The city of Memphis, with its burgeoning innovation sector, has landed a noteworthy event on its 2026 calendar. It's the host for the twenty-third Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), slated for May 10-15, 2026—a weeklong gathering of decision-makers from across the Western Hemisphere. According to the City of Memphis's announcement, this event promises to bring together high-level government officials, industry leaders, and knowledge purveyors in sectors pacing the region's economic ascent.
Memphis' selection, as informed by the announcement, wasn't just a roll of the dice; it won this competitive bid through demonstration of strengths that define its regional clout—global logistics, advanced manufacturing and electrification, health and life sciences, aginnovation, and an environment fostering entrepreneurial growth. In attendance, fostering connections and looking to experience the entrepreneurial and workforce systems, will be international attendees deep-diving into the market dynamics that propel the Mid-South forward.
"Memphis is honored to host the twenty-third Americas Competitiveness Exchange," said Mayor Paul Young. As he celebrated the announcement, Young highlighted the unique confluence in Memphis of culture and forward-thinking, emphasizing the city's role in "shaping the future" through collaborative dynamics that "fuels genuine opportunities," as mentioned on the City of Memphis website. This sentiment, and anticipation for the event, was echoed by representatives across a slew of planning partners, including the Greater Memphis Chamber and EDGE.
Offering first-hand insight, Start Co.'s co-founder Andre Fowlkes spoke to the potential this event holds for local impact. "After attending the Americas Competitiveness Exchange in Chicago, we knew we had to bring this delegation to Memphis," he stipulated, acknowledging the event's knack for igniting diverse partnerships. Fowlkes, overseeing the nurturing of thriving firms and emerging tech, sees ACE as a springboard for accentuating Memphis as an innovation hub—the kind "signaling to these 30+ countries that Memphis is an innovation driven economy," Fowlkes told the City of Memphis.
