Celebrating Home Hospitality: Building Bridges Through Dinner Diplomacy 

This year, Global Ties Sacramento welcomed 350 international visitors to the Sacramento region, creating opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange and dialogue. A key pillar of our programming is Home Hospitality, where local community members open their homes to international visitors for dinner and conversation. 

In 2024, we organized: 

  • 14 Home Hospitality Dinners through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). 
  • 5 Home Hospitality Hosts for the Open World Program. 
  • 3 Home Hospitality Dinners during the Asian Fellows Visit.

We cannot carry out the vital work of Dinner Diplomacy without the generosity and engagement of our Home Hospitality community. To our hosts, we are grateful for your engagement.  

Home Hospitality strengthens U.S. citizen engagement in global affairs, fosters mutual understanding, and supports local communities. It also contributes to workforce development and business partnerships while expanding Sacramento’s role as a hub for international collaboration. This year’s dinners provided an opportunity for visitors and hosts to share their stories, ideas, and experiences, demonstrating the power of informal diplomacy in creating lasting global connections. 

Below, we highlight some of our most memorable Hospitality events from 2024: 

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development 

On December 6, visitors from Croatia, Finland, Italy, and Latvia participated in an IVLP program on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development. Hosted by Anne and Morgan Staines, the dinner brought together local business leaders and international delegates to discuss challenges and opportunities for small businesses. 

Through lively discussions, participants exchanged ideas on fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurs, and promoting sustainable practices. The evening highlighted the role of informal diplomacy in advancing shared goals and mutual understanding among global entrepreneurs. 

Educational Resilience Following Natural Disasters

On March 13, Heidi Steinecker, a World Trade Center Northern California Board Member, and her husband Christian hosted a dinner for IVLP delegates from the Republic of Türkiye. Another Sacramento Host, Victoria Alvarez and her family also hosted the groups as well. Topics included trauma-sensitive education, disaster preparedness, and mental health resources for schools. The delegates connected with local education and mental health experts during their visit to Sacramento, fostering cross-cultural collaboration on educational resilience.

Building Resilient and Diverse Semiconductor Supply Chains

On March 22, Joe Ayala hosted an IVLP delegation from Mexico, who explored strategies for strengthening global semiconductor supply chains. 

Towards a More Safe and Secure World – Combating Transnational Crime

In May, Angela Blanchard, a World Trade Center Northern California Board Member, and her husband, Clark, welcomed IVLP participants from Cameroon, Ghana, Tanzania, and Ethiopia to their home in Sacramento. The evening facilitated dialogue on cooperative efforts to combat transnational crime, fostering relationships and mutual understanding.

Transparency and Accountability in Government II

In June, Linda and Stephen Reed hosted IVLP participants from six countries, including Ukraine and Korea. The evening was particularly memorable, as a Ukrainian participant later sent the hosts a signed copy of a book they had written. Long-time host, Sheri Welles, also welcomed participants from Brazil, Egypt, Nepal, and Malaysia, creating another opportunity for meaningful dialogue on government transparency. 

Water Resource Management

In November, George and Lynn Meyer hosted IVLP participants from Iraq, sharing discussions on sustainable water resource management. 

Thank You to Our Home Hosts

The success of these events underscores the incredible impact of Hospitality. Our hosts embody the spirit of citizen diplomacy, bridging cultures and creating lasting connections. Thank you for opening your homes and setting the table for international collaboration. 

If you are interested in becoming a Home Host or learning more about our programs, please contact us at info@globaltiessac.org for more information.