Mayor Hancock to Lead Trade Mission to Mexico City

		PRESS RELEASE                        For Immediate Release   Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012
	City and County of Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock  Rowena Alegría, Communications Director Rowena.Alegria@DenverGov.org Amber Miller, Press Secretary Amber.Miller@DenverGov.org O: 720.865.9095   Mayor Hancock to Lead Trade Mission to Mexico City   DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock tomorrow will lead a delegation of city, state, business and community leaders to Mexico City to strengthen economic development, tourism and cultural opportunities that can be forged with the new Volaris nonstop flight.   “With Volaris’ new service to the heart of Mexico, we are throwing the doors open to increase economic, tourism and cultural opportunities for our regions and our people,” Mayor Hancock said. “We will continue to capitalize on the vast opportunities that lie ahead with this additional nonstop flight between Mexico and Denver by embarking on this trade mission.”   Joining the Mayor on the trip is former Denver Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vidal, Consul General of Mexico Andres Chao Ebergenyi, and Denver City Council Members Debbie Ortega and Paul Lopez.  Representatives from VISIT DENVER, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Vail Resorts, Xcel Energy and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade will also participate in the delegation to Mexico City. (see attachment for full list of participants)   During the two-day visit, the delegation will participate in meetings with some of Mexico’s top business leaders, political dignitaries, and travel agents and operators.  In addition, they will tour some of Mexico City’s largest companies and cultural facilities. The Mayor’s trade mission includes seeking business opportunities in Colorado, with respect to companies in electricity, oil & gas and natural resources, manufacturing, construction, environmental and other economic development opportunities.   “This new nonstop flight is an exciting step in continuing to grow Denver’s international economic portfolio,” said Paul Washington, Executive Director of the Denver Office of Economic Development. “Mexico is Colorado’s second-largest export market, and Denver is home to some of the businesses that provide those products and services, such as Prologis, Molson Coors and KPMG.  We hope to grow these exports and others, as well as attract new business and investment from Mexico.”   On Saturday, the Mayor and delegation will return on the nonstop inaugural flight on Volaris from Mexico City to Denver. Volaris will be the sixth foreign-flag carrier airline to serve Denver International Airport and will operate the flight twice a week. The new nonstop flight from Denver to Mexico City is expected to bring 6,000 new visitors and generate $9.4 million in economic benefit for Denver and the region.  Currently Aeromexico and United both operate nonstop service between Denver and Mexico City, and the new Volaris service is expected to stimulate local passenger traffic, benefiting all carriers.   “The new flight will not only benefit the business community, it will also open up even greater tourism opportunities between the two countries,” said Richard Scharf, President and CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Both are world-class cities that offer rich cultural experiences, vibrant nightlife and unique, citywide festivals and events.”