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 events of the Organization of American States (OAS). The ACE program is one of the core initiatives of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC), for which the OAS serves as the RIAC Technical Secretariat.

ACE is convened by the Organization of Americas States, the RIAC´s Chair Pro Tempore and 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 to the Organization of American States (OAS).

ACE is organized twice per year and up to 70 senior-level government, business, policy and economic decision-makers are selected from across the Americas and beyond to experience a diverse range of projects, strategic investments, public-private-partnerships and best practices from a region’s economic, innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The week-long program will take place May 14th - 19th, 2023.

The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Government of the United States, through the Department of Commerce (the Economic Development Administration and the International Trade Administration) and the Department of State - Permanent Mission to the OAS.

The local organizers of the week-long program include the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Top decision-makers from the OAS Member States and Permanent Observers who work on areas related to economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship from the public, private and academic sectors. For example, Ministers and Vice Ministers, Mayors and local top decision-makers, Ambassadors, Chancellors/Vice-Chancellors and Directors of Innovation  Centers, CEOs and managers of leading companies, Presidents of Competitiveness and Innovation Councils and Agencies responsible for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs, Presidents and Vice Presidents of Chambers of Commerce and Senior Leaders of Regional Economic Development Groups, multilateral institutions, NGOs, among others.

• Promoting long-term multilateral commercial, trade and investment partnerships among decision-makers of the Americas and beyond;
  
  
• Identifying and sharing best practices in economic development, including public-private partnerships, building local assets that grow businesses, cluster development, promoting entrepreneurship and coordinating regional economic development strategies;
  
  
• Stimulating capital investment and job creation in the region;
  
  
• Fostering an environment for innovative companies to start and expand;
  
  
• Bringing together universities, industries and governments to solve complex challenges no one sector or business could address on its own;
  
  
• Facilitating commerce and trade;
  
  
• Promoting economic resiliency; and,
  
  
• Enhancing opportunities for underserved populations.