Sister Cities International Southern California Chapter held a quarterly regional and board meeting on Saturday, November 14th, 2015 at Riverside City College from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. In addition to the SoCal Sister Cities Board of Directors, special guests and visitors included Upland Mayor Ray Musser and representatives of local sister city programs in Southern California.

Presentations and announcements included:

• Sister City International economic benefits study ‘Measures that Matter”
• Economic and cultural benefits – Sister City Film Festival exchanges
  a. The Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film
  b. Culver City Asian Film Festival
• Center for International Trade Development (CITD) presentation on how Sister city programs can collaborate for business and trade development opportunities
• Santa Barbara/Patras, Greece Sister Cities – first steps business and trade collaboration
• Presentation of visitation to Patras, Greece and business contacts
• Best practices that promote business and trade
• Fort Worth Tex Sister Cities Global Award recognizes Globally connected Businesses
• Laredo Tex annual Sister Cities Festival – 180 Mexico vendors display goods/services
• San Antonio Texas Maintains business development offices in Mexico and China
• Irish American Business and Cultural Network – Santa Barbara
• Greek American Chamber of Commerce
• International Relations Council of Riverside Student friendly City
• Details of Board Members’ outreach to neighboring cities and follow-up
• Development Committee / Young Professional Committee report on fundraising / crowdfunding