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THE 2023 ECONOMIC IMPACT OF

WORLD TRADE CENTER MIAMI

TRADE SHOWS​

APRIL 1, 2024

OVERVIEW
WORLD TRADE CENTER MIAMI

World Trade Center Miami (WTCM), located in Miami-Dade County, is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1971 and is a member of the World Trade Centers Association. Throughout the year, WTCM produces and organizes several prime events and conferences in the Miami area that provides a platform that connects businesses to the global marketplace. Included in this list are two well-known top-rated trade shows – the Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference and the Air Cargo Americas
Conference and Exhibition.

AMERICAS FOOD & BEVERAGE SHOW & CONFERENCE
The Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference, tabbed as the largest international trade show for the food industry in Miami, is held annually and brings together a conglomerate of buyers and sellers from all sectors of the international food and beverage industry to Miami-Dade County. WTCM has been planning this elite conference, which is typically held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, since 1999. Each year, the conference brings attendees and participants from all over the world, coming from more than 90 nations. Attendance is only open to professionals in the food industry and not from the general public. Current participants are mainly small and mid-sized firms that sell food to restaurants, distributors and grocery stores.

AIR CARGO AMERICAS CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
The Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition brings together top executives from all sectors of the aviation and logistics industries, including airports, freight forwarders, importers and exporters and shippers/consignees. This show is held every other year and is held in conjunction with the annual Supply Chain Americas Conference. This conference gathers global perspectives from industry representatives on the supply chain industries and the state of the air cargo industry, as well as ongoing challenges within the air cargo industry and supply chain logistics.

ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
Martin Associates was retained by the World Trade Center Miami to measure the local, regional, and state economic impacts generated as a result of trade shows hosted by the WTCM in 2023, specifically the 2023 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference held in September 2023 and the Air Cargo Americas Conference and Exhibition held in November 2023. The study employs methodology and definitions that have been used by Martin Associates over the past 38 years to measure the economic impacts of airport activity at some of the leading airports in the United States, seaport activity at more than 800 ports in the United States and Canada, as well as cruise, real estate/industrial developments, shipyards, fishing, and recreational/marina activity.
It is to be emphasized that only measurable impacts are included in this study. Additionally, the impactsare annualized for 2023, and jobs are expressed as full-time equivalent jobs (2,080 annual hours). To ensure defensibility, the Martin Associates’ approach to the economic impact analysis is based on a survey of contractors providing pre-, during and post-conference services and products for the events, as well as from vendors/exhibitors participating and visitors/buyers attending the conferences in addition to data collected from WTCM.
The pre- and post-conference behavior of these firms was collected in terms of nights stayed during the conference as well as pre- and post-conference; local purchases from restaurants, bars, retail, and local transportation during the conference stay (and pre- and post-conference).

IMPACT DEFINITIONS

The impacts are measured for calendar year 2023 (annualized) and are estimated in terms of Jobs (Direct, Induced and Indirect), Personal Income and Business Revenue. Each impact measurement is described below:

EMPLOYMENT IMPACT

  • Direct jobs are jobs that are directly generated by the trade shows hosted by the World Trade Center Miami. Direct employees created by the WTCM shows include the jobs with the local firms providing direct products and services at the events, including World Trade Center staff, contractors (local printing companies, security firms, local advertising firms, caterers, etc.) as well as the firms providing services to the exhibitors/attendees – hotels, taxi cabs and restaurants.
  • Induced jobs are jobs created in the Miami-Dade County area by the purchases of goods and services by those individuals directly employed by the WTCM shows. These jobs are based on the local purchase patterns of Miami-Dade County area residents. The induced jobs are jobs with grocery stores, restaurants, health care providers, retail stores, local housing/construction industry, and transportation services, as well as with wholesalers providing the goods to the retailers.
  • Indirect jobs are created throughout the Miami-Dade County area as the result of purchases for goods and services by the firms directly impacted by the WTCM shows, including the World Trade Center Miami, local contractors providing such services as printing, cleaning, security, advertising, and catering. The indirect jobs are measured based on actual local purchase patterns of the directly dependent firms, and occur with such industries as utilities, office supplies, contract service providers, maintenance and repair, and construction.

PERSONAL INCOME IMPACT consists of wages and salaries received by those directly employed by WTCM trade show activity and includes a re-spending impact which measures the personal consumption activity in the Miami-Dade County area of those directly employed as the result of the WTCM show activity. Indirect personal income measures the wages and salaries received by those indirectly employed.

BUSINESS REVENUE consists of total business receipts by firms providing services in support of the WTCM show activity. Local purchases for goods and services made by the directly impacted firms are also measured. These local purchases by the dependent firms create the indirect impacts.

Martin Associates developed a direct, induced, and indirect impact model of the activities for both trade shows (2023 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference and 2023 Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition).

2023 ECONOMIC IMPACTS
WORLD TRADE CENTER MIAMI

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

243 JOBS

SUPPORTED
BY WTCM
TRADE SHOWS

  • DIRECT JOBS: 145
  • INDUCED/INDIRECT JOBS: 98

$21.1 MILLION

OF TOTAL ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY SUPPORTED
IN THE REGION

  • $15.6 MILLION OF DIRECT BUSINESS REVENUE
  • $5.5 MILLION OF RE-SPENDING
    OF INDIRECT INCOME AND LOCAL CONSUMPTION

$11.3 MILLION

TOTAL PERSONAL
INCOME AND LOCAL
CONSUMPTION

  • DIRECT: $5.8 MILLION
  • RE-SPENDING/LOCAL
    CONSUMPTION: $5.5 MILLION

2023 
WORLD TRADE CENTER MIAMI

ECONOMIC IMPACT RESULTS BY TRADE SHOW

AMERICAS FOOD & BEVERAGE
SHOW & CONFERENCE

The Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center in September, 2023. This premier event attracted more than 7,300 attendees from 93 countries with about 650 exhibitor booths highlighting new and leading-edge products, technology, and ideas. This year, approximately 65% of the attendees and exhibitors are international representatives. A core objective of this show/conference is to bring together major participants in the food and beverage industry, such as suppliers, distributors, customers, vendors, service providers and industry experts from around the world creating an international global experience for everyone. In addition to attending the conference, these visitors will meet with food suppliers and other business contacts and will visit restaurants as well as supermarkets and retail stores during their stay. While these attendees are in Miami, they are creating economic impacts to the Miami area through lodging, retail purchases, food and beverage purchases and in-town transportation to name a few of the expenditures.

This activity at the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference created 177 direct, induced, and indirect full-time equivalent jobs in the Miami region. A full-time equivalent job is based on 2,080 hours of work per year. Of these 177 jobs, 106 direct full-time equivalent jobs were generated by activity at the 2023 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference. As a result of local and regional purchases by those 177 individuals as well as the local purchases made by firms attending the 2023 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference in Miami, an additional 72 induced and indirect full-time equivalent jobs were supported in the regional economy.

$4.1 million of direct wages and salaries were received by those 106 directly employed. As a result of re-spending this income, an additional $3.9 million of income and consumption expenditures were created, as well as indirect wages and salaries were earned. In total, about $8.1 million of direct, induced, and indirect personal wages and salaries were generated by the contractors, vendors and attendees of the 2023 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference in Miami.

The total economic value to the Miami region is measured at $15.9 million. This includes the $12.0 million of direct
business revenue and the re-spending and local consumption impact of $3.9 million.

AIR CARGO AMERICAS
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

The Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition was held at the Miami Airport Convention Center in November, 2023. Since 1991, this biennial premier trade show gathers the top executives from around the globe from the aviation and supply logistics industry to discuss the future outlook of the air cargo and logistics industry as well as to discuss the challenges that are being faced currently. The 2023 conference attracted approximately 3,200 top executives from all sectors of the aviation and supply logistics industry from 75 different countries as well as 400 attendees at more than 100 booths. Similar to the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference, the Air Cargo Americas attendees and exhibitors create economic impacts while they are in Miami to attend the conference.

The 2023 Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition created 66 direct, induced, and indirect full-time equivalent jobs in the Miami region. Of these 66 jobs, 39 direct full-time equivalent jobs were generated by activity at the 2023 Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition. As a result of local and regional purchases by those 39 individuals as well as the local purchases made by the firms attending the 2023 Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition in Miami an additional 27 induced and indirect full-time equivalent jobs were supported in the regional economy.

$1.7 million of direct wages and salaries were received by those 39 directly employed. As a result of re-spending this income, an additional $1.5 million of income and consumption expenditures were created, as well as indirect wages and salaries were earned. In total, about $3.2 million of direct, induced and indirect personal wages and salaries were generated by the contractors, vendors and attendees of the 2023 Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition in Miami.

The total economic value to the Miami region is measured at $5.1 million. This includes the $3.6 million of direct business revenue and the re-spending and local consumption impact of $1.5 million.

2023 
WORLD TRADE CENTER MIAMI

ECONOMIC IMPACT RESULTS 

CATEGORY 2023 AMERICAS
FOOD & BEV		 2023 AIR CARGO
AMERICAS		 TOTAL
JOBS
DIRECT 106 39 145
INDUCED/INDIRECT 72 27 98
TOTAL 177 66 243
PERSONAL INCOME ($1,000)
DIRECT $4,138 $1,665 $5,804
RESPENDING/INDIRECT $3,937 $1,519 $5,456
TOTAL $8,076 $3,184 $11,260
BUSINESS REVENUE ($1,000) $12,004 $3,593 $15,597

**TOTAL MAY NOT ADD UP TO ROUNDING


CATEGORY		 2023 AMERICAS
FOOD & BEV		 2023 AIR CARGO
AMERICAS
TOTAL
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ($1,000)
DIRECT BUSINESS REVENUE $12,004 $3,593 $15,597
RESPENDING/INDIRECT INCOME $3,937 $1,519 $5,456
TOTAL $15,941 $5,112 $21,053

**TOTAL MAY NOT ADD UP TO ROUNDING

SUMMARY

In summary, the 2023 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference and the 2023 Air Cargo Americas Conference & Exhibition supported 243 direct, induced and indirect full-time equivalent jobs in the Miami region. Additionally, this activity supported a total of $21.1 million of total economic activity.

These trade shows hosted by the World Trade Center Miami bring in a large number of people to the Miami region that supports jobs, income, and revenue at many local businesses such as hotels, restaurants, rentalcar facilities, entertainment venues and retail stores. It is important to emphasize that the impacts shown in this analysis represent the annualized economic impacts from these shows in 2023. For example, the 2023 Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference required nearly 12,000 contractor hours for conference on-site work as well as administrative support prior to the conference. These hours were supported by about 140 employees, however, when annualized using 2,080 hours as a full-time equivalent job, these hours equate to just over 5 full-time equivalent jobs in 2023.

Maira Suarez
Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Lemartec

Maira Suarez is a nationally respected construction industry leader with more than 25 years of experience driving strategic growth, cultivating high-impact partnerships, and delivering complex, transformative projects. As Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Lemartec, Maira has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s long-term vision, expanding its market footprint, and contributing to historic financial success.

Since joining Lemartec’s executive leadership team, Maira has been instrumental in elevating the firm’s competitive positioning and pursuit strategy.

Her leadership was central to the successful Design-Build Cruise Terminal F Expansion and Berthing Re-Alignment project at PortMiami, an achievement that showcased her exceptional strategic instincts, mastery of capture planning, and ability to build winning teams. A formidable force in the industry, Maira has contributed to more than $1 billion in booked backlog in the current year, underscoring her outsized impact on the company’s sustained growth and market leadership.

Maira brings a holistic understanding of the construction process, combining deep knowledge of regulations, cost structures, risk management, and partnership development with a keen awareness of the people and stakeholders involved in every project. This integrated approach has helped secure signature work such as the Design-Build IBIS Parking Garage at Miami International Airport and other marquee infrastructure initiatives. Her ability to forge meaningful, long-term relationships has resulted in partnerships that deliver lasting value for clients, communities, and the company alike.

Equally important is Maira’s commitment to people and culture. A confident and authentic leader, she inspires others to recognize their own potential and pursue excellence. Her dedication to mentorship, team building, and continuous improvement has left a lasting imprint on Lemartec’s organizational culture. In 2023, she spearheaded the Women’s Leadership Forum, reinforcing her commitment to advancing women’s representation and leadership within the traditionally male-dominated construction industry.

Maira also serves on the Miami-Dade County Strategic Task Force to Reduce Inefficiencies in Procurement, appointed by Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Anthony Rodriguez, Jr., reflecting her commitment to public service and community impact.

Maira Suarez’s visionary leadership, instinctive decision-making, and unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges distinguish her as a true industry trailblazer. Her expertise across the entire construction lifecycle and her ability to view challenges holistically continue to raise the bar for excellence in the construction sector and position her as a compelling role model for the next generation of leaders.

Marcela Prado
Founder & CEO, AB Group Shipping

Marcela Alejandra Prado is an international business leader, consultant, and institutional figure with more than two decades of experience in global trade, international logistics, and the development of business ecosystems between Latin America and the United States.

She is the Founder & CEO of AB Group Shipping Corp, an international logistics company headquartered in Miami, specializing in exports, imports, international freight, corporate relocations, and integrated logistics solutions.

Under her leadership, the company has positioned itself as a strategic bridge for businesses seeking to expand, operate, and scale efficiently in global markets, with a strong focus on compliance, reliability, and long-term vision.

As part of her business ecosystem, Marcela is also the founder of MAP Logistics, an operational structure with presence in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Argentina, created to strengthen regional integration, optimize logistics operations across Latin America, and support companies in their internationalization and soft-landing processes into the U.S. market.

She also leads MRP, her transportation and moving company focused on ground logistics and international relocation services, integrating the final mile of the logistics chain with a strategic, personalized, and client-centered approach.

In the institutional arena, Marcela serves as a Director of the Cámara de Comercio Argentino Americana de Florida, where she actively contributes to the design and execution of business integration initiatives, strategic networking platforms, trade missions, and programs that strengthen bilateral ties between Argentina and the United States. Through this role, she promotes collaborative leadership, business internationalization, and tangible opportunities for the Latin American business community.

Committed to social impact and purpose-driven leadership, Marcela is the Founder and President of the Fundación Mujeres Latinas Unidas – Redes sin Fronteras, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering immigrant women and Latin families through education, training, mentorship, and the creation of strong support networks. Through the foundation, she leads leadership programs, scholarships, recognitions, and community initiatives that foster integration, personal growth, and sustainable economic development.

She is also the creator of Mujeres Argentinas de Florida, a community that for more than a decade has connected, supported, and elevated Argentine women abroad, promoting cultural identity, meaningful connections, and professional and personal growth.

Recognized for her business trajectory, institutional commitment, and human-centered leadership, Marcela has received multiple distinctions for her contributions to international trade, the Latin community, and women’s empowerment. She is a frequent speaker, panelist, and host at high-level business forums, institutional galas, and international events throughout the United States and Latin America.

Her personal journey as an immigrant, entrepreneur, and bridge-builder between cultures is a defining pillar of her work. Marcela strongly believes in the power of networks, resilience, and collaboration as drivers of social and economic transformation.

Today, she continues to expand her impact as a connector of people, companies, and countries, guided by a clear vision: to create sustainable opportunities, open international pathways, and demonstrate that business leadership, when exercised with purpose, can be a powerful force for change.

Suzanne Lemaitre
Executive Director, World BASC Organization, Inc.

Suzanne Lemaitre is the Executive Director of World BASC Organization (WBO), an international non-profit business alliance dedicated to promoting secure international trade through close cooperation with governments, international organizations, and the private sector. She has been part of the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) since 2003, playing a central role in advancing the Organization’s mission and strengthening its presence across the Americas.

With more than 24 years of experience as an international business professional, and executive studies in High Strategic Management, Ms. Lemaitre has built a distinguished career at the intersection of trade facilitation, supply chain security, and public-private collaboration. Under her leadership, WBO continues to serve as a trusted partner for companies and authorities committed to safeguarding legitimate trade and enhancing supply chain resilience.

In her role as Executive Director, Ms. Lemaitre provides overall strategic and operational leadership for World BASC Organization, ensuring the effective implementation of directives issued by the General Assembly and the Board of Directors. She oversees the Organization’s administration, financial planning, and institutional performance, including the development and execution of the annual action plan, budget, and management reporting.

Ms. Lemaitre plays a central role in strengthening governance and institutional oversight, supporting Board and committee functions, coordinating audits, and ensuring sound risk management and regulatory compliance. She also oversees internal communications, maintains key organizational metrics and works closely with governing bodies to advance policies, procedures, and long-term strategic initiatives aligned with WBO’s mission.

Throughout her career, Ms. Lemaitre has worked extensively with business-led organizations in the United States and Latin America, fostering constructive engagement with customs authorities, control agencies, and international partners to drive economic development and strengthen supply chain security standards. Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of international trade dynamics and the importance of trust-based cooperation across borders.

Ms. Lemaitre is recognized for her ability to bridge cultures, sectors, and institutions, and for her commitment to advancing secure, efficient, and sustainable trade as a foundation for economic and social progress.

Fernanda Figueiredo
VP, Leadership Initiatives & International Affairs SelectFlorida, Inc.

Fernanda Figueiredo serves as Vice President of Leadership Initiatives and International Affairs at SelectFlorida, Inc., where she works closely with the organization’s President to lead high-impact strategic initiatives that advance Florida’s global competitiveness and international profile. In this role, she oversees Florida’s international leadership missions and strategic engagement tracks led by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet Secretaries, contributing directly to the state’s international economic development priorities.

Fernanda leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for the strategic planning and execution of leadership initiatives, providing senior-level international affairs support and advisory services to state leadership. Her work ensures alignment across agencies and stakeholders with Florida’s broader international strategy. She manages relationships with international dignitaries and senior government officials, serves as a primary liaison for global partnerships and international organizations, and oversees the development of international reports, briefing materials, and actionable recommendations for engaging with international markets.

She is also responsible for managing inbound international delegations to Florida, overseeing the evaluation, coordination, and tracking of engagements to ensure each interaction contributes to a cohesive, market-specific engagement strategy. In parallel, Fernanda serves as SelectFlorida’s Chief Protocol Officer, overseeing all protocol matters related to Florida’s international representation and high-level official engagements.

Her portfolio includes the development and execution of international agreements—such as Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Memoranda of Cooperation (MOCs), and other strategic frameworks—as well as the organization of targeted international technology and innovation initiatives, including Florida Pitch Days. She also manages sponsorship strategy and activation tied to leadership missions and priority initiatives.

Fernanda plays a central role in coordinating SelectFlorida’s partnerships with state agencies, gateway organizations, and higher education institutions, serving as a key integrator across divisions to ensure unified execution and impact. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, with working proficiency in German and French, enhancing her effectiveness in complex international and cross-cultural environments.

Previously, Fernanda served as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at SelectFlorida, where she advanced Florida’s International Trade and Business Development strategy and strengthened the state’s positioning as a global technology and innovation hub. Earlier roles include Director of International Strategic Initiatives at SelectFlorida, Trade Manager at Enterprise Florida, Inc., and International Trade & Business Development Specialist at the Economic & Commercial Affairs Office of the Consulate General of Brazil in Miami.

As a representative of SelectFlorida and the State of Florida, Fernanda regularly leads and participates in investment meetings, trade missions, seminars, and international trade shows. She continues to play a pivotal role in shaping and executing initiatives that showcase Florida’s global strengths, reinforcing the state’s position as a premier destination for international investment, trade, and innovation.

Fany Flores-Pastor
Senior Director, Product Management, Descartes

Fany Flores-Pastor is a senior trade technology and product management executive with more than 27 years of experience supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) modernization initiatives. She currently serves as Senior Director of Product Management at Descartes Systems Group, where she leads the strategy and execution of mission-critical U.S. Customs Brokerage and manifest systems used by the global trade community.

Ms. Flores-Pastor has worked extensively at the intersection of trade operations, regulatory compliance, and technology implementation. She has been actively engaged with CBP advisory and technical bodies since 2008, serving as a Trade Ambassador and member of the CBP Technical Advisory Group. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Trade Support Network (TSN), where she helps coordinate industry feedback, lead working group efforts, and support CBP and COAC technical initiatives.
 
She has directly contributed to multiple Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) working groups, including the De Minimis Working Group and Task Force, the ACE Modernization Working Group, and the Ocean AMS Streamlining Working Group. Her work has supported ACE modernization, PGA integration, cargo and manifest processing improvements, and the transition from legacy ABI messaging to modern JSON-based interfaces through the ACE Cargo Gateway.
 
Ms. Flores-Pastor brings a software provider perspective grounded in decades of hands-on experience designing, implementing, and supporting systems that operationalize CBP policy. She is recognized for fostering effective public–private collaboration that strengthens compliance, enhances security, and promotes efficient and resilient trade operations.
Ivan Barrios - President and CEO

Ivan Barrios

President & CEO

Ivan Barrios is the President/CEO of the World Trade Center Miami. Ivan has served in this role since January 2020.

He most recently worked as Vice President for International Trade Development & TEAM Florida missions at Enterprise Florida, Inc., the state of Florida’s official economic development agency. He managed a statewide team of trade specialists that assisted Florida companies to export their products and services overseas.

Ivan has organized 28 Governor led trade missions to 22 countries from 1999–2015 for three governors. Special projects included 3,000 one-on-one business matchmaking appointments for exporters, managing two hemispheric trade shows, producing and publishing five Florida International Trade and Services Directories, coordinating the activities of the Florida International Bankers Association and creating the Florida Trade Data Center, a first of its kind information hub for Florida exporters.

Ivan holds a position on the Board of Directors of the World Trade Centers Association, where he represents the North American region. His extensive experience includes serving as a board member for the South Florida District Export Council and the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium. Ivan is an alumnus of the University of Miami, where he earned his degree in Business Administration.

Alice Ancona

Chief Operating Officer
Alice Ancona has held this role since January 2020.  She is charged with boosting organizational resilience and value creation of the operations, events, strategic programing, marketing and trade shows of the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM). With over two decades of experience, she brings a wealth of expertise to her position. In addition, she is charged with creating and executing international trade programs, trade missions, economic development initiatives, advocacy efforts, and innovative revenue-generating solutions as well as providing strategic long-term planning for the organization.
Before joining WTCM, Ms. Ancona led the international endeavors of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, serving as a prominent advocate for policies that enhance international trade, logistics, and investments. Her efforts centered on removing trade barriers, expanding market access, facilitating exports, negotiating trade agreements, and strengthening Florida’s trade infrastructure. Ms. Ancona played a pivotal role in connecting Florida to the global trade arena, facilitating relationships with international stakeholders, foreign agencies, elected officials, member companies, and governmental bodies at the state and federal levels.
Prior to her work at the Florida Chamber, Ms. Ancona spearheaded the governmental affairs division at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, she directed policy agendas on a diverse range of issues, including trade, infrastructure investment, transportation, and workforce development. Her accomplishments include leading successful campaigns for the passage of crucial trade agreements, such as the Colombia FTA, DR-CAFTA, Panama FTA, Chile FTA, and KORUS. She also contributed to efforts to secure the Free Trade Areas of the Americas.
Ms. Ancona’s contributions extend beyond her professional roles.  She is a recognized thought leader and speaker at industry conferences, providing insights on global market dynamics, trade policy, and cross-border strategies. She has actively participated in various steering committees for Florida’s transportation planning initiatives and has been an active member of the Florida International Trade Partnership. Her involvement also includes serving on the Board of the Miami Dade County International Trade Consortium. Her dedication and achievements have earned her recognition, including the 2014 International Women’s Day Award from World Trade Center Miami, the 2015 Person of the Year designation by the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association, Inc., and the 2016 Women of Distinction Award from the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce.