April 12, 2015 City Officials from Sarasota’s Sister City, Merida, Mexico will be welcomed by Sister City Association of Sarasota’s (SCAS) board members and prominent City of Sarasota Officials at an evening reception. Merida’s delegation will explore opportunities for international business exchanges amongst other possibilities of collaboration between the cities of Merida and Sarasota during their week-long visit, sponsored in part by Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
Beth Ruyle- Hullinger, current president of SCAS expressed the excitement of this upcoming diplomatic event "Sarasota Sister Cities is extremely excited to host the delegation for Merida, Mexico; Sarasota's newest Sister City. It was fortunate for Sarasota Sister Cities to send a delegation to Merida in February this year. It is really great that the City of Merida is returning the visit. These exchanges provide the opportunity for Cities to understand the art, culture, sports, economic development and education of their twinned city. That is why Sister Cities members are "citizen diplomats." The City of Merida delegation includes government officials from the departments of economic development, municipal public services, urban development, tourism, and the chief of police.
The Merida delegation will be attending several events this week including Sarasota Sister Cities Speakers Bureau Presentation on April 15, 2015 at 4:00 pm in the Community Room at the Herald Tribune Building Herald Tribune Building 1741 Main Street, Sarasota. Dr. David Harralson, a vice president of Sarasota Sister Cities, will give a presentation entitled “The Golden Age of Sarasota”, historical events of Sarasota.
Both sister city members and the general public are welcome to attend. A Meet & Greet will follow at MADE, a nearby restaurant beginning at 5:30 pm. These informal events held on April 15, 2015 are great opportunities to meet to the seven city officials visiting from our Sister City, Merida, Mexico. Sister Cities Association of Sarasota, Sarasota government officials, chamber of commerce members, members of the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce, and many select businesses with international interest will host the official delegation from Sarasota's "Sister City" Merida, Mexico at other planned events, meetings and tours during the week.
