UK and Mexico build GREAT business relationships
Mexico’s second GREAT Week was bigger than last year's, with more delegates, events and business export opportunities.
A large UK delegation, representing 70 companies, took part in Mexico’s GREAT Week in October. Delegates were able to explore opportunities to expand their business in Mexico through networking events, roundtable discussions and company visits.
In this year’s programme, the Business Ambassador for the creative industries Sir John Sorrell, led the delegation to the GREAT Week.
Delegates from the missions, along with high-level Mexican business contacts, spent time together at a sector-focused networking lunch and a VIP networking reception at the Ambassador’s Residence.
The week focused on airports, art and design, and music.
Airports
Led by the British Aviation Group, delegates from the airports sector had the chance to promote their firms’ capabilities and discuss potential partnerships with organisations, such as:
- Aeroméxico, the country’s largest airline carrier
- ASUR, a leading airports operator
- Ministry of Transport and Communications
Art and design
On the art and design mission, artists, designers, galleries and universities were involved in a number of events, including Design Week Mexico.
Some of the UK’s best-known names from the design world, such as Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Tom Dixon and Matthew Hilton took part. Lawrence and Tom were responsible for designing rooms in a specially curated ‘Design House’.
Delegates also attended the Affordable Art Fair, which featured a UK stand exhibiting work from a range of British artists.
Music
Music delegates toured concert venues and networked at the Corona Capital music festival. This was the UK’s first stand at this festival.
The festival featured the world famous double-decker London Routemaster bus and red telephone box. Other British brands such as BBC, ShakeAway and London Underground were also featured. Delegates participated in a panel discussion with Mexican experts about music media, licensing and event production in the UK.
Media success
There was extensive media coverage, which was very positive. Initial results show that overall the activities during the week helped reach an estimated 7.5 million people. Social-media engagement, including UK and Mexican Twitter accounts, was especially high, reaching 18.7 million users.
British Ambassador to Mexico Duncan Taylor CBE said:
I was really impressed with the energy and enthusiasm on both sides during this year’s GREAT Week. There is so much potential for British and Mexican companies to do business together, and it is events like these that will help that potential be realised.
Thanks to the GREAT Week, and other activities such as next year’s programme of events titled ‘2015: The Year of the UK in Mexico/Mexico in the UK’, I expect the UK-Mexico business relationship to go from strength to strength in the coming years.
Chris Maskell, Head of UKTI Mexico, said:
This was our biggest and best Mexico GREAT Week yet. We were able to target UK companies that could be matched to specific opportunities and contacts out here in Mexico. The overall success of the experience is reflected in the excellent relationships that were established between British companies and Mexican counterparts during GREAT Week.
Feedback from delegates was very positive. One delegate said:
The events were very well organised and the level of key people we met was excellent.
Another commented:
The trip was very useful for networking – I will definitely return to continue trade.
Further information
The GREAT Week forms part of the GREAT Campaign, which showcases the very best of what Britain has to offer and welcomes the world to visit, study and do business with the UK.
Watch the highlights film of the GREAT Week.
Highlights film on GREAT and view photographs
For further information on trade with Mexico, see our ‘Exporting to Mexico’ guide or contact the UKTI team in Mexico.