Dallas, Fort Worth mayors leading mission to Mexico City
to promote trade, build business and cultural relations
- Mayors to meet with Mexico City mayor and speak to local investors, business leaders
- Sessions scheduled with the ministries of the Economy and Foreign Affairs
June 1, 2016 – Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price announced today that they will be leading a trade mission June 5-8 to Mexico City, a multilayered trip to build economic, cultural and diplomatic ties between Dallas-Fort Worth region and Mexico.
The mission delegation is comprised of community and business leaders, including participants from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Fort Worth Chamber, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Representatives from these organizations worked closely together to plan and organize the trip. At the local level, the Consulate General of Mexico and ProMexico participated in the preparation of this mission. Also on the trip will be Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Monica Alonzo.
The trade mission underscores the importance of the economic ties between DFW and Mexico, as trade between the Dallas-Fort Worth region and Mexico topped more than $1.3 billion last year. Mexico ranks as one of the biggest international markets for DFW, and the region’s aviation links with Mexico have grown over the years.
“In the Dallas-Fort Worth region, we believe that continued growth is critical to our success,” Rawlings said. “Our relationships in Mexico play a big part in that strategy. Mexican-Americans are key contributors to our economy and our culture. We must continue to leverage our relationships, which is why I’m so excited about this trip.”
Price said that “as our nearest trade partner, Mexico and her citizens play a significant role in our business outlook and cultural affairs.”
“Our commitment to growing our educational, business and cultural connections between our citizens must remain a long-term priority for the sustainability for our neighbors, co-workers and friends,” she said. “I am excited to share this opportunity with Mayor Rawlings and know it will be a worthwhile trip.”
Sean Donohue, CEO for DFW Airport, said: “In the last 12 months, DFW saw more than 1.8 million people traveling between our region and Mexico. Mexico accounts for more than 35 percent of DFW’s international passengers, with non-stop flights to 19 leading Mexican business and leisure destinations. Mexico is a top priority for DFW Airport as we strive to increase international travelers into DFW.”
The trade mission includes a meeting among Rawlings, Price and Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera, and sessions with Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, and officials from the Ministry of Economy and Pro Mexico, the national trade and investment agency.
In Dallas, newly appointed Consul General Francisco de la Torre said the “trip represents an excellent opportunity to strengthen economic, political and cultural ties between Mexico, and Dallas and Fort Worth, one of the most dynamic metropolitan areas in the U.S. and in the North American region. We need to understand on both sides of the border the importance of a mutually benefitial relationship.”
The Texas delegation will be meeting with local business leaders and investors, including a focus on real estate investments. Participants also will hear from the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce leadership and former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza, a former Texas railroad commissioner.
DFW Airport has scheduled a travel industry reception, with the mayors in attendance, to promote travel to North Texas and encourage travel buyers to choose DFW as the preferred U.S. gateway for their customers.
DFW hosts six passenger airlines, AeroMexico, American Airlines, Interjet, Spirit, Sun Country and Volaris, which fly from DFW to 19 Mexican destinations on more than 320 flights each week. These flights have a combined annual economic impact or more than $1 billion to the Dallas and Fort Worth region.
Also during the visit, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, in partnership with the Baroque International Museum and the State Council for Culture and the Arts of Puebla, Mexico, will announce a major exhibition coming in September to North Texas. As part of the rich cultural exchange with Dallas and Fort Worth, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico will support this unique exhibit.
MEDIA CONTACTS
City of Dallas
Scott Goldstein
Dallas Mayor’s Office
214-670-7977 desk
214-587-2427 cell
scott.goldstein@dallascityhall.com
City of Fort Worth
Cheraya Peña
Press Secretary
817-897-2723 cell
cheraya.arthur@fortworthtexas.gov
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
DFW International Airport
Corporate Communications
972-973-5555
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