Ever wondered what happens when a Scottish town and a Floridian city decide to become family? Forres and Mount Dora are rekindling their unique twinning relationship with a special networking event! What incredible cross-pond connections could emerge from this renewed friendship?
A significant effort is underway to reinvigorate the long-standing Forres Mount Dora Twinning relationship, fostering deeper connections and mutual growth between the Scottish and American communities. This renewed push aims to transcend geographical boundaries, creating opportunities for shared prosperity and understanding.
The upcoming ‘Cross-Pond Connections’ event, scheduled for Friday, August 29, at the Mosset Tavern, serves as a crucial platform for this revitalization. Hosted by members of the Mount Dora Sister Cities Program, the gathering is specifically designed to inject new vitality into the partnership through diverse initiatives, including cultural exchange programs, strategic Business Networking Scotland opportunities, and genuine friendship-building across the two towns.
Andy Hall, the president of the Forres–Mount Dora Twinning Association, has expressed his profound hope for widespread participation in this networking event. He actively encourages community members to attend and consider volunteering, emphasizing that their involvement is vital for the continued success and expansion of the partnership’s objectives.
The genesis of this enduring Sister Cities Program dates back to 1988, when a resident from Mount Dora, Florida, visited Forres. Inspired by the visit, this individual initiated contact with a local solicitor, advocating for the establishment of closer ties and collaboration between the two distinct communities.
Following a period of extensive correspondence and increasing community involvement, the Mount Dora Sister Cities Association (MDSC) was formally registered as a non-profit corporation. This crucial step in 1990 served to officially formalize the partnership, culminating in the agreement of a charter aimed at cultivating goodwill through comprehensive cultural, educational, and Community Development Forres initiatives.
A notable highlight of the twinning’s history was the establishment of a robust student exchange program in 1994, involving Forres Academy and Mount Dora High School. This highly successful initiative facilitated two students from each school hosting their counterparts annually, an enriching experience that regrettably concluded in 2017.
The eagerly anticipated networking event will draw a diverse array of attendees, underscoring its broad appeal and potential impact. Representatives from Macleans Highland Bakery, various Tourism Partnerships USA businesses, Thorabella Farm, the Moray Chamber of Commerce, and local councillors are all expected to be present, signaling a strong commitment to enhancing cross-pond collaborations.
Ultimately, these concerted efforts are poised to develop robust, long-lasting cultural and business connections. Such partnerships are anticipated to significantly boost visitor numbers to Forres, providing a substantial and positive contribution to the local economy and reinforcing the bonds between these unique sister cities.
