Tulsa Global Alliance Tulsa Regional Chamber

Tulsa Global Alliance is a culturally focused nonprofit with a mission to build global community. The work of TGA is, in the terms of the U.S. State Department, “citizen diplomacy.” While diplomats negotiate various treaties and responsibilities, it is the efforts of average Americans to build the friendships between nations that make win-win a possibility in international relations.

Through four key programs, TGA hosts international visitors, facilitates Sister City relationships, and promotes global education and international trade relations.

Friendly relationships between people and countries have never been more vital than today, and TGA offers Tulsans the opportunity to make a positive contribution to international relations at the local level.

These are some of TGA’s successes in 2022:

• TGA hosted 121 exchange program participants representing 49 nations. This generated 584 hotel room nights — an estimated $438,000 economic impact.

• Over 205 Tulsans attended TGA’s SAVOR international food tasting event at the Centennial Center in Veterans Park, featuring 17 Tulsa restaurants.

• With support from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Sharon King Davis and the Gelvin Foundation, TGA dedicated a Sister Cities Directional Sign at River Parks, located at East 68th Street and Riverside Drive.

• Working with the Tulsa City-County Library, TGA hosted World in a Box Day, featuring hands-on activities to educate children and families about Tulsa’s Sister Cities.

• TGA assisted the Oklahoma District Export Council, U.S. Commercial Service and PartnerTulsa in hosting the Oklahoma World Trade Conference at Tulsa Technology Center. Consuls General from India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Uruguay visited Tulsa for the conference.

• TGA’s first Tulsa delegation since 2019 traveled to Sister City San Luis Potosí, Mexico in honor of the city’s 430th anniversary.

• TGA continued its virtual Global Speaker Series highlighting past international visitors to Tulsa and Tulsa travelers.

• Mayor G.T. Bynum participated in a video call with the mayor of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Enrique Galindo, and exchanged video greetings with Eiichi Sato, mayor of Utsunomiya, Japan, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Tulsa-Utsunomiya Sister City relationship.

Tulsans continue to build and strengthen international friendships needed at this pivotal time in our nation’s history. We promote a positive image of Tulsa to the world by introducing the world’s future leaders to the most important resource we have — our people and their warmth, hospitality and friendship.

This year’s Vision Tulsa message is dedicated to TGA’s Sister City Coordinator and Administrator Cathy Izzo who passed away in 2022. Cathy had a profound impact on TGA as an organization, and on our global community. She dedicated 17 years to TGA, and we are thankful to have known her, and for the love and joy she brought to our lives. TGA will always remember her contributions to the organization, Tulsa’s Sister City partnerships and the cause of citizen diplomacy.

Tulsa is a city that inspires. It inspires investment. It inspires tourism. It inspires exploration, invention and engagement. And, as we increasingly see, Tulsa inspires other cities hoping to generate the same level of energy and excitement that we experience on a daily basis.

Tulsa is many things to many people. Tulsa is vibrant, offering a diverse mix of architecture, activities and events, from arts and music to food and theater. From the ongoing public and private investment in downtown, to quality-of-life improvements like the Gathering Place river development, to marquee venues such as BOK Center, Cain’s Ballroom and ONEOK Field, our community is one our children and grandchildren will want to live in.

Tulsa is active. Tulsans enjoy outdoor spaces like Guthrie Green, River Parks and Turkey Mountain, and they compete in events like the Tulsa Run, Tulsa Tough and the IRONMAN triathlon. Tulsa makes it easy to walk, bike and run, or to simply relax and soak up the sun.

Tulsa is creative. Tulsans pursue opportunities to push the envelope and expand the knowledge base. Tulsa’s creative thinkers are busy today imagining the jobs of tomorrow in fields such as computer science, aerospace, health care and the arts.

Tulsa is entrepreneurial. From our earliest days, Tulsans have been pioneers, and that pioneering spirit continues today through the region’s numerous career tech and higher education institutions, as well as through the Chamber’s own Tulsa Small Business Connection, northeast Oklahoma’s leading network for connecting small businesses with the tools to grow in a competitive global market.

Tulsa is family-friendly. Our region’s attractions — including our zoo, parks and lakes — appeal to young and old alike, offering fun for the entire family. Tulsa is a great place to visit a fair, take in an outdoor concert, and splash in the water.

Tulsa is historic. From our treasure trove of art deco architecture to iconic Route 66, Tulsa offers sights and sounds that chronicle the history of our nation. Tulsa offers world-class museums — including Philbrook and Greenwood Rising — that bring the history of our region — and other regions — to life.

Tulsa is as multi-faceted as its citizens, and Tulsa’s best days are still ahead. Take a look — you, too, will be inspired by Tulsa.

Bob Lieser Vice President of Programs, Tulsa Global Alliance

Mike Neal President and CEO, Tulsa Regional Chamber