Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau - Press Releases and News
Eighth International Sister Cities Festival Set Blasita J Lopez
Laredo, TX. March 30, 2010. Eighth International Sister Cities Festival Set. Laredo event bigger, better than ever.
International interchange. . . tourism trade transfer. . . cultural connections. . . diplomatic discussions. . . arts and accolades. . .are all accounts and descriptions of an internationally recognized and award-winning Laredo project entitled the International Sister Cities Festival (LISCF).
Laredo hosts its eighth annual event that kicks-off with a splendid bi-lingual opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010 at the Laredo Entertainment Center.The three-day event features free admission and the wares, products and cultural offerings of its Sisters and other communities from across the nation of Mexico.Laredo will host close to 200 exhibitors and nearly 400 participants at this tourism, trade, business, arts & cultural exposition that is for the whole family.This year the program and event is dedicated to Mexico as it celebrates its bicentennial anniversary of Declaration of Independence and the centennial anniversary of its Battle of the Revolution.Participants are expected to wear typical cultural attire during the various events throughout the three days.With cultural dance and dress, the event will truly feature a cross section of cultures and history from throughout Mexico and of course its influences on Texas.
The Laredo Entertainment Center is transformed over the three-day event to hold such exotic items as beautiful artisan produced and hand crafted furniture, jewelry and clothing.Carne seca, fresh cheeses, tortillas, and tequila are a few of the items that you can sample along with products for sale such as silk rebozos, linen gowns, leather goods, wool serapes and a variety of other clothes and accessories grace some of the hundreds of exhibits set up on the arena floor and concourse.
Recognizing the importance of the Festival and the opportunity for exposure in a U.S. market, many Sister Cities have always attended in full regalia and bring in large delegations including their government leaders that include: Mexico, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, Morelos, Queretaro and San Luis Potosi among others.
The Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau host visitors from afar with dignitaries choosing to travel with their respective cities’ vendors.Many elected officials from established Sister Cities come into Laredo to strengthen the tie and rekindle the friendships that picks up right where they left off the last time they visited.
Other gobernadores, alcaldes and members of city councils come in representation of their people intending to sign a Sister City agreement, for example, in 2009 the town of Escobedo, Nuevo Leon signed on the dotted line and a new relationship was made official.The Festival has been known as the premier venue for signing such agreements in the past.Some booths are specifically for the purpose of information sharing and instead of a physical product purchased on the spot sell the experience of a gorgeous foreign attraction ready and awaiting the eager visitor.
Laredo is a model city in establishing Sister City relationships with 26 of its own agreements currently in place.The festival has grown from 48 vendors its first year to over 135 in its seventh year in 2009.
Information on the Sister Cities Festival may be obtained by calling the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-361-3360 or by logging onto www.visitlaredo.com.
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The Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization of the city of Laredo.It promotes the use of tourism services including the local hotel and lodging service providers.
