The City of Fort Lauderdale officially established its 17th sister-city relationship with the City of Duisburg, Germany on Friday, March 18th, 2011 at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler and Duisburg Lord Mayor Adolf Sauerland signed the proclamation twinning the two cities at 5:00 p.m.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International (GFLSCI), the non-profit organization which creates sister-city relationships for the City of Fort Lauderdale, hosted this historic celebration and welcomed the delegation from Germany, which included Lord Mayor Adolf Sauerland and nine other councilors and city representatives from the City of Duisburg.

Lord Mayor Sauerland presented the official flag of Duisburg, a world globe as well as other gifts to Mayor Seiler. Mayor Seiler’s presentation included a beautifully framed centennial poster created by world renowned pop artist Charles Fazzino commemorating the 100th year Anniversary of the City of Fort Lauderdale which will be celebrated on March 27, 2011. Other presentations included the Key to the City of Fort Lauderdale by Vice Mayor Romney Rogers and the Key to Broward County by County Commissioner Dale Holness.

Other guests of honor included Eva Alexandra Grafin Kendeffy, Consul General of Germany in Miami; Hans Lamprecht, Vice-Consul of Germany in Miami;  Stephen Scott, City of Fort Lauderdale Director of Economic Development; Deborah Wilkinson, Chief Development Officer, Broward County Office of Economic &  Small Business Development; Dan Lindblade, President, Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; Andy Deering, Port Everglades; Andy Volking, German American Business Council; Karl and Annette Thor, Duisburg Sister Cities Representatives; John Karr, President, South Florida American Red Cross; and representatives of Lufthansa and Air Berlin.

During their stay in Fort Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International organized for the delegation to meet with key players in international trade. They also organized a tour of Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale City Hall, and attended with them a meeting with business leaders at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International plans to organize many beneficial exchanges between these two cities and will participate in many local events representing the City of Duisburg.