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TOWN OF WICKENBURG Partner City Workshop June 16, 2025 Broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed officials from both communities sign off on an agreement. Most often thought of as a "Sister City” What is a Partner City 2 • Cultural & Heritage Exchange – Share traditions, arts, and ancestral connections • Economic & Tourism Growth – Promote trade, business, and travel • Education & Youth Engagement – Enable school, student, and teacher exchanges • Shared Learning & Collaboration – Address civic challenges and share best practices • Global Relationships – Foster diplomacy, mutual support, and humanitarian ties 3 Common Reasons for Establishing a Partner City 4 Examples of AZ International Sister Cities • September 4, 2012: Jasper, Alberta, Canada selected as our partner city • Chosen because both towns are endpoints of Highway 93 • Around 12 years ago, the Jasper Fire Chief cycled the entire Highway 93 corridor Jasper, Alberta, Canada 5 6 Key Decisions • Current Status • Continue with Jasper, Alberta? • Seek a new/additional partner or friend city? • Location of Future Partner • In Arizona? • Elsewhere in the U.S.? • International? • How to Identify a Partner • Use a formal organization (e.g. Sister Cities International)? • Identify a partner independently? • Council Direction • Define goals, scope, and expected outcomes. 7 Implementation and Resources • Who Should Lead the Effort? • Town Council • Town Staff • Internal Committee • External Partner or Volunteer Group • Funding, Time & Resources • Estimated Annual Cost: $2,300 – $12,300 • Requires coordination, planning, and consistent communication • Utilizes town staff time and administrative support 8 Key Discussion Points • Strategic Objectives • Partner/Sister City Selection Criteria • Partnership Management • Level of Engagement • Costs & Funding Sources • Community and Stakeholder Involvement • Sustainability & Long-Term Planning Discussion 9 10 Estimated Costs of a Partner City Item Cost Estimate Notes Membership $300-$500 Costs depend on paring agency Signage (1–2 roadside “Sister City” signs) $600–$800 Local sign shop or public works fabrication Informal visit (1–2 people, 1-night stay) $200–$3,000 Gas stipend, meals, lodging (depends on location of sister town) Community cultural event (shared festival booth, art show) $1,000–$5,000 In-kind support from local sponsors or civic groups Joint marketing materials $200–$1,000 Flyers, social posts, shared tourism map section Administrative time (in-kind/volunteer) $0–$2,000 Staff or volunteer hours 11 • Do we want to continue with Jasper or pursue a new partner city? • Should that city be: § Within Arizona? § Withing the United States? § International? • Paring? Use an organization or find a partner on our own? What We Need to Decide 12 • Council direction for scope, goals and outcomes • Who will lead the project? § Council § Staff § Committee § External • Funding What We Need to Decide 13 Funding Considerations 14 • Staff Time • Travel & Hosting • Promotional Materials • Events & Activities • Committee/Volunteer Support • Membership Fees (if we join an organization) • Costs can be scaled based on the town’s goals Partner Idea: Hwy 93 Tourism Corridor 15 Build a "Partner Family" of cities along Hwy 93 – Linking towns from Wickenburg, AZ to Montana with a tourism network Why Hwy 93? • A popular route for our ropers and seasonal visitors heading north • Natural trail of travel that already connects us • Let's "ride on their trailers" and promote Wickenburg all the way to Montana and beyond – Use them to spread the word • Create a multi-city tourism campaign with shared branding • Highlight unique stops along Hwy 93 – With Wickenburg as the premier Western destination • Collaborate on events, signage, cross- promotion, and digital storytelling • Feature ropers and travelers as ambassadors for Wickenburg 16 Opportunities Let’s invest in their journey – and make sure it leads right back to Wickenburg, Arizona • Cultural exchange – Share arts, traditions, and customs between communities. • Economic development – Foster trade, business, and investment opportunities. • Educational partnerships – Support student, teacher, and school collaborations. • Tourism promotion – Boost travel through joint events and marketing. • Shared problem-solving – Exchange ideas on common civic challenges. • Government collaboration – Learn from each other’s public policies and practices. • Humanitarian support – Offer aid or solidarity during times of crisis. • Heritage and diaspora ties – Connect with communities of shared ancestry. • Global diplomacy – Build international friendships and mutual understanding. 17 Common Reasons for Establishing a Partner City Discussion 18