SAS Joins U.S.-Türkiye Business Council's "100 Years of Friendship" Gala in New York

Senior leaders from government, business, science, arts, and sports mark a century of U.S.–Türkiye diplomatic relations

New York, September 21, 2026. Principals of Strategic Advisory Services (SAS) attended the "100 Years of Friendship: Türkiye–United States" gala, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its U.S.-Türkiye Business Council (USTBC) and hosted by Council Chair Hamdi Ulukaya and Louise Ulukaya. The evening was held during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and celebrated the centennial of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was the guest of honor. He was joined by a Turkish delegation including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır.

The U.S. side included Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack, and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Öz, along with members of the Senate and House. Business leaders from Ford, Uber, Boeing, Google, and other global companies attended, as did figures from science, the arts, and sports, including Prof. Canan Dağdeviren and NBA player Alperen Şengün.

A $100 billion ambition

In his remarks, President Erdoğan said the $100 billion bilateral trade target is achievable. He noted that the two countries' strategic partnership cannot be separated from their economic ties. He highlighted Türkiye's new investment incentives, including a reduction in the corporate tax rate for qualifying investors from 25% to 12.5%, and called on USTBC and the U.S. Chamber to keep encouraging American investment in Türkiye.

Hamdi Ulukaya said the friendship is sustained by people who trust and learn from one another. He stressed that USTBC is working to expand mutual investment and company-to-company cooperation toward the $100 billion goal, with a focus on creating jobs and opportunities for young people in both countries.

SAS perspective

"The first hundred years of this relationship were built by governments. The next hundred will be built by companies and investors," said Hakan [Surname], Senior Partner and Co-Founder of SAS. "Last night, both leaders set an ambitious target. Reaching $100 billion will depend on whether American companies can navigate Ankara, and Turkish companies can navigate Washington. That is exactly the gap SAS was founded to close."

During the evening, SAS principals also spoke with Ambassador Barrack about the role the business community can play in advancing the bilateral agenda.

SAS extends its thanks to the U.S.-Türkiye Business Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Hamdi and Louise Ulukaya for convening this landmark celebration.

About Strategic Advisory Services

Strategic Advisory Services (SAS) is a Washington, DC-based integrated public affairs firm focused exclusively on the U.S.–Türkiye corridor. SAS provides government affairs, regulatory advocacy, strategic communications, and reputation management for companies, investors, and institutions operating between the two countries.

Media contact: Esin Citak, esin@strategicadvisory.services

‍