Canmore

Canmore, Canada

CANMORE, CANADA - OUR FRIENDSHIP CITY

Canmore, Canada was not on the radar of the Sedona Sister Cities Association Board, when 45 cities were evaluated in 2022 for consideration as potential partnering cities. A local resident came to a SSCA Board meeting and recommended that we consider Canmore. She was from Canmore and lived in both Canmore and Sedona and gave many reasons why Canmore would be a good sister city for Sedona. From this initial conversation, the planned trip by Sedona Sister Cities volunteers to Banff almost two years ago was extended to nearby Canmore. Mayor Sean Krausert and his wife visited Sedona the following April, and returned to Canmore invested in creating a Sister City leadership team.

A second Sedona team returned to Canmore in 2023, and SSCA members met with Rotary leaders and others interested in exploring this partnership. This spring two Canmore community & Rotary leaders came to Sedona and both returned to Canmore committed to formalizing this relationship. Both Mayors and city councils approved initiating a formal Friendship City Agreement which was signed on May 19, 2024. CANMORE, CANADA - OUR FRIENDSHIP CITY With its counterpart in Canmore, our Sister City Canmore Team is developing an active program of exchanges including grade school student projects, a concert series and a 2026 Summer Youth Exchange.

About Canmore: Surrounded by Alberta provincial parks and located ten miles south of Banff, Canmore has many similarities to Sedona: an inviting destination surrounded by the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies, a tourist population of over 2 million yearly, and a developed focus on sustainability (Master plans for environment, tourism, traffic, energy transition). Canmore, founded in 1884, has a diverse and growing younger population of 15,990. Unique to Canmore is the Nordic Centre, an international training site for cross country skiing. Annual events and festivals include mountain biking marathons, the Winter Carnival and the annual Folk Music Festival.

Sedona and Canmore Officially Become Sister Cities

A Historic Partnership Built on Shared Values and Community Spirit

June 28, 2025 marked a historic day for the communities of Sedona, Arizona and

Canmore, Alberta as they officially became Sister Cities, solidifying nearly two years of

growing friendship and collaboration.

A ten-member delegation from Sedona traveled to Canmore to celebrate the signing

ceremony, joining members of the Canmore/Sedona Friendship Committee. The event

was highlighted by the signing of official Sister City documents by Canmore Mayor Sean

Krausert and Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow, followed by an exchange of symbolic

gifts—Sedona’s city flag and Canmore’s colorful “Funky Dude” banners.

Rob Seeley, Chair of the Canmore/Sedona Friendship Committee, and Chuck Marr,

Chair of the Sedona Sister Cities Association, emphasized the unique opportunities this

partnership presents. “This relationship goes beyond ceremony,” said Marr. “It builds on

our successful library and grade school exchanges—and we’re already exploring future

projects like a golf tournament.”

A notable addition to the day’s events was the signing of a Sister Library Agreement by

Machelle Preston, Director of the Canmore Library, and Judy Poe, Executive Director of

the Community Library Sedona—further strengthening educational and cultural ties

between the two towns.

The ceremony represents not just a formal agreement, but a shared vision of friendship,

community, and international cooperation.

Photo, left to right: Rob Seeley, Canmore/Sedona Friendship Chair, Krausert, Jablow, Chuck Marr, Sedona Sister Cities Association

Sedona and Canmore Approve Historic Sister City Agreement

SEDONA, AZ & CANMORE, AB — After four years of visioning, planning, and relationship building, the City of Sedona, Arizona, and the Town of Canmore, Alberta, have officially become Sister Cities. The Sedona City Council unanimously approved the agreement on May 27, 2025, followed by Canmore’s Town Council on June 3, 2025—marking a milestone in international collaboration between two communities known for their natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and spirit of connection.

The formal signing of the Sister City Agreement will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. MST in Canmore, where Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow and Canmore Mayor Sean Krausert will meet in person to sign the document. The ceremony will be live-streamed via Zoom to Sedona, allowing community members and dignitaries to participate remotely in this historic occasion.

The agreement outlines a shared commitment to foster goodwill, cultural exchange, and cooperative problem-solving. Key focus areas include the arts, education, libraries, wellness, governance, business, and outdoor recreation.

“This partnership reflects our communities' shared values and aspirations,” said Mayor Jablow. “It’s not just symbolic—it’s a working relationship that will benefit residents of both Sedona and Canmore for generations to come.”

Special recognition is extended to Don Groves, Chair of the Sedona Sister Cities Association (SSCA) Canmore Committee, and Rob Seeley, Chair of the Canmore Committee, for their leadership, perseverance, and dedication to developing this unique bond. Their efforts, supported by volunteers and civic leaders on both sides of the border, made this agreement possible.

“After an extensive and thoughtful process to determine the ‘right’ Sister City for Sedona, we are thrilled to formalize this relationship with Canmore,” said Groves. “This is the beginning of an inspiring journey together.”

A ten-member delegation from Sedona will travel to Canmore to participate in the signing ceremony and related celebrations, highlighting the importance of people-to-people diplomacy and grassroots

international connection.

This Sister City relationship affirms a joint commitment to collaboration, creativity, and mutual support— and offers exciting new opportunities for exchange, dialogue, and shared growth.

“Together, we embrace this opportunity to celebrate our unique identities while building enduring bridges of friendship, learning, and cooperation.” — Sister City Agreement between Sedona & Canmore

Canmore Update

Sedona Sister Cities Association Canmore Committee Charter

Since their first meeting in May, the Canmore Committee has really taken off. They now have 13 members and seven projects.

MEMBERS

Don Groves (Chair), Jennette Bill, Charles Blum, Patty Falsetto, Patty Kelly, Ben Lee, Nate Meyers, Winnie Muench, Judy Neiman, Judy Poe, Deb Sanders, Pete Sanders and Clarice Doucette.

CHARTER

Nurture and grow a sustainably successful partnership with the Town of Canmore, Alberta, Canada to:

— Foster appreciation for the unique culture of each community

— Develop meaningful activities and exchanges that bring together students, educators, performing, visual, design, film, photographic, literary, oratory, and culinary artists, librarians, wellness professionals, government officials, business persons, outdoor

enthusiasts, groups with common interests

— Facilitate collaboration to address mutual community challenges (i.e. environmental stewardship, sustainable tourism, economic development, affordable housing, community

wellness, transportation)

— Design exchange and collaboration frameworks that can be utilized (or modified) by future sister city partnerships

PROJECTS

1) School to School Partnerships (Deb Sanders)

2) Reflections Festival (Arts Exchanges) (Winnie Muench)

3) Youth Exchange (Jennette Bill)

4) Sister Libraries (Judy Poe and Patty Kelly)

5) Wellness (Pete Sanders)

6) Sister Museums (Nate Meyers)

7) Canada Day Events (Charlie Blum)

Image: Sedona Mayor, Scott Jablow and Canmore Committee Chair, Don Groves holding the May 19, 2024 Friendship Agreement between Canmore, Alberta, Canada and Sedona, AZ.

School to school Partnerships

SSCA formed an education committee, including WSS teachers Falsetto and Deb Sanders, Verde Valley School Head of School Ben Lee and Anne Walton in Canmore, to explore possible partnerships after the two cities signed a two-year friendship agreement this spring.

West Sedona School and Canmore kids meet.

Click on link:

https://www.redrocknews.com/2024/12/06/west-sedona-school-and-canmore-kids-meet/

Image: From Sedona Red Rock News

Fundraising Raffle of Two-day Stay At The Malcom Hotel Supports Canmore & Sedona Shared Library Project

Sedona, AZ – The Sedona Sister Cities Association (SSCA) and Community Library Sedona volunteers successfully partnered to support shared library exchange projects between Sedona and its Friendship City, Canmore, Alberta.

During the recent Banff Mountain Film Festival in Sedona, volunteers sold raffle tickets for a luxurious two-day stay at Canmore’s elegant Malcolm Hotel. Thanks to the

generosity of festival attendees, the raffle raised $2,390, which will directly fund planned library exchange initiatives between the two communities.

Upcoming projects include a local author and book exchange between the Sedona and Canmore libraries, as well as shared art displays featuring works from local artists in both communities.

The winning raffle ticket was drawn on March 12, with Judy Neiman, a Sedona Sister Cities Board member, initially selected as the winner. In a gracious gesture, Neiman declined the prize and invited Sedona Mayor Scott Jablow to draw another winner. Mayor Jablow then selected Marty Glinsky as the final recipient of the prize.

“We are thrilled to see such strong community support for this initiative,” said Judy Poe, Executive Director of Community Library Sedona. “This collaboration with Canmore not only enriches our libraries but also strengthens the cultural connections between our two cities.”

Image, Left to right: C. Marr, Patty Kelly, Don Groves, Judy Neiman, Winnie Muench, Michele Rackey, Jennette Bill

Community Library Sedona Forms Sister City Partnership with Canmore Public Library — Launches Local Author Book Exchange

Sedona, AZ — The Community Library Sedona and the Sedona Sister Cities Association are proud to announce a new international partnership with the Canmore Public Library in Alberta, Canada, officially becoming Sister City Libraries.

This collaboration is part of the global Sister Cities initiative, which promotes peace, understanding, and collaboration between people of different nations through long-term city partnerships. These relationships encourage cultural, educational, and community

development exchanges that foster mutual respect and global learning.

“This library-to-library partnership is a unique extension of the Sister City mission, built on shared values of learning and international friendship — values that are deeply important to us as a library and that we strive to share with our community and the

world,” said Patty Kelly, project coordinator for the library.

As part of this collaboration, the two libraries will work together on programs and creative initiatives that highlight local voices, share cultural heritage, and promote international learning.

The first official project is a Local Author Book Exchange. Kicking off May 1, each library has selected seven books by local authors to send to their Sister City counterpart. These books will be featured in special displays, allowing readers in both

communities to experience new stories and perspectives. Every book will include a custom bookplate and a personal note from the author.

“ This partnership is about more than books. It’s about building bridges, celebrating creativity, and connecting communities across borders — all through the power of libraries,” Kelly added.

More collaborations are already in the works as the Sedona and Canmore libraries continue to grow this meaningful exchange.

Learn more:

Sister Cities International https://sistercities.org/

Community Library Sedona https://communitylibrarysedona.org

Photo:Patty Kelly, Local Author Book Exchange project coordinator

Learning About Canmore and Sedona

Jo Stone, Patrick Scheweiss, Patty Herman-Juda, Chuck Marr and Judy Neiman travel to Canmore and Banff, Canada in November at their own expense to continue the search for Sedona's sister city.

SSCA board members Linda Goldenstein, Judy Neiman, Chuck Marr, Don Groves, Joy Sinnott greet Mayor Krausert and local residents for reception with Mayor Krausert. Board members Winnie Muench, Dottie Webster and Holly Ploog also contributed to the weekend's festivities.

Mayor Sean Krausert and his wife Janet, visit Sedona in April and fall in love with the people and the Red Rocks.

Mayor Sean Krausert, with SSCA President Chuck Marr, Mayor Scott Jablow, and Vice Mayor Holly Ploog, met to discuss next steps during the Mayor Krausert's recent visit to Sedona.

Mayor Krausert was greeted by Sedona residents and many ideas came forth for ways that the two communities might collaborate and learn from each other.

Second Canmore Visit:

Chuck Marr, Jamiss Sebert, Mark Muench, Kevin Schweiss, Sarah Wakeman, Patrick Schweiss, Winnie Muench

at Lake Louise.

Reception for Martin Buckley and Rob Seeley from Canmore during the Sedona Film Festival.

Chuck Marr, Martin Buckley, Jeanette and David Bill, Rob Seeley