The Lord Mayor of Belfast is setting off to Boston today for a civic visit to promote trade and investment opportunities between the two cities.
Councillor Arder Carson will be meeting with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and officials from UMass Lowell and Northeastern universities who are engaged in ‘The Friendship Four’ ice hockey tournament coming to Belfast this November.
Belfast City Council entered in to a Sister City Agreement with the City of Boston in May 2014 to explore business, cultural and academic links between the two cities.
As part of the agreement, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh visited Belfast last year where he addressed a special meeting of Belfast City Council. Belfast also hosted a delegation from the Boston Police Department and Justice System to City Hall in April.
It will now welcome the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Friendship Four ice hockey college tournament over Thanksgiving weekend in November – a landmark event as this will be the first time the games are played outside the US.
College teams from UMass Lowell, Northeastern University, Brown University and Colgate University will all play in the tournament at the SSE Arena in Belfast. Schools in the Belfast area will be invited along to watch the momentous games and the Belfast Giants will also be playing two Elite League games at the SSE Arena during the weekend of 27 and 28 November.
Lord Mayor Councillor Carson said: “I’m looking forward to being in Boston this week to explore new opportunities and linkages as part of our commitment to the Sister City Agreement. We are building on our international relations and also extending a welcome to new investment and tourism opportunities between our cities.”
The Sister City Agreement between Belfast and Boston commits both cities to identify and nurture economic, social and cultural opportunities.