Irving Delegation Visits Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

Representatives from the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and the City of Irving recently visited Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.  The visiting delegation was comprised of Al Zapanta, President of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber, Chris Wallace, President/CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber and Tommy Gonzalez, Irving City Manager and Joseph Chapa, Executive Director of Irving's Sister Cities/International Trade Development and Assistance Center (SCI/ITDAC).

Although a short 24-hour trip, there were three separate objectives and they were all accomplished with a high degree of success.  The first was to participate in a Conference on doing business with Texas, and Irving in particular.  The audience, which included Leon Mayor Ricardo Sheffield, area businesses and representatives from the local media, were given a presentation by Mr. Al Zapanta on the operation of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, its infrastructure, activities, initiatives and programs.  Mr. Chris Wallace spoke about the Irving business community and the activities of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber.  Mr. Tommy Gonzalez spoke about the City of Irving and the very successful quality system that has been implemented, highlighting the areas of productivity and the efficiencies that have been achieved.  Mr. Joe Chapa presented how the International Trade Center functions, its process and methodology in seeking project and matchmaking opportunities to help companies turn them into international business transactions.

The second objective was a meeting at Leon City Hall, hosted by Mayor Ricardo Sheffield and also attended by other relevant local government officials.  During the meeting, and among other general topics, there was an exchange and dialogue on the Sister Cities relationship between Leon, Guanajuato, and Irving.  Mayor Sheffield expressed his interest that the long time cultural ties that the two cities have shared through the Sister Cities Program can continue to lead to yet more important economic ties and benefits for the two cities.  Mayor Sheffield then extended an open invitation to the Irving business community to visit and seek mutually beneficial commerce.  Mr. Al Zapanta then invited Mayor Sheffield to be a guest of honor at a U.S.-Mexico Chamber event in Irving scheduled for December 12 and 13 entitled "Mexico Tourism Investment Forum," which Mayor Sheffield accepted.  Irving Mayor Herbert Gears will also be a guest of honor at this event.

The third objective of the trip was for the group to visit an area business that is representative of local industry.  Thus, a tour was undertaken of a boot manufacturing facility in Leon known as Botas Caborca.  The company produces principally third party brands for the export market (largely U.S. and European nations).  They do plan to market an "own" brand in the U.S. and are currently seeking a sales rep in the Irving area.  All members of the delegation were impressed with the industriousness of the workers, the resourcefulness of management, and the quality of the output.  It became evident why this plant is producing boots in exotic and traditional leather for very demanding customers in the international market.  In an expression of generosity which was totally unexpected by the delegation, the plant management offered to produce a pair of boots for each of the visitors.  This gesture capped a very successful visit by the Irving Delegation.

Irving Delegation in Botas Caborca showroom in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

Irving Delegation Inside the Botas Caborcas Manufacturing Plant