Central Texas is showing off its wares to the world.
News Radio 1200 WOAI reports the annual Americas Competitiveness Exchange, which aims to expand economic and trade ties throughout the Western Hemisphere and across the world, is focuing on Central Texas this year, and has kicked off in San Antonio for a week long trade show.
"We have 25 to 27 countries represented, mainly from the Americas, but Germany and Israel are also here," said Skadi Tirpak, who is with the the city of San Antonio.
The ACE, which is a bi-annual event, seeks to bring together investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders by allowing them to come to one specified area in the Hemisphere to discuss technological innovation, with the goal of allowing people from all nations to have a role in creating the major developments of the future. In San Antonio, developments in everything from aviation to tech to clean energy to construction are on display.
"It is focusing on collaboration, and global trade and investment," Tirpak said.
One of the main focuses of the ACE exhibitions underway at the Convention Center is cyber security. People from around the world are getting a look at the advances being made in San Antonio in this critical field.
Engineers and researchers from other nations will then have the opportunity to meet with local officials to see if opportunities for collaboration exist."
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange was set up enhance trade in the Americas, particularly in global trade and investment."The group will travel across Central Texas all week, winding up in Austin on Friday.
The Central Texas region was picked to host the ACE event two years ago, and Tirpak says it is in recognition of the innovation now underway in this area.