Mexican Connections: Memorable Meetings South Of The Border

The land south of the border offers a wealth of choices for memorable meetings and events

- Benét Wilson

As cities and countries around the world compete fiercely for lucrative events and meeting business, Mexico is emerging as a major player in the market. But that wasn’t always the case, says Doug Wheeler, principal of San Diego-based Summit Performance Group LLC, a global events management and incentive travel company.

“Until two or three years ago, Mexico was toxic because of security and safety concerns, with clients preferring to book events in places like the Caribbean, Panama and Hawaii,” he says. “And while it’s not safe everywhere, there are places in Mexico that are great for business events.”

Mexico is the second-largest economy in Latin America and the 14th-largest in the world, with natural attractions, cultural offerings, specialized infrastructure and a range of first class leisure activities, according to the Mexico Tourism Board. This has led to the growth of the country’s meetings industry, which includes 50 convention centers, world-class four- and five-star hotels, magnificent haciendas, exclusive beachfront sites and unique historical and cultural locations.

This is coupled with the country’s commitment to increasing air connectivity to make travel to the country easier. Thanks to strategic airline partnerships, Mexico’s seat capacity on direct international flights has reached more than two million seats in 2017.