August 2024 | Newsletter

  • August 16, 2024

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WTCM Successes Shine in Magazine Feature Cover Story

Pictured L-R: Ivan Barrios, WTCM President & CEO; Manny Mencia, WTCM Board Chair; Alice Ancona, WTCM COO.

The World Trade Center Miami was the recent feature cover story in Miami business publication Global Miami Magazine. Titled “A Vision of Trade,” the comprehensive exposé uncovered the success story behind the organization, from its humble origins in 1971, to the evolutionary and contemporary driving force in Miami’s international business community that the WTCM is today. Capturing the more than 50 years of WTCM history, the story detailed the organization’s efforts in facilitating international commerce in Miami-Dade County through its renowned trade shows, missions, special events, educational programs, promotion of two-way trade and other forms of assistance. The WTCM is a member of the World Trade Centers Association with over 300 World Trade Centers in more than 90 countries around the world. 

Read Full Article 👉 Here

AMERICAS FOOD & BEVERAGE SHOW NEARS COMPLETE SELL-OUT


With just a month to go before the opening of the 28th Annual Americas Food & Beverage Show, the Conference Program has been announced. Along with an anticipated 10,000 buyers and attendees, and 1,000 exhibits in the Show, the separate Conference Program will offer 12 sessions during the 3 days. This includes seminars, presentations and workshops focused on the latest in food and beverage trends, new and changing consumer behaviors, top rules and tips for importing food products into the U.S. market, food packaging, how to reach out to the Hispanic F&B market, regulatory advice, as well as future and economic outlooks in the industry. Speaking on Center Stage on Day 1 will be Keynote speaker John Ross, President and CEO, of the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) whose presentation is titled: Economic Challenges For Consumers And The Changing Shopper Landscape For Grocers. For more about our exciting Conference Program: CLICK HERE

For more information about AF&B and to see all that is happening:

👉 CLICK TO REGISTER for the AF&B Show. The Conference is included in registration.

👉Check out Center Stage with its hourly live Food Demonstrations and Tastings. (SOLD OUT)  CLICK HERE 

👉 Check out Beverage Stage for live Beverage Demonstrations and Tastings. (Beverage Company Demo Opportunities Are Available)  CLICK HERE

👉 Explore Exhibitors and Floor Plan: CLICK HERE

👉 Explore our convenient Hotel Room Blocks – Hotel Accommodations

👉 Sponsorship & Branding Packages Are Available.  CLICK HERE 

👏Our sincere gratitude to our Sponsors: 

            NASDA | USDA | Morocco Foodex | Coface | Vima Foods.

Miami Dade College Introduces New Scholarship for Logistics and Transportation Program

The Miami Dade College Miguel B. Fernandez Family School of Global Business, Trade & Transportation has announced a new scholarship opportunity, KickStart, starting this Fall, for their Logistics and Transportation Specialist, College Credit Certificate. The 1-year program’s content is broad-based to reflect the cross-functional relationships prevalent in supply chain management. Students are exposed to related business practices such as standard operating procedures, negotiation techniques, planning, organizing, and accounting concepts, purchasing, sustainability, warehousing, project management, quality control, import/export, and asset management theory.  

Learn more about the degree program at: Logistics and Transportation Specialist College Credit Certificate degree program | Miami Dade College (mdc.edu) Scholarship Information is available at  https://www.mdc.edu/kickstart/  

GROW YOUR NETWORK! TRADING AFTER HOURS Reception Scheduled for August 22

Join us for our next Trading After Hours Reception at the World Trade Center Miami. Network with industry leaders, explore new opportunities, and learn more about our initiatives.

RSVP TODAY! 👉Register Here

Connect Globally – Prosper Locally


Become a member of the WTCM today and unlock global opportunities for you and your company. Click on the link below for information and more details. 

Take a look at our enhanced online 🔎 Member Directory

 

Let’s welcome our Newest Members 🙌  

IG Travel Center | Vista South Convention Service |

Trade & Business Partners | Florida Institute of Management 


Interested in Membership?

2024 📅 Upcoming Events

Trading After Hours Networking Reception
August 22nd, 2024: 5 PM
Location: World Trade Center Miami
✅To RSVP, CLICK HERE

Global Trade Intelligence Series
September 5th, 2024 – 4 PM
Location: World Trade Center Miami
✅New WTCM Event – Details and RSVP to Robert Hernandez at: rhernandez@wtcMiami.org 

 

SAVE THE DATE

Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference,
September 16-18, 2024
Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
Showcase your food & beverage products to a wide range of distributors and buyers from across the globe. Exhibit booth space is 97% SOLD OUT.
Register Today: CLICK HERE

Annual WTCM General Membership Meeting / WTCM Hall of Fame & International Achievement Awards And Holiday Reception
December 4, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS

February 11-13, 2025: Aerospace Defense Americas Summit
Location: Miami & Cape Canaveral, Florida
NEW! Join us in exploring solutions for strengthening and safeguarding aerospace and defense supply chains. To Stay Informed: CLICK HERE

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In 2020, The World Trade Center Miami debuts an updated newsletter format with international business industry news, trade spotlights and upcoming events. Click on the image to read this month’s edition of our newsletter.

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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.