The Organization of American States (OAS), in collaboration with the City of Memphis and the U.S. State Department, through its Permanent Mission to the OAS, and the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, kicks off the 23rd edition of its Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) in Memphis, Tennessee, from May 10 to May 15. Recognized as the OAS's premier platform for economic innovation and regional collaboration, this edition brings together more than 50 business, government, and academic leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from 19 nations across the Americas.
Participants will engage in dialogue, networking, and co-creation around five strategic clusters key to the future of the region's economy: Logistics, Trade & Global Commerce, Advanced Mobility & Electrification, Artificial Intelligence & Frontier Technologies, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Ag-Innovation & Food Systems.
The exchange seeks to foster new partnerships, investment, and cross-border cooperation opportunities for key players within Memphis's vibrant ecosystem of global logistics, technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and community development. ACE is the OAS's flagship program for incubating and accelerating businesses to drive increased prosperity and economic development in the region. Since its inception in 2014, the program has engaged more than 1,000 participants from 30 countries and facilitated over 750 partnerships.
"Countries in our hemisphere have the potential, talent, and ideas for growth. They benefit from integrated ecosystems, advanced technologies, world-class value chains, and trade networks like those in Memphis to expand business opportunities, jobs, and entrepreneurship," said the Director of Economic Development at the OAS and Acting Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Barbara Kotschwar.
The U.S. Ambassador to the OAS, Leandro Rizzuto spoke about ACE Memphis's potential for catalyzing new collaborations. "The hemisphere should be defined not only by the challenges we face, but by what we can build together."
In welcoming the global leaders participating in ACE Memphis, City of Memphis Mayor Paul A. Young explained that "Memphis is uniquely positioned to lead in this moment because of our connectivity, people, and willingness to work together across sectors. ACE gives us an opportunity to share our story and build lasting relationships that drive investment, innovation, and growth for years to come."
ACE Memphis includes visits to emblematic trade, supply chain, logistics, cultural, innovation, and ag-innovation centers of global impact, such as the FedEx Executive Headquarters, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Lauderdale County, and Crosstown Concourse. The event will also feature networking sessions and "International Office Hours", where participants can engage directly with regional organizations, institutions, and companies to explore collaboration across sectors and borders.
Learn more about ACE here.
