The University of Houston-Downtown’s Marilyn Davies College of Business (MDCOB) is hosting a Regional Business Forum to highlight topics and issues among Houston, Mexican, and Central American industries at 9 a.m., Friday, June 24, in the Shea Street Building.

Area business leaders and students are invited to attend and must register using this form to attend the forum. The event is sponsored by the MDCOB, the Houston Chapter of the Central American Chamber of Commerce - Camara de Comercio Centroamericana, and the Mexican Council for Foreign Trade.

“We began working with the Central American Chamber during the Fall semester,” said Dr. Julio Canedo, Associate Professor of Management. “This relationship led to a partnership with a similar chamber in South Mexico. In visiting with representatives of these two groups, we were able to organize this forum, and it’s finally here.”

Topics to be covered during the forum include Texas and Houston job markets, Latin specialty business successes, investment opportunities in South Mexico, and the United States–Canada–Mexico free trade agreement.

The following companies will present at the conference:

• BASF Mexicana – Chemicals
• Volkswagen – Automotive
• SmartSoft – Software
• Miel Huerta – Honey Production
• Vazdelar – Automotive
• Smartlo – International Logistics 
• Isebela Biomass – Energy

Canedo said he hopes that the relationships with the Camara de Comercio Centroamericana and the Mexican Council for Foreign Trade will bring professional development opportunities to students and enable closer ties to the Mexican and Central American business community of Houston.

“We have started conversations about these possibilities in the future,” he said. “This forum is our first approach, and we are optimistic about the possibilities for our faculty and students.”

For those who may not be able to attend the event in person, register and participate virtually using the passcode: Houston.