The City of Memphis is gearing up to welcome international leaders across various sectors for the twenty-third Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), set to take place from May 10 to 15, 2026. This event, highly regarded within the realm of innovation and economic development, primarily focuses on fostering cross-border collaboration by bringing together senior government officials, business executives, innovation mavens, and university heads. The city received the prestigious nod to host due to its noted success in key industries, which include global logistics, advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, agricultural innovation, and entrepreneurial development.
As the City of Memphis prepares for this significant occasion, the spotlight turns to the region's strategic contributions to economic growth; strategic initiatives that have placed it at the forefront of sectors such as global logistics and advanced manufacturing, and with the electrification industry swiftly rising, Memphis's acclaim grows, together with its influence in health, life sciences, and aginnovation. A promotional video has been released to commemorate the city's selection as the ACE's next host. Furthermore, the announcement was warmly received by Mayor Paul Young, who celebrated Memphis's selection and recognized the partnership of various civic and business organizations, including the City of Memphis, the Greater Memphis Chamber, EDGE, and Start Co., among others.
"Memphis is honored to host the twenty-third Americas Competitiveness Exchange. Our region is where culture and innovation intersect, where logistics, manufacturing, research, and technology are shaping the future, and where collaboration fuels genuine opportunities," Mayor Young told memphistn.gov, noting the synergistic environment that Memphis presents for an event of this caliber. His sentiments resonate with the pride of a city that has not only played host to historical cultural movements but also to burgeoning economic trends and developments.
The impending event offers a unique platform for Memphis to showcase its potential and achievements; a platform presented before an audience of influential figures engaged in shaping the future of the Americas. Discussions and site visits during the week-long ACE will provide pivotal insights into the region's robust entrepreneurial landscape and its workforce systems, which are integral parts of the Mid-South’s economic fabric. Moreover, this gathering presents an invaluable opportunity for the city to solidify existing partnerships and cultivate new ones, setting Memphis ever firmer on its trajectory of innovation and economic sustenance, thus charting a course that could influence the entire Americas' approach to growing a competitive edge in a rapidly changing world.
