Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price will be promoting North Texas’ “thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem,” among its other attributes in an upcoming trade mission to three European capital cities — London, Paris, and Brussels.

The June 17-22 trip will give the leaders an opportunity to talk about economic development, business opportunities, and tourism throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to a release.

“The Dallas-Fort Worth region is the ideal location to grow and develop international business,” Rawlings said in a statement. “As a hub of innovation and diversity, we look to strengthen the already deep connections North Texas has with our global partners.”

“As a hub of innovation and diversity, we look to strengthen the already deep connections North Texas has with our global partners.”

Mike Rawlings

Price echoed Rawlings assessment.

“These trips are vital when it comes to building our business markets and fostering professional relationships,” she said. “With a positive, pro-business climate, talented workforce, strong economy, and great location, the DFW region is a great place to do business or visit.”

Other North Texas delegates on the trip include regional business leaders and others from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the Dallas Regional Chamber, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, VisitDallas, and Visit Fort Worth.

DFW is the home to many headquarters and facilities for companies from the three European countries that Price and Rawlings will visit.

EUROPEAN FIRMS HAVE MAJOR BASES, FACILITIES IN DFW

Roughly 200 British-owned companies have U.S. or North American headquarters or facilites in North Texas, including Barclays, BT Global Services, and Smith & Nephew. Airbus Helicopters, Nestlé Waters, and Schneider Electric, are a few of the 120 French companies that have operations in DFW.

“With a positive, pro-business climate, talented workforce, strong economy, and great location, the DFW region is a great place to business or visit.”

Betsy Price

And, in the past year and a half, seven companies based in the United Kingdom and three France-based companies have established new U.S. or North American headquarters, manufacturing, offices, or other facilities here. You’ll recognize the names — BAE Systems, Smith & Nephew, and Zinwave from the U.K., as well as French companies Airbus Helicopters, L’Oreal, and Louis Vitton.

According to the release, the North Texas delegates will be sharing and hearing from their European counterparts the results of innovative ideas about urban mobility that have done well in DFW, the U.K, and France.

The North Texas delegates and a dozen U.K. executives also will take part in the International Business Roundtable to network and and promote more economic opportunites. A dozen SMU students will be at the event as part of a business and entrepreneurial study abroad program.

During the trip’s final leg, the delegates will have meetings at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels, where they will tour the headquarters and meet with U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO and Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison of Dallas.