INFORMATION BULLETIN
& APPLICATION FORM
Deadline to apply: January 28, 2016
INDEX
1. Objectives of the Exchange
2. Convening Institutions
3. Profile of Participants & Requirements
4. General Information on Visits/Projects
5. Hotels & Estimated Budget
6. Dress Code
7. Transportation
8. Financial Support
9. Meals
10. Electricity
11. Language
12. Visa
13. Contact Information
ANNEX I – APPLICATION FORM & DEADLINE TO APPLY
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The Fifth Americas Competitiveness
Exchange on Innovation and
Entrepreneurship (ACE)
A High-level visit of Ministers, Economic and Business Leaders, and Experts
to Competiveness Centers in the U.S. States of Arizona and California
Sunday, April 10 to Saturday, April 16, 2016
1. Objectives of the Exchange
The Fifth Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE) invites key leaders and
decision makers to experience first-hand successful projects and experiences in the United States. The activity is
carried out under the framework of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC) Work Plan for 2016-2018
to facilitate the exchange of good practices, create partnerships for development and deepen collaboration on the
200 successful experiences that OAS Member States have shared in the 2012-2015 Signs of Competitiveness
Americas Reports www.riacreport.org 1.
This six-day tour will showcase catalytic drivers such as advanced technology centers, innovation hubs, publicprivate partnerships, and strategic investments in the U.S. States of Arizona and California, including the cities of
1
The 2015 Signs of Competitiveness in the Americas Report will be launch on January 2016
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Phoenix, AZ; Chandler, AZ; Gilbert, AZ; Oracle, AZ; Tucson, AZ; San Luis, AZ; Yuma, AZ; Imperial Valley, CA; and San
Diego, CA. Featured sites on the tour will target the following clusters: manufacturing, medical devices, water,
agriculture, energy, and information and communication technology.
The ACE is the ideal opportunity for decision makers to establish long-term global/regional partnerships and to see
the results and best practices of economic development in the Americas that seek to strengthen innovation and
entrepreneurship ecosystems. The activities of the week have been selected to help increase the prospect of
advancing commerce and trade between participating economies, accelerate business opportunities and
collaboration for all stakeholders.
For more information and updates on the Fifth ACE in the U.S. please visit the RIAC’s Twitter Account @riacnetorg
Hashtag #ACXchange, the V ACE Webpage http://www.riacnet.org/fifth-exchange/ and the Inter-American
Competitiveness Network (RIAC) main portal at: www.riacnet.org
2. Convening Institutions
The V ACE is convened by the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC), the Government of the United
States, through its U.S. Department of Commerce (the International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Economic
Development Administration (EDA)); the U.S. Department of State - Permanent Mission of the United States to
the OAS; the Government of Mexico, as Chair Pro Tempore of RIAC 2016-2017 and the Organization of American
States (OAS) as the RIAC Technical Secretariat.
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3. Profile of Participants & Requirements
Decision makers who drive economic development: Ministers/Vice Ministers (of Economy, Industry, Trade, SME,
Science and Technology); Members of Congress/Legislature/Parliament; Private Sector and Local Government
Leaders from cities/regions; Chancellors/Presidents/Vice Presidents of Universities; Presidents of
Competitiveness Councils, Senior Leaders of regional economic development partnership groups, or other key
public or private sector individuals, among others.
Applicants should:
a. Have academic and professional background that facilitate inter and intra country based
development, such as foreign direct investment, trade, exports, supply chain linkages, shared
technology, etc.
b. Be able to allocate resources, propose and adopt key policies, and/or possess the necessary
connections to make identified priorities and actions possible within their country and in
collaboration with other countries.
c. Be fluent in English.
d. Have a valid visa (if necessary) to enter the United States.
e. Be able to provide visa, passport, and other necessary information to complete travel
procedures.
Participation is expected from at least 45 delegates from the Americas. Participation from other regions is also
expected including guests from Korea, India, and Europe.
The application form is available in the ANNEX I of this document.
Some US authorities, international officials and experts expected to attend the tour include the following
(schedule permitting):
The Honorable Penny Pritzker – Secretary – US Department of Commerce
Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan, Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Organization of American States
(OAS)
The Honorable Doug Ducey – Governor – State of Arizona
The Honorable Bruce Andrews – Deputy Secretary – U.S. Department of Commerce
The Honorable Jay Williams – Assistant Secretary of Commerce – Economic Development Administration
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The Honorable Arun Kumar – Assistant Secretary of Commerce – International Trade Administration
Alejandra Y. Castillo- National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) –
U.S. Department of Commerce
John Andersen –Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce – International Trade Administration
Matt Erskine – Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce – Economic Development Administration
Holly Vineyard – Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce – International Trade Administration
Thomas Guevara - Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce - Economic Development Administration
Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally – Executive Director – SELECTUSA
The Honorable Greg Stanton - Mayor – City of Phoenix
The Honorable Mark Mitchell - Mayor - City of Tempe
The Honorable Jonathan Rothschild - Mayor – City of Tucson
The Honorable Douglas Nicholls- Mayor – City of Yuma
The Honorable Kevin Faulconer – Mayor - City of San Diego
The Honorable Jorge Astiazaran – Mayor of Tijuana - Mexico
Dr. Michael Crow - President - Arizona State University
Dr. Ann Hart - President - The University of Arizona
Timothy Kelley - President/Ceo IVEDC
Sandra Watson-Arizona Commerce Authority
Jay Flatley- CEO - Illumina
Craig Venter – Founder - J. Craig Venter Institute
Ashley Van Zeeland – CEO - Cypher Genomics
Pete Schultz – CEO - The Scripps Research Institute
Steve Mollenkopf - CEO - QUALCOMM
Members of The California And Arizona Congressional Delegation
Any Many Others!
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4. General Information on Visits and Projects
A detailed itinerary will be available in January 2016. Some of the sites that are expected to be on the tour are the
following (schedule permitting). The activities will start on Saturday, April 10, 2016 and will end on Saturday April 16, 2016
at 5:00pm. Saturday, April 10 is an optional activity to see one of America’s most famous landmarks: the Grand
Canyon.
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5. Hotel and estimated budget
Total estimated hotel costs for the entire ACE trip from April 10-16 April 2016 is: $1000 including taxes.
Kindly note that participants will be responsible for arranging their own hotel reservations and paying for their
accommodations at ACE selected hotels. Detailed information will be circulated only to selected participants.
6. Dress Code
Business or business casual, depending on the site visits scheduled for the day. This will be confirmed closer to
the date of the activity.
7. Transportation
The program organizers will arrange local transportation throughout the visit. This means transportation by bus
from site to site and between different cities. Applicants will cover their airfare and the transportation to and
from the airport. Please plan on arriving either on April 9 or April 10 and departing on April 17.
Please note that in order to be confirmed to the activity, participants need to provide a proof of airfare
reservation to Adriana Bonilla (abonilla@oas.org ; with copy to Dakshina Voetsch (dakshina.voetsch@trade.gov)
and Aryanne Quintal (aquintal@oas.org).
8. Financial support
Partial economic assistance may be available for qualifying selected candidates who request support, particularly
those from smaller economies.
In order to be considered for partial financial support, please complete the application form (ANNEX I) and
provide an additional brief letter requesting assistance. The letter should be addressed to the Organizing
Committee of the V Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
9. Meals
Various meals are provided by the organizers but participants will cover other meals and miscellaneous items.
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Please inform us of any dietary restrictions and/or allergies in your application so we can do our best to
accommodate meal preferences whenever possible.
10. Electricity
Electric power is standardized in all states across the USA. It is set at 110 Volts and 60 cycles.
Standard electric plugs have two flat blades. The plugs on some newer appliances have a third round grounding
pin. Almost all homes and commercial buildings are equipped with electrical receptacles that can accommodate
either type of plug.
11. Language
The activities of the V ACE will be carried out in English.
12. Visa
Information about Visa requirements can be found at the following link:
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit.html
13. Contact information
Adriana Bonilla
Americas Competitiveness Forum Coordinator
RIAC Technical Secretariat
Department of Economic Development
Executive Secretariat for Integral Development
Organization of American States
abonilla@oas.org
Dakshina Voetsch
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for
the Western Hemisphere
International Trade Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Dakshina.Voetsch@trade.gov
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ANNEX I - APPLICATION FORM
The Fifth Americas Competitiveness Exchange
on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Sunday, April 10 to Saturday, April 16, 2016
Candidates need to fill out ALL SECTIONS of this application form electronically in English, sign it, and send it in WORD
FORMAT no later than Thursday, January 28, 2016 to Adriana Bonilla at abonilla@oas.org and Dakshina Voetsch at
Dakshina.Voetsch@trade.gov . The selection committee will only review complete applications.
1. PROFILE
PHOTO: Please include a passport size photo in this space
First name/middle name/last name:
City, country:
Current nationality (ies):
Place of birth (city, state or province, country):
Date of birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
Gender (m/f)
Passport #:
Passport issue city:
Passport issue date:
Current title (example: President/Director/Manager):
Institution/company:
Contact email (primary and secondary email):
Mailing address:
Institution/company’s website (if applicable):
Personal and institutional social media accounts (if applicable):
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Please include a short bio description of max. 250 words (name and last name, current title, main responsibilities, past
jobs, academic credentials) – please attach resume/cv. with this application.
Example:
David Cobin is Manager of Strategic Engagement of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). In that capacity, David
oversees strategic initiatives on behalf of the CEO (industrial development, partner building, legislative changes) and
works hand-in-hand with the Business Attraction & Expansion team to diversify Arizona’s economy through the attraction
and expansion of new businesses. During David’s four-year tenure with the ACA, he has successfully assisted in the
attraction of hundreds of companies that have invested billions of dollars in capital and created more than 50,000 quality
jobs in Arizona. A recent notable project he was instrumental in developing was Apple’s $2 billion investment into an
international operations center. Prior to joining the ACA at the time of its inception in 2011, David worked as a business
development manager for a consulting firm specializing in corporate social responsibility and supply chain management in
Guangzhou, China. Originally from Oregon, David earned his B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at North Greenville
University in South Carolina in 2008 and graduated with an M.B.A. from the Universidad Nacional Andres Bello in
Santiago, Chile in 2010. David is native in English and Spanish and speaks business-level French.
3. Interest in the tour
a. Why would you like to participate in the ACE? Is there any specific site (s) of particular interest? (max. 100 words)
c. How can you and your country benefit from this tour? How can the site host benefit from your participation? (max. 100
words)
d. Explain how you have authorized and/or allocated resources, proposed and adopted key policies, or possessed the
necessary connections to advance economic development priorities within your country and/or in collaboration with
other countries (max. 100 words)
c. Please explain in what capacity you can authorize/allocate resources, propose or adopt key policies, or what are the
necessary connections you have to advance economic development priorities within your country and/or in collaboration
with other countries (max. 100 words).
d. Are you willing and able to complete ACE follow up events such as surveys, meetings, and other activities to advance
commerce and trade between participating economies, accelerate business opportunities, and promote collaboration for
all stakeholders? Please describe (max. 50 words)
4. Health, food allergies and emergency contact
a. Please list any health conditions we should be aware of in case of an emergency.
b. Do you require reasonable accommodation for any medical conditions or disabilities? Please describe.
c. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions and/or allergies.
Please note: Organizers will accommodate specific meals requirements only to those participants who include the
information in this application.
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d. Please include information for an Emergency Contact.
e. Please include your health insurance information (name of company and policy number).
5. Press
a. Please include the name and contact email of your press team (if applicable).
Tour requirements
Applicants should:
a. Have academic and professional background that facilitates inter and intra country based development such as foreign
direct investment, trade, exports, supply chain linkages, shared technology, etc.
b. Should be able to authorize and/or allocate resources, propose and adopt key policies, and/or possess the necessary
connections to make identified priorities and actions possible within their country and in collaboration with other
countries.
c. Be fluent in English
d. Have a valid visa (if necessary) to enter the United States
e. Provide visa, passport, and other necessary information to complete travel procedures
I ____________________________ declare that the information provided is true and correct and that I meet with all of
the requirements to participate during The Fifth Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
(ACE) to take place from April 10 to April 16, 2016, in the United States.
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