CHAPTERS
CALIBAJA
The CaliBaja region, bridging Baja California in Mexico and California in the U.S., exemplifies cross-border cooperation boosting the economy and business success globally. With over 7 million residents and a regional GDP of $250 to $300 billion, it stands as an economically vital area. It hosts leading industries like manufacturing, biotechnology, and telecommunications, backed by a skilled and diverse workforce. Tijuana excels in manufacturing through maquiladora factories, drawing significant foreign investments, primarily in manufacturing, bolstering sectors such as automotive parts and medical equipment.
San Diego's knowledge economy, centered around the University of California, San Diego, has attracted substantial venture capital, especially in life sciences and biotechnology, with investments topping $2 billion in several quarters from 2020 to 2021. The region also showed resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, with smaller job losses in key areas like manufacturing.
Investment in infrastructure is key to CaliBaja's continued growth, with projects like Otay Mesa East port entry crucial for fostering investment and job creation, enhancing production and trade between the U.S. and Mexico. CaliBaja serves as a vibrant model of cross-border collaboration, fostering business success and innovation. In this context, the AEM CaliBaja Chapter focuses on uniting entrepreneurs and professionals to seize these unique opportunities, driving membership and business development in this crucial region.
CHICAGO
Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest and its metropolitan area the third-largest in the United States with almost 10 million people. Nearly 30% of its residents are Hispanic, and the vast majority are of Mexican descent.
The impact of the Mexican community and strong cultural ties in the region promote business relationships between Mexico and the U.S.
The dominant industries in Chicago are Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, and Educational Services.
Over 130 Chicago-area companies are in Mexico, including Baxter, Groupon, Hyatt, Illinois Tool Works, Ingredion, McDonald’s, Motorola Solutions, and United Continental. There are also many Mexican companies with a presence in greater Chicago, including Amtex Chemical, Cemex, Bimbo, and Famsa.
The total trade in 2016 between Chicago and Mexico was 21.2 Billion dollars. The main import categories from Mexico to Illinois are electrical machinery, beer and spirits, machinery parts, vehicles and parts, optic instruments and plastics. The main export categories from Illinois to Mexico are electrical machinery, machinery parts, vehicles and parts, plastics and optic instruments.
Chicago and Mexico City have a Sister City relationship.
DALLAS
The city of Dallas is one of the most important cities in terms of business growth for Mexican and U.S. companies.
“Dallas has relied on some Mexican-owned businesses and money to grow. The city for years has taken advantage of the EB-5 visa program, which allows wealthy Mexicans to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. for a price: an investment of at least $500,000 that creates at least 10 jobs for Americans for two years”. (Dallas Morning News)
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the primary international airport serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex area in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the largest hub for American Airlines, which is headquartered near the airport.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in North America by passengers (67,092,194)
Dallas is home to some of the following Mexican corporations and headquarters:
• Grumma (MASECA, Mission and Guerrero).
• Cinépolis.
• Interceramic.
• La Moderna.
• Softtek US Headquarters.
Latinos represent 40.5% of the population growth in the DFW area.
CHICAGO
Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest and its metropolitan area the third-largest in the United States with almost 10 million people. Nearly 30% of its residents are Hispanic, and the vast majority are of Mexican descent.
The impact of the Mexican community and strong cultural ties in the region promote business relationships between Mexico and the U.S.
The dominant industries in Chicago are Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, and Educational Services.
Over 130 Chicago-area companies are in Mexico, including Baxter, Groupon, Hyatt, Illinois Tool Works, Ingredion, McDonald’s, Motorola Solutions, and United Continental. There are also many Mexican companies with a presence in greater Chicago, including Amtex Chemical, Cemex, Bimbo, and Famsa.
The total trade in 2016 between Chicago and Mexico was 21.2 Billion dollars. The main import categories from Mexico to Illinois are electrical machinery, beer and spirits, machinery parts, vehicles and parts, optic instruments and plastics. The main export categories from Illinois to Mexico are electrical machinery, machinery parts, vehicles and parts, plastics and optic instruments.
Chicago and Mexico City have a Sister City relationship.
GUANAJUATO
Guanajuato is the cultural destiny of Mexico, it has a large history, rich culture, and a growing economy. It is the 5th tourist destiny in the country, and it is the heart of the automotive and aerospace clusters in country, 1 of 6 vehicles are assembled in Guanajuato. It is very attractive for foreign investors, and it has a diversified economy with more than 8 sector cluster, including leather industry, agroindustry, exporting to 147 countries all over the world. It is the 6th populated state in country, with 5.8 million inhabitants, Leon is the 4th populated city in the country with 27% of the state population. The industrial, investments, education, communications, infrastructure makes Guanajuato as one the most attractive places to live in Mexico. It has around 250,000 economic units, 86% are commerce and services.
JALISCO
Jalisco is the cultural destiny of Mexico, it has a large history, rich culture, and a growing economy. It is the 5th tourist destiny in the country, and it is the heart of the automotive and aerospace clusters in country, 1 of 6 vehicles are assembled in Jalisco. It is very attractive for foreign investors, and it has a diversified economy with more than 8 sector cluster, including leather industry, agroindustry, exporting to 147 countries all over the world. It is the 6th populated state in country, with 5.8 million inhabitants, Leon is the 4th populated city in the country with 27% of the state population. The industrial, investments, education, communications, infrastructure makes Guanajuato as one the most attractive places to live in Mexico. It has around 250,000 economic units, 86% are commerce and services.
HOUSTON
The Mexican Entrepreneur Association (AEM) was established in 1996 by a group of Mexican entrepreneurs who came up with the idea of teaming up to help Mexican business-people and professionals to achieve success in the United States, and to assist American business-people interested in doing business in Mexico.
The AEM’s Mission is to create business opportunities that promote progress and innovation, by strengthening ties and developing programs that help and guide bi-national business people and young entrepreneurs to become global leaders for their companies’ growth,
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States in terms of population and one of the largest in terms of area. It is the center of a five-county metropolitan area and is considered the prototype of the future metropolis—a city on the cutting edge of all of the advantages and the problems of large urban areas.
Los Angeles is one of the most substantial economic engines within the United States, with a diverse economy in a broad range of professional and cultural fields. Los Angeles is also famous as the home of Hollywood, a major center of the world entertainment industry. A global city, it has been ranked 6th in the Global Cities Index and 9th in the Global Economic Power Index. The Los Angeles metropolitan area also has a gross metropolitan product of $1.044 trillion (as of 2017), making it the third-largest in the world, after the Tokyo and New York metropolitan areas.
Los Angeles is a city of fascinating diversity, incorporating one of the largest Hispanic populations in the United States, a major Asian community, and sizable populations of nearly every ethnic background in the world. Los Angeles is also a center of international trade and banking, manufacturing, and tourism.
McALLEN
The McAllen is a complex economic and perceptual region. What Texans call “the Valley” centers on Starr, Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties in the lower Rio Grande region and extends from the mouth of the Rio Grande up the river for a distance of some 100 miles.
For most of the twentieth century McAllen has been overwhelmingly Hispanic in population. According to the 1990 census figures, which under-reported the immigrants in the region, just under 82 percent of Cameron County, over 85 percent of Hidalgo County, over 97 percent of Starr County, and over 84 percent of Willacy County were Hispanic.
In common with other areas along the United States-Mexico border, McAllen has benefited economically from the development of maquiladoras.
Over the last several decades, the emergence of maquiladoras (factories or fabrication plants) has caused a surge of industrial development along the border, while international bridges have allowed Mexican nationals to shop, sell, and do business in the border cities along the Rio Grande. The geographic inclusion of South Padre Island also drives tourism, particularly during the Spring Break season, as its subtropical climate keeps temperatures warm year-round.[citation needed] During the winter months, many retirees (commonly referred to as “Winter Texans”) arrive to enjoy the warm weather, access to pharmaceuticals and health care in Mexican border crossings such as Nuevo Progreso. There is a substantial health-care industry with major hospitals and many clinics and private practices in Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen.
McAllen has also benefited from relaxed trade restrictions between Mexico and the United States and has become a warehouse and transportation center.
MEXICO CITY
Mexico City is the largest city in North America, whose size and amount of population make it only comparable with cities such as Tokyo, in Japan, or Moscow, in Russia. It is one of the most extensive cities in the world.
It is the main urban, social, political, academic, economic, touristic, artistic, business and cultural center of the Mexican nation, and has been the scene of numerous important events in the life and history of the nation. There lies the political power and CDMX is also the cradle of the rich and vast Mexican pre-Columbian history, representing business opportunities.
MIAMI
Miami is a major center and leader in finance, commerce, culture, media, entertainment, the arts, and international trade. The metro area is by far the largest urban economy in Florida and the 12th largest in the United States, with a GDP of $344.9 billion as of 2017. In 2018, Miami was classified as an Alpha level global city by the GaWC. In 2019, Miami ranked seventh in the United States and 31st among global cities in terms of business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement. According to a 2018 UBS study of 77 world cities, the city was ranked as the third-richest in the United States and the eighth-richest in the world in terms of purchasing power. Miami is nicknamed the “Capital of Latin America” and is the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality.
MONTERREY
The Mexican Entrepreneur Association (AEM) was established in 1996 by a group of Mexican entrepreneurs who came up with the idea of teaming up to help Mexican business-people and professionals to achieve success in the United States, and to assist American business-people interested in doing business in Mexico.
The AEM’s Mission is to create business opportunities that promote progress and innovation, by strengthening ties and developing programs that help and guide bi-national business people and young entrepreneurs to become global leaders for their companies’ growth.
NEW YORK
New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square.
New York City is one of the most famous metropolises in the world. It is not only a huge business hub, but also an American cultural symbol for opportunity, hard work, energy, and eclecticism.
SAN ANTONIO
The city of San Antonio is the seventh-most populous city in the United States, and the second-most populous city in both Texas and the Southern United States with more than 1.5 million residents. Founded as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost in 1718, the city became the first chartered civil settlement in present-day Texas in 1731. The area was still part of the Spanish Empire, and later of the Mexican Republic. Today it is the state’s oldest municipality.
SAN FRANCISCO
The Mexican Entrepreneur Association (AEM) was established in 1996 by a group of Mexican entrepreneurs who came up with the idea of teaming up to help Mexican business-people and professionals to achieve success in the United States, and to assist American business-people interested in doing business in Mexico.
The AEM’s Mission is to create business opportunities that promote progress and innovation, by strengthening ties and developing programs that help and guide bi-national business people and young entrepreneurs to become global leaders for their companies’ growth.
THE WOODLANDS
Nestled in an emerald forest yet with all the amenities of modern urban life is The Woodlands, Texas.
The Woodlands is a city in Texas with a population of 109,608. The Woodlands is in Montgomery County and is one of the best places to live in Texas.
The Woodlands is divided into 11 Villages or Districts. “Each village is like its own small town, complete with shopping centers, community organizations, exceptional schools, extensive recreational facilities, healthcare and welcoming places of worship. Within the villages are individual neighborhoods, each with its own charm and identity.
The Woodlands is 28 miles (45 km) north of Houston along Interstate 45. Though it began as an exurban development and a bedroom community, it has also attracted corporations and has several corporate campuses, most notably Chevron Phillips Chemical, Anadarko Petroleum, Huntsman Corporation, Woodforest National Bank, Baker Hughes, Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, McKesson Corporation, Aon plc, Maersk Line, Safmarine, and Halliburton. It won a Special Award for Excellence in 1994 from the Urban Land Institute.
WASHINGTON DC
The Mexican Entrepreneur Association (AEM) was established in 1996 by a group of Mexican entrepreneurs who came up with the idea of teaming up to help Mexican business-people and professionals to achieve success in the United States, and to assist American business-people interested in doing business in Mexico.
The AEM’s Mission is to create business opportunities that promote progress and innovation, by strengthening ties and developing programs that help and guide bi-national business people and young entrepreneurs to become global leaders for their companies’ growth.