The first Taiwanese American Conference-East Cost (TACEC) was held in 1970 at Downingtown, Pennsylvania. It was a summer retreat for the area's Christian families but has turned into an event for the entire Taiwanese American community. Over the years, the conference has expanded its programs to encompass cultural and social activities, as well as issues related to human rights, the environment and current events in Taiwan. The number of participants has steadily grown, numbering over 2,000 in the late 80s and 90s.

TACEC is hosted by Taiwanese Communities in five different areas: New York, New Jersey, Boston, Washington and Philadelphia (including south Jersey and Delaware). Each region is on a five year rotation and takes turns chairing the TACEC board that overseas the operation of TACEC.

The conference now has a participation of about 600 - 800 people annually, with the majority being comprised of first generation Taiwanese Americans. Many second generation Taiwanese Americans who now have children have eagerly expressed interest in developing TACEC programs for their children and in boosting participation among their generational peers.

Each TACEC Chapter are independent 501(c)(3) organizations and donations to them are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.

第一屆美東台灣人夏令會於 1970 年在賓州的單靈頓舉行。開辦之初，由信奉基督的台灣鄉親籌劃，主要是作為教友夏日靈修，聚會之用。時過境遷，夏令會已不再是單純的宗教性活動。它的節目包涵了更多台美人關心的議題，也包含了有關台灣人權及重大歷史社會，政治事件的研討。夏令會每年均邀請各行各業的傑出台灣人至大會演講及經驗傳承。因此，參加夏令會的人數，最多時期參加人數高達二千人以上。

夏令會由美東各地區台灣同鄉會輪流舉辦，參加的同鄉大多數居住在新英格蘭各州，包括麻州，康州，紐約，紐澤西，還有賓州，德拉瓦，馬里蘭，華府及維吉尼亞州等。參加夏令會的同鄉大多數是早期來美的留學生及他們家庭成員。一般而言，加夏令會的人員具有兩大特色，一是教育水準特別高，另一是年齡差距大，各年齡階層均有。

現在夏令會每年均有六百至八百人參加，大多為第一代的台美人。過去參加的第二代台美人也開始養育小孩，也認為夏令會可以提供新一代台美人寶貴的經驗。他們也積極的參與，希望可以吸引更多過去參加過的世代再度參與。

本活動由非營利組織美東台灣人夏令會主辦、對於本活動之捐款將可抵稅。近幾年來，靠 各界的經費支持與台灣鄉親的小額募款才能順利的舉辦。在此也希望各界鄉親 能繼續支持 「美東台灣人夏令會」，踴躍捐款，謝謝!

• To stimulate public interest in the cultural, religious, educational, social economic and other activities of the Taiwanese Americans.

• To enhance the Taiwanese cultural and religious heritage among Taiwanese Americans.

• To facilitate social contacts and exchanges among Taiwanese Americans and to promote friendship, mutual assistance and cooperation within the Taiwanese American community and between Taiwanese and other ethnic community.

• To organize and hold an annual conference or workshops at various college campus in the Northeastern region for the consideration and discussion of various topics relevant to life in the United States and issues related to current and future development of Taiwan.

• 促進公眾對台美人在文化、宗教、教育、社會經濟等相關活動的興趣

• 提升台美人文化與宗教的傳承

• 推動台美人社群交流，並促進與其他台美人、台灣人或其他族裔等相關社團的友好交流與互助合作

• 組織與籌辦年度美東夏令會或工作坊，廣納多元主題探討美國與台灣當前和未來發展的相關議題