The 38th Annual Arizona Sister Cities State Conference
About this Event
Local Friendships. Global Impact.
September 25–26, 2026 | Downtown Chandler, Arizona
Join leaders, citizen diplomats, educators, business professionals, students, and community changemakers for Arizona's premier international engagement conference.
The 38th Arizona Sister Cities State Conference returns with a fresh vision for innovation, creativity, and global collaboration. Hosted by Chandler Sister Cities, this year's conference explores how local partnerships can create meaningful global impact through citizen diplomacy, education, business, culture, and innovation.
Taking place in the heart of Downtown Chandler at Arizona State University's Chandler Innovation Center, the conference features inspiring keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, interactive workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities designed to spark new ideas and lasting partnerships.
Whether you're a longtime Sister Cities volunteer or new to international engagement, you'll leave with fresh perspectives, practical strategies, and valuable connections that strengthen your community's global impact.
Why Attend?This year's conference is designed to help participants:
🌍 Build meaningful international relationships
💡 Discover innovative approaches to citizen diplomacy
🤝 Learn from inspiring leaders across government, education, nonprofit organizations, and business
🎯 Exchange best practices with Sister Cities programs throughout Arizona
🚀 Explore how creativity and collaboration can solve global challenges locally
🌟 Expand your professional and international network
This conference is ideal for:
- Sister Cities board members and volunteers
- City and municipal leaders
- Elected officials
- Economic development professionals
- International business leaders
- Educators and university professionals
- Students interested in global leadership
- Nonprofit organizations
- Cultural organizations
- Community leaders
- Anyone passionate about international friendship and collaboration
*Must be 18+ and older to attend.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Sept 17, 2026
Global Welcome Reception
Event Schedule
🌟 Friday, September 25, 2026
Connect • Celebrate • Network
Begin the conference by connecting with fellow attendees, international guests, speakers, sponsors, and community leaders during an evening of conversation and celebration in Downtown Chandler.
Time
🕕 6:00–9:00 p.m. MST
Location
QuartHaus Pub
201 S. Washington St.
Chandler, AZ 85225
Your Reception Ticket Includes
✔ Two drink tickets
✔ Light appetizers
✔ Networking with conference attendees, speakers, sponsors, and community leaders
Parking
Free parking is available at the ASU Chandler Innovation Center (249 E. Chicago Street) in the surface lot just north of the building off E. Chicago Street. Overflow options include the Chandler City Hall parking garage one block away at 240 S. Washington Street.
🌎 Saturday, September 26, 2026
Arizona Sister Cities State Conference
Learn • Collaborate • Inspire
Spend the day exploring innovative ideas, sharing best practices, and discovering how citizen diplomacy can strengthen communities and create global opportunities.
Time
🕗 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. MST
Location
Arizona State University
Chandler Innovation Center
249 E. Chicago St.
Chandler, AZ 85225
Your Conference Includes
✔ Coffee and light breakfast
✔ Water and refreshments
✔ Morning and afternoon snacks
✔ Catered lunch
✔ Inspiring keynote speakers
✔ Interactive workshops
✔ Networking opportunities throughout the day
Parking
Free parking is available at the ASU Chandler Innovation Center (249 E. Chicago Street) in the surface lot just north of the building off E. Chicago Street. Overflow options include the Chandler City Hall parking garage one block away at 240 S. Washington Street.
One Registration. Two Experiences.
Your Global Welcome Reception ticket includes complimentary admission to the 38th Arizona Sister Cities State Conference on Saturday.
There is no additional conference registration fee beyond the Friday Reception ticket.
NOTE: Please check your Spam/Junk or Trash Folder if you do not receive a registration confirmation email!
About This Year's Theme
Local Friendships. Global Impact.
Strong international partnerships begin with local relationships.
This year's conference celebrates how citizen diplomacy fosters innovation, strengthens communities, promotes cultural understanding, and creates lasting global connections. Together, we'll explore new ways to collaborate across borders and imagine the future of Sister Cities for generations to come.
Join the Conversation
Share your conference experience before, during, and after the event.
#2026AZSisterCities
Be part of the conversations, partnerships, and ideas that will shape the future of Arizona's global connections. We Can't Wait to Welcome You!
Where to Stay in Downtown Chandler
For attendees coming from a distance, here are the closest hotels to the venue. Please get in touch with the hotel directly to book your stay.
1. Crowne Plaza Phoenix-Chandler Golf Resort: https://bit.ly/3TUiAOJ
2. Hilton Garden Inn Chandler Downtown: https://bit.ly/4qdChgt
Join us in Downtown Chandler on September 25–26, 2026, and help build the next chapter of international friendship, innovation, and collaboration.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Sept 17, 2026
Questions? Contact: [email protected].
Agenda
🕑: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Reception (Ticketed Event)
Host: Live Band
Info: Join us for a meaningful kick-off blessing, global flavors, live music, fireside conversations, and authentic connections with leaders, creatives, and our local community. Location: QuartHaus Pub -- 201 S Washington St, Chandler, AZ 85225
Conference Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Conference Agenda (Free)
Info: Discover the power of Sister Cities in action—explore how global partnerships come to life, experience youth artists creating meaningful impact locally and internationally, and dive into conversations about economic development and our most precious resource: water.
Learn how to get involved as a member or volunteer, connect with your local mayor, and gain insight into the importance of cross-cultural communication—all while building connections that extend far beyond borders. Location: Arizona State University Chandler Innovation Center -- 249 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 85225
🕑: 08:15 AM
Welcome and Opening Ceremony
Host: Mahfam Moenni-Alarcon
Keynote
Host: Mayor Kevin Hartke
Info: Tales of Castles, Thistles, and Wayfinding: Global impact begins with understanding the historical background and cultural stories of a community which are discovered through local friendships and conversations.
🕑: 09:00 AM
History and Future of Intel in Chandler
Host: Christine Mackey and Micah Miranda
Info: Intel first opened their doors in Chandler in 1979 and has helped to drive the economy in the city since that time. Learn how Intel first selected Chandler, how the Chandler and Intel have partnered together to drive innovation, and what is planned for the future.
🕑: 10:00 AM
AI-Powered Social Media Strategies for Sister Cities Programs
Host: Joe Forte
Info: Discover how to use accessible AI tools to plan, create, and execute effective social media campaigns that promote and highlight your Sister Cities programs. This practical session will demonstrate how platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini Notebook can help you develop content strategies, generate posts, craft engagement plans, and streamline outreach—empowering even small volunteer teams to increase visibility, share cultural stories, and grow community support for sister city initiatives.
🕑: 11:00 AM
Connected Communities (Panel Discussion)
Info: What does international connection look like at the local level? This fast-paced session brings together Sister Cities leaders, diplomatic representatives, and community stakeholders for a series of brief presentations highlighting the programs, partnerships, initiatives, and ideas they are advancing in their communities. Hear what’s happening across Arizona and beyond, discover approaches that may inspire your own work, and see the many ways organizations are building connections across communities and cultures.
🕑: 12:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 12:45 PM
2027 Arizona Sister Cities Initatives: India and Oman
Host: Dr. Michael Curd and George Hartz
Info: Explore current and emerging opportunities for friendship, collaboration, and exchange with India and Oman. This session will highlight ways Arizona Sister Cities organizations can build connections, strengthen relationships, and explore future opportunities for engagement with communities in both countries.
🕑: 01:45 PM
2026 Arizona Sister Cities Youth Leadership and Representative Panel
Info: The SCI Youth Leadership Summit brings together young leaders ages 14–18 from around the world to develop leadership skills, explore global challenges, and experience citizen diplomacy in action. Through interactive sessions, participants learn how peopleto-people relationships foster peace, mutual respect, and cross-cultural understanding. In 2026, five Arizona students were selected, with four traveling to Washington, D.C. during SCI’s 70th Anniversary celebration. They joined students from around the globe to exchange perspectives, build connections, and explore their role as the next generation of citizen diplomats. Hear from these students as they share their experiences, memorable moments, and key takeaways about leadership, global connection, and building relationships across cultures.
🕑: 02:45 PM
Fireside Chat Panel: Lessons Learned: Growing Stronger Together
Info: In an intimate fireside-style discussion, leaders from Sister City organizations across the state reflect on what it takes to build, grow, and sustain meaningful international partnerships. Panelists will share lessons learned from their own communities, including navigating challenges, engaging local stakeholders, creating momentum, and identifying opportunities for growth. With perspectives from organizations at different stages of development, the conversation will offer practical insights and ideas that Sister City leaders can take back to their own communities.
🕑: 03:45 PM
Closing and Connection
Host: Mahfam Moenni-Alarcon
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 161.90
