Advantages of Filming and Producing in Mexico – (06/04/2010)

With new financial and tax incentives, Mexico has become one of the largest places for talent, workforce and infrastructure in Latin America. With this in mind the USMCOCNE hosted an event inviting people in the industry to talk to investors, producers, artists and students about the potential opportunity in the filmmaking business in Mexico.
Hugo Villa, director of Film Production support at IMCINE, Becky Glupczynski, film producer, and Juan Manuel Ramirez, partner of KPMG all spoke and contributed their expertise and experience on the topic. The event was held at Greenberg Traurig headquarters and was made mostly possible by them, Hola Mexico film festival, Havanna film festival and the Mexico Tourism Board.

Microfinance in Mexico (06/04/2010)

Experts in the field discussed the current status of Microfinancing in Mexico and its role in Mexico’s development. Among these speakers moderated by Eberhard Rohm, partner at Duane Morris, were Carlos Danel, who is Executive Vice President & Co-Founder of Compartamos Bank, Gary Kochubka, the Senior Director at Standard & Poor's and Jenny A. Hourihan, CFO, Pro Mujer. The event turned out to be a success with many current themes discussed about women’s position and development in Mexico.

5 de Mayo Luncheon 2010 (05/05/2010)

Continuing with the tradition of celebrating the 5 de Mayo, the USMCOCNE organized the “5 de Mayo Luncheon”. Close to 100 distinguished members enjoyed of the Mexican food, cocktails, company, and a musical performance by Cesar Reyes (pianist), Guadalupe Peraza  (Mezzo-Soprano) and Mauricio Trejo (tenor). The lunch took place at The Players Club.

We want to thank our sponsors Northwestern Mutual, Mexico Tourism Board and Aeromexico, as well as the supporting organizations Presidente Intercontinental, The Mexican Cultural Institute of New York, Paul & Shark boutique, and Ceiba del Mar Beach and Spa Resort that made this event possible. Also special thanks to Dos Equis Imported Beer, Morandé Wines, Genesis Beverages, Tequila Tequilador and Fany Gersons Authentic Mexican Candies.

Grow your NAFTA Sales: Roadmap to Mexico (4/29/2010)

The USMCOC-NE and the U.S. Department of Commerce co-hosted “Grow your NAFTA Sales: Roadmap to Mexico.” This meeting included specialist on the practical aspects of doing business under NAFTA. Speakers included Anne Evans, District Director, U.S. Department of Commerce, Dennis Simmons, former Commercial Attaché, U.S. Embassy Mexico City, Sidney N. Weiss, Customs and International Trade lawyer, and Dan Edwards, Greg De Yoe, and Xochitl Garcia of UPS on Logistics Considerations in Mexico.

The speakers discussed investment opportunities in Mexico within the NAFTA framework. Several topic were discussed such as, customs classifications, duty free imports/exports, and logistical consideration when moving goods in and out of Mexico.

Manchester Community College in Manchester, Connecticut hosted and made possible the event. Following the event, attendants participated in the inauguration of Manchester Community College’s Entrepreneurship Center.

Dr. Georgina Kessel, Mexico’s Secretary of Energy (04/29/2010)

The USMCOC-NE hosted Mexico’s Secretary of Energy for an “Analysis and Perspectives of Mexico’s Energy Sector.” The gathering included many attendants from law firms, banks, rating agencies, and firms with active participation in the energy sector. The event was also attended by Mexico’s Consulate General in New York. .Secretary Kessel discussed Mexico’s initiatives as climate change pioneer ahead of the Cop 16 conference in Cancun, Mexico. The Secretary also discussed the implementation of Mexico’s energy reform and several key energy projects that have been the focus of the President Calderon’s administration.

The event was made possible by the corporate support of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Following Secretary Kessel’s remarks, the audience of close to 50 people participated in an engaging Q&A session with the Secretary.

US Premiere of “Crafts Humors and Short Stories of the Mexican Independence and Revolution” (04/22/2010)

As part of the activities commemorating the Bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence and the Centennial of Mexican Revolution, the Havana Film Festival and the USMCOCNE co-presented the premier of the movie “Crafts Humors and Short Stories of the Mexican Independence and Revolution.” The film managed to sum up the talents of skilled Mexican artists to produce this compilation of 26 short films about Mexico’s Independence and Revolution. Following the premier the attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception.

Senator Luis Alberto Villarreal García (03/16/2010))

Senator Luis Alberto Villarreal García, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations for North America in the Mexican Senate and also member of the committees of Foreign Relations and Constitutional issues, headed a roundtable discussion on border security and major concerns of Mexican citizens.

The reunion was made possible thanks to the corporate support of Barst Mukamal & Kleiner LLP. The audience of close to 30 people had the opportunity to hear the position of the senator as well as to ask questions concerning security and other general concerns among Mexicans.

The Honorable Michael Bloomberg (03/10/2010)

The reception “New York City and Latin America: A Growing Partnership” led by the Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, was made possible with the organization of the USMCOC-NE together with the Chambers of Commerce and American Associations of Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Spain and Venezuela.

Doing Business with Mexico (03/05/2010)

As part of the chapter’s expansion, the USMCOC-NE together with the Northern New Jersey Office of The U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service organized an informative seminar about doing business with Mexico. The panelists shared their expertise on imports-exports regulations as well as the legal framework, technical regulations on consumer’s information and specific standards on products

The panel was constituted by Dennis Simmons, Commercial Officer, U.S. Export Assistance Center; Robert J. Leo, partner in the New York office of Meeks, Sheppard, Leo & Pillsbury, the firm focuses on U.S. and international law regulations affecting exports and imports, and Oscar Mendoza, Manager and Representative in the U.S.-Mexican Association of Normalization and Certification (ANCE).

During the meeting concepts like the laws on labeling and consumer information disclosure in Mexico were covered. Some examples of good labeling process were provided, also exporting and NAFTA aspects were discussed concluding with a Question and Answer session in which the audience had the opportunity to get into more specific aspects of their interest.

Mexico’s Political Landscape Conference Series: César Nava (02/26/2010)

Congressman César Nava, current chairman of the ruling party in Mexico, Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) actively participated in the discussion roundtable held in the offices of Crowell Moring LLP, a law firm in New York City. He spoke about Mexico’s current panorama and the political and economical agenda of the party.

Approximately 20 people from different financial groups, law firms, analysts, international companies, academics from Columbia and NYU were present. The discussion helped expand the perception and interest in Mexico, as well as to reinforce the business relations.

Congressman Nava included particularly relevant subjects in his presentation. He spoke about the international crisis and its effects on Mexico, the economic recovery and the path towards prosperity, and shared details about President Calderón’s reform agenda and it’s challenges. Matters such as political reform, poverty reduction, fight against crime, quality education, labor reform, among others where some of the aspects on the party’s agenda of transformation. Some of these reforms have already been implemented or are in progress.

The Mexican Housing Day 2010 (02/08/2010)

The USMCOC-NE coordinated the seventh edition of the Mexican Housing Day on February 8th at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. With an audience of 340 people, the event was a success. For the first time all the top Mexican real estate developers hosted the event: Ara, GEO, Sare, Homex, Urbi, Consorcio Hogar. The event was also hosted by and the public housing agencies INFONAVIT, FOVISSSTE, SHF, and Conavi.

This event provides a window into the current situation of the housing sector in Mexico, and to shows the different opportunities available for investors. Mexican Housing Day provides a forum where investors and housing sector analysts can obtain mutually beneficial first-hand information.

During the meeting, goals were set for the Mexican housing sector. Also, positive predictions forecasted that 2010 will be one of the most significant years for the housing sector. According to the information, the sector remains strong and represents an important incentive to economic activity. In spite of the economic situation, the demand for housing in Mexico continues to grow.

Top officials of the housing sector were part of this important event, Finance Secretary Ernesto Cordero, Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, the President of the banking community, the President of the National Mortgage Association, the CEO’s of all national housing funds, the CEO of the Mexico City Stock Exchange, the CEO of the National Housing Commission, Mexico’s Urban Development Undersecretary, and Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States.

Mexico’s Political Landscape Conference Series - Jorge Castañeda and Héctor Aguilar Camín (02/03/2010)

February was a busy month. At the book presentation of “A Future for Mexico (Un futuro para México),” Héctor Aguilar Camín, Director of Nexos Magazine and Jorge G. Castañeda, former Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs set together their ideas and thoughts about upcoming situations for Mexico.

The USMCOC NE, with the support of Alston + Bird, LLP, organized a rountable discussion with these two prominent political analysts and authors. Castañeda and Camín kept an attentive audience; they stated the crucial need for consensus before Mexico’s next presidential elections and shared thoughts on whether or not Mexico’s history represented an obstacle for building a more prosperous country.