FAQs

What does IVC stand for?
What types of programs do you administer?
Why is IVC's email address 'phila.gov'?'
How do I become a member of IVC?
What is Home Hospitality vs. Homestay?
How do I become a Home Hospitality or Homestay Host?
How much advance notice will I receive about hosting?
What if I am unable to host, but would like to meet the visitors?
What is "Compass?"
What are the differences between the various international and tourist organizations in the City?

What does IVC stand for?
IVC is the International Visitors Council. We use "IVC" to simplify, and so we are not confused with the Visitor Center for tourists.
Back to top
What types of programs do you administer?
IVC administers international relations, business-training and nation-building programs. There are two primary categories, International Development and International Business, all of which fall under either IVC's Center for International Development or IVC's Center for International Business.
The U.S. Department of State's modestly-named International Visitor Leadership Program is IVC's core program. We receive members of Parliament, attorneys general, educators, journalists and others who have been identified by our embassies as established and rising leaders in their home countries who would benefit greatly from meeting their American counterparts. IVC's members and volunteers host hundreds of delegations each year from more than 140 countries.
The Sister Cities Program, which is under the auspices of the City of Philadelphia and administered by IVC, connects us with seven "sister cities" and three partnership cities overseas. Established in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this program was designed to enhance relationships between cities in the U.S. and the rest of the world. Since 1964, Philadelphia has hosted thousands of students, teachers, artists, and business people alike. Philadelphia's Sister Cities include Florence, Italy, Tel Aviv, Israel, Torun, Poland, Tianjin, China, Incheon, Korea, Douala, Cameroon, and Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. There are also three Partnership Cities/Regions, which are: Kobe, Japan, Aix-en-Provence, France and Abruzzo, Italy. Partnership Cities differ slightly in that they already maintain a Sister City relationship with another U.S. city, but wish to have close ties with Philadelphia, as well.
Discover Philadelphia is a City of Philadelpha funded program to engage the City's international graduate students with the City's arts and culture and young Philadelphians. From sightseeing, baseball and basketball games to professional site visits, this program is designed to have our international graduate students "fall in love" with Philadelphia and consider the City and region when establishing a business in the U.S.
The Community Connections Program is a collaborative effort between the United States Government and the Russian, Ukranian, Kazakh and Azeri Governments. Participants, who are here for 3 to 5 weeks, train intensively with their American business counterparts and live with local families for a total immersion into American culture. From May 1994 to May 2007, IVC of Philadelphia trained more than 300 Azeris, Russians, Ukranians and Kazakhs. Philadelphia area businesses and organizations provided 351 internships and job-shadowing experiences, and 931 professional counterpart exchanges. There have been 674 people from the Greater Philadelphia area who have participated as homestay hosts and community mentors.
IVC's Fee-for-Service Programs support our work and are available for private agencies and international visitors who wish to customize developmental initiatives that are not funded by their home countries or organizations. Programs can be designed to suit every need, based upon the objective and the financial situation of the delegation. These visits can be technical, educational, historical or governmental.
Back to top
Why is IVC's email address 'phila.gov'?'
The City of Philadelphia gives IVC its office space and provides us with our email and grants to administer the Sister Cities Program and Discover Philadelphia.
We also have our own domain, ivc.org.
Back to top
How do I become a member of IVC?
It's easy! Call Alan Hatfield at the membership office @ 215.683.0992 or email him at alan.hatfield@phila.gov. Alan will explain the many benefits to you, including free monthly networking receptions. It is also through his department that you can find out about the upcoming events.
Back to top
What is Home Hospitality vs. Homestay?
There are distinct differences, and what is best for you depends upon your personal situation. Home Hospitality is usually "dinner hospitality" in your home or at a restaurant (we prefer in your home, but understand not everyone can do that). Home Hospitality shows our visitors the more personal side of the U.S. It provides IVC members with a chance to give our international visitors a taste of true local culture. You could entertain a Chilean legal expert for dinner. Take a member of New Zealand's Parliament to a hot new restaurant in Manayunk. Attend a Phillies game with a banker from Hong Kong. The purpose is to create an American cultural experience by sharing a part of your life with the visitor. Homestay Hosts open their homes to international visitors for anywhere from one night to several weeks. There is no better way to understand cultural differences and similarities than through sharing your home and real American way-of-life with a new non-American friend.
Back to top
How do I become a Home Hospitality or Homestay Host?
First you need to be a member and then let us know you want to host! To host guests of the International Visitor Leadership Program call Ron D'Alonzo, Senior Program Officer @ 215.683.0995. Let us know what countries you are particularly interested in, what amount of time you have available, and which type of opportunity suits your personal situation best. Remember, to host, you must be an IVC member.
Back to top
How much advance notice will I receive about hosting?
It really depends upon the particular situation. Often we have just a week or more to secure either hospitality or homestay hosts. For the Community Connections Program we know a month in advance who the participants will be. However, sometimes we are asked by the U.S. Department of State to help out immediately, even the same day. Once you are a member and are registered with IVC, we will have an idea of the flexibility of your schedule, and work from there. We will always call you as far in advance as possible.
Back to top
What if I am unable to host, but would like to meet the visitors?
IVC schedules numerous events for our members and visitors to attend. For example, every first Thursday of the month, except January and July, IVC holds its First Thursday @ The Annex (Courtyard Marriott) Networking receptions. In this casual environment you can converse with the guests who happen to be in town that week. We also have our "Conversations With..." panel discussions. There are other events that come up throughout the year, as well.
Back to top
What is "Compass?"
If you're between the ages of 21 and 40 Compass is the membership for you! Compass members receive all the benefits of other members, plus more. They organize "group hospitality" where a small group of members will take one or more international guests to dinner, a Phillies game or another event. It's a great way for young professionals to develop their international network and meet others from the Philadelphia region interested in international affairs.
Back to top
What are the differences between the various international and tourist organizations in the City?
IVC works with each organization. Here is a snapshot of what each of us does:
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is a "presenting organization" that presents prominent international figures who speak to large audiences about their distinguished careers or areas of expertise. They also have strong international education programs for students. Of all the World Affairs Councils across the United States, Philadelphia's has the best reputation for it's education and speakers' programs.
The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) promotes meetings and tourism in Philadelphia, thereby stimulating our economy by filling hotel rooms and restaurants. The PCVB is known as a leader among Bureaus in the United States.
The Independence Visitors Center Corp. provides information about the rich cultural and historical resources to be found in our region, and stimulates our economy by encouraging guests to stay overnight and visit additional attractions. The Independence Visitors Center is located at 6th & Market Street within Independence Park. It is the largest visitor center in the United States. The role of the Center is to assist visitors and orient them about the Independence National Historical Park, the City and the region through an exciting, informative, state-of-the-art presentation.
The International Visitors Council (IVC) handles "sponsored visitors" as opposed to tourists. We are the region's leading international organization, linking businesses and institutions with hundreds of rising and established leaders each year. We are a volunteer-based citizen diplomacy organization whose network of volunteers was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. We administer the U. S. State Department's leadership exchange programs (since 1954), and the City of Philadelphia's Sister Cities Program (since 1997). IVC arranges the local itineraries and 'American experiences' for hundreds of delegations annually. We identify experts in various fields to meet with the guests; we develop relationships for academic, cultural, civic and business institutions; and help prevent future wars by making friends with the world's new leaders. Our visitors contribute not only to the world's growth and stability, but also to our local economy by staying in our hotels, enjoying our restaurants and spending foreign dollars in our stores. They further enrich our community by sharing their own cultures and ideas with us. For more information about meeting with visitors in a professional or cultural capacity, call us at 215.683.0992.
Back to top