Lakeland Chamber Welcomes Students and School Officials from Imabari, Japan

8/31/2026

Recently, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce welcomed high school students and school officials from Imabari, Japan, to our community. The visit was part of Lakeland’s longstanding Sister City relationship with Imabari, which has connected the two communities since 1995 through cultural and educational exchanges.

During their time at the Chamber, we enjoyed meaningful conversations about the role businesses play in building a strong community. We emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the business community's connection to education, workforce development, and the overall quality of life in Lakeland and Polk County.

Our visitors also had an opportunity to learn about the size and reach of Polk County’s school system and how businesses, schools, local government, and community leaders work together. Through conversations with Libia Taylor, Phillip Walker, and Dr. Takiyah Dixon, students and school officials gained insight into the Chamber’s role as a hub for our local business ecosystem. We advocate for businesses that are not only employers, but also places where students become employees, individuals build careers, and people find opportunities to become more engaged in their community.

The exchange also gave us an opportunity to learn from our guests. While the business and education systems in Imabari and Lakeland may operate differently, both communities share a commitment to preparing young people for the future and creating strong connections between people.

We are grateful to the City of Lakeland and Lakeland Sister Cities International for their continued partnership and for being such welcoming hosts. Programs like these remind us that relationships built across cultures can strengthen our understanding of our own community while creating friendships that reach far beyond it.

It was an honor to welcome our friends from Imabari to the Lakeland Chamber, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen the connection between our two communities.