Green Bay vying for sister city convention

The city of Green Bay is trying to reach out to other countries by competing to host a Sister City's conference.

The city has two sister cities, one in Mexico and one in Italy. The programs help Green Bay and those cities trade ideas on health care, education, city planning, and more.

City leaders and business officials got together at city hall on Thursday afternoon to brainstorm on the conference, which takes place in about a year and a half.

It's the first of many meetings to prepare for process. City officials won't find out until this summer if Green Bay is selected.

Hosting the sister city convention could mean that about 150 people from all over the United States and Mexico would come to Green Bay for a few days.

"We want to work on reaching out culturally, reaching out in areas of health care, education, international business community and be known as an international destination. And I think it's the right way to start," said Matt Hollenbeck, who helped organize the group with the city's help.

Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt says the sister city programs and hosting conferences would not cost taxpayers any money. Schmitt says if the city wins the bid to host the sister city convention, it would be privately funded.