On May 19, 2011 over two-hundred IVCJax friends and members gathered at the downtown Public Library to celebrate twenty years of expanding Northeast Florida's global connections. The fun-filled gala event included congratulatory remarks from the State Department's Alma Candelaria, the National Council for International Visitor's President, Sherry Mueller, and IVCJax founder, Maria Condaxis. The evening started with a champagne social featuring live world music and concluded with an array of dishes from Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East on an international buffet. The height of the evening, however, had to be our BIG announcement - the unveiling of our new name, logo, and vision for the future. Sincere thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with us and to all those who helped make the evening so memorable.

You can find photos from the event and share your own on our Flickr page (click here).

The Celebrate20 Gala was doubly special for our Executive Director, Sondie Frus, who after ten years at IVCJax was awarded the coveted NCIV Gold Star by NCIV President, Sherry Mueller. The award is given to recognize outstanding contributions to promoting Citizen Diplomacy. Under her leadership the number of visitors to Northeast Florida increased from an average of 25 to nearly 200 per year, over 1800 local professionals met with emerging world leaders, and the Going Global Youth Summits introduced scores of area high school students to Citizen Diplomacy. She is a superb Citizen Diplomat hosting visitors in her home and always going the extra mile to make our visitors feel welcome when they are in town. Congratulations Sondie!

Special thanks to local artist Barbara Holmes Fryefield for designing the centerpieces for the Celebrate20 Gala. The beautiful pieces featured bundles of white bamboo symbolizing our belief that we are strongest when we stick together. The bamboo was also encircled by seven blue stones resembling the new logo revealed that evening. If you don't already have one make sure you pick up one of our GLOBALJAX Rocks!