The City of Santa Barbara was recently honored with the prestigious Sister Cities International Innovation in Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange 2025 Award for cities with a population ranging from 25,001 to 100,000. This recognition was announced at the SCI Annual Awards Program, which celebrates the accomplishments of sister cities programs worldwide, emphasizing their role in fostering citizen diplomacy. Established in 1962, Sister Cities International initiated this program to acknowledge exceptional sister city initiatives.
The recipients of the 2025 Annual Awards were unveiled during the SCI Awards Ceremony and Diplomatic Dinner in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 22. The event featured Mary Jean Eisenhower as the keynote speaker, the granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who founded Sister Cities International, an organization dedicated to promoting people-to-people diplomacy. The awards were presented by Sister Cities International President and CEO Ricki R. Garrett and SCI Board Chair Carlo Capua to the 2025 winners in attendance.
The winning proposal for the Sister Cities Brand Marketing Campaign for the City of Santa Barbara was devised and executed by Bonnie Carroll, with support from Santa Barbara SCI member volunteers. The City of Santa Barbara clinched the esteemed 2025 Annual Award for its exceptional work in 2024, specifically in the category of Innovation in Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange, highlighting its commitment to furthering the goals and mission of Sister Cities International through a focus on people-to-people diplomacy.
Mayor Randy Rowse had the honor of receiving the 2025 Sister Cities International Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange Award from Bonnie Carroll. The award, along with various other SCI gifts and accolades, will be showcased in the Mayor’s office as a symbol of the city’s achievement. The success of 2025 was made possible through the generous support of local businesses and city partners.
Expressing his gratitude, Mayor Rowse acknowledged the dedication and performance of the Sister Cities groups in Santa Barbara, emphasizing the exemplary relationships cultivated with sister cities worldwide. The Mayor highlighted the city’s commitment to setting a global standard in fostering international connections.
Mayor Rowse, along with other key figures like Councilman Oscar Gutierrez, Assistant to the Mayor Holly Perea, and volunteer Linda Gunther, were commended for their unwavering support of the City of Santa Barbara Sister Cities Committees, including those in Kotor, Montenegro, Patras, Greece, Weihai, China, Toba, Japan, Miraflores, Peru, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Bonnie Carroll expressed her pride in accepting the 2025 Best Innovation in Business, Trade, and Professional Exchange proposal and Annual Award on behalf of the dedicated members who contribute to the success of the City of Santa Barbara SCI programs. She emphasized the collaborative efforts of various partners globally in promoting the importance of fostering strong member relationships through effective planning and communication.
Sister Cities International, which serves as the national membership organization for 465 U.S. communities with over 1,800 partnerships across 138 countries on six continents, recognized the 2025 winners in various categories. For those interested in becoming members of the City of Santa Barbara Sister Cities program, further information is available on the city’s official website.
With this prestigious award, the City of Santa Barbara has not only demonstrated its commitment to international collaboration and diplomacy but has also set a benchmark for sister cities programs worldwide, showcasing the significance of fostering meaningful connections across borders.
📰 Related Articles
- Western Sydney University Student Receives Chancellor’s Community Leadership Award
- South Korean Cities and Universities Compete for International Students
- Santa Fe Relocation Wins Destination Services Provider Award 2025
- Royal Australian Artillery Soldier Joshua Burke Receives Prestigious Mattner Award
- Retired Combat Dog Manic Receives Australian Service Award