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More than 100 business, civic, and government leaders from San Diego and Baja California will travel to Mexico City next week to advocate for stronger U.S.-Mexico relations and address issues critical to the binational economy. The visit comes at a key political moment for Mexico, as President Claudia Sheinbaum’s new administration begins to outline its national priorities.
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 19th Annual Binational Delegation to Mexico City will take place from October 12 to 15, continuing a long-standing effort to advance collaboration across the Cali-Baja region. Each year, the Chamber leads a cross-border delegation to engage with Mexican federal officials, agencies, and legislators on policy topics that directly affect the regional economy, such as water management, border infrastructure, trade, tourism, and workforce development.
“Bringing together leaders from both sides of the border for this trip is essential to strengthening our regional economy,” said Chris Cate, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “These conversations in Mexico City give us the chance to directly advocate for the priorities that matter most to our region’s businesses and families. When we show up as a united, binational delegation, it underscores the unique role our region plays in driving prosperity and opportunity across Cali-Baja.”
The 2025 delegation will include elected officials, economic development experts, and industry representatives from both countries, reflecting the diversity and interdependence of the U.S.-Mexico border region. Notable participants include Baja California Senator Gustavo Sánchez Vásquez, Baja California Congressmember Ana Erika Santana González, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, Coronado Mayor John Duncan, National City Mayor Ron Morrison, and Tecate Mayor Román Cota.
Additional delegates include Tijuana Secretary of Economic Development Pedro Montejo, San Diego City Councilmembers Marni von Wilpert, Vivian Moreno, and Stephen Whitburn, as well as Tijuana City Councilmembers Georgina Arana Cruz, Pablo Yañez Placencia, and Lemuel Ramírez. Also joining are Ambassador Alicia Kerber-Palma, Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, and Consul General Christopher Teal, representing the United States in Tijuana.
The agenda for the four-day trip includes a reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson, policy discussions with leadership from the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE), and meetings with members of the Mexican Senate. Delegates will also take part in a water management and infrastructure panel with officials from the North American Development Bank (NADBank), National Water Commission (CONAGUA), and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).
Other sessions will focus on tourism development, supply chain integration, clean energy, and innovation, featuring conversations with Mexico’s Secretaries of Tourism and their Baja California counterparts. Additional meetings and events are expected to be announced as the delegation’s itinerary continues to take shape.
The Chamber’s annual mission to Mexico City has become a cornerstone of its binational policy agenda, fostering collaboration between U.S. and Mexican leaders while highlighting the economic importance of the Cali-Baja Mega Region—a corridor that generates billions of dollars in trade and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border.
For nearly two decades, the Chamber’s delegation has served as a forum for strengthening institutional relationships, aligning priorities, and addressing shared challenges in border efficiency, environmental sustainability, and regional competitiveness.
“Our proximity to Mexico is not just a geographical fact—it’s an economic advantage,” Cate added. “When San Diego and Baja California work together, we create a stronger, more resilient border region that benefits both nations.”
The 2025 delegation underscores a continued commitment to cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico and reaffirms the Chamber’s role as a leading voice in promoting cross-border economic prosperity and regional unity.
