Phoenix Sister Cities Program

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard.

What: the city's sister-city program (11 partner cities, run with a nonprofit, Phoenix Sister Cities) and how it supports economic development.
Where it stands: overview presented October 14, 2026; no votes. Economic Development has four priorities in progress with outside consultants, to wrap up near year end.
Next: December 4 board retreat; Hermosillo trip next week; November Japan trip; an update to the subcommittee in early 2027. Any new sister cities would need Mayor and Council approval.

Founded 1972; five focus areas: relationship management, delegations and civic diplomacy, economic diplomacy, programs and events, governance.
Presented by Ryan Toohill (Economic Development) and Joseph McEwen (Phoenix Sister Cities).
Council members steward individual relationships: Robinson (Catania), O'Brien (Taipei), Stark (Prague and Grenoble), Guardado (Hermosillo).

Himeji 50th anniversary, Phoenix Global Forum, Global Links luncheon, El Grito and Double 10 celebrations.
Youth ambassador exchange: 17 students to eight countries; applications open through about year end.
Upcoming: Mayor's International (50 years with Hermosillo), Hermosillo solar forum trip, November trip to Japan led by Vice Mayor Hodge Washington.

Board retreat December 4 with consultant facilitation.
Planning 2027 outbound delegations (paused for a time).
Exploring new sister cities; no decisions made.
Defining roles between Sister Cities and the Community and Economic Development department.

About 35 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-14 - Economic Development and Arts Subcommittee	35

2026-10-14 - Economic Development and Arts Subcommittee - Overview of the program, 2026 highlights, upcoming trips and four priorities; members praised the youth exchange. No votes.