St. Louis-Stuttgart Sister Cities celebrates 65 years
German delegation to visit Nov. 12-15, gala planned for Nov. 14
The St. Louis–Stuttgart Sister Cities (SLSSC) Committee, one of the oldest German sister city relationships in the U.S., is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2025.
To honor the anniversary, SLSSC will welcome a delegation from Stuttgart, Germany. Dr. Clemens Maier, deputy mayor for the City of Stuttgart, who oversees the department of security, order and sport, will lead the Stuttgart delegation as they visit St. Louis from Nov. 12 to 15.
The visit to St. Louis will include meeting with German companies that have operations in St. Louis and a gala on Nov. 14 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel to celebrate the 65th anniversary.
“After 65 years, the partnership is about more than just diplomacy, it is about genuine friendship between citizens of two cities nearly 5,000 miles apart,” said Susanne Evens, president of St. Louis-Stuttgart Sister Cities Committee. “The success of the St. Louis–Stuttgart Sister Cities relationship shows that when communities invest in mutual respect, cultural understanding and shared experiences, they create not only international ties, but enduring peace.”
The 65th anniversary celebration on Nov. 14 will also be Evens’ last day as president after 20 years on the job. Bob Case will succeed her in the role of president.
The St. Louis Sister Cities Program is part of the international mission of World Trade Center St. Louis (WTC), the international division of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Sanctioned by Sister Cities International, WTC supports and oversees the 16 sister cities programs in St. Louis.
“We would like to congratulate SLSSC on this impressive milestone,” said Stella Sheehan, deputy director of WTC, who chairs the St. Louis Sister Cities Committee. “This partnership has been instrumental in maintaining a strong relationship with Germany and bringing new business opportunities to the region for decades.”
The early years of SLSSC focused primarily on cultural exchanges, educational opportunities and city delegations. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the relationship expanded significantly. Numerous exchanges were organized between choirs, orchestras, sports teams and youth groups.
In addition, the partnership opened doors for business and professional development, particularly in automotive and advanced manufacturing. Business delegations and trade missions have been arranged over the years, allowing companies from both cities to explore opportunities in global markets.
St. Louis-Stuttgart Sister Cities is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information about the organization can be found at STL4Stuttgart.com.
About St. Louis-Stuttgart Sister Cities
The St. Louis–Stuttgart Sister Cities (SLSSC) partnership, established in 1960, stands out as one of the oldest and most vibrant German sister city relationships in the United States. A key initiative of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s post-World War II effort to promote global peace through people-to-people diplomacy, the connection between St. Louis, Mo., and Stuttgart, Germany, has flourished for more than six decades, fostering cultural understanding, business collaboration, and lifelong friendships. St. Louis-Stuttgart Sister Cities, an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, receives its funding through an annual membership drive, sponsorships and events throughout the year. Further information about SLSSC, the gala and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.STL4Stuttgart.com.
About World Trade Center St. Louis
For more than 30 years, as the international division of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, WTC has supported growth for the region’s businesses, most importantly, ensuring St. Louis companies are represented in an increasingly global marketplace. From customized research to trade training, hosting inbound/outbound delegations and managing St. Louis’ Mosaic Project, Foreign Trade Zone and EB-5 investor visa program, WTC brings together a strong system of business and government agencies to support trade and investment and enhance St. Louis’ global connectivity. For more information, visit https://worldtradecenter-stl.com/.
