Somewhere between the 41 cultural organizations, seven roundtable discussions and countless luncheons surrounding July’s Biennial of the Americas, economic development officials hope to spark Colorado businesses’ interest in the potential beyond U.S. borders.
About 80 percent of Biennial visitors are expected to come from the Denver metro area, said Howard Rubin, vice president for Boulder-based Action Marketing Group, which is organizing art exhibits and discussions at Civic Center’s McNichols building. But the fraction of visitors who will travel from Canada and Latin America to attend the events will include heavy hitters such as ambassadors, chief executive officers and former heads of state. From the U.S. side, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will attend.
“We are really trying to bring together all the people who make decisions, whether in the business community or the government,” said Donna Mullen Good, the Biennial’s president of operations and finance.
Many Biennial sponsors have already made inroads into Mexico, Brazil and other Latin American economies. Colorado-based engineering firms CH2M Hill and MWH Global, for instance, are both working on the multibillion-dollar Panama Canal expansion project.
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president Kelly Brough said it’s too soon to tell before the Biennial’s inaugural year whether the roundtable discussions and summits planned for July will translate into business opportunities for Colorado. The chamber is encouraging members to attend as many functions as possible to demonstrate state firms’ offerings, including expertise in environmental technology.
CH2M Hill has used the Biennial as an opportunity to invite the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum to Denver. The biannual meeting of each country’s top 10 corporate executives usually takes place in São Paolo or Washington, but the timing of the pan-American event persuaded government officials to move the event to Denver.
Although the executives talk behind closed doors, the event has helped both sides discuss concerns over trade, immigration and environmental policies that affect their businesses, said Theresa Loar, the engineering firm’s vice president for global strategies.
“It is a good way to spotlight the issues that enhance trade between the two nations,” Loar said. “If we’re going to get something done, this is a good time to do it.”
The Colorado Forum’s more than 60 business members planned their annual meeting for July 19 to coincide with the bilateral summit.
“This was just an opportunity that was unique for us,” said Gail Klapper, the forum’s director. “It’s an economic trade opportunity and an interesting conversation.”
Drew FitzGerald: 303-954-1381 or dfitzgerald@denverpost.com
