Minneapolis welcomes citizen diplomats from around the world for Sister Cities International 2015 An
Minneapolis welcomes citizen diplomats from around the world for Sister Cities International 2015 Annual Conference
Opening ceremony features parade of flags from across the globe
Minneapolis (July 13, 2015) --- A parade of flags from 120 cities around the world will help kick off the 2015 Sister Cities International Annual Conference in Minneapolis on Friday, July 17. The public is invited to attend the Opening Ceremony at Peavey Plaza as the start of activities that bring together citizen diplomats from across the U.S. and around the world. This year, about 400 people will attend from 15 countries.
The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis July 16-18, where conference participants will attend interactive seminars, network and develop strategies to strengthen and expand their sister city programs. This years conference theme is Bridging Generations for Peace.
The public is invited to join the conference activities July 17-18. Tickets will be available on site. To see the agenda, visit the conference website. One particular highlight is the luncheon and keynote address at noon on Friday at the Hyatt. The keynote speakers will be Jesse Ventura, 38th Governor of Minnesota and former professional wrestler and Rudy Maxa, host and Executive Producer of "Rudy Maxa's World." Other panelists of note include Rep. Christina Hale, Congresswoman, Indianas 87th District; Dave Christian, retired American professional ice hockey forward and Olympic gold medalist; and Tony Sanneh, retired professional soccer player, U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy.
Free community events
You dont have to be a conference participant to take part in the festivities. Two free community events will give the public a chance to learn about sister cities and celebrate our connections to cities around the world.
- Opening Ceremony for Sister Cities International 59th Annual Conference Friday, July 17, 10-11 a.m. at Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis
The Opening Ceremony includes a parade of flags representing 120 cities carried by children from the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities and local Girl and Boy Scout troops, the singing of our National Anthem by Alyssa Herrig, and remarks from Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, Minneapolis City Council President Barbara Johnson, Sister Cities Internationals President and CEO Mary D. Kane and other special guests.
- 8th Annual Sister Cities Day & free ice cream social
Sunday, July 19, 1-5 p.m. at Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis
This family-friendly community event showcases Minneapoliss twelve sister city relationships through multi-cultural entertainment, exhibits and childrens activities. FREE Ice cream and refreshments provided (while supplies last).
ABOUT SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL
Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International serves as the national membership organization for over 500 individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States with relationships in 2,000 communities in 140 countries. This sister city network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers who work tirelessly to promote peace and understanding through programs and projects focusing on arts and culture, youth and education, economic and sustainable development, and humanitarian assistance.
Facebook: Sister Cities International; Twitter: @SisterCitieslnt; Website: www.sister-cities.org
ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS
Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.
Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of the Destination Marketing Association International.
Find out more:
Online: www.minneapolis.org and http://go.minneapolis.org Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis?ref=ts
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis
On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/meetminneapolis/
MEDIA CONTACT
Matt Laible, Meet Minneapolis Communications and Public Relations Manager 612.767.8220, mattl@minneapolis.org
Anastasia Dellaccio, Sister Cities International
202.347.8637, adellaccio@sistercities.org
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