Palm Springs Mayor Garner Leads Sister City Delegation to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
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Palm Springs Mayor Garner Leads Sister City Delegation to
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
August 3 – 6, 2023
Formal Agreement Finalized by Signing Ceremony with
San Miguel de Allende Mayor Mauricio Trejo
and City Cultural and Business Leaders August 4
28 July 2023 – Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner will lead a delegation of local cultural, business and hospitality leaders under the auspices of The Palm Springs Sister City Board of Directors (www.sistercitiesps.org) on a four-day trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, from August 3 to 6, 2023, to celebrate the second official signing of the sister city agreement between the two cities. The trip will also include cultural and educational activities, as well as opportunities to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two municipalities. An initial signing ceremony was held this past February in Palm Springs when San Miguel Mayor Mauricio Trejo led a delegation north. The reciprocal signing ceremony will take place on Friday, August 4 in San Miguel. Also that day, the Palm Springs delegation will be making a presentation to local officials, business leaders and members of the press about opportunities in Palm Springs. On August 2, Brenda Sexton, a local resident who divides her time between San Miguel and Palm Springs, will host the delegation in her home for a special “kick-off” reception.
“This trip represents a significant milestone in our relationship with San Miguel de Allende,” said Mayor Garner who has noted the personal significance of this trip as her family is Mexican American. “As we formalize our sister city partnership, we look forward to fostering a deeper understanding of our shared cultural values and mutual aspirations for our communities.”
The delegation’s itinerary includes visits to local landmarks and cultural institutions, among them the Mexican Folk Toy Museum, the San Lucas Vineyard, and the Atotonilco Sanctuary. Delegates will also attend the Grand Opening of FASMA (Festival de las Artes San Miguel) and a concert by Fernando de la Mora.
Accommodations for the delegation are arranged at the Hotel Real de Minas with meals provided by restaurants Casa Hoyos, Mama Mia Campestre, and Amatte.
“We are eagerly anticipating this visit and the opportunity it presents to deepen the ties between our two cities,” said Al Jones, President of the Palm Springs Sister City Board of Directors . “It’s not just about formalizing our sister city relationship; it’s about celebrating our cultural connections and fostering opportunities for ongoing exchange and cooperation.”
The Palm Springs delegation, in alphabetical order by last name, includes:
- Gary Armstrong, Palm Springs Sister City Board Member
- Jeffrey Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem, Co-owner Destination PSP, Honorary Delegate
- Celeste Brackley, General Manager Saguaro Palm Springs and Soho Hotel Group
- Lauren Bruggemans, Visit Greater Palm Springs
- Alfredo Casuso, DP&A, Inc PR/Design
- Andrea Davis, Palm Springs Sister City Treasurer
- Grace Garner, Mayor of Palm Springs
- Ellen Goodman, Palm Springs Sister City Secretary
- Christy Holstege, Councilmember City of Palm Springs
- Al Jones, Palm Springs Sister City Board of Directors President
- Kimber Foster Jones, Visit Greater Palm Springs
- Adam Lerner, Executive Director Palm Springs Art Museum
- Scott Nevins, Palm Springs Sister City Board Member
- David Eugene Perry, Palm Springs Sister City Board Member
All funds for the travel of the Palm Springs delegates have been privately raised by the Palm Springs Sister City Committee, with no city or public taxpayer funds expended. The Palm Springs Sister City Committee is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity and receives no public funds. The work of the Committee is completely self-funded through donations from the Committee members and interested members of the public. Palm Springs Sister Cities was created with the purpose of enhancing world peace by promoting and servicing relationships between the City of Palm Springs and other similar government units in foreign countries with the object of developing closer understanding and cooperation between people of those respective governmental units. The group hopes to ensure a world of peace through goodwill, compassion, and helping other cultures.
At the heart of all Sister City programs is an agreement, signed by the mayors of each Sister City, confirming the commitment of each community to the Sister City program. Sister Cities agree to send and receive delegations of various types, including political and business leaders, arts and cultural representatives, educators, and technical experts because these exchanges promote cross-cultural understanding, municipal and technical cooperation, and business opportunities. Each Sister City is supported by a committee of volunteers who are committed to the goals and objectives of the program.
Palm Springs had a sister city relationship not only with Victoria, B.C. Canada in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but also with Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Nikki, Japan.