Check out other international
activities in the region!
FIRST THURSDAY!
We hope you had a great Memorial Day holiday! While you were relaxing in the sun, we were busy meeting an important Sister City delegation and planning this Thursday's reception.
Do join us this Thursday, June 2nd, at 5:30 p.m. for this month's lively First Thursday! This month, the reception will be in the hotel's newly refurbished restaurant, "nineteen 26." This is the former location of the Annex Bar and Grill right off the hotel's lobby.
Do join us to welcome our special international guests.
First Thursday is always free for IVC members, and just $15 for non-members. If you don't RSVP, it's $20 at the door. Email Alan Hatfield to let him know you'll join us.
Our guests at this month's reception are from the Abruzzo region of Italy, the Basque Region, Cameroon and China. Plus more!
If you've been here before you know how it works. But in case this is your first First Thursday, you need to know that it isn't a typical cocktail reception - you have an important mission!First Thursdays are popular and friendly because everyone has a role to play. When you pick up your name badge, be sure to get the list with our guests' names, their interests & why they're here. It also tells you what color ribbon they're wearing to easily identify them in the crowd. Then walk up, say hello and you'll see how easy it is to start a conversation. We guarantee this will be a friendly evening of citizen diplomacy that will create lasting and positive impressions of the U.S., Philadelphia and you. Email or call Alan Hatfield at 215-683-0992 to RSVP.
Two Special First Thursday Guests
#1. A Captain in the U.S. Army will be joining us at this month's reception. He served in Mosul, Iraq and is currently working to acquire asylum for 3 Iraqi interpreters who worked with the U.S. Army there. Join us to thank him for his service and what he continues to do for Iraq before he is sent abroad again.
#2. From the Basque Region of Spain, please welcome Daniel who is the new USA Representative for the Basque Country Business Office.Daniel represents the Basque Government in Philadelphia and attended past First Thursday's in a different capacity.
* Not an IVC Member yet?
Do something selfish for
world peace today
If you're not already an IVC member, why not join today and feel great about being involved in something meaningful for the world and your own community?
As an IVC member you're part of the nationwide network of citizen diplomats nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. Plus you'll widen your circle of international friends and enhance your business opportunities.
By joining IVC, you will also enjoy at least ten receptions each year at no cost - plus have the benefit of hosting an established or emerging leader in your home or at a restaurant through the U.S. State Department.
IVC's upper-level members are also included at private Sister City and State Department receptions. It's easy to join! Just call Alan Hatfield at 215-683-0992 or go online to join today! And IVC members receive special member rates to the "BBQ!"
4-Day HOSTING ALERT! University Students from Latin America:
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic,
El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua
If you are interested in helping with this important program by hosting two or three students and helping them have wonderful American experiences, please email Ann Stauffer, IVC's Executive Vice President: ann.stauffer@phila.gov.
Sister Cities & Partnership Program
First Thursday Guests
From the beautiful Abruzzo region of Italy is the Mayor and Vice-Mayor of San Giovanni Teatino. They are in Philadelphia to promote cultural exchanges and will join us during the first hour of First Thursday before attending a reception in their honor by Italy's Consul General. Their program is being coordinated by Anna Mattei, Ph.D., a member of the PhilAbruzzo committee.
From Douala, Cameroon are the parents of the two sisters who attend First Thursday. Their father is now our liaison to Douala's mayor.
From Tianjin, China welcome back Greta and her husband Wilson, who are in Philadelphia visting their daughter, Mu and their new granddaughter - the first very first "Sister City child." (The baby is invited, but we won't know until the last minute if she'll come.) As you may recall, Mu had been a Sister Cities Scholar at Drexel and is now an intellectual property attorney. Mu and her husband live in Center City.
Also from Tianjin is Sophia, who is in Philadelphia for a few months as she completes her LL.M. degree at Temple Law School.
July 21st Indoor 'BBQ' with the NEW "Dreadful Art Hour"
This July marks our 25th year of hosting the summer's friendliest and most fun event. It's IVC's only fundraiser, so we invite you to join us and help us raise funds to continue engaging the public in international affairs through "citizen diplomacy." We'll still have fun with the "I Don't Know Anyone Tables" and S-p-e-e-d N-e-t-w-o-r-k-i-n-g, " & NEW this year will be the "Dreadful Art Hour." Become a Citizen Diplomacy Early Sponsor here. Join us!
First Thursday Details...
We hope you'll join us and others interested in citizen diplomacy, making friends around the world, and providing a more accurate picture of the U.S. and the American people.
FIRST THURSDAY:
Courtyard Marriott, across from City Hall Free for IVC members & new guest
- DATE: First Thursday
- $15.00 for Non-members*
- $20.00 at the door without a reservation
- TIME:5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- LOCATION:
Courtyard Marriott - East of City Hall
At "nineteen 26" Restaurant
- MORE: Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar & interesting people! - RSVP: to Alan Hatfield, 215.683.0992 or alan.hatfield@phila.gov or go to our website and email us with First Thursday's form.
IVC is Philadelphia's official host for U.S. Government-sponsored visitors. IVC promotes mutual understanding among nations through citizen diplomacy. IVC's network of 92 IVCs across the U.S. was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. A copy of IVC's official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1.800.732.0999.
Citizen diplomacy engages citizens in international relations. Meeting counterparts and experiencing everyday American life provides an authentic & more accurate view of the "real" U.S.
