Council VP Gives Keynote Address at American Chamber of Commerce/Mexico

AmCham/Monterrey celebrated its 35th Annual General Meeting on April 24 at Club Industrial, in San Pedro—an event that attracted a record number of participants, who included economic and political leaders from Mexico and the United States.

The Annual General Meeting featured innovation expert Chad Evans as the keynote speaker. The event provided the ideal opportunity to discuss the importance of the relationship between the United States and Mexico along with raising issues of competitiveness.

Prominent attendees included Neal R. Goins, president of American Chamber/México; Robert Potter, president of the Executive Council of AmCham/México, Monterrey Division; Bruce Williamson, U. S. consul general in Monterrey; Chad Evans, vice president of strategic initiatives for U.S. Council on Competitiveness; Andrés Franco Abascal, who represented the governor of Nuevo León; and Roberto Cavazos, executive director of AmCham/Monterrey Division.

Williamson described the relationship between the three big North American countries as being fundamental due to an increasing growth in trade and mutual benefits.

“Americans, Canadians and Mexicans have a trading relationship in goods and services that is fast approaching a trillion dollars a year,” Williamson said. “It brings enormous benefits, like jobs, energy security and lower prices to the citizens of all three countries on an historic scale.”

He also said that the relationship goes well beyond economic issues. Aside from commerce and trade, there are cultural bonds that are growing on a daily basis. “We are connected by social, family, educational, commercial and cultural ties that are staggering in their size and continuous growth,” Williamson said.

Andres Franco of the Nuevo León state government reiterated the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Mexico and exhorted U.S. leaders to continue with their support of the strategic sectors that benefit Mexico.

“We want to be perceived as your partners [and] facilitate your growth and expansion, because this wealth is for the two countries,” he said.

Potter congratulated the leadership of the Monterrey chapter for its outstanding work and for facilitating so many committees that members can take advantage of.

He restated that the chamber is in a more credible position in Monterrey than in previous years, but added that there is still a lot of work left to do.

“We need to be more involved in the economic, political and social arenas, where we can positively impact private, as well as public needs and I feel that this year we are better prepared to meet that challenge,” Potter said.

Potter said that the Chamber will now become more nationally oriented, and all the working committees will be directed and managed by one of the divisions.

“We will draw on our common strengths and utilize them where they have proven to be the most successful,” he said.

Alberto Morales, Leo Lobato, Alejandro Maiz and Francisco Gamez, were applauded for their excellent efforts on each of their committees and the achievements that they have helped the Chamber achieve.

Potter indicated that the Overseas Security Advisory Council, OSAC, was created in 2007 to keep American companies updated with issues related to international security. He pointed out that AmCham’s objective is to prepare its member companies for global challenges through the services and network that the Chamber provides.

“To compete effectively, companies need to grow and expand their capabilities ... to complement their business development strategies,” Potter remarked.

To conclude, Evans gave a lecture on the work that he has being carrying out for the strategic initiatives of U.S. Council on Competitiveness. He explained that the innovation, entrepreneurship, energy and skills are all challenges and opportunities that need to be exploited in order to compete in the global market.

During the Meeting, Potter named the winners of the Yiacatecutli Awards and introduced the executive committee, the elected directors, directors-at-large, vigilance committee, honorary officer and honorary members.

AmCham appreciates the collaboration of the sponsors, members and directors that made the Annual General Meeting a great success.