Tucson, Ariz. – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva will deliver opening remarks and help facilitate a regional economic forum in Rio Rico on Friday, May 16, to bring together business and government stakeholders to discuss job growth options in Southern Arizona. The Arizona – Sonora Regional Economic Competitiveness Forumis open to the press.
A full schedule is available below. For more information, contact Ruben Reyes in Rep. Grijalva’s Tucson office at (520) 622-6788.
If You Go
Where: Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico
1069 Camino Caralampi
Rio Rico, AZ 85648
When: Friday, May 16
AGENDA
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks
Senator Lou Correa
California State Senate
Chair, Border Legislative Conference
Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva
U.S. House of Representatives
9:15 a.m. Panel I: Challenges and Opportunities to Move People and Product Securely and Efficiently Along the Arizona – Sonora Border Region
Moderator
Luis Ramirez
President
Ramirez Advisors Inter-National
Speakers
William Brooks
Director of Field Operations, Tucson
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Lance Jungmeyer
President
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Alfonso Soto Parada
President
Maquiladora Association of Sonora
10:45 a.m. Panel II: Promoting Regional Competitiveness
Moderator
Representative T.J. Shope
Arizona House of Representatives
Speakers
Enrique Ruiz Sanchez
Director
Economic Development Council for Sonora
Bruce Wright
Associate Vice President
Tech Parks Arizona
University of Arizona
Manuel Hopkins Ruiz
Director of Economic Development
City of Nogales, Sonora
12:15 p.m. Lunch & Presentation
Ana Luisa Fajer
Director General for North America
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1:30 p.m. Panel III: Arizona – Sonora Trade Corridor
Moderator
Diputada Mireya de Lourdes Almada Beltran
Sonora State Legislature
Speakers
Marisa Walker
Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning & Infrastructure
Arizona Commerce Authority
Werner G. Cota Lopez
Confederation of Agriculture Associations
State of Sinaloa
David Careaga
General Director
Association of Farmers of Rio Culiacan
Russ Jones
Vice Chair
Border Trade Alliance
3:00 p.m. Simultaneous Breakout Sessions
Ports of Entry Facilitator
David A. Shirk
Associate Professor, Political Science
Director, Justice in Mexico Project
University of San Diego
Promoting Regional Competitiveness Facilitator
Rick Van Schoik
Portfolio Director
North American Research Partnership
Arizona – Sonora Trade Corridor Facilitator
Erik Lee
Executive Director
North American Research Partnership
4:45 p.m. Summary and Closing Remarks
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Reception at Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico