• Friday, January 30, 2009 -  Mr.  Mencia delivered a comprehensive report on Florida's 2009 international Business Trade Outlook. He reported that though Florida is suffering from the current economic woes, international trade was responsible for helping to offset the current economy with trade numbers, though down,

   

         PROGRAM: 

   

         Florida's  2009 Global Business Outlook -  Hear from Florida's Top International Executive on the

         Global Perspectives to Florida Trade and Business in 2009.

   

        KEYNOTE SPEAKER: 

   

        Manuel (Manny) Mencia, Senior VP International & COO Trade & Business Development, Enterprise Florida, Inc.

2008 ACCOMPLISHMENTS  –

•       Partnered with Tampa Bay World Affairs Council to create greater awareness of global issues by providing a series of thought provoking programs.

•       Developed a program with former US Senator and Florida Governor Bob Graham who spoke on the reputation of the United States in the world and what needed to be done to change it.

•       Held a major program with US Senator Mel Martinez along with Colombian Ambassador to the US, Carolina Barco to discuss the Colombia Trade Agreement.

•        Held a program with SunTrust Bank’s top economist and the Dean of the University of Tampa School of Business to discuss world currencies and the EU currencies vs. the US Dollar in the world economy.

•       Director of Latin America Studies, University of Florida, Dr. Terry McCoy to discuss the current situation with Hugo Chavez and Venezuela.

• ·     Conducted a highly successful program in St. Petersburg for 27 dignitaries led by the Provincial Governor visiting from Baranquilla, Colombia.

• ·      Arranged for the Asst. Secretary General, Ambassador Albert Ramdin, of the Organization of American States (OAS) to be keynote speaker for International Commerce Award dinner.

• ·      Program on the future of US relationships with Russia with a former US State Department official headed to NATO  and what lies ahead under the Obama Administration.

• ·      Report on US Latin Affairs and expectations under a new administration from Ms. Jane Thery, Director OAS-US Relations.

• ·     Formed the Tampa Bay-Cuba Business Council to study future opportunities to develop private business with Cuba.

•        Conducted Russian Business Practices Program & Cultural Understanding of Doing Business In Russia.

2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS OF MARCH 1, 2009 –

• ·      Held Florida Global Business Outlook program with Mr. Manny Mencia, SVP & COO International  Business & Trade Development, Enterprise Florida to discuss Florida’s International Outlook for 2009.

• ·     Hosted Mr. Carlos Gallegos, Secretariat, InterAmerican Ports Commission to discuss having 2010 InterAmerican Ports Security Conference in Tampa for all 200 port directors in this hemisphere. (Has accepted the invitation.) 

• ·      Participated in the Invitation-Only Florida-Spain Business Conference in Miami with King Juan Carlos I of Spain, Governor Charlie Crist, US Senator Mel Martinez, General James Jones, NSA Security Advisor to President Obama. (Only representative from Tampa)

• ·     Started planning and preparations for Third Annual WTC International Commerce Award Dinner in July.

• ·     Organizing the GRAND TAMPA BAY SHOWCASE to be held in London in conjunction with Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Oct 25. Chaired by Bob Sharp, Chairman of AAA Southeast.

LAUNCH THE TAMPA BAY GLOBAL INITIATIVE

• ·     The Tampa Bay Global Initiative - First initiated by Mayor Pam Iorio and promoted by World Trade Center Tampa Bay to heighten awareness and exposure of the Tampa Bay region to London, the UK and the world.  The TBGI  is developing a program to promote Tampa Bay business, finance, healthcare, education, residential and commercial real estate investment, tourism, sports and the arts. 

• ·        ‘Grand Tampa Bay Showcase - Live, Work & Play in Florida’s Gateway to the Gulfcoast’.

o   To be held in conjunction with the scheduled Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oct 25, 2009, regular season game in London.

o Provides for Table Top Exhibits for 50 companies and institutions interested in promoting their services or products.

o The Grand Tampa Bay Showcase is being planned for Thursday, Oct 22 and Friday, Oct 23 before the Sunday game.

•       The Tampa Bay Global Initiative will promote the showcase throughout England and the European Union through the media and the worldwide network of over 300 World Trade Centers.

• ·     The Tampa Bay Global Initiative was formed to provide a super task force of Tampa Bay leaders whose primary purpose is to develop a series of programs and activities which can further the recognition of Tampa Bay globally.

• ·      The TBGI will create opportunities to promote Tampa Bay around the world and to strategically targeted markets as one of the best places in Florida, which offers a unique blend of commerce, beaches, lifestyle and quality of life.

OTHER  PLANNED 2009 OBJECTIVES  -

• ·     Partnering with World Trade Center Miami to conduct "Governor's Conference on World Trade" to be held in September in Tampa. (Governor has already committed) with participants coming from all over the State of Florida.

• ·      Work with the office of US Congresswoman Kathy Castor to conduct a Tampa Bay International Roundtable.

• ·      Formation of Tampa International VIP Visitors Forum to host fact finding missions and visiting private sector delegations from other countries.

• ·     Preparing a Distinguished Speakers Series of panel discussions on  International Perspectives of Global Terrorism with members of the 61 nation coalition currently serving with the US Central command at MacDill AFB.

• ·     Working with USF and University of Tampa to develop programs that involve increased student participation.

• ·    Host Fact Finding and Trade Development Partnership mission to Cartagena/Baranquilla, Colombia in June.       

• ·     Conduct OAS/Florida/Caribbean/Central America Trade Relations Summit in November 2009.

• ·     Host a major used agricultural, construction and industrial equipment expo at the Port of Tampa for Caribbean Basin countries and Cuba. (No Date Set)

• ·    Research the viability of a permanent Trade & Exhibition Center for Agricultural, Mining, Food Processing Technology targeting all third world markets. (5yr goal)

CENTCOM COALITION RELATIONS COMMITTEE

• ·     The Tampa  International  VIP Visitors  Forum provides  its members with opportunities to become globally aware of economic, energy, global warming, political, cultural and travel topics and to develop new personal insight of important world events. Members also enjoy the potential for business and personal relationships with individuals from around the world through monthly luncheon forums and receptions to meet visiting dignitaries, military and  governmental officials, business  leaders, academic and environmental experts, as well as  recognized journalists invited to address members on important business, environmental, cultural, political or travel related subjects.

• ·        The  International Visitors  Council which is part of the Tampa Bay World Affairs Council offers opportunities to provide a venue and network to visiting international dignitaries, foreign officials, academic experts, business executives and recognized journalists to address some of the major issues facing different parts of the world and to learn more about foreign markets and countries.  Emphasis will be on creating a deeper understanding of cultures and the thinking of  foreign leaders, plus making members feel more comfortable traveling in countries around the world.

• ·      The World Affairs Council gives world minded citizens an opportunity to hear from international experts and high level dignitaries about their perspective of world affairs and also to enlighten members on the cultures of their nations. It comes at a time when America’s image around the world needs improvement and Americans need to be more aware of global affairs and how they impact us locally.

• ·      The  Tampa Bay Coalition Relations  Committee is part of the World Affairs Council with a single mission of providing a venue to introduce members of the 61  nation coalition located at Central Command Headquarters at MacDill AFB to the Tampa Bay area.

• ·      A series of  evening receptions to be held in Tampa/Lakeland, April 23;  St. Petersburg/ Clearwater, Sep 10; and Sarasota/Bradenton, May 28  to introduce Coalition members and their families to the communities of Tampa Bay community leaders and citizens.

• ·      The  events  will be held at various locations which reflect on the  many  cultural centers of the Tampa  Bay area such as the Ybor History Museum the St. Petersburg Museum of History and Ringling Museum in Sarasota/Bradenton. 

• ·      Local community and business leaders will be invited in each of the regions  giving members an opportunity to establish more of  a  personal connection and to learn more about Tampa Bay’s diverse communities.

• ·      A special booklet will be prepared with information on the arts, real estate, restaurants, attractions, etc. It will include a map of the region and location of various points of interest.

• ·      The Tampa Bay World Affairs Council will plan a VIP Speaker’s Bureau Series for coalition members to address global issues  of terrorism from their country’s perspective to various community groups in the Tampa Bay area or to provide an insight into the cultural aspects of their country.

• ·      Every effort will be made to make Coalition Members feel welcome in Tampa Bay.  With each event, a local person will be assigned to stay with the Coalition Members to make  introductions to people in attendance.