Group picture from the first National Conference of Cambodian Associations held in Long Beach, CA As the situation in Cambodia worsened, delegates and representatives of Cambodian associations from across the nation united under one national organization. This group picture is from the first national conference of Cambodian associations from across the United States. The conference was held in Long Beach, California in 1976 with the aim to mobilize resources and come together to ensure the refugees received the needed financial and social support.