IVC MEMBER PROGRAMS:

IVC's many programs and events are a great way
to meet people, chat with leaders from
around the world, learn about
international protocol, network, see old friends
and make some new ones!

IVC Programs -
Welcome a stranger and send home a friend:

Make friends & immerse yourself in another culture!

Dinner Hospitality Program:
Learn about other cultures as you host guests from the U.S. State Department or Sister Cities exchanges in your home. One of the best ways to create the ultimate American cultural experience! We currently seek friendly individuals or families for hosting. Dinner hosting is reserved for members only! Members can call Ron D'Alonzo at 215.683.0995.

HomeStay Program:
Share your home for two to four weeks with a guest from abroad & provide American experiences that will create lasting friendships. Coming up...

Dinner & Cultural Hospitality Program:
FOR IVC MEMBERS ONLY: Show our visitors the more personal side of the U.S. & give them a taste of our local culture. Entertain a Chilean legal expert for dinner at your home. Bring a member of New Zealand's Parliament to a hot new restaurant in Manayunk. Attend a Phillies game with a banker from Hong Kong. Take a mayor from Ukraine to a community event in your neighborhood. You create an American cultural experience by sharing a part of your life with a distinguished guest on our State Department or Sister Cities programs from abroad. Hosting is reserved for members only. We only receive a week to 10 days notice for most visitors, so call Alan Hatfield at 215.683.0992 to find out who's coming to town for you to host. Got an interesting professional event to share with our guests? Give us a call!

First Thursday @ the Annex gives you and other internationally-minded Philadelphians monthly opportunities to chat informally with some of the most interesting people in the world you didn't know were here! Drop by on your way home from the office or on your way to another event to say hello to guests of the State Department, or to "family" members from Philadelphia's Sister Cities Program. Discuss the latest, hottest world events and make it a regular stop-by each month (except January and July) to meet leaders in business, government, law, education and the arts from around the world. If you have clients or friends in town from another part of the world, they're welcome to join us and be a part of Philadelphia's new & informal "international salon." (You can get more information from the First Thursday page!)  First Thursdays are held at the elegant Courtyard Marriott Hotel, the former City Hall Annex.

International First Friday! (IFF)
IVC's young professionals group, Compass, began the International First Friday program to make sure the international graduate MBA, JD and LLM students at the area colleges fall in love with  Philadelphia.  These monthly fun events showcase Philadelphia's many resources - from art galleries to historic musuems - and end at great restaurants for networking and falling in love with Philadelphia!  IFF events are not held in July or January.

Conversations With...:
Whether it's a fascinating Conversations With panel discussion with investigative reporters from Russia or an informal, lively after-work reception, members meet for conversations with our interesting visitors. 

Compass Events: Compass, IVC's young professionals sponsor a variety of programs. You can join other young professionals for "group hospitality" with our guests from abroad, or help create American cultural experiences over hamburgers with international guests at the Annual International Barbeque.  All of IVC's events help the region's young professionals develop their international network while helping make friends and improving the U.S. abroad. Doing Business Abroad & Export Financing Seminars: This periodic executive protocol series offers executives a look at the cultural nuances of how to do business (and not do business) in other countries.  Champagne Trolley Tours: We tour the city at dusk while sipping Champagne and nibbling chocolate-covered pretzels. IVC professional guides point out the most interesting sights of Philadelphia and share their expertise on history, art and architecture. Share the city's sights with guests from abroad!   World Cultures: Learn about the fascinating historical, political, cultural and geographical influences on the world's cultures at this special program. Philadelphia Discovery Series: Our visitors get to see parts of the region that most residents never see. Through this program, learn about your own community! Past programs included a visit to former Mayor Rendell's office, a tour of the Criminal Justice Center with D.A. Lynne Abraham, a tour of the Curtis Institute of Music and visits to private homes in Society Hill.