The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is the Premier Economic Development, Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Network of the Americas and is one of the leading High–Level programs of the Organization of American States (OAS).
Through knowledge-sharing, accelerating partnerships, and strengthening projects, the ACE program is committed to improving economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and competitiveness performance in the Americas and other regions.
The ACE Community is leading change towards innovation-driven and resilient economies
Identifying and sharing best practices in economic development
Stimulating capital investment and job creation in the region
Fostering an environment for innovative companies to startup and expand
Bringing together universities, industries, and governments to solve complex challenges
Facilitating commerce and trade
Promoting economic resiliency
Enhancing opportunities for underrepresented populations
Apply for the week-long programs that take place twice a year
Apply to host ACE programs in your countries/cities/communities
Contribute/attend to other ACE related activities.
Twice a year we select up to 50 top global and regional leaders through a highly competitive process.
The selected VIP leaders will travel through different cities during a week to visit top innovation hubs, advanced research and technology centers, cutting-edge companies and business development organizations, and leading academic institutions.
Georgia North and South Carolina, United States
March 31 to April 4, 2014
Mexico DF, Aguascalientes and Guadalajara, Mexico
August 11 to 15, 2014
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, United States
August 19 to 24, 2015
Province of Córdoba, Argentina
October 26 to 30, 2015
Arizona and California, United States
April 10 to 16, 2016
Province of Ontario, Canada
September 25 to October 1, 2016
Texas, United States
April 2 to 7, 2017
Florida, United States
December 3 to 9, 2017
Special Edition in Germany and Israel
June 24 to 29, 2018
Northern California, United States
October 21 to 27, 2018
Puerto Rico, United States
May 18 to 25, 2019
Chile
October 6 to 10, 2019
Colorado, United States
August 1 to 6, 2021
Louisiana, United States
November 7 to 14, 2021
Quito, Ecuador,
November 13 - 17, 2022
Seattle, United States
May 14 - 19, 2023
Panama
January 29 to February 2, 2024
Michigan, United States
May 5 - 10, 2024
Top decision-makers who are transforming their countries, cities, and communities in areas related to economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship including:
Women and young professionals are encouraged to participate. We strive to achieve geographical, sectorial and gender balance.
Eligible actors must be citizens of OAS Member States and Permanent Observer Countries to the OAS
Additional activities are offered to boost connections and accelerate collaboration opportunities among key stakeholders from the Americas and beyond through:
The program is offered by the Organization of American States as the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC) Technical Secretariat, with the support from the Government of the United States, through the U.S. Department of Commerce [the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the International Trade Administration (ITA)] and the U.S. Department of State/Permanent Mission of the United States to the OAS.
