Chamber puts borough on map in Kansas
Thursday, 24 July 2008
A representative of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce is currently in the States on a promotional trip aimed at putting the borough on the map.
Audrey Wales is in Kansas City attending the annual Sister Cities International Conference, an event which promotes relationships between towns and cities across the world.
The conference, which runs until Saturday, July 19 takes place each year and attracts hundreds of sister city supporters, government officials and sister city leaders from around the globe.
During her stay Audrey, whose trip is being sponsored by the Chamber, plans to promote the area in terms of tourism and industry.
And she believes her attendance will reap dividends when the conference is hosted in Belfast next year, the first time outside America.
Speaking prior to the trip Audrey said: "The aim of going to Kansas is to attract as many visitors as possible to the town next year. The Northern Ireland delegates are hosting an event one night so we will have the opportunity to meet a lot of people.
“It will give us the chance to show how good Ballymena is as a town and possibly attract new businesses and visitors. It is about promoting Ballymena in the hope that when the Sister Cities Conference comes to Belfast next year delegates will come to the borough for a few days."
Ballymena has had a partnership with Sister Cities for a number of years and is linked with Morehead in Kentucky.
Joining Audrey in Kansas are Ballymena Borough Council representatives Councillors Deirdre Nelson, Monica Digney, James Currie, Robin Stirling and Alderman PJ McAvoy.
They too are keen to generate interest in the borough among the 15,000 to 20,000 people expected to attend the conference next year.
Meanwhile the Chamber has put together a marketing brochure highlighting what Ballymena has to offer.
Audrey added: "Next year will be the first time the conference will be held outside America. Sister Cities is a world-wide organisation and this is a chance for us to put Ballymena on the map.
“We have produced a marketing brochure in which some local businesses are offering discount for people who attend the conference. There is also details of local hotels and places of interest including the Ecos Centre, Arthur Cottage and Slemish as well as the new Braid Town Hall and Museum."
