U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Association's 49th Annual National Convention

Everyone is welcome starting Friday 3/2 at 5:30 at Toen Plaza, downtown for FREE entertainment. 

Saturday, all day, speakers from governmental agencies, non-profits and universities share their expertise related to the United States and Mexico's relationships through Sister City, people-to-people, citizen diplomacy.  

Go to www.usmsca.org for information.  

FRIDAY

3:00-6:00pm  REGISTRATION IN CULVER HOTEL LOBBY                                

5:30-8:00pm  ENTERTAINMENT ON TOWN PLAZA

SATURDAY

8:00-12:00am           REGISTRATION AT CITY HALL

8:00--4:00pm          EXHIBITORS and ARTISANS in the CITY HALL COURTYARD    

9:00-12:00pm         GENERAL OPENING SESSION - CULVER CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
         
Flag Presentations: Boy Scout Troop #113, Culver City, CA
National Anthems: AVPA Chamber Singers (Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, City High School)

Welcome: USMSCA President George Barks

Welcome: Micheál O'Leary, Mayor of Culver City, CA USA
Introduction: Barbara Honig, President,  Culver City Sister City Committee, Inc.

Introductions of visiting Mayors and V.I.P.’s. by President Barks                  

USMSCA BUSINESS SESSION

Keynote Speaker: Sr. David Figueroa Ortega, Los Angeles Mexican Consul General
"MEXICO'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL UPDATE"

12:15-1:45pm         LUNCH AND LEARN - THEMED LUNCHEONS

 "Gastrodiplomacy" • "Career opportunities in the Foreign    Service/State Department" •  "Student Ambassadors -  Today's youth, tomorrow's leaders" • Las oportunidades interestantes que mejoren las ciudades y las comunidades a través de las organizaciones no lucrativas y el voluntariado.   (Exciting opportunities that enhance cities and communities through non-profits and volunteering.)

 2:00 - 2:50pm       Speaker: George Novinger, Regional Director, U.S. Dept. of State
Theme: What is the Office of Foreign Missions?      
                                                

2:00 - 2:50pm   Speaker: Tomas Torres, Director  U.S. Environmental Protection  Agency - San Diego Border Office   U.S./Mexico Border Program  CoordinatorTheme:  "U.S./Mexico Border Environment: Border 2020 Part 1                                      

2:55-3:40pm    Speaker: Tomas Torres, Director  U.S. Environmental Protection  Agency - San Diego

Border Office  U.S./Mexico Border Program Coordinator
Theme:  "U.S./Mexico Border Environment: Border 2020 Part 2  

2:55-3:40pm   Speaker: Christine Parra, Culver City Fire Department

Theme: “Equipo de Respuesta a Emergencias Comunitarias
  (Community Emergency Response Team, CERT)”

Speaker: Paul Hawkins, "How other Sister City Associations can access Paramedic Training and supplies"                                                                 

3:50-4:40 pm         Speaker: María Rosa García-Acevedo,  PhD. California State  University Northridge,  Political Science Department
Theme: "Why is it important to have relationships with Mexico?"      

3:50 - 4:40pm     Speaker:  Paul Rockower, Director of Communication American Voices, American Music Abroad Program
Theme: Art in Difficult Places: American Voices' Cultural Diplomacy           

6:30-10:00pm         GALA DINNER DANCE Courtyard by Marriott, Culver City

You must be a registered convention attendee so stop by the registration table in the culver hotel Friday afternoon or in front of City Hall Saturday morning.