In conjunction with the City of Arlington’s Champion Arlington Economic Development Strategy that encourages a partnership-based approach to implementing and enhancing Arlington’s opportunity to be an active participant in the global marketplace, the City committed to developing the Office of International Protocol. This office serves to enhance the City’s ability to attract and create international business opportunities as part of Arlington’s economic develop effort and provide diplomatic guidance to the Mayor, City Council, City officials, and the community on cross cultural interactions.

Receive foreign business, education, and tourism inquiries
Assure visiting government officials and business delegates are received properly and according to established rules of protocol
Promote Arlington to attract new foreign direct investment
Build and maintain relationships with foreign diplomatic, governmental and business communities

The City of Arlington recognizes that the successful development of an International Protocol Office will further Arlington’s efforts to increase cultural awareness and develop a strong international trade program. If you would like additional information or guidance on an international protocol topic, please send your request to: protocol@arlingtontx.gov

Arlington's Sister City - Bad Konigshofen, Germany

Bad Königshofen, a town with 6,949 inhabitants, is located in the northern part of the state of Bavaria and is about a hundred-mile drive east and slightly north of Frankfurt/Main.

The town has a long history, dating back over 1250 years to the year 741. In 1896 mineral springs were discovered in the town, but in those first years the healing properties of the water became known only to the local people.

It would be many years before the full development of health resort facilities there, leading to the change in name from Königshofen to Bad Königshofen in 1974.

For more information on Bad Konigshofen, please click here.

Recent Events

Deputy Director of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Urban Building Division Visits Arlington

The City of Arlington and its office of International Protocol welcomed Mr. Tadashi Matsumoto, Deputy Director of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Urban Building Division on Thursday, March 6, 2008.

Mayor Robert Cluck, Mayor Pro-Tem Ron Wright, Councilmember Lana Wolfe and Councilmember Sherry Capehart participated in an official luncheon where local development and land use topics were discussed.

Additional attendees included representatives of the Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Tarrant County Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

Delegation of Officials From the Ukraine Visit Arlington

The City of Arlington hosted a delegation of officials from the Ukraine on Friday, February 8, 2008 as part of the City's International Protocol Center initiative. The Ukrainian delegation traveled to the United States and the City of Arlington as part of the U. S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program.

The purpose of the trip was to examine domestic debt management and specifically, municipal debt management.

Mayor Robert Cluck, MD, City Manager Jim Holgersson, Deputy City Manager Trey Yelverton, City Attorney Jay Doegey, Financial Services Director Anna Mosqueda, Economic Development Manager Robert Sturns and Treasury Manager Corrine Steeger met with representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance, State Treasury of Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine to discuss Arlington's funding of the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium, Glorypark, Ranger Ballpark, etc.

Chinese Delegation from Heilongjiang Province of China visit Arlington

On August 24, 2007, Arlington Mayor Pro Tempore Ron Wright this week welcomed 13 delegates and business representatives from the Heilongjiang Province of China.

The Heilongjiang Province is located in extreme northeast China and borders Russia. It has established economic and trade relations with more than 150 countries and regions with a total import and export volume exceeding $2.99 billion.

The visiting delegation was hosted by the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the sixth annual U.S. Pan Asian American EXPO held at the Arlington Convention Center on Thursday.

The Expo introduced The US-China Business Connection, a new program aimed at connecting Corporate and Asian suppliers to Chinese companies. These efforts blend with the Arlington Economic Development Strategy that focuses on partnership-based participation in the global arena.

Mayor Pro Tempore Ron Wright officially welcomed the international guests and, on behalf of Mayor Robert Cluck, proclaimed August 24, 2007 as Heilongjiang Province Day. “In collaboration with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, we are committed to developing international opportunities to enhance economic growth through trade relations,” he said.

Following a presentation by Arlington Economic Development Manager Robert Sturns and an official gift exchange, delegates shared conversation and refreshments with Arlington elected officials and executive staff.

Resources

World Wise: What to Know Before You Go. Denslow. Fairchild Publications. NY. 2006

European Business Customs and Manners: A Country-by-Country Guide. Bosrock. Meadowbrook Press. 2006

Protocol: The Complete Handbook of Diplomatic Official and Social Usage. McCaffree and Innis. Devon. Washington D.C. 1997.

Practical Protocol for the Military and Government. Peterson. 15th Ed. JMAR Management and Training. Garrison, Minn. 2001.

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to do Business in Sixty Countries. Morrison, Conaway and Borden. Adams Media Corporation. 1994

The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette: A Guide to Contemporary Living. Baldridge. Doubleday. NY. 1978

The Global Etiquette Guide to Mexico and Latin America. Foster. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2002

Etiquette and Protocol: A Handboook for Conduct in American and International Circles. Radlovic. Harcourt Brace and World, Inc. NY. 1957

Put Your Best Foot Forward: Europe. Bosrock. International Education Systems. 1995

Put Your Best Food Forward: Asia. Bosrock. International Education Systems. 1996

Put Your Best Foot Forward: Russia. Bosrock. International Education Systems. 1995

Put Your Best Foot Forward: South America. Bosrock. International Education Systems. 1997

Put Your Best Foot Forward: Mexico/Canada. Bosrock. International Education Systems. 1995

The Travelers’ Guide to Middle Eastern and North African Customs and Manners. Devine and Braganti. St. Martin’s Press. 1991

The Travelers’ Guide to African Customs and Manners. Devine and Braganti. St. Martin’s Press. 1995

EVENT PLANNING:

Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions…and Other Special Events. Allen. Wiley and Sons, Inc. NY. 1997

Special Events: Planning for Success. Second Edition. Harris. Case Books. 1998

Special Events: Best Practices in Modern Event Management. Goldblatt. 2nd Ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. NY. 1997

Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies. Friedmann. Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2003

Progressive Inc. of Arlington, was awarded a long-term contract to manufacture components for the Gulfstream 550 business jet program.

Nordstrom Inc. will open a 31,673-square-foot Nordstrom Rack in The Parks at Arlington mall in spring 2011.

Aéropostale Inc. leased 3,500 square feet of space at The Parks at Arlington mall for a children’s line called P.S. from Aéropostale.

New tenants at Lincoln Square Shopping Center include Wedding World and Metropolitan Classical Ballet.

New tenants in the Arlington Highlands I-20 shopping district include The Improv Comedy Club, Dueling Piano Bar, Fat Fish Blue and Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt Company.

The Salvation Army has bought a 100,000-square-foot warehouse at 2900 Avenue E in Arlington to serve as a Disaster Services Center.

UT Arlington to build College Park, an $80 million, mixed-use development /parking garage, street-level retail, office suites, campus housing and welcome center.

UT Arlington is building a $78 million Special Events Center for world-class concerts, sporting activities, conferences and community events.

Babe’s Chicken will open this fall in downtown's Center Street Station, a $30 million mixed-use project on North Center Street.

A Mellow Mushroom location is being planned for Center Street Station.

Committed to the Champion Arlington Economic Development Strategy for our successful future.