The phrase "acknowledge the gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being asked to recognize or respond to a meeting or assembly of people.
Example: "Before we begin the discussion, I would like to acknowledge the gathering of esteemed guests who have joined us today."
Alternatives: "recognize the assembly" or "appreciate the meeting".
When the Senate designated the Elko gathering the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in October 2000, the resolution acknowledged the gathering's keen ability to serve "as a bridge between urban and rural people by creating a forum for the presentation of art and for the discussion of cultural issues in a humane and non-political manner".
When Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. spoke, he jokingly acknowledged that the gathering was competing with the World Series opening game nearby between the Boston Red Sox and the St . Louis Cardinals
Several officials acknowledged that the gathering, held in the luxurious confines of the beach resort of Nusa Dua on the Indonesian island of Bali, produced even fewer substantive accomplishments than last year's meeting, where the group approved an environmental goods and services accord that called for the tariffs on 54 products, like solar panels, to be reduced to 5 percent or less.
Before you think me naive, let me acknowledge the vital role of lawful proportionate intelligence gathering in law enforcement.
The doctors know that, and would be quick to acknowledge the importance of the role " local data concierges", in both gathering and dispensing data.
In market-based IAMs, information gathering prevails and subsequent bidding shows that subjects acknowledge the precision of information.
Participants acknowledge the National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people and the umbrella organisation under which the Syrian opposition are gathering.
Even Michael Gove now acknowledges the irresistible momentum gathering behind the campaign for proper computer lessons in schools.
Professor Gompers acknowledges the difficulty in gathering data but says the field is too exciting to allow that to be a barrier.
One such cowboy-poet, Waddie Mitchell, speaking to the Los Angeles Times, acknowledges the perceived contradiction of the gathering, but insists that the cultural stereotypes about cowboys reinforced by movies and TV are largely untrue.
