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October 20, 2008 (Dallas, Texas): The Dallas Regional Chamber led a business delegation to Mexico City for the launch of its Mexico City Trade and Investment Office on October 9, 2008. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Dallas City Manager, Mary Suhm, and 30 North Texas business executives participated in the delegation. The office launch reception was one of several economic development activities connecting North Texas and Mexican business leaders to foster the exchange of ideas and information about the North American Free Trade Agreement, investment and trade opportunities, as well as potential partnerships and projects.
The Mexico City office, hosted by Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP/ Gardere, Arena y Asociados, S.C. was formally opened at an on-site press conference with the help of Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, Victor Almeida, chairman of the Chamber’s International Business Council and CEO of Interceramic Inc., Steve Good, managing partner for Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, Roberto Arena, managing partner, Gardere, Arena y Asociados, S.C. and several other key leaders from the DFW region.
“Gardere is pleased to support the Dallas Regional Chamber by hosting its Trade and Investment Office in our Mexico City office. As a Chamber board member, I am proud to provide this resource to an organization that does so much to promote business between two important markets – Mexico and Texas,” said Steve Good.
“Gardere’s Mexico City office welcomes the Dallas Regional Chamber to our office and our city. I see continued positive prospects for business growth between U.S. and Mexican companies, and we are glad to support such economic development,” added Roberto Arena.
Following the press conference at Gardere, Arena y Asociados, S.C., a business reception was held at the Club de Industriales in the Polanco district. More than 150 guests attended. At the reception, representatives touted the many benefits of doing business in North Texas and emphasized strengthening ties between North Texas and Mexico to grow exports and foreign direct investment. Attendees included Dallas regional delegates, Mexican business leaders, dignitaries, the United States Embassy, U.S. Department of Commerce and representatives from local associations.
Other activities surrounding the press conference included a closed business reception and dinner held at the Interceramic Showroom October 8. 2008. The dinner program featured a “DFW Means Business” video presentation and remarks from host Victor Almeida and honored guest Mayor Tom Leppert. Several dozen CEO’s and business leaders from Mexico and Dallas were present.
The Mexico Council on Foreign Relations hosted a breakfast with the Dallas visitors to Mexico City on the morning of October 9, 2008. The purpose was to build ties between the two international cities as well as better understand how the City of Dallas operates. The discussion focused on how Dallas might tackle environmental issues and current challenges with municipal financing as well as how Dallas works with other Texas cities while remaining competitive.
A meeting held later that day with ProMexico’s president and CEO, Bruno Ferrari, resulted in a commitment from both parties to further develop the partnership with the Dallas office of ProMexico and, as such, increase trade and investment opportunities between the two regions.
Co-Chairs of the NAFTA Task Force, Guillermo Perales, owner and president of Sun Holdings, LLC, and Anne Crews, vice president of government affairs for Mary Kay, Inc. took part in the activities and had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Dallas region’s NAFTA efforts and how the Mexico City office will assist in the commitment to fostering these ties.
The Mexico City office will serve as a working location for Chamber staff and business executives from North Texas. Promotional materials on the benefits of doing business in DFW will be provided to office visitors and Mexican business people interested in expanding business opportunities abroad. The Chamber provides similar services in additional offices abroad including London, Monterrey, and Shanghai, and plans to explore opportunities for additional international offices in 2009.
Mission sponsors included: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP/ Gardere, Arena y Asociados, S.C.; Interceramic, Inc. and Mary Kay, Inc.
The International Business Council’s mission is to unite and engage the local international business community to promote the region’s global growth. The Council develops and maintains an economic pipeline of foreign companies considering investment opportunities in the U.S. and fosters their expansion decisions.
The Dallas Regional Chamber promotes prosperity through public policy, economic development, and member engagement.
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