The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® announce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the World Trade Center Las Vegas and the World Trade Center Mexico City to enhance international business relationships. The agreement encourages Las Vegas and Mexico City to co-market under the World Trade Center brand creating access to key trade information and market research, and facilitate business trade missions around the world.

The World Trade Centers Association encourages mutual assistance and cooperation among its members. In 2010, CEA was granted the rights to the World Trade Center Las Vegas license and partnered with the LVCVA to attract more international visitors and trade events to Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to continue our successful partnership with the LVCVA and the World Trade Center Las Vegas mark by expanding it internationally,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, the organization that manages and produces the International CES. “Together we have focused the world’s companies on the many opportunities to do business in Las Vegas. Now we are expanding our international business connections with this new partnership with Mexico City, which will strengthen not only the robust CES attendance from Mexico but also the continued business exchange between Las Vegas and Mexican executives.”

By seeking formal business relationships with other World Trade Centers in global cities, the LVCVA and CEA can create and solidify international business connections. Mexico is an important country to both CES and Las Vegas. Mexican attendance to CES has grown 20-percent over the past three years, and Mexico is the number two source of international visitors to Las Vegas.

“For the Mexico City World Trade Center and the International Exposition and Convention Center WTC, this is a unique opportunity to develop a mutually beneficial relationship between two great business and tourism cities,” said Edward Kelley, General Director of the WTC Mexico City. “It’s also extremely gratifying to be invited to participate in the 2014 International CES and have the CEA join in this international initiative. This is what being part of the World Trade Centers Association can be if the members are willing to work together.”

Attracting international visitors is a critical growth market for Las Vegas. Right now, 17-percent, or nearly seven million of all Las Vegas visitors are international travelers, and during the next decade, the LVCVA’s goal is to increase that figure to 30 percent.

“Partnerships like this will help further position Las Vegas as a global business destination by leveraging the strength of the Las Vegas brand with the opportunities provided through the World Trade Center designation.” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the LVCVA. “These opportunities are critical as we move forward with plans for the Las Vegas Global Business District, a transformation project that includes major renovations to the Las Vegas Convention Center including construction of a World Trade Center building.”