CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot will lead a delegation of City officials and business leaders on a five-day trip to Mexico City from September 28 to October 2. The Mayor will meet with city and business leaders to discuss Chicago’s economic recovery, inclusive economic development, and continued growth and expansion. She will also reaffirm and strengthen the sister city relationship between Chicago and Mexico City, which celebrated a 30^th anniversary last year.

“Mexico City and the City of Chicago have long been close partners,” said Mayor Lightfoot. "On behalf of our world-class city, I'm thrilled to visit the country that accounts for nearly 40% of foreign-born Chicagoans and exchange lessons learned about our economic successes, policy initiatives, and innovation efforts. I am also particularly eager to use this visit as a way to deepen our relationship with Mexico economically, culturally, and socially.”

Chicago’s economy is thriving and poised to have the best economic recovery of any big city in the country. The city continues to see growth and expansion across various industries. There have been 121 known Pro-Chicago decisions in 2022, with 80 expansions and 41 new locations. There have also been 20 investments on the South or West sides ranging from manufacturing, research and development, and retail industries. The Mayor and her delegation will highlight the many reasons why Chicago is a world-class city, especially for businesses.

“We are pleased to bring together City and business leaders to represent Chicago’s global interests in Mexico,” said Michael Fassnacht, President & CEO, World Business Chicago, Chief Marketing Officer, City of Chicago. “It is more important than ever to highlight Chicago's economic success and explore innovative methods for driving growth in our business sector. The business delegation joining us represents the diversity of the city’s business community and I am excited to meet with our Mexican counterparts to reaffirm our long-standing, global business relationships.” 

“Chicago's economy is bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to our comprehensive economic recovery plan. We are now looking for innovative ways to promote even more growth in our business sector. We look forward to exchanging ideas with our peers in Mexico while also promoting Chicago as a destination for investment with business leaders abroad,” said Samir Mayekar, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development. 

Mayor Lightfoot will meet with various government officials in Mexico City. She will also participate in roundtable discussions with the Mexican Business Coordinating Council (CCE), the highest representative body of the private sector in Mexico that brings together 14 leading business organizations. She will also meet with business leaders to explore new opportunities. Along with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development Samir Mayekar and World Business Chicago President & CEO Michael Fassnacht, will meet with city leaders to discuss shared priorities such as community planning, neighborhood development, and exchange innovative ideas to enhance the lives of residents.

The individuals traveling with Mayor Lightfoot include:

City officials:

• Samir Mayekar, Deputy Mayor, Economic and Neighborhood Development
• Michael Fassnacht, President & CEO; Chief Marketing Officer, World Business Chicago
• Celia Meza, Corporation Counsel
• Kurt Peterson, Chief Information Officer
• Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer
• Nubia Willman, First Deputy, Community Engagement Office; Director, Office of New Americans

Delegates:

• David R. Andalcio, Founder & CEO, Wynndalco Enterprises
• Martin Cabrera, Jr., CEO & Founder, Cabrera Capital Markets and Cabrera Capital Partners
• David R. Casper, U.S. CEO, BMO Financial Group
• Jaime di Paulo, President & CEO, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Adriana Escárcega, Co-Chair, Mexico City Committee, Chicago Sister Cities International
• Leticia Espinosa, Co-Owner, Colores Mexicanos
• Fermin Fernandez, Director of Innovation and Managing Director, Chicago Connectory by Bosch
• Carlos Gaytán, Executive Chef & Partner, Tzuco
• Germán González Rico, CEO of U.S. Operations, Coscomate Hospitality Group
• Kapil Khanna, CEO, Lamar Johnson Collaborative by Clayco
• Timothy L. Killeen, President, University of Illinois System
• Juan Morado, Partner, Benesch
• Juan Gabriel Moreno, President & Founder, JGMA
• Miguel Noyola, Partner, Baker McKenzie
• Lynn Osmond, President and CEO, Choose Chicago
• Alex Páramo, Chief of Staff, Cabrera Capital Markets
• Jose Luis Prado, Chairman, Tropicale Foods, Chairman, Chicago Sister Cities International
• Luis Puig, President, A.L.L. Construction Group
• Korina Sanchez, Vice President and General Counsel, Third Coast Hospitality Group
• Sam Sanchez CEO, Third Coast Hospitality Group; Chairman, Illinois Restaurant Association
• Alejandro Silva, Co-Chair, Mexico City Committee, Chicago Sister Cities International
• Charles Smith, Founder and CEO, CS Insurance Strategy
• Julie Smolyansky, CEO, Lifeway Foods 
• Sam Toia, President & CEO, Illinois Restaurant Association
• Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil, Consul General, Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago
• Carlos Tortolero, Founder and President, National Museum of Mexican Art
• Grant Uhlir, Regional Managing Principal, Gensler
• Betsy Ziegler, CEO, 1871

Mayor Lightfoot returns to Chicago on Sunday, October 2. World Business Chicago will cover the travel-related expenses for the City of Chicago and World Business Chicago staff. Non-City and WBC members of the delegation will cover their travel-related expenses.

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