The Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S., in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of International Visitors, is excited to announce the locations of the 2025 Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summits.
Held annually in cities across the United States through the nationwide Global Ties Network, the Diplomacy Begins Here Summit series brings together leaders from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors to deepen understanding of U.S. foreign policy priorities and the benefits of exchange programs like the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to U.S. communities, and to our economy and security.
The 2025 hosts, cities, and dates are:
July 17-18 | Salt Lake City, UT
Hosted by Utah Global Diplomacy
Theme: National Security and Emerging Technologies
October 2-3 | Iowa City, IA
Hosted by Global Ties Iowa
Theme: TBD
Note: This event is contingent on funding not yet available.
“The Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summits directly engage U.S. citizens in how to build prosperity and showcase American excellence through international exchange and other public diplomacy programs, right here within our own cities,” said Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D., President & CEO of Global Ties U.S. “We’re excited to be working with Utah Global Diplomacy and Global Ties Iowa in elevating the importance of citizen engagement in making our country safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
The Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summits are funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Global Ties U.S. in collaboration with local Community-Based Members of the Global Ties Network. These gatherings provide a valuable opportunity to create connections, build professional networks, and bring attention to the critical role that citizen diplomacy programs play in strengthening U.S. influence and security abroad, and building stronger communities and workforces here at home.
Since 2014, the Summits have connected thousands of international exchange practitioners with local business and community representatives in more than 20 U.S. cities, including Albuquerque, NM; Burlington, VT; Cleveland, OH; Kansas City, MO; Miami, FL; and San Diego, CA.
Each Summit also includes a Learning Lab, which is a full day of professional development for Global Ties Network members to strengthen their knowledge and expertise, and support excellence in programming IVLP and other exchange projects on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.
To learn more about the Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summits and to stay up to date on registration, speakers, and programming, visit our website.
About Global Ties U.S.
Global Ties U.S. is the national leader for connecting people and communities across the United States with global leaders through international exchange programs. Since 1961, it has powered a community-based Network of 80+ nonprofit organizations that serve all 50 U.S. states and implement the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and a wide variety of other international exchange and public diplomacy programs. The work of Global Ties U.S. advances U.S. strategic priorities abroad and boosts prosperity at home by harnessing the diplomatic potential of our country’s greatest asset: our people.