FCEDC Executive Vice President Rob Patton, and a community delegation, traveled across the Atlantic to spend time in our sister city, Saint Avold, France. The trip coincided with the city’s American Week celebration from May 24th through June 2nd.

After touching down in Frankfurt, Germany Friday morning, the group headed straight to Saint Avold for the annual Lafayette Ceremony. The ceremony takes place in front of the Marquis de Lafayette statue, a tribute to the ties between Saint Avold and Fayetteville. March 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s trip through his namesake city.

On Sunday, May 26th, the city observed Memorial Day with a ceremony at the Lorraine American Cemetery, Europe’s largest American cemetery. The grounds span 113.5 acres and hold over ten thousand American soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War II, including Private Shaw, a Fayetteville native. During the ceremony, the Deputy Commanding General for the 18th Airborne Corps shared remarks on the

The following day, the group toured the city of Strasbourg, the capital of the Grand Est. Region. Aside from delicious food and drink, they explored historical buildings including a church that took over two hundred and fifty years to build. The town’s beauty was seen in all corners, from the stained-glass windows to the magnificent architecture.

Patton also visited City Hall in Saint Avold and met with business leaders to discuss their economic and industrial projects. He was also introduced to their local energy provider and has been able to make connections with our local utility partners here.

“This is just one step in developing relationships and networks,” said Patton. “There is an open door for stronger relationships through educational, business, and cultural exchanges.”

During the last half of the trip, the group traveled to various places in the region visiting educational, commercial, and cultural sites. Starting in Saarbrücken, Germany they met with representatives from CISPA, the region’s largest cyber-security company, along with the Mayor and other government representatives. The next day, the delegation traveled to Metz where they toured Georgia Tech. Europe, then headed north to Porcelette, meeting business executives at a composite park, home to nine technical companies. Upon returning to Saint Avold, the group met and built relationships with professors of the International University.

On Friday, the Saint Avold delegation set up a special trip to Natzweiler-Struthof, a Nazi concentration camp. In 1944, the French First Army as part of the U.S. Sixth Army Group liberated the camp, and the community is forever grateful for their relationship with the Americans.

Wrapping up the trip, the group toured the Mine Museum, learning about Saint Avold’s historical coal mine that shut down over twenty years ago. Later that evening the group, joined by Saint Avold’s delegation and local benevolent clubs, enjoyed a farewell dinner filled with gifts, laughter, and memories of the time spent together.

“This trip strengthens the 30-year friendship between Fayetteville and Saint Avold and expands our international business relationships,” said Robert Van Geons, President and CEO, FCEDC. “We identified a number of opportunities that could benefit both communities significantly.”

The FCEDC team extends a heartfelt thank you to the Saint Avold delegation for being great hosts and to Kris Johnson and the Fayetteville-Saint Avold Friendship Alliance, for putting this trip together.