertainment. Planned activities include networking sessions, a business summit and expo, leadership forums, youth and women empowerment discussions, Gujarati matrimonial networking, and cultural showcases.
The convention will also feature a range of popular and contemporary events aimed at engaging multiple generations, including Gujju Shark Tank, a fashion show, garba, stand-up comedy, motivational talks, and a Gujarati Jalso (musical concert). To make the experience more family-friendly, organizers have also arranged discounted theme park packages for attendees visiting Orlando.
“The goal is to bring together Gujarati leaders, families, professionals, entrepreneurs, youth, and cultural ambassadors from across the United States on a single platform,” organizers said, describing the convention as both a celebration of heritage and a forward-looking community initiative.
Building Unity Across States
Speaking at the curtain-raiser, FOGA founder Harshad Patel outlined the journey that led to the creation of the federation and the vision behind the United Gujarati Convention. Patel is also the President of Gujarati Samaj of New York and Vice Chairman of the first Haveli (Vaishnav Temple) in North America.
“Our first efforts to bring Gujarati organizations under one umbrella began in New York,” Patel said. “From there, the movement expanded nationwide.”
He explained that the leadership team undertook extensive grassroots outreach, traveling to more than 35 states and holding personal meetings with heads of over 80 local Gujarati associations.
“We explained that we can do the impossible when we are all united,” Patel said. “That belief became the foundation of FOGA.”
Patel emphasized that FOGA’s mission goes far beyond hosting conventions. “FOGA has been designed with the purpose to unite, to network, to explore business opportunities with each other, to ease matrimonial alliances, to help Gujaratis relocating to a new state settle in, and to promote cultural exchange,” he said.
Support From Community Leaders and Media
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, was among the prominent guests at the Edison event. Congratulating the FOGA leadership and organizing team, Dr. Parikh described the United Gujarati Convention as a crucial step toward strengthening the Gujarati diaspora nationwide.
“This is the only way to unite Gujaratis across the United States,” Dr. Parikh said, offering the support of his media platforms to help amplify the convention’s message and outreach.
Drawing a parallel with his own experience, Dr. Parikh compared FOGA’s efforts to the Indian American Forum for Political Education, which he previously led. That organization, he noted, played a key role in encouraging second-generation Indian Americans to enter politics and public policy, ultimately helping many attain influential positions across the country.
“When you bring people together on a common platform, you create leadership pipelines and opportunities that benefit the entire community,” he said.
Strong New Jersey Participation
Organizers of the curtain-raiser expressed particular appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of the New Jersey Gujarati community, which has long been regarded as one of the most active and influential Gujarati populations in the country.
“We highly value the presence and participation of the New Jersey Gujarati community,” FOGA organizers said. “Their leadership and engagement will greatly enrich this national gathering.”
Jayesh Patel, Convention Chairperson for FOGA and Chairperson of the Gujarati Samaj of Orlando, formally invited attendees to participate in the May 2026 convention.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Gujaratis from across the country to Orlando,” he said. “This convention is about connection, collaboration, and celebrating who we are.”
Daxesh Sheth, Convener of the FOGA New Jersey Chapter, described the Orlando convention as an effort to preserve cultural identity while fostering unity among Gujaratis living thousands of miles from their homeland.
“This convention is an attempt to keep the Gujarati heartbeat alive in the United States,” Sheth said, thanking attendees for their overwhelming response to the curtain-raiser event.
Looking Ahead to Orlando 2026
With planning well underway and growing national interest, organizers say the Second United Gujarati Convention aims to build on the momentum of the Dallas event and take the vision of a unified Gujarati diaspora to the next level. By combining cultural pride with professional networking, leadership development, and youth engagement, the convention seeks to ensure that Gujarati heritage remains vibrant and relevant for future generations.
As the curtain-raiser concluded, there was a shared sense of optimism and purpose among attendees — a reflection of FOGAUSA’s core belief that unity, collaboration, and collective action can significantly strengthen the Gujarati community’s presence and influence across the United States.
