From Monday, August 13, 2007 to Sunday, August 19, 2007 the American Accordionists's Association (AAA) and the Accordionists & Teachers Guild International (ATG) co-hosted the CIA (Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes) Coupe Mondiale. The events were hosted in the United States in Alexandria, Virginia at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Old Town Alexandria and the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria (and attendees staying at the nearby Sheraton Suites). The CIA is a member of the International Music Council (IMC-UNESCO).
The CIA Coupe Mondiale can be considered the equivalent of the Olympics. Accordionists (and bayan players) from all over the world compete to represent their country in the Coupe Mondiale. The AAA and ATG also host competitions in various categories such as (general categories): Standard, Adult, Classical, Original (originally composed for accordion), Pop, Ethnic, Polka, Duet, Ensemble, Band, and Orchestra. In some categories the contestant performs a program that lasts for a set number of minutes and each composition performed has to be of a different and varying genre of music. There are also entertainment categories, where the adjudicator(s) judge the performer(s) more on their entertainment than playing.
The CIA Coupe Mondiale can be considered the equivalent of the Olympics. Accordionists (and bayan players) from all over the world compete to represent their country in the Coupe Mondiale. The AAA and ATG also host competitions in various categories such as (general categories): Standard, Adult, Classical, Original (originally composed for accordion), Pop, Ethnic, Polka, Duet, Ensemble, Band, and Orchestra. In some categories the contestant performs a program that lasts for a set number of minutes and each composition performed has to be of a different and varying genre of music. There are also entertainment categories, where the adjudicator(s) judge the performer(s) more on their entertainment than playing.
Julie Langton and Brian Wong wait for tour bus Montana 26 to pick up players at the Festival Massed Band at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Alexandria- Historic District on Friday, August 17, 2007.
Katherine Archuleta, Brian Wong, and Betina Vega at the evening banquet. Friday, August 17, 2007 at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Alexandria- Historic District.
Frank Busso, Sr, conducts the Festival Massed Band as they perform The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa. Friday, August 17, 2007.
A television cameraman covers the Festival Massed Band playing on the west side of the United States Capitol Building.
Brian Wong and Betina Vega (and mother Pat Vega behind) at the Festival Banquet at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Alexandria- Historic District on Friday, August 17, 2007.
Julie Langton, at center with her white-colored accordion manufactured by Scandali, performs The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa on the West Side of the United States Capitol Building. Friday, August 17, 2007.
Frank Busso, Sr, conducts the Festival Massed Band as they perform The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa. Friday, August 17, 2007.
Mary Archuleta and Jennifer Lee Maun perform in the Festival Massed Band The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa at the West Side of the United States Capitol Building on Friday, August 17, 2007. 
Esther Eugenia Bertieaux and Julie Langton (front center) perform in the Festival Massed Band The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa at the West Side of the United States Capitol Building on Friday, August 17, 2007. 
Gordan Kohl, Michael Parziale (right behind Brian), and Brian Wong perform in the Festival Massed Band The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa on the West Side of the United States Capitol Building on Friday, August 17, 2007.
Brian Wong (center) and Amanda Parziale (right behind Brian on his left) perform in the Festival Massed Band The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa on the West Side of the United States Capitol Building on Friday, August 17, 2007.
Brian Wong shows Betina Vega how to use the Victor Reader Wave, a specialized player from Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D).* At the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria on Saturday, August 18, 2007.
Betina Vega tries out the Victor Reader Wave on her own. At the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria. Saturday, August 18, 2007. 
From left to right: Mary Katherine Archuleta, Jennifer Lee Maun, Betina Vega, fellow contestant, and Katherine Archuleta compete in the American Accordionists's Association (AAA) and the Accordionist Teachers Guild International (ATG) at the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria on Saturday, August 18, 2007. Ballroom.
Betina Vega at the AAA/ATG Awards Ceremony on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria ballroom.
