Go From Host to Convener
Going “from host to convener” is how Global Ties Kalamazoo wants Southwest Michigan to show up in the world this year.
Why “host” is no longer enough
For more than 50 years, our community has opened its doors to international visitors through programs like the International Visitor Leadership Program. Hosting will always be part of who we are, but the challenges we are all facing—polarization, public trust, youth opportunity, economic resilience—ask us to do more than welcome and wave goodbye.
Exchange is strategic. Exchange the Global Ties Kalamazoo way is intentional and includes working exchanges where people come together around shared questions and leave with relationships and ideas they can build on. It’s not just symbolic photo ops, though we love all the photos!
In 2026, Global Ties Kalamazoo starts calling our work what it is: convening.
What convening looks like for us
Shifting from host to convener affirms how we already design every visit and program. Instead of starting with logistics, we start with questions like: Who needs to be in the room together? What local themes are most alive right now? How can this exchange serve both our visitors and our neighbors?
As a civic convener, we focus on:
Curating thoughtful encounters between local and global leaders.
Connecting unlikely partners across business, government, education, grassroots, and creative sectors.
Creating trust-filled spaces where people can speak candidly about what is working, what is not, and what might be possible together.
For us, each program is both an event and an investment in long-term relationships.
Youth at the center of our vision
Convening requires us to make sure young people are not on the sidelines of international exchange. Through our Youth Diplomat vision and visits like the Chicago Youth Diplomats, we are designing experiences where local high school students join civic engagement labs, global issue dialogues, and mentorship, culminating in a public capstone.
We see this not as “just another program,” but as a leadership pipeline connected to global networks—one that helps youth build confidence, skills, and a sense that they belong in global conversations.
Making global conversations feel local
International programs in Kalamazoo should feel rooted in the real life of this place. That means:
Centering one or two local themes in our exchanges.
Pairing site visits with small-group conversations where people can really talk.
Including more public-facing moments—a panel, cultural event, or community mixer—so more neighbors can participate.
Our international mixers, launching this year, will carry that spirit forward all year long. They will be a place to meet visitors, hear short “exchange moments,” and connect across cultures without leaving town.
Join us as a convener
Global Ties’ work is about community, and continued convening depends on you. If this vision resonates with you, please join us in this work! You can:
Learn more about our programs and 2026 initiatives: www.globaltieskzoo.org
Explore ways to host, travel, partner, or support: www.globaltieskzoo.org/get-involved
Make a donation to help us convene youth, local leaders, and international visitors in meaningful dialogue: www.globaltieskzoo.org/donate
Together, we can make Kalamazoo a place where global conversations feel local—and where “hosting” is just the beginning.