The McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau is gearing up for its annual McAllen Day in Mexico City on March 28.

Organizing and making the event possible is a huge undertaking that involves city government, the Chamber of Commerce and La Plaza Mall. Delegates are also instrumental, including travel agents, tour operators and hotel representatives in promoting the city’s amenities and shopping opportunities. In all, it will be a delegation of more than 150 people headed up by Mayor Jim Darling.

“It’s a great partnership, made so much easier by having positive, intelligent, motivated people all working for a common cause,” said Nancy Millar, the vice president of the convention and visitors bureau. “Our partnership with La Plaza has been in place for many years. We’ve been advertising in Mexico cooperatively for over a decade. It benefits the city and La Plaza because we’re able to leverage our funds to create the largest impact.”

A McAllen Day highlight is a fashion show under the coordination and leadership of La Plaza’s Marketing Director Isabel Sanez. The McAllen delegation will also stage a mini-expo featuring local tourism businesses. McAllen airport staff and Aeromar representatives will assist in the mini-expo to highlight the travel connections between the two cities.

The trip will also give individual participants opportunities to set appointments with key players in Mexico City who influence the travel plans of Mexican tourists heading to the United States, Millar said. The event will also draw media attention in Mexico City, giving McAllen leaders the opportunity to highlight their city.

“We talk about upcoming events and about the infrastructure the city has for visitors,” Millar said, “(and) how easy it is to get here and get around once they are here.”