ASU to host international border conference

Public invited to attend

The U.S.-Mexico border region is one of the most important trade corridors for North American businesses – representing a $460 billion economic relationship between the two countries. 

A critical staging point for U.S. commercial activity with Mexico – where approximately 80 percent of America's exports pass through or originate in that region – the border region is the key to unlocking the true potential of the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

Arizona State University and the U.S. Department of Commerce will host an international conference to gather thought leaders and innovators from throughout the border region to define strategies and execute regional initiatives to create jobs and enhance economic growth. 

Participants will include government officials, thought-leaders from academic institutions, pioneers in the business community, and representatives from civil society and international organizations.

The conference, “Realizing the Economic Strength of Our 21st Century Border: Trade, Education and Jobs,” is scheduled to take place Sept. 23-25, at the Fiesta Resort and Conference Center, in Tempe. It is open to the public. Cost for general admission is $175 for early-bird registration until Aug. 31, $225 for pre-registration from Sept. 1-22, and $250 for on-site registration Sept. 23-25. Student registration is $50.

There also is discounted admission fee of $175 per person for groups of 10 or more. To register, visit the website regonline.com/ASUtradeconference.

As a means of facilitating a dialogue that will feed into ongoing border governors’, legislators’, mayors' and commissioners' policymaking processes, the conference will focus on identifying regional solutions to border-related challenges and priorities, such as workforce needs and educational development; trade facilitation and supply chain solutions for cross-border trade; border infrastructure needs and regional border planning; public/private partnership opportunities and new innovative technologies; and identifying cross-border economic development and job creation strategies.

Featured speakers include: Ambassador Anthony Wayne, Assistant Secretaries for Trade Michael Camuñez and for Homeland Security Alan Bersin, several corporate CEOs, and ASU President Michael Crow.

For more information on the conference, contact Rick Van Schoik at 480-965-1846 and for logistics information, contact Doris Rasmussen at dorisras@asu.edu or 480-727-8539. For booth information, contact Alejandro Figueroa at jafigueroa@asu.edu.