Item 191/2025
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Matthew West
Dept:
City Manager Dept: City Manager
Date: 5/27/2025
Subject: Approval for the Mayor and City staff to travel to the Republic of Korea to participate in the 2025 KBIZ Leadership Forum to promote the City and strengthen Sister City relations with Anyang. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
To obtain travel authorization for the Mayor and three (3) staff members to participate in the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KBIZ) Leadership Forum to promote business opportunities and tourism interest of the City and further strengthen our relationship with our Sister City in the Republic of Korea, from September 20 -26, 2025, including travel time.
BACKGROUND
KBIZ was established in 1962 as a support organization for small and medium sizes (SMEs ) businesses and currently represents the rights and economic interests of the 7.29 million SMEs in Republic of Korea. KBIZ is the Korea co -host of the World Korean Business Convention (Hansang), which held its first US convention successfully in Anaheim in 2023.
For the past 45 years, the City of Garden Grove has worked to foster friendship, understanding and cooperation with its Sister City in Anyang, Korea. This has been accomplished through support of the Sister City Association and annual student e xchange program, various business meetings, as well as participation in a public employee exchange program.
DISCUSSION
This year, KBIZ will be hosting its annual KBIZ Leadership Forum in Jeju, Republic of Korea.
KBIZ has invited the Mayor to participat e as a speaker and attend variety of events and seminars that will take place from September 23 -26, 2025. KBIZ will provide all lodging, ground transportation, and interpreters for the Mayor and participating staff while staying in Jeju (4 days, 3 nights). Prior to the Leadership Forum on September 22 nd, the Mayor and staff will meet with various members of KBIZ to promote tourism and showcase the City as a business destination from the Repub lic of Korea to Garden Grove. This will be great Item 191/2025
opportunity to not only discuss tourism and promote Garden Grove as a tourism destination but to promote the City as a business destination. It is anticipated that KBIZ members will be further encouraged to invest in and promote business opportunities within the City of Garden Grove as a result of this visit. Additionally, the Mayor and staff will also have an opportunity to visit the Sister City of Anyang to continue to foster friendship and good will.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The KBIZ Leadership Forum portion of the trip will be primarily funded by KBIZ, including lodging, ground transportation and some meals. The estimated cost for flight and lodging not covered by KBIZ is approximately $3,000 per person . This amount will be funded from a combination of Garden Grove Tourism Im provement District ( GGTID) funds and City Manager’s Department operating budget.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Approve travel to the Republic of Korea from September 20-26, 2025 for the Mayor and three City staff to participate in the 2025 KBIZ Leadership Forum and visit the Sister City of Anyang.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. KBIZ Invitation