Join Automation Alley for an engaging conference featuring international business experts who will share key insights into Mexico’s fast-growing automotive and aerospace industries. The event will include two compelling company case studies highlighting real-world opportunities and challenges of doing business in Mexico.
Attendees will gain practical knowledge of:
Proven market-entry strategies for Michigan-made products, services, and technologies
Mexico’s role as the largest export market for U.S. goods
Updates on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
Mexico’s 13 additional free trade agreements with 48 countries, spanning three continents and covering 60% of global GDP
Whether you are new to international trade or looking to grow your footprint in Mexico, the event will equip you with actionable strategies to boost global sales and profits.
You will also learn about Automation Alley’s Trade Mission to Automotive Queretaro, Mexico taking place February 17-19, 2026. Automotive Meetings is the premier B2B matchmaking event in Mexico, bringing together 500+ companies and top procurement executives from around the world.
Agenda
8:30 a.m. – Registration and Breakfast Reception
8:40 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions
Mr. Noel H. Nevshehir, Director of International Business Services and Global Strategic Partnerships, Automation Alley
8:50 a.m. – Current and Future Outlook for Mexico’s Automotive and Aerospace Industries
Ms. Silvia Alonso, Director, MEDC State of Michigan Office – Mexico City, Mexico
Mr. Alain Ngoie, Project Director, ABE/BCI Aerospace – Paris, France
9:15 a.m. – Update on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
Mr. Tim Finerty, Shareholder, Wipfli – Southfield, Michigan
Mr. Carlos Calderon, Senior Manager, Wipfli – Southfield, Michigan
9:35 a.m. – Company Case Studies: Opportunities and Challenges of Doing Business in Mexico
10:05 a.m. – State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) and Support for Michigan Companies
Ms. Weiwei Lu, International Trade Development Manager, MEDC – Lansing, Michigan
10:15 a.m. – Open Discussion and Q&A
10:30 a.m. – Conference Adjourns
Speakers
Tim Finerty
Shareholder, Wipfli
Silvia Alonso
Commercial Director, Michigan Mexico Office, Mexican Trade Office of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. Represented by Global Business Partners Mexico
Silvia Alonso is the Commercial Director of Global Business Partners Mexico, Consultancy firm founded in 2006 by Efren Flores and her. GBP Mexico provides international business development services to foreign entities and companies that seek to establish its products or services successfully in the Mexican and Latin-American Markets.
She has 24 years of experience in international business, market development, investment promotion, consultancy, marketing, international sales, matchmaking and business strategies for international and national customers. Holding wide experience in leading and coordinating several trade missions including delegations with Government Officials and Entrepreneurs as well as coordinating participation in Trade Shows and helping several foreign companies to successfully enter the Mexican market.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in international marketing from Universidad Intercontinental. Silvia has experience in working with several industries, such as: automotive, aerospace, security, metal/mechanic, automation, agriculture, medical, woods and food and beverage. She started her professional experience at Acetec Group a heavy machinery broker managing public relations, afterwards she joined Volvo Trucks Mexico as Junior Manager in the Exports-Imports Department, also worked as Junior Manager for Levaduras Azteca and later on she started working at the Pennsylvania State Office in Mexico as Trade Specialist,
In 2006 GBP Mexico was founded and since then they have assisted several foreign companies to develop business opportunities in the Mexican market. GBP Mexico was former representative of the state of Kentucky in Mexico for the period 2008-2013. And currently represents in Mexico the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, and the States of: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Weiwei Lu
International Trade Development Manager, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Weiwei Lu has over a decade of professional experience in international business and trade working in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She currently works as an international trade development manager providing export consultation and services to help Michigan SMEs enter and expand into the global markets. She is a strong business development professional skilled in Marketing Management, Business Planning and Project Management, International Trade, Market Research, and Leadership. Over the years, she helped hundreds of Michigan companies achieved over $2 billion dollar in recorded export sales as result of her service. Weiwei is one of the proud recipients of the 2017 President’s “E” Award for Export Services, awarded NASBITE International’s Certified Global Business Professional designation since 2013, SIDO Advanced Certificate in Global Trade Development in 2020 by Thunderbird School of Global Management, as well as State of Michigan Symbol of Excellence Award for in 2017 for her performance at work.
Noel Nevshehir
Director, International Business Services and Global Strategic Partnerships, Automation Alley
Noel Nevshehir is director of Automation Alley’s International Business Services and Global Strategic Partnerships. In this role, Nevshehir is responsible for leading Automation Alley’s trade mission program and foreign direct investment efforts. He is also responsible for seeking out global strategic partners that align with Automation Alley’s Industry 4.0 mission.
Under Nevshehir’s leadership, Automation Alley received both the President’s E Star Award from President Barack Obama in 2013 and the President’s E Award from President George W. Bush in 2008—the nation’s highest, most prestigious international trade awards granted to organizations in recognition of their accomplishments in global trade and economic development. In particular, companies participating on Automation Alley trade missions worldwide have generated over $1 billion in export sales.
Nevshehir also oversees Automation Alley’s International Business Center, which provides 90 days of complimentary soft-landing space for foreign companies to use as a home base while exploring opportunities to do business in Michigan.
Nevshehir graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan with bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Russian Studies. He also received a master’s degree with honors from the London School of Economics in International Relations; and a doctorate in Chinese-Russian studies from the University of Michigan. Nevshehir’s cross-cultural experiences include having worked, studied, lived, and/or traveled to 82 countries. His language skills include English, Russian and conversational Spanish
Carlos Calderon
Senior Manager, Wipfli