ACE + USMF
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas and is one of the leading high–level events of the Organization of American States (OAS). The ACE brings together 50 senior-level government, business, policy, and economic decision-makers from across the Americas and beyond to experience first-hand the diverse range of projects, strategic investments, public-private partnerships, and best practices from a particular region’s economy, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
These top global leaders are selected to participate in the week-long program to engage with innovation hubs, advanced technology centers, leading firms, educational and research institutions; explore local, regional, urban, and rural economic development models; share experiences and knowledge; build networks to enhance competitiveness in the Americas; promote sustainable and inclusive economic development; and increase trade and investment opportunities.
For the ACE program in Colorado and Louisiana, the U.S.-Mexico Foundation (USMF) supported the organizers to disseminate the ACE program in Mexico and attract Mexican talent from the public, private, and academic sectors. The ACE program aims to identify top performers in areas related to economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
On the ACE Louisiana Exchange, participants will have a firsthand look at Louisiana’s booming industries and explore newly developed international airports, expansive domestic and international port networks, highly ranked workforce development programs, and cutting-edge research facilities.
The week-long program will display the commerce and cultural connections throughout the cities of Louisiana. Businesses are flocking to this economic cluster because of its established infrastructure and growth potential for generations to come. However, the people of Louisiana remain the most significant asset (history, tradition, festivals, food, and resilience of spirits).
More Information on the ACE website
The 13th Edition of the ACE program took place in Colorado, in the City and County of Denver, Jefferson County, and El Paso County from August 1-16, 2021 (date changed due to the pandemic).
ACE participants connected with leaders who are engineering the cities of the future, leading economic planning, disaster recovery and mitigation efforts, advancing business creation and development, building the next generation of spacecraft, reinventing the manufacturing process, supporting security innovation and cybersecurity, and solving some of the world’s most challenging healthcare issues. ACE participants learned that by partnering with Colorado, they can tap into exceptional economic opportunities in a business-friendly environment.
ACE is convened in the context of the RIAC; the Government of the United States, through the U.S. Department of Commerce [the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in coordination with the International Trade Administration (ITA)] and the U.S. Department of State; and the General Secretariat of the OAS as the RIAC Technical Secretariat
This edition’s Photo Album can be viewed HERE
For more information, take a look at prior ACE Editions Photo Albums and Summary Videos.
Implementation Partners
The Organization of American States and the Government of the United States invite high-level decision-makers from the public, private, and academic sectors to apply for the upcoming Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) in Seattle, United States, from May 14 to 19, 2023.
Participants will engage with leadership from Amazon, Boeing, the University of Washington, the Port of Tacoma, the Suquamish Tribe, and many others.
ACE Seattle will be an opportunity to explore local, regional, urban and rural economic development models; share experiences and knowledge; build networks to enhance competitiveness in the Americas; promote sustainable and inclusive economic development; and increase trade and investment opportunities.
Apply here