Mexico City is the economic and business center of Mexico and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. It hosts key industries including finance, technology, manufacturing, automotive, telecommunications, energy, and tourism, and attracts significant domestic and foreign investment.
While the city offers strong market opportunities and a growing innovation ecosystem, businesses must also navigate regulatory, tax, and infrastructure challenges. This context makes Mexico City a relevant setting for examining globalization, institutional development, and the practical realities of doing business in emerging markets.
You can reach the hotel by authorized airport taxi, private car service, or public transportation. ISP recommends using authorized taxis or private car services for convenience and safety, with an approximate travel time of 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Arrival reception, registration, and introduction to the IBST program. Opportunity to meet fellow participants and review the week’s objectives.
Over dinner, Patricia Steinmetz Kelly will lead an interactive discussion on the Mexican business environment, exploring market dynamics, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for international companies. Drawing on her extensive experience working with global firms, she will offer practical perspectives on operating and expanding in Mexico, helping participants frame the week’s business and academic themes from the outset.
The evening takes place at Hacienda de Los Morales, a historic 16th-century estate known for its elegant courtyards, colonial architecture, and refined interiors. The venue provides an immersive introduction to Mexico’s cultural and culinary heritage, where traditional cuisine and a carefully curated wine selection create a setting that brings together conversation, learning, and shared experience.
The coffee break provides a refreshing pause between lectures. As guests step out of the conference room, they are welcomed by a calm atmosphere and attentive service.
During this visit, you will meet Sergio Ángel Rafael Suárez Chávez, Vice President of Airport Relations and PMO, to explore how airlines compete globally through partnerships, alliances, and airport strategy. You will examine how Aeroméxico works with international airports and stakeholders to manage capacity, connectivity, and operational complexity in a highly regulated industry. The visit will conclude with a private, guided airport walkthrough led by senior leadership, where you will see firsthand how FIFA World Cup 2026–driven investments in infrastructure and terminal capacity continue to shape Aeroméxico’s network planning, airport relations, and long-term growth strategy.
The evening brings together leaders from global and local companies for a focused discussion on how globalization shapes business in Mexico. Through an interactive panel, Mrs. Angelica Ruiz, Regional President LATAM at bp, will address globalization at a macro level, including global markets, regulation, and ESG. Mrs. Teresa Gutierrez, Country Manager at Tesla, will highlight technology-driven globalization, with a focus on innovation, global supply chains, and rapid international scaling. Mr. Gustavo Perez, Director of Social Responsibility at Grupo Gigante, will offer a local perspective, showing how global trends and international competition influence domestic companies and drive adaptation in consumer markets. The session concludes with an open discussion connecting global business theory with real-world practice.
During this visit, you will meet Emmanuel López Barrón, Vice President of IoT, and Renato Flores Cartas, Deputy Director of Corporate Communication and Government Relations, to explore how multinational companies operate and compete across regulated markets. You will examine how formal institutions, public policy, and economic distance influence strategic decisions related to technology deployment, infrastructure investment, and market operations. The discussion will focus on how emerging technologies such as IoT are developed and scaled within regulatory constraints, and how companies engage with governments, regulators, and public stakeholders while continuing to innovate. You will gain insight into how regulation shapes not only compliance, but also long-term strategy, risk management, and competitive positioning across borders. The session will take place at the Telmex building, giving you a rare, guided experience to step inside a landmark of Mexico’s telecommunications infrastructure.
ISPer's recommendation: Discover the breath-taking panorama of Mexico City and enjoy the best views of the city from Torre Latino. Be prepared to be captivated by its timeless charm and allure, as you ascend to its dizzying heights. Torre Latino is not merely a building; it embodies the heart and soul of Mexico City, a symbol of resilience and an unwavering beacon of hope that has overcome challenges throughout history.
The Innovation Forum brings together seven speakers from diverse industries to explore how innovation is transforming business in a global context. A key theme will be talent resilience, focusing on how companies attract, develop, and retain talent amid rapid technological change and market uncertainty. After brief introductions, participants will join an interactive roundtable with the speakers, including Mr. Carlos Garcia, founder of a Mexican unicorn, gaining first-hand insights into building innovative and resilient organizations. The forum will conclude with a plenary session that highlights key ideas and practical takeaways for the future of business.
Visit PepsiCo’s Centro de Desarrollo Agrícola Sabritas (CDAS), the company’s agricultural innovation hub in Mexico, and see firsthand how innovation starts at the very beginning of the value chain. Learn how agricultural advancements, from seed development to sustainable farming, are transformed into resilient supply chains that drive long-term business performance. Engage in discussion with Mr. Ricardo Homs, Vice President, on PepsiCo’s global approach to innovation, and hear from Mrs. Myrna Macias, SVP Supply Chain LATAM, on how these innovations are scaled across the supply chain to link research with practical decision-making and sustainability. This visit offers a unique chance to gain deeper insight into how innovation shapes both local and global business impact.
Enjoy an evening at MYST in the heart of Mexico City, where a refined Mexican-inspired dinner is paired with live entertainment and professional sound and lighting. Throughout the night, performers and DJs guide you through the biggest Spanish and Latin music hits, from timeless classics to modern favorites, creating a lively and international-friendly atmosphere. Blending great food, familiar melodies, and vibrant nightlife energy, this experience offers a fun and stylish way to discover the city’s contemporary cultural scene.
This visit examines how IKEA adapted its standardized global retail model to Mexico’s social, cultural, and behavioral context. Reinforcing the theme of informal institutions and cultural distance, the session focuses on how local consumer habits, family structures, housing conditions, payment preferences, and service expectations shaped IKEA’s market-entry and operating strategy.
Jaap Doornbos CEO & Retail Director, IKEA Mexico who has held leadership roles across IKEA’s global organization together with Rodrigo López Machuca Country Business Development Manager will discuss why Mexico was selected as IKEA’s first Latin American market and how global concepts were modified to reflect local norms, including product assortment, store layouts, pricing structures, customer service models, and marketing communication. The session will highlight the challenges of maintaining brand consistency while responding to culturally embedded expectations.
After meeting the corporate leaders, you will continue with a guided, analytical store immersion, during which you will examine real-time examples of cultural adaptation in practice.
During this dinner with a guest speaker, you will join Mr. Juan Carlos Alonso for a leadership dialogue focused on the practical realities of operating across diverse cultural and institutional environments. Reinforcing Thursday’s theme of informal institutions and cultural distance, Mr. Alonso will draw on more than 25 years of executive experience, including senior roles at global and regional firms such as Oracle, Grupo Televisa-izzi, Grupo Salinas, and Grupo Star Médica, to discuss how companies adapt strategy, leadership, and decision-making to local contexts. His remarks will reflect on navigating cultural expectations, building trust in emerging markets, and balancing global standards with regional practices.
The evening takes place at Toledo Rooftop, one of Mexico City’s panoramic rooftop venues, where the city’s contemporary social culture and historic urban landscape converge, providing a fitting setting for discussing how local context shapes business and leadership.
As we say our farewells, let’s pause to reflect on the unforgettable memories we've created together and raise a glass to the exciting adventures that lie ahead. This is a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude, share some laughter, and cherish the friendships we've built. Let’s embrace this moment to part with warmth and heartfelt appreciation for everything we've shared.