Invest Monterrey attended the 51st National INDEX Convention as part of its October agenda of industry events. Held in Monterrey for the first time, the convention brought together public and private sector leaders to discuss the future of Mexico’s export manufacturing industry and its role in North American supply chains.  
 

Following the Conversation on North American Manufacturing

Organized by INDEX Nacional and INDEX Monterrey, the convention featured sessions on industrial competitiveness, artificial intelligence and the review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). Invest Monterrey attended the conference sessions to hear how industry leaders and institutional representatives are assessing the opportunities and challenges facing export manufacturers.  
 

The agenda covered both the adoption of new technologies in manufacturing and the trade framework that connects production across North America. For Invest Monterrey, the sessions offered a firsthand view of the issues companies are weighing as they plan investments, adopt new technologies and make decisions about their supply chains.  
 

Monterrey’s Role in Export Manufacturing

The convention’s first edition in Monterrey took place in a region that accounts for approximately 10% of Mexico’s exports. The region shipped US$33.1 billion in goods during the first half of 2026, with approximately 88% destined for the United States. That concentration makes the USMCA review particularly relevant to local manufacturers that serve customers and operate within supply chains across the border.  
 

Monterrey also contributes 12.7% of Mexico’s manufacturing GDP and recorded more than 410,000 workers in manufacturing establishments operating under the IMMEX program. These figures give context to the convention’s discussions: changes in trade conditions and manufacturing technology matter to a regional economy with a substantial share of national production and employment in export manufacturing.  
 

Attending the convention gave Invest Monterrey an opportunity to stay informed about the priorities of export manufacturers. The perspectives shared during the sessions provide context for the organization’s ongoing work with companies evaluating investment and expansion in the region.