Gateway to the Americas Conference at GHP

Grulac (Iberoamerica Consular Group) and GHP (Greater Houston Partnership) joined efforts to organize the third annual “Houston Gateway to the Americas” conference, which was recently launched on Monday, August 26th, 2019 at the Partnership Tower in Houston, TX. The purpose of the event was to bring Houston and the Americas closer together while generating opportunities. In this one-day event, thirty-seven distinguished panelists participated in eight panels that emphasized different sectors of Houston’s commerce. Topics included consulting/ business services, energy/oil & gas, trade, sea transportation and logistics, local governments, education, technology and innovation, air and land and logistics, and hospitality. 

The Breakfast welcome included Bob Harvey, CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership;  Mamadou Beye, General Manager of Policy, Government and Corporate Affairs from Chevron; Honorable Jack Field, CEO from Twenty First Century Group; and Ambassador Sosa Consul General of Panama and Dean of the Consular Corps of Houston. 

During Lunch the keynote speech was delivered by the Honorable Andy Icken, Chief Development Officer from the City of Houston. The Commissioner Adrian Garcia, from Harris County Precinct 2 and Jaime Ortiz, Vice Provost Global Strategies and Studies from the University of Houston delivered remarks.

In the Local Governments’ Panel, the Honorable David Allen, Mayor from the City of Prairie View; Honorable David Robinson, Council Member from City of Houston; and Chris Canetti, President of Houston World Bid Committee Harris County participated as speakers for the panel.

The presence of 12 of the Consuls from Iberoamerica was an important element for the public due to their important roles in promoting and bringing opportunities for Houston and Iberoamerica.  The consuls that participated were Hon. Gabriel Volpi (Argentina), Amb. Jose Borges dos Santos (Brazil), Hon. Jose Luis Briceño (Chile), Hon. Amalia Salgado (Colombia), Hon. Herbert Espinoza (Costa Rica), Hon. Ruth Maria Dueñas (Ecuador), Hon. Nancy Guevara (El Salvador), Amb. Julia Alicia Olivo y Romero (Spain), Hon. Yolanda Oliva (Honduras), Hon Alicia Kerber (Mexico), Amb. Juan Sosa (Panama), and Hon. Rodolfo Coronado (Peru).

The event concluded with a successful reception. 

By Jenny Fula

Jenny Fula
Executive Director 
Houston Gateway to the Americas
Cell: (210) 863-9693