AMTC Europe was shut out of the soon-to-be Paris Convention by Lynne Millar, former licensee of the AMTC Europe name. Ms. Millar forced AMTC out of the management of the November event by the consistent withholding of all information and funds necessary for the experienced American team to run it. We could not lift the veil of secrecy from this office, nor from two trips to Europe. Therefore, AMTC had to withdraw Ms. Millar’s license. Following AMTC’s public announcement, Ms. Millar made one of her own.

The announcements of AMTC’s withdrawal of its name and team and Ms. Millar’s alliance with International Talent Showcase (below) both occurred on October 24. Families in the U.K. and Ireland are now faced with confusion and unfamiliar choices. They are being given conflicting accounts from the U.S. office and from Ms. Millar.

How does AMTC’s Christian faith fit into the picture? AMTC’s Christian values are at the center of the conflict, as is evidenced by Ms. Millar’s email below. (Scroll down) God is at the center of AMTC. Christians know what that means. Yet, AMTC welcomes all faiths and all people of good intention.

What does “God is at the center of AMTC” mean to non-Christians? It means Christian values are our core, our goal, and our destination. We are not perfect as people, nor as a company, but we aim for excellence. Christian values are not exclusive to Christians. They are shared by all faiths and people of good conscience; they include truth, patience, kindness, excellence, compassion, humility, and love– loving God and our fellow men more than anything else. We believe these are good values in business.

Does AMTC force Christianity on non-believers? Of course not! Neither did Jesus. Do we look down upon those different from us? No! Neither did Jesus. He loved everyone. He still does. We treat everyone at AMTC with courtesy and respect.

So, what should the good families in the U.K. and Ireland do? They should pray. They should study what is now being presented to them. They should make certain that Lynne Millar’s event will have a sufficient quantity and quality of agents, managers, and casting directors in attendance. If so, they may choose to continue to Paris. Meeting excellent VIP’s in an uplifting environment is a great opportunity, regardless of who is organizing it.

What can AMTC do? We are trying to do the right thing. We are trying to do everything we can. AMTC never collected any fees or funds from Ms. Millar- not for the license and not from contestants. We are not a cash-rich organization. We are a three-generation small family business with an international outreach.

We will offer British and Irish contestants who choose not to attend International Talent Showcase the opportunity to come to AMTC for either of the 2009 events on full scholarship, excluding travel, food, and hotel. We will also send in coach(es) from the U.S. if we have 10 or more contestants wishing to come to either event. This statement has been amended. Please see the bottom of this blog

As a committed Christian, I trust God. I trust that the truth will become known. Until that time, faith is required. Personally, I believe the worst choice for families is to give up. I believe that the good families from Europe with talented contestants will have a good outcome from this challenging situation. We are here. We will help.

If you would like to read AMTC’s two public emails on the reasons for the disassociation of AMTC and Lynne Millar, as well as myths, truth, and advice to the European Contestants, please email Jen Harris.

If anyone (especially from Europe) would like to discuss this challenging situation, please email Carey Arban or telephone my son-in-law, Adam She, who is our Director of Operations at the AMTC office in Atlanta at 678-783-0500.

Lynne Millar’s Public Email to European Contestants

(copied word for word)

From: Lynne Millar
Date: 24/10/2008 23:26:28
To: Karen Ironside
Cc: Sharon McCarthy; robertmorris@morrisfurniture.co.uk
Subject: Dear Contestants…….

Dear Contestants,

We are thrilled & excited to announce to you we have merged with the International Talent Showcase who are the World’s Leading Events Organisers.

There has been numerous operational difficulties & my promise to keep Christianity away from the event was being over ruled & our contestants would have been preached to to promote Carey’s Christian belief’s.

International Talent Showcase are the leading events organisers in the World their CEO Sharon will be happy to answer any questions you may have : sharon@internationaltalentshowcase.com, 001 401-431-6610

We have a fantastic list of VIP’s for you & we are looking forward to the event.

Yours with love,

Lynne Millar,

AMTC Europe Ltd. / International Talent Showcase
0845 299 0842

AMTC’s Additional Statement of October 28, 2008

In addition to offering a scholarshipped AMTC for anyone who does NOT attend the Paris Convention, AMTC will offer a scholarship for anyone who DOES attend and was disappointed in it.

In the potentiality that Ms. Millar cancels the event altogether, we will come to the U.K. and host an AMTC showcase, at no charge to the participants. It won’t be as long as AMTC, but it will be good. We will need help on the U.K. end with details and space, but I know that will be provided. I am confident that all will work out well in any case scenario. We must keep our eyes open, and we must keep our faith- especially when it is challenged.

Carey Arban