| | | | | | | | Agenda Item - 3.d.
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
| To: | Lisa L. Kim
| From: | Maria Stipe
| | Dept.: | City Manager
| Dept.: | City Manager
| | Subject: | Authorization for Council Members and staff to travel to South Korea to participate in a tourism promotion and Sister City anniversary program; authorization for one staff member to travel from South Korea to Japan as part of an optional Visit Anaheim delegation. (Cost: $10,000) (Action Item) | Date: | 4/25/2023 |
|
| | | | | | | | OBJECTIVE
To obtain travel authorization for up to five members of the City Council and three staff members to participate in a tourism promotion and Sister City Anniversary program in the Republic of Korea, and for one staff member to travel from South Korea to Japan as part of an optional Visit Anaheim delegation, from September 15-24, 2023, including travel time. |
| | | | | | | | BACKGROUND
For the past 40 years, the City of Garden Grove has worked to foster friendship, understanding and cooperation with its Sister City in Anyang, South Korea. This has been accomplished through support of the Sister City Association and annual student exchange program, various business meetings, as well as participation in a public employee exchange program. |
| | | | | | | | DISCUSSION
This year, Anyang City will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. In order to commemorate the anniversary, the City of Anyang has invited the Mayor and City Council/City delegation to attend a celebration ceremony and variety of events and seminars that will take place from September 19-22, 2023. Anyang City will provide all lodging, ground transportation, and interpreters for the full City delegation while staying in Anyang (4 days, 3 nights).
As part of the visit, the City will also be partnering with representatives from Visit Anaheim and the Garden Grove Tourism Promotion Corporation (GGTPC) to promote tourism from the Republic of Korea to Garden Grove. On September 16-19, 2023, the City delegation will meet with South Korea’s key travel industry representatives in Seoul to discuss tourism opportunities and promote Garden Grove as a tourism destination. It is anticipated tourism industry officials will be further encouraged to invest in and promote tourism exchange between the City of Garden Grove and Republic of Korea as a result of this visit.
An additional optional component of this trip is for one staff member to join Visit Anaheim and the GGTPC in Japan to further promote Garden Grove as a tourism destination. This optional component, if included in the final program, would occur concurrently with travel to Anyang City, from September 19-24, 2023. |
| | | | | | | | FINANCIAL IMPACT
There will be minimal impact to the General Fund. Expenses related to the tourism promotion components will be covered by Visit Anaheim and GGTPC. The Sister City portion of the trip will be primarily funded by Anyang City, including lodging, ground transportation and some meals. Ancillary expenses, not expected to exceed $10,000, will be paid from the FY 2022-23 Budget. |
| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
- Authorize travel for up to five City Council Members and three staff members to South Korea from September 15-24, 2023, in cooperation with Visit Anaheim, GGTPC and Anyang City.
- Authorize optional travel for one staff member from South Korea to Japan from September 19-24, 2023, in cooperation with Visit Anaheim and GGTPC.
|
|