Highlights from Daniel Silva's remarks at the RGVP press conference on ICSC

WESLACO, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley Partnership will allow all the smaller cites in the region to use its booth at future ICSC trade shows.RGVP President Daniel Silva made the announcement at a press conference the Partnership hosted to discuss ICSC@Red River, which was held a couple of weeks ago in Dallas.“Small cities may not have a budget to go to ICSC Vegas or ICSC Dallas. But we still want for them to participate in the activities that we have because the Partnership is here for the whole region,” Silva told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, in an interview following the press conference.“And the smaller cities may say, well, we're not a member of the Partnership. But, we're going to put together events, we're going to put together regional activity, and we want for them to be there.”Obviously, the smaller cities would still have to pay to be at ICSC. But they would not have to pay for a booth of their own, Silva explained.“We want them to show up and understand that we're going to still showcase them, whether they can afford a booth or not, whether they're going to be there or not. We're taking the entire region wherever we go.”ICSC is a retail trade show held every year. The main show is held in May in Las Vegas. Smaller regional events are held around the country. The regional event for Texas is held in Dallas in February.“The next ICSC will be in Vegas. We will have a big booth and every city in the Valley is welcome to use it. They don't have to be a member of the Partnership. They can show up, bring some of their literature and stand there and be available,” Silva said.“As long as they register for the event because it takes membership and registration for ICSC. But yes, they (the smaller cities) can be there. They can bring literature. They don't have to incur the extra expense of having their own booth. They can utilize the space that we have because we are here for the entire region.”The RGVP press conference was held at Weslaco city hall. Silva was the emcee for a panel discussion involving three economic development organizations and one land developer. During his remarks, Silva made more news when he said RGVP is looking to stage a site selector tour.Here is an audio recording of the highlights of Silva’s remarks:Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.