The second annual Expo Encuentro de Negocios in Los Cabos closed with 390 confirmed commercial meetings between 85 regional producers from across Baja California Sur and major retail and hospitality buyers. The event connected local food makers, artisans, and beverage producers with chains including Oxxo, Chedraui, Fresko, and hotel brands Secrets and Zoëtry.
Food producers made up the largest group of exhibitors, with 42 companies showcasing their products. Artisans accounted for 23 exhibitors, while eight beverage makers also participated. The expo aimed to open commercial doors for small and mid-size BCS producers who often struggle to access large-scale distribution channels.
Hecho en BCS Label Gains Traction
A central focus of the expo was the “Hecho en BCS” quality label, a state-backed certification designed to help locally made products gain shelf space in supermarkets and placement on hotel menus. The label covers food, beverages, textiles, and artisan goods produced within Baja California Sur.
The Los Cabos municipal government organized the event as part of a broader effort to strengthen the local supply chain. With tourism driving the regional economy, officials have pushed to connect BCS producers directly with the hotels, resorts, and retail stores that serve millions of visitors each year. Los Cabos alone welcomed over 4 million tourists in 2024.
What It Means for Local Shelves
The participation of national chains like Oxxo and Chedraui, two of Mexico’s largest retail operators, could translate into wider availability of BCS products in the convenience stores and supermarkets found throughout the Cabo corridor and La Paz. Fresko, a premium supermarket brand operated by Chedraui, caters to a higher-end clientele that overlaps with the expat and tourist market in Los Cabos.
On the hospitality side, Secrets and Zoëtry are all-inclusive resort brands under the Hyatt umbrella. Their presence at the expo points to potential sourcing agreements that would place regional food and artisan goods directly in front of hotel guests.
This was the second edition of the expo, building on a first event that established the format of pre-arranged one-on-one commercial meetings between producers and buyers. The 390 meetings logged this year represent a structured approach to business matchmaking rather than a traditional trade show floor.
The Los Cabos municipal government published details of the event on its official website at loscabos.gob.mx.