Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price are using Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as the centerpiece of their trade mission to Canada this week.
Rawlings and Price are traveling to Toronto and Montreal to promote economic development, business opportunities and tourism while meeting with various officials, pitching ways to bring businesses to North Texas.
Canada is Texas' third largest trade partner, with D/FW Airport accounting for a large portion of the import-export activity.
"We are looking to strengthen our business ties with regions that have become critical partners to the DFW economy," Rawlings said. "This trip is another key step in understanding those needs and cultivating those long-term relationships."
"As ambassadors for our region, I look forward to discussing mutual benefits of doing business, visiting and partnering in Fort Worth," said Price. "As we learn and collaborate with our neighbors in Toronto and Montreal, we anticipate seeing firsthand how their efforts to create stronger cities mirror some of our local efforts to improve the quality of life of our citizens."
More than 125 Canadian companies operate in DFW, and more than 260,000 Canadians visit North Texas annually, a spokesman said.
"Customers have asked for more international destinations, and D/FW Airport wants to deliver the passenger and cargo service that will continue to elevate the Dallas Fort Worth region as a hub for global business activity," said Sean Donohue, CEO for DFW Airport.
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"Strengthening our partnerships with international airlines, like Air Canada and American Airlines, is a key component of our overall strategy to expand our service offerings," she said.
The trade mission runs June 11-16.
