On May 14, 2026, the Mexican American Business & Trade Association (MABTA) proudly hosted another successful edition of Cocktails &Connections at Mexican Sugar Cocina in Austin, Texas. The event brought together more than 60 attendees from a wide range of industries and professional backgrounds, including business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders committed to strengthening the ties between the Mexican and American business communities.
We were honored by the presence of our presenting sponsor, IBC Bank Austin CEO Bob Barnes, as well as the Consul General of Mexico in Austin, Humberto Hernández Haddad, who shared valuable insights on the importance of trade between the United States and Mexico. During his remarks, he highlighted that Mexico is currently the United States’ main trading partner, with annual trade exceeding $800 billion dollars — nearly double that of China — emphasizing the critical role of binational collaboration and economic partnership.
MABTA Chairman of the Board, Jorge Euran, welcomed attendees, introduced the organization’s board members, and spoke about the importance of the Mexican American community in Austin and how meaningful business and personal connections help strengthen and empower our community. He also invited attendees to become members of MABTA and continue building bridges of collaboration and opportunity.
The evening also featured special recognition moments. MABTA proudly recognized Sylvia Orozco, Co-Founder and General Director of Mexic-Arte Museum, presenting her with an honorary membership in recognition of her outstanding contributions to arts, culture, and the community. Additionally, MABTA welcomed and recognized César Sandoval, CEO of 1st Source Electrical Contractors, as one of the association’s newest business members.
The program highlighted several inspiring examples of successful Mexican-American collaboration and cultural exchange, including the partnership between Austin Opera and the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin through the Concerts at the Consulate series, as well as the successful expansion of Mexican brands such as Clase Azul Spirits into the U.S. market.
One of the highlights of the evening was MABTA’s interactive networking dynamic, designed to encourage attendees to create meaningful new connections, discover opportunities for collaboration, and strengthen relationships within the community.
The event was completely sold out and proved to be another great success for MABTA, reinforcing the organization’s mission of connecting leaders, fostering business growth, and building a stronger, more united community.