City Committees
Calgary Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Calgary Committee actively encourages and supports cultural, educational and business activities in both cities. It carries out student exchanges and promotes business development through trade missions and business forums. Additionally, the committee facilitates the annual participation of severely burned youth in Camp Courage. Among events the committee helps organize and host throughout Canada Week are the Great Canadian Picnic and Can-Am Golf Tournament. The Calgary Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Calgary Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Bob Albert
Staff Liaison: Rita Marko rita.marko@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every first Wednesday of the month, except July, August, and December.
Meetings begin at 5:30pm and are located at U-Haul Headquarters, 2727 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Catania Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Catania Committee participates in artistic, cultural, educational and business activities and exchanges between Catania and Phoenix with the goal of bringing the culture of these two important urban centers closer. Among its signature activities is an annual wine tasting highlighting Sicilian wines. The committee also actively supports the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program and collaborates on other sister cities events. The Catania Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Catania Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Michael Kennedy kmichael.kennedy@aexp.com
Staff Liaison: Rick Gerrard rick.gerrard@phoenix.gov
The committee meets the third Thursday of the month, except July and August.
Meetings begin at 5:30pm and are located at the AZ-American Italian Club, 7509 N. 12th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Chengdu Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Chengdu Committee fosters and encourages mutual understanding, friendship and a higher quality of life for the people of Phoenix and Chengdu. The committee is bound by a commitment to creating partnerships, conduct exchanges and share expertise that translates into mutually beneficial relationships with citizens, organizations, businesses, and schools in the both communities served. Volunteer members work to promote signature activities, such as Chinese Week and promote collaboration in the areas of trade and tourism, youth and education, arts and culture, and municipal training. The Chengdu Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Chengdu Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Dianna Noli Hill catenal@cox.net
Staff Liaison: Emily Smolenski emily.smolenski@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every second Wednesday of the month, except July, August, and December.
Meetings begin at 6:00pm and are located at Siu Wok, 2815 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Ennis Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Ennis Committee is dedicated to promoting friendship and understanding between the cities of Phoenix and Ennis through a variety of programs. The committee participates in the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, as well as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Faire. It also supports the Irish Cultural Center, coordinates an annual 5K Run/Walk, and promotes business opportunities between the two cities. The Ennis Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Ennis Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Mary Hill-Connor mary.hillconnor@gmail.com
Staff Liaison: Rita Marko rita.marko@gmail.com
The committee meets every third Wednesday of the month, except July, August, and December.
Meetings begin at 6:00pm and are located at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 1418 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Grenoble Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Grenoble Committee promotes mutual understanding and friendship between the citizens of Phoenix and Grenoble. The committee facilitates projects in economic development, school-to-school exchanges, university cooperation, arts and culture, sports and disabilities. This translates into mutually beneficial relationships with citizens, organizations, businesses, and schools in both Phoenix and Grenoble. Volunteers work to promote such activities as Beaujolais Nouveau, which celebrates the first French wine of the season. The Grenoble Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Grenoble Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Jacqueline Palmenberg palmenbergj@gmail.com
Staff Liaison: Rick Gerrard rick.gerrard@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every first Thursday of the month, except July, August, and December.
Meetings begin at 5:00pm and are located at Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman and McAnally, 2800 North Central Avenue, Suite 840 (85004)
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Hermosillo Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Hermosillo Committee oversees an energetic and diverse array of activities and exchanges between the two cities. They include a variety of student exchanges and visits, business and trade relationships, as well as extensive municipal cooperation, including police and fire. The committee has worked closely on issues of burn treatment and prevention and disabilities awareness projects. It has also focused on baseball, basketball and other sports. The Hermosillo Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Hermosillo Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Mike Rakowsky bigmik@cox.net
Staff Liaison: Rick Gerrard rick.gerrard@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every second Tuesday of the month, except July.
Meetings begin at 6:00pm and are located at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 1418 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Himeji Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Himeji Committee supports the city of Himeji and promotes Japanese culture through its relationships with the Japan-American community and the Japanese Friendship Garden. The Japanese Friendship Garden (Ro Ho En), located in downtown Phoenix, is the product and shared vision of Phoenix and Himeji. It features flowing streams, an authentic tea house, a 12-foot waterfall and Koi pond. Committee projects include student and teacher exchanges, and participation in the annual Arizona Matsuri Festival. The Himeji Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Himeji Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Camille King camilleking06@gmial.com
Staff Liaison: April Cavaletto april.cavaletto@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every first Tuesday of the month, except July, August, and December.
Meetings begin at 5:30pm and are located at the Winship House, 216 W. Portland St. Phoenix, AZ 85003
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Prague Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Prague Committee is an active focal point for promoting Czech culture in Phoenix, including the annual Evening in Prague and the Czech That Film festival. The committee also promotes reciprocal business opportunities, economic development forums, professional exchanges and the Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program. Volunteers work to foster the mission of Phoenix Sister Cities and the growth of Phoenix as an international city. The Prague Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Prague Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Akram Rosheidat akram@MRTDesignLLC.com
Staff Liason: Emily Smolenski emily.smolenski@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every fourth Wednesday of the month, except July, and December.
Meetings begin at 6:00pm and are located at Brookstone Office Complex, 340 E. Palm Ln. Suite A304, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
Ramat-Gan Committee
The Ramat-Gan Committee promotes youth exchanges, local and international art and cultural programs, sports, business and educational opportunities between the two desert cities. It also partners with other sister city committees to present events and conducts ongoing efforts to develop new initiatives benefiting both Ramat-Gan and Phoenix. The Ramat-Gan Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Ramat-Gan Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Edna Sitelman
Staff Liaison: Rita Marko rita.marko@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every second Thursday of the month, except July, August, and December.
Taipei Committee
The Phoenix Sister Cities Taipei Committee organizes exchange programs in arts and culture, education, business, culinary arts, sports and youth exchanges. The committee also participates in annual festivals, including Chinese Week; Taiwan art and photographic exhibitions; Taipei Chinese Culture Summer Camp; Chinese calligraphy events; and the Double Ten national day celebration. Other activities involve hosting visiting delegations, such as performers, teachers, and government officials, organizing back-to-school events and complimentary cultural outreaches to schools and service clubs to promote cultural awareness and diversity. The Committee meets monthly and welcomes new members.
Taipei Committee Contact Information
Chairperson: Wen Chyi Chiu wenchiu88@hotmail.com
Staff Liason:April Cavaletto april.cavaletto@phoenix.gov
The committee meets every second Thursday of the month, July, August, and December.
Meetings begin at 5:00pm and are located at a private home, located at 1318 E Captain Dreyfus Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85022
Committee Meeting Times and Locations
