FIRST Global Challenge 2018 Set for Mexico City

-International robotics competition fosters dialogue, unites nations around science and technology-

Ricardo Salinas and Dean Kamen at the FIRST Global Challenge 2017

-Ricardo B. Salinas committed to promote technological skills among youth to build a better future-

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2017 -- As the curtain closes on a historic inaugural FIRST Global Challenge 2017, FIRST Global is honored to announce that Ricardo B. Salinas, chairman of Grupo Salinas and founding member of FIRST Global, will serve as chairman and host of the 2018 event in Mexico City.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19eb96c2-b298-4bd8-87f4-510b9706f5a5

FIRST Global Challenge is an international robotics event where students from 160 nations around the world compete with one another to solve a problem. Teams are composed of high school students with the goal of increasing their knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) so they can become the next generation of scientific leaders.

"The FIRST Global Challenge shows the world that talent has no borders,” Mr. Salinas said. “I am so proud to announce that Mexico –with its vibrant history and culture of technological innovation and its booming technology– will be the home of next year’s Challenge. And I look forward to continuing to promote cross-cultural collaboration and friendly competition –integral ingredients in the global economy’s future.”

“The FIRST Global Challenge demonstrates the tremendous power of technology, education and competition to assemble the next generation of innovators,” said FIRST Global founder Dean Kamen, who is also an accomplished philanthropic inventor. “With teams from all around the world, the Challenge reminds us of the importance of combining the pursuit of knowledge, imagination and problem-solving with communication and collaboration across borders and infused by the chorus of the world’s languages.”

The FIRST Global Challenge 2018 will take place in Mexico City. Ricardo B. Salinas will chair the host committee and will work closely with FIRST Global around the world, to ensure a world class event.

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating: economic value through market innovation and goods and services that improve standards of living; social value, to create social capabilities to improve the communities’ conditions; and environmental value, by reducing the negative impact related to its business activities. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. These companies include: TV Azteca (www.tvazteca.com; www.irtvazteca.com) Azteca America (us.azteca.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Advance America (www.advanceamerica.net), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), Punto Casa de Bolsa (www.puntocasadebolsa.mx), Totalplay (www.totalplay.com.mx) and Enlace TP (www.enlacetp.mx). TV Azteca and Grupo Elektra trade shares on the Mexican Stock Market and are part of its Sustainability Index. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. The group of companies shares a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

CONTACT: Jose Escotto
FIRST GLOBAL
(571) 309-4510
[email protected]