Professional Affiliation

Executive Vice President, Grupo Vidanta

Expert Bio

Iván Chávez, Executive Vice President of Grupo Vidanta – Mexico’s leading resort and entertainment developer employing almost 20,000 people in seven beach destinations – is one of the most widely recognized young business leaders in Mexico. 

As the son of founder Daniel Chávez Morán, Iván plays a pivotal role in the company's growth in both domestic and global markets. Since joining Grupo Vidanta in 2007, Iván Chávez has contributed significantly to its success through his involvement in strategic planning, design, construction, operations, sales, and marketing. Under his leadership, the company has launched groundbreaking projects, such as VidantaWorld, a $1.3 billion dollar investment creating a groundbreaking new brand that fuses state-of-the-art theme parks, water parks, and resorts with world-class attractions to offer unparalleled vacation experiences. The company has also made its mark in the global sports arena through Vidanta Golf, Mexico’s largest golf course operator and by hosting the prestigious PGA’s Mexico Open at Vidanta, transforming it into the most televised Mexican golf event worldwide.  

Ivan Chávez has overseen the launch of Vidanta’s ultra-luxury resort brands and helped Vidanta resorts secure accolades such as the AAA Five Diamond Award and placements in Travel and Leisure's Top 100 Hotels in the World and Top Ten Hotels in Mexico. Furthermore, he oversaw the development of the ultra-luxurious Vidanta Elegant mega yacht, setting a new standard for luxury travel along the Mexican coastline and revolutionizing the way guests experience Mexico at sea. 

His talent for forging strong partnerships has allowed Grupo Vidanta to collaborate with global entertainment leaders, resulting in the groundbreaking JOYÀ – the world's only Cirque du Soleil Show & Dinner Experience hosted at the Vidanta Theater, a spectacular custom-built theater which in 2015 was awarded 1st place by Obras Magazine and Grupo Expansión recognizing it as Mexico’s most important construction project from over 1,000 applicants. Chavez is also leading the development of a second Cirque Du Soleil show and dinner experience currently under construction at VidantaWorld in Nuevo Vallarta. 

Grupo Vidanta's real estate division has built and sold more than 2,000 luxurious vacation homes and is responsible for developing the first privately built airport in Mexico, Mar de Cortés International Airport, in Puerto Peñasco. 

Chávez is a board member of the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program in Washington, as well as the President’s Leadership Council of the Interamerican Dialogue in Washington, DC. He graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and double major in Real Estate Development and Entrepreneurship. In addition to his role at Grupo Vidanta, Chávez is the founder of Sweet Paris, one of the fastest growing restaurant concepts in the US and has founded a variety of small businesses focused in real estate development and technology.