destination for great events
Introduction
eetings industry raises the capital expenditure and increases the number of visitors; according to this, is worth to say that Mexico City counts with solid infrastructure and required qualified services in order to satisfy meeting planners’ demands. That’s why the Mexico City’s Governor, Miguel Ángel Mancera Espinosa, has considered implementing an appropriate model that permits to fulfill the needs of the sector.
To achieve the goal, the Mexico City’s Tourism Promotion Mixed Fund, that’s run by Armando López Cárdenas, made a restructuration in order to improve and drive its attributions. This organism has strengthened and changed its efforts and action lines to promote effectively Mexico City as a destination for meetings, conventions, exhibitions and incentive travels.
These efforts are:
• Definition and promotion of a city brand that gathers all the good things that Mexico City has.
• Attraction and generation of great events that can impact positively to the positioning of the city.
• Active participation in global nets in order to construct an interactive community with different world actors.
• Analyze and evaluate the projects, in order to take better decisions, so it can visualize effectively the value of each project.
• Drive innovative and competitive strategic projects according to world’s better practices.
With these bases, and knowing Mexico City’s potential for events; Mexico City’s Tourism Promotion Mixed Fund presents this special supplement: “Meet In Mexico City” so it can promote Mexico’s main capital city as a destination for great meetings, conventions, exhibitions and incentive travels.
The supplement illustrates Mexico City as a perfect venue to receive great events so the meeting planners can find in it, not only a viable option, but an unconditional ally.
General outlook General Data
n the heart of Mexico, is a dynamic and multifaceted destination, where the past of the Aztec culture and the present of a modern mixed race metropolis are combined with the encouraging future of a place full of technology, infrastructure and economic potential; this place is Mexico City.
The Mexican Republic’s capital, also called the City of Palaces, was founded in 1325 under the name of Mexico-Tenochtitlan by the Aztec culture, latter on this place became one of the biggest empires of the ancient times during the Spanish conquest. Since then, the growth of the destination has been continuous and now Mexico City is one of the major’s financial poles of the country, the continent and the world.
In fact, Mexico City represents, according to the National Economic Secretary, the 16.55% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. In the other hand, the 2013 Doing Business report [published by the World Bank (BW) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC)] which classifies the economies by easiness to do business, ranks Mexico’s capital in the 30 place among the cities studied in Mexico. (Source: National Economic Secretary).
Entity:
Capital:
Population: Area:
Elevation: Politic Division: Time Zone: GDP 2011: Currency: Area code:
Distrito Federal
Mexico City
8,851,080 residents
Mil 495 km2 (573 sq mi)
2,240 msnm (7,380 ft)
16 delegations
CST (UTC-6); (UTC -5) in summer
2,291,440,935 (thousand pesos); 16.55 %
Peso
+52 (55)
With this panorama, it’s not hard to believe why Mexico City, besides hosting the national political powers, also host national and international companies that have found in the capital an excellent place to do business and to develop different events such as meetings, conventions and exhibitions.
Based on that, Mexico City besides having a rich culture and tourist attractive, it also has great ground and air connectivity, hotel infrastructure, world class convention centers, specialized services, specials scenarios for events, tourist products, professional meeting planners with national and international certifications, as well as associations and governmental organisms that support and encourage efforts in order to promote the City of Palaces as a great place for meetings industry.
Mexico City’s numbers
According to Hugo Rosas CMP, Meetings Industry National Council’s official spokesperson, in the nation the sector provides the 1.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates 18 million dollars.
Another statistics reveal that events’ industry produces 738,000 jobs. In the other hand, right now Mexico as a country is bidding for more than 100 world conventions for the next five years; this data was given by the CP Carlos Manuel Joaquín González, Tourism Operation Sub secretary of the
Tourism Secretary and Representative of the Federal Executive.
With this national panorama and considering that meetings industry contributes to raise the capital expenditure and increases the number of visitors; the Mexican’s capital is encouraging its efforts to this sector. Mexico City based on that, counts with all the necessary elements to satisfy the needs of the most demanding meeting planners.
In that way, Mexico City’s offers for meetings industry:
1 International airport with 2 aerial terminals.
Air connectivity with more than 100 national and international destinations provided by almost 30 Mexican and foreigner airlines. 676 hotels of different categories. 49,000 guestrooms
Many conventions centers and meeting rooms located in different zones of the city. The biggest area for meetings, conventions and exhibitions offers more than 430,556 ft2 of space
15 governmental and no governmental organisms (national and international) that support, promote and encourage meetings industry in Mexico City.
1,316 food and beverage tourism establishments.
By the way, is worth to say that Mexico City is well positioned worldwide in meetings industry. In fact, according to the 2012 International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) global rankings, the city is located in the 40 position with 54 events; and is in the 7th place in the continent with the celebration of 52 events.
City of Palaces, host of world’s events
uring the second half of the past century and the beginnings of this one, Mexico City host many worlds’ events; the topics of these events were varied: sportive, environmental awareness and health. The main capital city embraced during this period of time thousands of visitors during the celebration of the 1968 Olympic Games, 1970 and 1986 Fifa’s World Cup, the IV World Water Forum in 2006 and the XVII International AIDS Conference in 2008.
In October 1963, after many years of attempts, the City of Palaces at last won the opportunity to become the venue for the Olympic Games. The delegation in charge achieved the goal, so Mexico City could celebrate this world’s sportive event from October 12 to October 27 of 1968.
After beating very competitive candidates: Detroit, Lyon and Buenos Aires; Mexico City welcomed more than 5,500 athletes from 112 countries that competed in 172 events of 20 sportive disciplines. In those days the city offered 22,000 hotel rooms and invested $175.840.000.00 USD in order to create sportive facilities, urban labors and construct the Olympic Villas.
Years later, with a little bit more experience, Mexico City shared the hosting with the rest of the nation, of the 1970 and 1986 Fifa’s World Cups. The Aztec stadium was built in 1962 to receive the 1970’s soccer event; this complex housed the finals’ soccer matches of both Mexicans’ editions. In 1986 the Mexico City’s CU stadium was also used for this world’s sportive tournament.
From May 31 to June 21 of 1970, 16 teams participated, 32 matches were developed and Mexico City received 1, 603,975 visitors; while from May 31 to June 29, 24 teams played, 52 matches took place and the Mexican’s capital hosted 2, 394,031 persons.
Beyond the sportive panoramas, by 2006 the City of Palaces welcomed 19,800 participants during the IV World Water Forum; there, 149 governmental delegations assisted, as well as 340 companies, 108 no lucrative organizations, United Nation’s institutions, recognized figures and 1,300 journalists from all over the world.
This event took place from 16 to 22 March 2006, it included: a Ministerial Conference, the World Water Exhibition, the Water Fair, the II
World Water Forum for children and the IV World Water Forum for youthful. This great event was hosted by Centro Banamex.
Finally in 2008, Mexico City’s was in the spotlight during six days, because it received from August 3 to August 8 of that year the XVII International AIDS Conference. That made of Mexico City the first destination in Latin America to become the venue of this important health event.
By then, Craig Mc Clure, International AIDS Society (IAS) Executive Director, said two years before the event, that Mexico City was considered to be the venue of the XVII International AIDS Conference, because of its infrastructure, logistic capacity and the politic will to receive this event.
During the XVII International AIDS Conference many other activities were developed: Global small village, forums, presentations, awards gives. Part of the success of this event was based in the good team job that did: governmental organisms and institutions, all the services providers, the venue and of course the hotels.
XVII International AIDS Conference data:
Economic income: 40 million dollars.
Assistants: 23,000.
Countries participation: 188.
Volunteers recluted: 2,000.
Buses: 278.
Official hotels: 120.
Media: 2,896.
Exhibition area: 365,972 ft2.
Global small village area: 107,639 ft2.
Convention Centers rooms: 25.
Polices: 2,300.
With these historic records, there’s no doubt that Mexico City has vocation as a host for great events, not only for nationals (for being a place where many important associations and companies are settled); but internationals because it has already showed to the world that has the capacity and the now how to receive different events. It’s really notable the international trust in the Mexican’s main capital city.
Mexico City future hostess of:
Automotive Industry International Congress, from March 24 to 26 of 2014 at Centro Banamex.
XXXII Orthopedic and Traumatology National Congress, 59 Annual Event, from April 30 to May 4 of 2014 at Mexico City’s World Trade Center.
World Parasitology Congress, from August 10 to 15 of 2014 at Centro Banamex.
Air and ground connectivity
exico City has a strategic geographic position for national and international events. In both cases the metropolis is located in a middle point that permits to have an easy access to it. This fact as well as its air and ground connectivity let the capital to have an enviable location.
Mexican’s capital counts with the Benito Juárez International Airport (AICM) that has two terminals. This complex is considered one of the most important of the country because besides being the major entrance gate to Mexico, it also assists 35% of the entire air operations in the nation.
Actually, according to the AICM’s data (September 2011- September 2012), talking about numbers of visitors, Mexico City’s airport is located in the position 22 among the 50 most important airports in American continent with 28, 723,306 persons transported. In the same line, the Mexican International airport records 370,136 mobilizations, that number puts it 19th place. Finally the aerial Mexican complex is located in the position 18 according to the number of tons that transport.
Another recent statistics exposes that the airport in 2012 had 29, 491,553 passenger’s mobilizations, from this number 9, 813,436 correspond to foreigner travelers and the other 19, 878,117 were from national travelers.
In addition, is worth to say that the Mexico City’s International Airport has connectivity with more than 100 national and international destinations, and the flight services are provided by almost 30 Mexican and foreigner airlines.
W: www.aicm.com.mx
Aeromar
Aeroméxico
Aeroméxico Connect
Air Canada
Air France
AirTran
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Avianca
British Airways
Canjet Airlines
Copa Airlines
Cubana
Delta Airlines
Global Air
Iberia
Interjet
KLM
Lacsa
LAN Chile
Lihnas Aereas
Lufthansa
Magnicharters
Taca
Taca Peru
United Airlines
US Airways
Viva Aerobus
Volaris
A: Capitán Carlos León s/n Col. Peñón de los Baños, CP 15620, Mexico City. P: +52 (55) 2482-2424 y 2482-2400
In the other hand Mexico City counts with a wide ground connectivity to every single cardinal point of the country. Actually the capital has four buses terminals that are located in strategic places. In every single one operates different transportation companies. By ground, Mexico City is connected through six highways: Cuernavaca, Pachuca, Puebla, Texcoco, Toluca and Querétaro.
1
North Central: Counts with commercial area, parking zone, food and beverage services, taxis and WC.
A: Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 4907 Col. Magdalena de las Salinas CP 07760, Mexico City.
2
D.F.’s West Central Terminal Buses: Offers a private parking zone, is located nearby the Observatorio subway station.
A: Sur 122 y Av. Río Tacubaya, Col. Real del Monte, CP 01130, Mexico City.
3 South Terminal Buses (Taxqueña): Provides authorized taxis services, commercial and food zone, hall room and WC.
A: Av. Taxqueña 1320, Col. Campestre Churubusco, CP 04200, Mexico City.
4
East Terminal Buses for passengers (TAPO): The complex is nearby San Lázaro subway station, it counts with food service, internet and WC.
A: Av. Ing. Eduardo Molina s/n, Col. Moctezuma, CP 15500, Mexico City.
Within Mexico City the transportation is provided through different services:
Subway: It’s active since 1969, counts with 12 subway lines that flow through the entire city. It transports millions of passengers every year.
Metrobus: Transportation system based on capacity buses, it operates since 8 years ago. Metrobus offers 5 lines that cross many zones of the city.
Electric transportation services: The trolebus counts with 8 lines with a 126 mi. operation length, there are 290 trolebuses. The tren ligero operates at the South of the city, this kind of transportation is no contaminating, and it offers service through 16 stations, two terminals and 20 trains.
Taxis: There are authorized places in different points in the entire city. These services can also be offered at the International Airport and in distinct hotels.
Other transportations: RTP buses, car rents.
Polanco, Reforma-Downtown, Insurgentes Sur and Santa Fe:
4 zones for business and events in Mexico City
reat real state and road infrastructure, first level products and services are some of the elements that offer four of the most important zones in Mexico City: Polanco, Reforma-Downtown, Insurgentes Sur y Santa Fe.
These capacities emphasize how these four zones have become in notables business, trade, corporative, finance and economic poles in the capital; but besides their features, another attributes that make these zones so attractive is fact that are deserving and competitive places for events in Mexico City.
In every single zone exists plenty hotels of all kinds 4, 5 and special category from prestigious brands, spectacular conventions centers ready to
receive meetings, conventions and exhibitions; restaurant services with national and international food, wide variety of malls, boutiques, cultural and entertainment centers and in some cases, proximity to the major tourist attractive of Mexico City: museums, parks, monuments, etc.
Polanco, Reforma-Downtown, Insurgentes Sur and Santa Fe are small cities inside Mexico City; in general even when they coincide in their offer for meetings industry, they also have distinguishing elements that make them unique micro destinations. The specific profile of every zone make easier to meeting planners to choice what, how, when and where they want to make an event in Mexico’s main capital city.
In general Polanco is designed for major and classy events; Reforma-Downtown is
mostly for meeting planners that wish a cultural and urban scenario for their events; while Insurgentes Sur is a versatile zone and Santa Fe is for people that are looking for modernity and novel spaces. The meeting planners must be sure that they can count with different options that will fit to their specific requirements for groups, meetings, conventions and exhibitions.
Is worth to emphasize that the geographic area, distance and the proper urban movement of the city make of these places, notable candidates to consider for making events; either for their specialized tourist services, or for their professional personnel, technology and the facilities that the four zones offer. In resume, ideal conditions to develop every kind of event in the City of Palaces, Mexico City.
Polanco, for major and classy events
olanco is one of the most economic affluence zones in Mexico City. Since the beginning Polanco has been showed as an exclusive residential place. During its growth, Polanco became a notable place for trade and business in the Northwest of the capital.
While the time passed, many ideal infrastructures were built in Polanco, either for traditional tourism as well as for the meetings industry. Polanco is fascinating for their luxury boutiques placed at Masaryk Avenue, the architecture and the beautiful streets with names of famous philosophers and writers; but it’s also attractive for meeting planners because it has prestigious hotels and proximity to one of the most relevant convention centers in Latin America.
Polanco’s strategic connected through Paseo de la Reforma, new highways and it’s sited at 45 minutes from the International Airport. Polanco is near from tourist places such as: the park and Castle of Chapultepec, the National Auditorium, the Anthropology and History museum; as well as the Modern Art and the Rufino Tamayo museums.
The hotels capacity in Polanco is headed by four major hospitality complexes that count with first class services adequate for the most specific needs. These hotels are: Hyatt Regency Mexico City, JW Marriot, Presidente InterContinental and W Mexico City.
Hyatt Regency Mexico City has 755 guestrooms and 11 meeting rooms that may become 16. On average it celebrates 2,500 banquet events and 250 national and international conventions. The flexibility, the opportune monitoring and the services are part of its strength. The hotel is being renovated and it’ll be ready by 2015. It also has received events like the Tri Association Conference.
A: Campos Elíseos 204, Col. Polanco Chapultepec, CP11560, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5083-1234
W: www.mexicocity.regency.hyatt.com
JW Marriott is a hotel that sales itself for the quality in its services. It has 312 hospitality spaces and 8 meeting rooms. The remodeling of its lobby will be ready by December 2013 and it will also count with a new restaurant: Xanat, which concept is to offer food with Mexican roots.
A: Andrés Bello 29, Col. Polanco, CP11560, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5999-0000
W: www.marriott.com
Presidente InterContinental offers 661 guestrooms and 17 divisible meeting rooms. It develops 2,600 events per year. Its remodeling is looking for vanguard in order to improve their guest experiences. The hotel counts with high qualified personnel to make events. It coordinates with other services suppliers to have successful meetings.
A: Campos Elíseos 218, Col. Polanco, CP11560, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5327-7702
W: www.ihg.com
W Mexico City is a hotel with proper style full of creativity and innovations. It has 9 meeting rooms as well as 237 guestrooms. The hotel is part of the hospitality offer of Polanco.
A: Campos Elíseos 252, Col. Polanco, CP11560, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 9138-1800
W: www.starwoodhotels.com
All these hotels are quite near from each one, this fact permit to meeting planners to have a great logistic strategy in order to make major events. But if spaces of the meeting rooms are not enough, another advantage of Polanco is that has proximity with Centro Banamex convention center.
Centro Banamex is an integral venue that has been an important part of Mexico City’s meetings industry, and the numbers did not lie: it has hold 645,834,000 ft2, has made 8,600 events, has parked 5,800,000 cars, has had 80 presidential visits, has welcomed 22,500,000 visitors and has served 4,000,000 plates. The convention center also has the International Sustainable Tourism Certificate as well as the national S and H distinctive.
The venue has 1,991,323 ft2 space of construction, it also possess 365,972 ft2 free columns space divisible in four independent exhibition rooms. It also counts with 75,347 ft2 in 25 convention rooms: Valparaiso Palace of 31,624 ft2 and the Iturbide Palace with 7,470 ft2 (both divisible in three), the Montejo House and the Diezmo House both of them offers 9,235 ft2 of space and are divisible in four, as well as the Palace de la Canal with 11 independent rooms.
A: Av. del Conscripto 311, Col. Lomas de Sotelo CP11200, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5268-2000
W: www.centrobanamex.com.mx
All these elements, the transportations services, restaurants and entertainment spaces in addition to the luxury of the zone make of Polanco an incomparable place. It’s no coincidence that many embassies are sited there. Polanco has already demonstrated how important is as an economic pole, but also showed the relevance that has for major and classy events.
Reforma-Downtown events with cultural and urban touch
nother emblematic zone of Mexico City is the one that compounds Reforma-Downtown. Through the time this site has growth as a very important tradition, business and meetings place.
Reforma history goes back through the times of Maximiliano de Habsburgo who ordered to build the principal avenue Paseo de la Reforma that connects with Mexico City’s downtown. In this place, gathers the ancient past of the Aztec and the Spanish culture with the present of the urban metropolis. Nowadays Paseo de la Reforma is full with enormous and
moderns buildings that contrast with the French style of the avenue. The scenario is quite seductive for meeting planners.
There is a wide gamma of exclusive hotels with capacity for events and meetings. Here are mentioned six of them. All the hospitality complexes have access to the principal avenues such as Paseo de la Reforma, Circuito Interior and Insurgentes. The zone is nearby the Zócalo, the Major Temple, and the Bellas Artes Palace. Reforma-Downtown is located at 8.6 mi. from the International Airport and in a middle point to access to different venues.
Hilton Mexico City Reforma offers 458 newly remodeling luxury guest rooms and suites. It also counts with 15 meeting rooms for events. This hotel possesses the largest convention center in the city as well as a private heliport.
A: Av. Juárez 70, Col. Centro, CP 06010, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5130-5300
W: www.hiltonmexicocity.com IMAGE SOURCE: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/distrito-federal/hilton-santa-fe-mexico-city-MEXSAHH/index.html
The luxury and class that offers St. Regis hotel is notable in the façade and in the inside. It counts with 189 sumptuous guest rooms and 11 elegant and artistic spaces for meetings and events.
A: Paseo de la Reforma 439, Col. Cuauhtémoc, CP 06500, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5228-1818
W: www.starwoodhotels.com
Sheraton María Isabel is located nearby the emblematic Independence Angel monument at Paseo de la Reforma. This hotel counts with more than 40 years of experience and has 755 guest rooms and 24 meeting rooms as well as a restaurant, recreation and business services.
A: Av. Juárez 70, Col. Centro, CP 06010, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5130-5300
W: www.starwoodhotels.com
Four Seasons Hotel is a hospitality complex at Paseo de la Reforma that has gain 17 continued times the AAA Five Award. It counts with 240 guestrooms that surround the beautiful courtyard and 13 meeting rooms for events. The hotel is sited nearby the Chapultepec Park, the museums zone and Polanco.
A: Paseo de la Reforma 500, Col. Juárez, CP 06600, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5230-1818
W: www.fourseasons.com
Close to this zone is located the Fiesta Americana Grand Chapultepec hotel, that has been newly remodeled; it offers 203 hospitality spaces and 9 meeting rooms. In 2013 won the Excellence Tripadvisor certificate.
A: Mariano Escobedo 756, Col. Anzures, CP 11590, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 2581-1500
W: www.fiestamericanagrand.com
The hotel-museum Camino Real is a complex design under the vanguard concept of the architect Ricardo Legorroreta. It offers 712 guestrooms, 23 spaces for meetings and events as well as 600 art pieces. The hotel has hosted 210 official visits from presidents, kings and princes from all over the world.
A: Mariano Escobedo 700, Col. Anzures, CP 11590, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5263-8888
W: www.caminoreal.com
Despite the fact that all these hotels provide different and spacious places for events, the meeting planners also must have in mind that Reforma-Downtown zone has the advantage of being nearby different conventions centers: Centro Banamex is at 5 mi., Mexico City’s World Trade Center is at 3.1 mi. and Expo Reforma that has 22,500 m2 of structure and 9,000 m2 of extension is at 2 km.
Concluding, if meeting planners are looking for cultural and urban scenarios, then Reforma-Downtown zone is the option that they must consider for their events. They also must be sure that they’ll find in it a beautiful, but mostly a functional place in order to make a successful meeting in Mexico City
Insurgentes Sur versatile zone for meetings
nsurgentes Sur is an economic and habitable zone. It is connected by the Insurgentes Avenue that cross the city from North to South, and the Viaducto circuit that access to the
International Airport that is at 7.2 mi. The movement is continuous in the zone because it’s an important finance place. It hosts corporates, hotel infrastructure, and the WTC Complex
The WTC complex has two world class venues: the International Center for Exhibitions and Conventions World Trade Center and the Pepsi Center. Both spaces in sum have received 1,300 events per year (exhibitions, meetings, social events and concerts) over their 322,917 ft2 of area. They are the first venue that has been certificated as a green building by the U.S. Green Certification Institute Gold level LEED. WTC has welcomed the Made Germany 2010, the Congress of the International Psychoanalysis Association and Robo Cup in 2012.
The venue can receive 15,000 persons; the exhibition zone provides 224,944 ft2 of area, while the conventions space is 267,407 ft2. It also counts with restaurants, internet, telecommunications and courier services. The complex offers 30 meeting rooms, 3,500 parking lots and there are 25 hotels nearby.
A: Filadelfia s/n, Col. Nápoles, CP 03810, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 9000-9117
W: www.exposwtc.com y www.pepsicenterwtc.com
Three of the hotels that are pretty close to the venue are Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and Novit.
Holiday Inn Express WTC is few steps away from the venue. It has 217 guestrooms, gym, business center and parking.
A: Dakota 95, Col, Nápoles, CP 03810, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 1164-1160
W: www.holidayinnexpresswtc.com
The Crowne Plaza is also close to WTC, it has 310 guestrooms and 13 meeting rooms. It counts with the Crowne Meeting Director Service.
A: Dakota 95, Col, Nápoles, CP 03810, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 1164-1160
W: www.hoteldemexico.com
Novit is a vanguard and urban hospitality complex that offers 92 guestrooms as well as 5 meeting rooms for events. The business hotel has the Aktuel restaurant that offers international cuisine with Mediterranean touch. Also counts with a lobby bar a terrace lounge and a business center.
A: Insurgentes Sur 635, Col. Nápoles, CP 03810, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5448-0490
W: www.hotelnovit.com
The zone, its magnificent venue and its 25 hotels as well as the fact of being nearby from plenty restaurants, clubs and bars are elements that make attractive and versatile this zone. Insurgentes Sur is well connected through the roadways and through other transportations such as the Metrobus. Insurgentes Sur is, without any doubt another good option for meeting planners.
IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.holidayexpresswtc.com/
IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.hoteldemexico.com/
Santa Fe modernity and novelty for events
ltramodern architectonic design, new and fast highways, high corporate, educative and habitable concentration is part of what Santa Fe is today. Actually the zone has a 150,000 floating population.
Only a few could think that years ago Santa Fe was a rubbish dump, but now by the contrary, is a micro city full of great value, where many companies have settled in order to make of this zone one of the newest economic poles in Mexico City.
Santa Fe is connected through many highways: Mexico-Toluca at West, Chamapa-La Venta at North, and with the newly added super West Via can access to Periférico and Cuernavaca city. With these roads, it can also have connection with Toluca’s International Airport. In the other hand, the business environment has obligated Santa Fe to build hotels, and a convention center, Expo Bancomer, in order to satisfy the corporate event’s needs.
Here are exposed nine hotels of Santa Fe that are quite nearby from each other; that makes easier the operation and logistics of a major event.
ZONA SANTA FE
Camino Real Santa Fe is the hotel with more guest and meeting rooms in the zone. It has 300 modern guestrooms and 11 spaces for events with capacity for 1,950 persons. In 2013 occupied 24,000 rooms and 85,685 plates were served in banquets. It mostly receives corporate events and work together with Expo Bancomer and transport service companies..
A: Guillermo González Camarena 300, CP 01210, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5004-1616
W: www.caminoreal.com
City Express Santa Fe has 159 guestrooms and 4 spaces for events; those are shared with the hotel City Suites that is in the same place.
A: Juan Salvador Agraz 69, Col. Zedec Santa Fe, CP 05348, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5081-4750
W: http://cityexpress.hotelescity.com
City Suites Santa Fe, counts with 39 guestrooms and share the 4 spaces for meetings with City Express Santa Fe..
A: Juan Salvador Agraz 69, Col. Zedec Santa Fe, CP 05348, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5081-4900
W: http://citysuites.hotelescity.com
IMAGE SOURCE: http://cityexpress.hotelescity.com/es/hoteles/city-express-ciudad-de-mexico-santa-fe/informacion-general.aspx?hoteldatos=0CECESFE
The JW Marriott de Santa Fe offers 221functional guestrooms and 8 meeting rooms. Since its aperture in May 2013, has received 80 groups and 129 banquets. The good response of its clients has let JW Marriot to keep growing and perfecting the service. It has good relationship with Expo Bancomer.
A: Av. Santa Fe 160, Col Santa Fe, CP 01219, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5292-7272
W: www.marriott.com
NH Santa Fe is a hotel in the heart of the zone; it provides 135 guestrooms and 3 meeting rooms. It counts with gym, parking, restaurant NHUBE, internet, 24 service and LCD screen.
A: Juan Salvador Agraz 44, CP 05109, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 9177-7380
W: www.nh-hotels.com
IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/mexico/mexico-city/nh-santa-fe.html
Presidente InterContinental Santa Fe opened in May 2012; it offers 111 guestrooms, 2 meeting rooms and a terrace for events. The hotel and two of its restaurants has the H National distinctive. Its awards are: the Top 20 Small Luxury Hotels for Meetings Mexico 2013, Newcomer of the year award, Voice of the gust All Star Hotel by IHG and is in the 14th position of Tripadvisor.
A: Juan Salvador Agraz 97, CP 05348, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 1105-0170
W: www.ihg.com
Sheraton Santa Fe opened 17 years ago; it was a pioneer in the zone. Recently it was remodeled with a 4 million dollars investment. It offers 190 guestrooms and 9 meeting rooms. It counts with planning events services, a business center, as well as equipment and professional assistance for events.
A: Calle Guillermo González Camarena 200, CP 01210, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5258-8545
W: www.starwoodhotels.com
Westin Santa Fe provides 259 guestrooms and 12 meeting rooms. On average the hotel welcomes 130 groups every year mostly corporate; other more are weddings and from Expo Bancomer. It counts with a new consume center in the highest part of the complex, the Eleven Bar & Lounge, where you can watch the spectacular view of the city.
A: Javier Barrios Sierra 540, Col. Lomas de Santa Fe, CP 01210, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5089-8008
W: www.starwoodhotels.com
The Hilton family will add a new hotel in the zone by April 2014. Hilton Santa Fe, will offer 260 guestrooms and the biggest meeting room will have 7,363 ft2.
A: Antonio Dovali Jaime 70, Col. Zedec Santa Fe, CP 01219, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5255-9061
W: www3.hilton.com
IMAGE SOURCE: http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/distrito-federal/hilton-santa-fe-mexico-city-MEXSAHH/index.html
The luxury hotels are complemented with the modern convention center of Santa Fe, Expo Bancomer, that’s only five minutes far away from the hospitality offer. The venue has an important role in the meetings’ industry zone.
Expo Bancomer has hosted FITA (International Tourism Fair of Americas), where 2103; 376,736 ft2 were used for exhibition and 107,639 ft2 more were for the conferences. The tons capacity, the moving doors has led the venue to welcome Disney on Ice spectacle. The space of the convention center has also been used for locations and massive concerts.
In one floor Expo Bancomer provides 348,750 ft2 divisible in 3 rooms with no columns. The ground resistance is 4 tons per 10 square feet; the sealing has a maximum height of 59 feet. It also counts with 5,125 m2 outdoors area for exhibition. The 18 moving doors make easier the assembly. The venue also offers 60,277 ft2 divisible in 16 versatile rooms and it has 2,950 parking lots.
A: Av. Santa Fe 270, Col. Santa Fe, CP 01210, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5292-5350
W: www.expobancomer.com.mx
Today Santa Fe is considered by meeting planners that are looking for modern and novelty. The micro city growth, the offer of 2,600 rooms, its venue, its enormous buildings, the connectivity, being nearby the biggest mall in Latin America, make of Santa Fe an obligated meeting point for groups in Mexico City.
Tourist products for events Special venues for events
fundamental part that every single meeting planner considers during the election of a destination is the tourist products for events. In that matter, Mexico City has wide options for meeting planner’s requirements. The activities that are offered by the City of Palaces are versatile and show the Mexican culture and traditions. These products can be tours, tastings, visits and spectacles. Here are mentioned some of them:
Amalia Hernandez’s Folkloric Ballet. Wine tasting. Mexico City Tour. Downtown’s leyends and ghosts. The Majestic Palaces of Porfirio Díaz Mexico City’s Nightlife. Museums’ night, passion and art (Frida and Diego). The Cantinas’ tour in tram. Turibus tours.
he City of Palaces is the destination with more museums in the world, in fact the Mexican main capital city has four places considered World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO; these, sum to the great variety of cultural, natural and historic scenarios make of Mexico City a place hard to compare.
There are many places that can provide its space and services in order to develop a different event, so the visitors can live a unique and unrepeatable experience during a banquet, presentation, a cocktail or in networking sessions.
Some of these scenarios are the San Carlos Academy, an elegant neoclassic construction that can host 400 persons; Chapultepec’s Castle Alcázar can impress the visitors that would be glad to get into the époque of the second Mexican empire, it can receive over 1, 000 people in the main hall.
The Americas Hippodrome can welcome 1,500 persons, who can watch the horse races during an event. In the other hand, the Major Temple museum can also open its doors to receive 140 visitors that would be surrounded with history and mysticism. Other special venue is the Tequila and Mezcal museum with maximum capacity for 200 people in cocktail assembly at the restaurant and terrace.
The modern Soumaya museum, the National Art museum (one of the most important cultural venues in Latin America) as well as the José Luis Cuevas museum (full of art pieces of this painter) can also welcome groups. The same happens with the Polyforum Siqueiros and the Claustro de Sor Juana University.
Meeting planners’ point of view of Mexico City
“…Talking about the conditions that has for making events, is strategically well located compared to the world, it has plenty air flights, facilities at hotels and everything you’re looking for. Besides, it has a convention center like this one (Centro Banamex) […] for me, the most valuable thing is the human capital. There is experience; there is training of professionals in this area…”
Flor Solano, Converge CEO, Costa Rica.
“…The attractive are wide and good, the history, the culture, the gastronomy is perfect […] I arrived this morning and all I’ve seen liked me pretty much. I think that we can work to promote and to try to do business in Mexico City, in the near future.
Ricardo Augusto Alves Blau 1987, Brasil.
“Mexico City has this warm feeling of the people that welcome us, and definitively has the ambiance of a very living city; there are many things to offer for social activities.”
Miranda Ioannou, 12 SCS Limited CEO, Greece.
“This is the first time I’m in Mexico City, I didn’t know that much about the city, I studied before I come, is part of my duty to find an innovative venue. I have seen that Mexico City is a great venue after a day and a half; of what I’ve seen it seems it can give us many ideas besides I’ve seen the minimum of the minimum. I see a lot of potential here.”
Eran Sella, Paragon CEO, Israel
Rafael Hernández, CEM Publisher & CEO direccion.lam@latammeetings.com
ADMINISTRACIÓN
Diana Hernández Z. Directora Administrativa admon.lam@latammeetings.com
Alma Huerta Ingresos Incomes.lam@latammeetings.com
COMERCIAL
Lorena Díaz Gerente de Ventas ventas.mcc@masexpos.com
Aline Rodríguez Coordinadora de Ventas asistente.lam@latammeetings.com
EDITORIAL
Verenize Domínguez E. Editora en Jefe editor.lam@latammeetings.com
Carlos P. Galván Jefe de Información redaccion.lam@latammeetings.com
Juan Carlos Chávez Coordinador de Suplementos Especiales suplementos.lam@latammeetings.com
“In America, Mexico has always headed as a destination (for meetings industry), the city has a lot of attractive, but not only Mexico City, I would say that there many more. I think that the tourist development for events is quite mature…”
Javier Rosas, GBTA Peru Chapter, President.
“… The Mexico City’s potential is not from now, it’s has too much time more. Services have evolution, there is infrastructure, and there are more venues where we can host academic or social events […] air connectivity, a beautiful downtown that captivates national and international visitors, a supplier net: hotels, restaurants and wide variety of theater, sports and spectacles. We have everything to do an event in Mexico City…”
Julio César Castañeda, Imagine eventos, Mexico City.
“…Talking about the city and its infrastructure, is quite mature for events’ attraction, the channels have been proven many times and with all this characteristics we can bring a major event […] you must go to the Foreign Affairs Secretary, because they can support you at diplomatic matters so it could be easier to bring international events….”
Adrián Cortés, Estracom CEO, Mexico City
Rosa Mendoza Coordinadora de Proyectos Especiales especiales.lam@latammeetings.com
DISEÑO www.zuma.mx moises@zuma.mx
Redacción: Nadia Roldán.
MEET IN® es una publicación de Latinamerica Meetings, S.A. de C.V. Revista Bimestral Diciembre 2012. Domicilio de la publicación: Tiburcio Sánchez de la Barquera No. 46-A, Colonia Merced Gómez, C.P. 03930, Benito Juárez, México D.F. Editor responsable: Rafael Hernández Gómez. Número de reserva al título del Instituto Nacional del Derecho de Autor 04-2012-012409341800-102. Número de Certificado de Licitud de Contenido en trámite. Número de certificado de licitud de título en trámite. Distribuida por SEPOMEX y en diversos eventos Nacionales e Internacionales. Tiraje de esta publicación 7,500 ejemplares.
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MEET IN® investiga sobre la seriedad de sus anunciantes, pero no se responsabiliza por las ofertas relacionadas por los mismos.
Governmental organisms
exico City counts with the support of different governmental organism that has the duty to promote and strength the meetings industry.
Tourism Secretary (SECTUR): Is in charge to strength the image and the development of the tourism in Mexico.
A: Pte. Masaryk 172, Col. Boques de Chapultepec, CP 11580, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 3002-6300
W: www.sectur.gob.mx
Mexico City’s Tourism Secretary: It has the mission to turn Major Mexican’s capital into a world class destination, secure and healthy for the visitors.
A: Av. Nuevo León 56, Col. Hipódromo Condesa, CP 06100, Mexico City.
P: + 52 (55) 5212-0257
W: www.mexicocity.gob.mx
Mexico City’s Tourism Promotion Mixed Fund: Is an autonomy entity that gives consults, finance plans, programs and actions for Mexico City’s tourism promotion.
A: Av. Nuevo León 56, Col. Hipódromo Condesa, CP 06100, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5211-2801
W: www.fmpt.df.gob.mx
Mexico Convention Bureau: Has the mission to promote integrally and competitively to Mexico, its products and destinations in national and international markets.
A: Viaducto Miguel Alemán 105. Col. Escandón, CP 11800, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5278-4200 Ext. 1500
W: www.visitmexico.com
Meetings Industry Associations
hese societies are in charge to gather, consult and in some cases capacitate Mexico’s meetings industry offer in order to make them professionals.
Mexican Destinations Marketing Association (AMDEM)
A: Libertad 1725, Col Americana, CP 44160, Guadalajara, Jalisco
P: +52 (33) 3122-7544
W: www.amdem.mx
Mexican Association for Convention Centers (AMEREF)
A: Hermosillo 26, piso 5, Dpcho. 501, Col. Roma Sur, CP 06760, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 2454-7235
W: www.ameref.com.mx
Mexican Professional Association of Fairs, Exhibitions and Conventions (AMPROFEC)
A: Medellín 338, 2nd. floor, Col. Roma Sur, CP 06760, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5683-9308
W: www.amprofec.org.mx
National Professional Association of Exhibitions, Events and Conventions (ANPEEC)
A: Av. Fundidora 501 local 95 A, Col Obrera, CP 64010, Monterrey, N.L.
P: +52 (81) 8369-0224
W: www.anpeec.org.mx
Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)
A: Gral. Pablo de la Garza 35, Col. Héroes de la Revolución, Naucalpan de Juárez, CP 53840 Edo. de México.
P: +52 (55) 5295-2793
W: www.gbta.org/mexico
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, Mexican Chapter (HSMAI)
A: Saturnino Herrán 77, Col. San José Insurgentes, CP 03900, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 5680-2420
W: www.hsmaimexico.org
International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA Mexican Committee)
A: Av. Tecnológico y Escudero s/n, Sto. Niño, CP 31120, Chihuahua, Chih.
P: +52 (614) 214-2600
W: www.iccaworld.com
Meeting Professionals International (MPI Mexico Chapter)
A: Hacienda de la gavia 39, Col. Bosques de Echegaray, Naucalpan, CP 53310 Edo. de México.
P: +52 (55) 1998-9602
W: www.mpimexico.org.mx
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA Mexican Chapter)
A: Av. Colonia del Valle 528-204, Col del Valle, CP 03100, Mexico City.
P: +52 (998) 881 3600
W: www.pcma.org
Professional Congress Organizers (PCO Meetings Mexico)
A: Hermosillo 26, piso 5, Dpcho. 501, Col. Roma Sur, CP 06760, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 2454-7235
W: www.pcomeetingsmexico.org
Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE Mexico Chapter)
A: Hermosillo 26, piso 5, Dpcho. 501, Col. Roma Sur, CP 06760, Mexico City.
P: +52 (55) 2454-7235
W: www.site.org.mx
