Randell McSherpard, vice-president of RPM International Inc., found Bilbao a very energetic, progressive, and fast-paced city. In addition, he was extremely impressed with the local leaders he met.
Meanwhile, Joe Bankoff, chair and professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, highlighted that despite the first impression of the city being marked by the overwhelming high buildings, Bilbao also offers a strong, and interesting sense of community. Anna Prat, advisor to the city of Torino, Italy, was also impressed with how Bilbao has grown and improved during the past 10 years to become a very international city.