His recommendations were the basis for a business focus group from Owensboro to visit Olomouc during June. Following up on our correspondence with Olomouc City Hall and the visit by Mr. Kvidera, four representatives from Owensboro visited Olomouc during June. Olomouc City Hall arranged a schedule to visit not only many of the businesses suggested by Mr. Kvidera as having trade potential but also with some smaller companies who wished to make contact and explore potentials. In all candor, our efforts were met by cautious curiosity on both sides. There is much similar in both communities, each curious about possibilities but hesitant to trade in unknown areas.
More time is needed to build and broaden our familiarity.
As a result of the Owensboro groups trip, it was decided to encourage three or four potentials. The Owensboro group included two members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Director of the Green River Area Development District, as well as, the Sister Cities Executive Director. Invitations to the Olomouc businesses were made to visit their Owensboro counterparts. Another purpose of this trip was to present Olomouc with their Sister Cities International Charter and reaffirm our relationship with their new Mayor and city administration. During the month of October four businessmen from Olomouc traveled to Owensboro to meet with targeted business leaders.