As part of New Mexico State University's commitment to fostering healthy relationships with regional economic development groups and technology leaders, university representatives will attend the Border Tech Expo in Juárez next week. The expo is sponsored by the Chihuahua Secretary of Innovation and Economic Development.

The expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21 at the Cuatro Siglos Convention Center in Juárez. Among those attending the expo will be representatives from NMSU's Engineering and Arts & Sciences colleges, Arrowhead Center, and International and Border Programs. Mark Gladden, development officer for the NMSU College of Engineering, will give a keynote address at the event, "Distributed Innovation: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, and ICO Funding."

"NMSU is in an outstanding position to capitalize on our geographic location, especially when it comes to opportunities to create economic development across the border," NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu said. "We can shape the discussion on how international trade should occur and how we can spur economic growth across the region. It won't be just changing the tone of the conversation with regard to the border, it will be us demonstrating and showing the way."

"NMSU is a leader in technology research and development, a factor for economic and social growth in the cross-border mega region that includes New Mexico, west Texas and Chihuahua," said Rod McSherry, interim associate provost for International and Border Programs. "NMSU is working closely with regional economic development groups, such as the City of Las Cruces and the Borderplex Alliance, to underscore that the state's land grant university is helping bring together like-minded groups to build and sustain healthy borders with vibrant societies and resilient economies."

The expo will feature researchers, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, large companies, organizations and institutions that develop and promote new innovations in technology. Focus areas for the event include software, robotics, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, drones, 3-D printing, smart cities, the Internet of Things, and Information Technology, among others, according to expo organizers. The purpose of the expo is to show the capability of innovation and technological development in the region made up by the diverse municipalities of Chihuahua, west Texas and New Mexico, and to connect innovators, businesses and academia with a goal of generating greater economic impact in the region.

"Part of Arrowhead Center's mission is to serve as a connector between entrepreneurs, technologies and businesses, and the Border Market Tech Expo is a terrific opportunity to grow that work and share many of NMSU's assets with the broader region," said Wayne Savage, executive director of Arrowhead Park.