A Strategic Gateway to the Americas
At the crossroads of Colombia’s main river and the Caribbean Sea, Barranquilla is a strategic gateway for trade, investment and international business, linking regional production centers to global markets.
Save the date
The Americas will meet in Barranquilla
Colombia’s Golden Gate hosts the Americas Competitiveness Exchange — five days of innovation, investment and collaboration where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea.
Download the Application GuideApplications open July 7 – August 24, 2026
Welcome to Barranquilla, Colombia
Sept 28 – Oct 2, 2026 · Barranquilla · Colombia
Barranquilla
Barranquilla, Colombia’s Gateway of opportunity, has grown into one of Latin America’s most dynamic platforms for industry, energy, trade and talent — a city that turned its riverfront into a symbol of transformation.
- Internationally recognized for its urban and economic transformation with global rankings placing Barranquilla among Colombia’s top-performing cities for economic dynamism, human capital and quality of life.
- One of Latin America’s fastest-growing destinations for foreign direct investment recognized by Financial Times’ fDi Intelligence among the region’s top-performing cities for investment attraction.
- A thriving industrial, logistics and services ecosystem that attracted more than US$2.072 million in foreign investment and more than 14,000 new jobs in the last 5 years.
What sets Barranquilla apart?
A Proven Story of Transformation
Over the past two decades, Barranquilla has become a benchmark for urban and economic transformation in Latin America, combining significant improvements in quality of life, education, health care, and infrastructure with a proven ability to execute ambitious public- and private-sector development initiatives.
A Hub for Investment and Competitiveness
An integrated ecosystem of industry, logistics, talent, and innovation positions Barranquilla as a strategic platform for growth, nearshoring, and investment.
People-Centered Growth
Barranquilla has prioritized human capital development through investments in education, bilingualism, workforce skills, and global readiness, creating opportunities for long-term prosperity.
Innovation with Impact
Collaboration among government, industry, academia, and communities supports the adoption of new technologies, enhances competitiveness, and drives economic opportunity.
A City Reconnected with Its Territory
Strategic investments in the riverfront, and public spaces, and urban infrastructure have strengthened Barranquilla’s competitiveness, making the city more attractive for residents, businesses, and investors alike.
A Vibrant Cultural Identity
Rooted in a rich blend of Caribbean, European, Arab, and global influences, Barranquilla has built a culture defined by openness, creativity, and a strong entrepreneurial drive that continues to shape the city’s dynamic business environment.
A Creative Economy with Global Reach
The recognized Carnival of Barranquilla serves as the cornerstone of a thriving creative economy, generating opportunities across tourism, entertainment, cultural industries, and the broader experience economy.
Where Partnerships Create Opportunity
Barranquilla brings together talent, infrastructure, culture, and ambition, creating an environment where ideas become action, partnerships flourish, and collaboration drives growth and impact.
A Forward-Looking Destination
Building on its legacy as Colombia’s gateway to the world, Barranquilla continues to strengthen its role as a strategic connector between Colombia, the Caribbean, and global markets.
Strategic Areas
Through five thematic pillars, ACE Barranquilla will showcase innovative models, strategic assets, and collaborative initiatives that offer valuable lessons and opportunities for partnership across the Americas.
Smart Infrastructure and Strategic Investments
Barranquilla demonstrates how urban planning, land management, and infrastructure development can drive competitiveness by integrating environmental restoration, tourism growth, and real estate value creation into a model that offers valuable lessons for cities across Latin America.
The city’s built-environment ecosystem is supported by more than 10,000 companies and 65,000 jobs spanning residential, commercial, industrial, and logistics activities. Its approach emphasizes energy-efficient and resilient urban development while advancing solutions aligned with global trends in future-ready cities. Barranquilla’s strategic location, industrial capabilities, and sustained urban expansion continue to strengthen its position as a competitive platform for real estate, infrastructure, and urban innovation.
Site visits
- Mallorquín Wetland
- Gran Malecón riverfront
- Barrio Abajo neighborhood transformation
Digital Services, Advanced Technologies, and Workforce Development
Barranquilla is advancing a strategy focused on strengthening human capital and expanding the skills required for a digital and globally connected economy. Efforts to enhance digital competencies and bilingual capabilities are helping address workforce gaps while supporting the needs of priority sectors.
Collaboration among industry, academia, and workforce development institutions supports the adoption of advanced technologies and the preparation of talent for emerging economic opportunities. This approach supports greater productivity, competitiveness, and readiness for digital transformation.
Industrial Value Chains, Nearshoring, and Trade Integration
Barranquilla is strengthening its role as a nearshoring destination in the Americas by leveraging its logistics infrastructure, industrial base, and connectivity to regional and international markets.
The city’s export-oriented industries, together with its strategic location and trade infrastructure, support investment attraction and integration into global value chains. These conditions create opportunities for companies seeking efficient access to markets while enhancing the region’s industrial and trade competitiveness.
Energy Competitiveness
Energy transition is increasingly integrated into Barranquilla’s competitiveness agenda, supporting the development of resilient infrastructure and new economic opportunities. The city is emerging as one of Colombia’s leading energy hubs, with more than 2,000 companies participating across the energy value chain.
Barranquilla has developed a modern and diversified energy mix. Barranquilla has also been recognized by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute as a potential hub for low-carbon hydrogen and Power-to-X solutions, reinforcing its potential as a hub for large-scale clean energy production, transformation, and export.
Culture, Sports, and the Creative Economy
Barranquilla leverages its cultural identity and sports infrastructure as assets that contribute to international visibility, tourism, and economic development.
The city’s creative and cultural ecosystem supports talent development, entrepreneurship, and the growth of creative industries. Together with sports-related assets and events, these strengths contribute to a broader strategy that advances competitiveness, innovation, and economic growth.
Site visits
- Édgar Rentería Stadium
- Colombian Football Federation — Sports Headquarters
- Carnival of Barranquilla House and Museum
Why Attend
Top reasons to join ACE Barranquilla 2026
01
Experience a Strategic Gateway Connecting the Americas
Gain firsthand insights into how Barranquilla leverages its unique location at the intersection of the Magdalena River and the Caribbean Sea to connect domestic and international markets through integrated port, road, river, and air infrastructure, serving as a platform for trade, investment, and regional integration.
Explore a Leading Nearshoring and Industrial Hub
Learn how Barranquilla is attracting investment and strengthening its position in global value chains through a diversified industrial base, competitive business environment, and strategic access to regional and international markets.
Discover Opportunities in Energy Competitiveness
Gain firsthand insights into one of Colombia’s emerging energy hubs, creating new opportunities for innovation, investment, and economic development.
Learn from a Dynamic Innovation and Talent Ecosystem
Explore how collaboration among government, industry, academia, and international partners is helping Barranquilla develop the workforce, digital capabilities, and innovation ecosystem needed to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Experience a Model of Urban Transformation and Smart Infrastructure
Explore how strategic infrastructure investments, riverfront revitalization, and integrated urban planning helped transform Barranquilla into a more competitive, connected, and attractive destination for business, tourism, and investment.
Discover the Power of Culture as a Driver of Competitiveness
Experience how Barranquilla’s rich cultural heritage, creative industries, sports ecosystem, and globally recognized Carnival contribute to tourism, entrepreneurship, international visibility, and economic growth.
Build Partnerships Across the Americas
Connect with business leaders, policymakers, investors, universities, research institutions, innovation organizations, and economic development practitioners from across the hemisphere to exchange best practices, explore opportunities, and develop collaborations that advance competitiveness and prosperity.
Delegate Participation
Who is welcomed to apply
ACE Barranquilla convenes high-level authorities, decision-makers and innovators from across the Americas and beyond. Selected leaders typically include:
- Ministers and Vice Ministers / Permanent Secretaries
- Ambassadors / Diplomat-rank Officials and Commercial Attachés
- Secretaries for Economic Development and Trade and Investment Officials
- CEOs, Executive Directors and other High-Level Private Sector Representatives
- Presidents/Vice Presidents of Chambers of Commerce and Competitiveness Councils
- Presidents/Vice Presidents of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Agencies
- Presidents/Vice Presidents of Universities
- Directors of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Academics and researchers focused on economic and business development, competitiveness, and innovation
- Promising and visionary entrepreneurs
- International officials (including multilateral organizations)
- Presidents of NGOs
- Economic development leaders and institutions at the national, state and local levels
Discover Barranquilla
Organizers
In collaboration with
See you in Barranquilla
September 28 – October 2, 2026. Mark your calendar — the detailed program and delegate information are coming soon.
About the Exchange
What is ACE?
ACE is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas and one of the leading high-level events of the Organization of American States (OAS), coordinated with the Government of the United States through the Department of State and the Department of Commerce.
A powerful cooperation mechanism, ACE brings together high-level authorities and key decision makers from across the Americas — and beyond — to explore mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship and regional competitiveness.
Explore ACE and its impact in the AmericasACE across the Americas and beyond
0Editions
0Countries represented
0Delegates
0Institutions visited
Voices of ACE
The ACE Experience, in Their Own Words
Patrick Van Pelt
Venture Studio Founder & Fiduciary Steward, Altravia Venture Studio, United States
“ACE Memphis was exceptionally well executed and, more importantly, unusually coherent. The program successfully integrated entrepreneurship, economic development, logistics, infrastructure, culture, history, music, higher education, innovation, and civic identity into a lived experience rather than presenting them as disconnected sectors. I left with a much stronger sense not only of Memphis itself, but of Memphis as a strategically important hemispheric node shaped by rivers, logistics, culture, relationships, and long-standing patterns of movement and exchange throughout the Americas. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the quality and diversity of the participants. The conversations often became as meaningful as the formal programming itself. ACE appears uniquely positioned not simply as a series of events, but as a long-term inter-American relational infrastructure capable of generating enduring collaborations across business, government, academia, culture, and civil society.”
Mikhail Bullard
Minister Counselor, Alternate Representative Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the OAS
“The ACE program is truly a jewel in the crown of the programming of the OAS. As the Bahamas looks to deepen its connections with the wider Caribbean basin and Latin America, we will look to build on what we have learned in Panama and leverage the connections made.”
Idicula Mathew
CEO, Hera Health Solutions
“The ACE program provided invaluable insights into global best practices, connected me with industry leaders, and fostered an environment where innovative ideas could flourish. Through networking, I gained new perspectives on scaling biotech startups and discovered collaborative opportunities that will accelerate the growth of our organization. The program has been instrumental in sharpening my strategic thinking and equipping me with the tools needed to drive impactful economic development in the biotech sector.”
Elizabeth Tikoyan
Founder and CEO of Healp, United States
“The ACE program has been instrumental in advancing Healp’s [my startup] mission and expanding our strategic footprint across North America. Overall, the ACE program has significantly accelerated conversations with hospitals, academic research institutions, and international stakeholders, laying the foundation for long-term partnerships that align with Healp’s vision of equitable access to clinical research and patient-centered innovation.”