Blythe spent 8 days in Mexico City hosting the main stage at The Logistics World Summit and Expo, the largest logistics and foreign trade event in Mexico and Central America. 26,583 attendees. C-suite from Mercado Libre, McKinsey Mexico, FEMSA, Danone, and MIT. Almost completely off the US logistics media radar.
Most US logistics pros talk about Mexico constantly: nearshoring, cross-border corridors, USMCA, driver capacity. Most have never been. This solo episode covers what the conference floor looked like, what the streets told Blythe, and why Mexico's relationship with US freight is more complicated and more important than the analyst reports reflect.
Field Notes
TLW is not ProMat. Not Manifest. 26,583 C-suite attendees, 50+ free sessions across 5 stages covering transportation, trade, mobility, tech, and supply chain. At least 50% of attendees were women, cargo security was a headlining product category, and liquor was served at booths. Gold Pass tier woven throughout the floor, not just a lanyard upgrade. Blythe walked the floor before doors opened to shoot b-roll.
In 2024, Mexico became the #1 source of US imports at $466.6 billion, representing 15.6% of all US imports. Foreign direct investment jumped more than 10% year over year to $34.3 billion in H1 2025 alone, with 36% flowing into manufacturing. Only 20% of companies plan full reshoring to the US, which makes Mexico the more cost-efficient alternative. Logistics costs in Mexico average around 17% of sales.
Cargo security had its own headlining product category on the expo floor, and it wasn't a sales pitch. It's a mature industry built around protecting freight in motion. Worth understanding if you move loads across the border, but not the headline of the trip.
USMCA's first mandatory six-year review hits July 1, 2026. All three countries must agree to extend for 16 years or a 10-year sunset clock starts, with the agreement ending in 2036. At TLW, an entire panel covered the T-MEC review as the defining trade event on the horizon. Rules of origin on autos, electronics, and medical devices are on the table.
Mexico's National Museum of Anthropology was built in 19 months. The Tlaloc monolith out front weighs 168 tons, stands 23 feet high, and was moved 29 miles on a purpose-built trailer with 25,000 people in the streets watching during an out-of-season storm. Supply chain anthropology is underrated.
Day 6. 5am. 7,350 feet above sea level, over Teotihuacan. The Pyramid of the Sun came into view as the sun came up. Blythe said a prayer for her dad up there. Four days of work, four days of personal. That's the whole trip in one image.
Interviews
Former VP Analyst, Gartner | Former Chief Industry Officer, project44
Session: From Chaos to Capacity: How Logistics Leadership Reconfigures Uncertainty
One of the most credible voices on global logistics and visibility platforms, interviewed live on the main stage in front of the TLW audience.
Faculty, University of Tennessee | Author, Vested Outsourcing
Interviewed on the expo floor. Topic: collaboration models, outsourcing strategy, and what logistics partnerships actually require to hold up under pressure.
President and CEO, The Atlas Network | Founder, The Global Crosswalk
Author of Supply Chain Ups and Downs. Topic: building disruption-proof logistics operations across people, processes, and opportunities.
Supply Chain Futurist and Executive Advisor
Recorded at the press desk. Topic: the intersection of sustainability, technology, and leadership in global supply chains.
The Stakes
$466.6B
Mexico is the #1 source of US imports, 15.6% of all US imports in 2024.
$34.3B
Foreign direct investment into Mexico in H1 2025 alone, up 10% year over year, with 36% flowing into manufacturing.
July 1, 2026
USMCA six-year review deadline. The 10-year sunset clock starts if no extension is agreed.
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