Weeklong international tour will bring innovation, business, and government leaders to Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn., November 12, 2025 –The City of Memphis has been selected to host the twenty‑third Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) from May 10–15, 2026, a prestigious international program that brings innovation, business, and government leaders from across the Americas together for a week of immersive learning and collaboration.
A short video has been released to mark the announcement. Watch it here.
The exchange will bring senior government officials, business executives, university leaders, and innovation experts to the Memphis region to visit key assets, meet with industry and research partners, and experience the entrepreneurship and workforce systems driving economic growth across the Mid‑South.
Memphis earned this competitive selection because of the region’s leadership in global logistics, advanced manufacturing and electrification, health and life sciences, aginnovation, and entrepreneurial development.
Mayor Paul Young celebrated the announcement, saying, “Memphis is honored to host the twenty-third Americas Competitiveness Exchange. Our region is where culture and innovation intersect, where logistics, manufacturing, research, and technology are shaping the future, and where collaboration fuels genuine opportunities. We look forward to welcoming leaders from across the Americas to experience the momentum and possibility taking root in Memphis.”
Planning partners include the City of Memphis, the Greater Memphis Chamber, EDGE, Start Co., and a coalition of regional business, research, and civic institutions.
Andre Fowlkes, co‑founder and president of Start Co., stated, “After attending the Americas Competitiveness Exchange in Chicago, we knew we had to bring this delegation to Memphis because of the diverse connections and partnerships that are created; signaling to these 30+ countries that Memphis is an innovation driven economy, a landing pad for growing firms and capital, and this will aid our efforts to build a global exchange of emerging technologies and talent.”
Watch the video announcement here.
Arlenia Cole,