The Chamber views Global Familiarization Trips as a way to assist in the transition to a global economy. For the most part, these destinations are important U.S. trading partners that Iowans may not feel comfortable traveling to on their own.
President Dwight Eisenhower considered global travel to be the passport to world peace. “I have long believed that peaceful relations between nations requires understanding and mutual respect between individuals,” he said. The program is directed toward helping Iowans understand the culture, customs, and history of other countries as one step toward bringing the people of the world closer together.
Since the program began in 2011, through 2018, the Chamber has hosted 16 trips to 11 different countries:
- China (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017)
- India (2012)
- Turkey (2012)
- Cuba (2014)
- Australia & New Zealand (2015)
- Peru (2016)
- Egypt (2016)
- South Africa (twice in 2017, 2018)
- Germany (2018)
- Japan (2018)
The Global Familiarization trips are available to Chamber members and friends of the Chamber. The list of upcoming destinations are sure to bring a mix of new cultural experience to travelers:
- Spring 2019: Portugal & Spain (March 8-16, 2019)
- Fall 2019: Australia & New Zealand (October 29-November 12)
- Spring 2020: Russia
- Fall 2020: India
- Spring 2021: Panama
- Fall 2021: Thailand & Hong Kong
Contact the Chamber at (641) 423-5724 or chamber@masoncityia.com for more information on our upcoming Global Familiarization opportunities.