Among my responsibilities as Press Secretary for the Buildings Department, I play host to visiting delegates that come to visit us here at the DOB. From Beijing, China, Miami, Florida – and even Hong Kong – many delegates from other Governments frequently visit us and other City agencies to see how we do things so they can incorporate our policies into their own Government’s laws and regulations.

Yesterday was our most recent visit as delegates from the People’s Republic of China came to our offices to learn about our criteria regarding elevators and amusement park rides. My job was to arrange a convenient time for all parties, invite the appropriate members of our staff, order the food – and host the meeting.

I have to say that playing host – or Ambassador as I like to call it – is one of my favorite parts of this job. It is such a thrill to meet high ranking officials from other countries and discuss policy with them. To know that the knowledge they acquire from us will change the laws in their country is very exciting. It’s as if I am bearing witness to the changing of laws in a country I have never even set foot in.

Besides the knowledge that our guests acquire – playing host to these delegations also comes with it’s share of benefits for me. There are times when the delegations give me little tokens of thanks for my hospitality, like pins and pens from their country. Sometimes they take photos of me and the rest of the staff and put it in reports and papers back home – and sometimes – I get invited to their country as an honored guest – if only I could go.

Yesterday’s delegation was not the first I hosted – and it won’t be the last. But I look forward to the next time I have to play Ambassador to visiting delegates – because it is just another way my job is interesting, fulfilling – and fun.