It’s long been said of Edmonton that this city is all about relationship sales. The vernacular expression means that people doing business in Alberta’s capital like to know something about the other party before transacting a deal. The trust factor is a big deal here.

The same is true in Mexico, and Armando Sanchez Lona of BIDMEXICO understands both cultures. That is why he helped orchestrated a networking breakfast last month at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald to introduce key players from both countries and to discuss methods of carrying out business between Mexico and Edmonton. You will be seeing more of this newly installed entrepreneur around Alberta business circles since Sanchez also has been charged with the responsibility of boosting Edmonton-based membership in the Canadian Council of the Americas-Alberta. All the correct government representatives from both countries were in attendance at the informative breakfast plus the Canadian Petroleum Institute, a few interested parties from the private sector, and Consul General Veronica Fernandez from the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Monterrey, Mexico. Officials from the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and City Hall were not.

Key-note speaker Fernandez explained that her city is home to 10 of the 20 largest conglomerates in Mexico and controls over 40 percent of the country’s industries. Canada’s presence in Monterrey is reflected by 10,000 employees in 46 companies that have invested more than $1 billion U.S. in the country; Mexico is Alberta’s fourth largest trading partner. Priority areas for development include the environment, information technology, agriculture, plastics, transportation, building products and construction; Mexico needs much in the way of all types of housing.

All we need now is to develop that trusting relationship.

Alberta's trade director in charge of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Doug Lane is joined by breakfast host Armando Sanchez Lona, president and CEO of BIDMEXICO International and veep of the Canadian Council for the Americas in Edmonton.