December 2024 | Newsletter

  • December 21, 2024

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Message from WTCM President & CEO Ivan Barrios 

As yet another year draws to a close, I am filled with pride for what our organization has accomplished and the growth we continue to experience. I am deeply grateful to our Chair and Board for their invaluable guidance and support, and to the WTCM Team for their unwavering commitment to excellence. And most importantly, I want to thank our members and sponsors that have invested in our Mission and Vision during this past year.

During our recent 1st Annual General Membership Meeting, our

COO, Alice Ancona and I shared the many successes of the WTCM in 2024, from the performance of our trade shows to our successful Signature Events, to our dozens of meetings, seminars and missions held at the WTCM, to our Membership Campaign, which has grown from zero members to over 140, and to our highly successful Trading After Hours networking receptions held monthly for our members, prospective members and business partners. I was also proud to announce the new World Trade Center Miami Board of Directors for 2025 and beyond:


We look forward to the valuable insights and leadership these distinguished individuals will bring to our organization. Together, we are poised for continued success and growth.
With that, let me convey to all our warmest wishes during this holiday season with hope for a peaceful and prosperous new year ahead. I look forward to your continued collaboration with the World Trade Center Miami and thank you again for a productive and memorable year. 

WTCM Holds 1st Annual General Membership Meeting

On December 4, the WTCM held its first Annual General Membership Meeting, convening its Board of Directors, Members of the WTCM, the greater Miami Consular Corps, and business and community stakeholders at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables.


Opening remarks were offered by both WTCM Chair Manny Mencia and incoming 2025-2027 Chair Gary Goldfarb. Mr. Mencia reflected on his years on the Board and witnessing the progress of the WTCM, while Mr. Goldfarb offered his vision for, and direction of, the WTCM moving forward. Presenting the state of the WTCM, CEO Ivan Barrios and COO Alice Ancona provided a detailed overview of the growth of the organization, success of its leading trade shows, including the record-setting 2024 Americas Food and Beverage Show & Conference, the WTCM Signature Events and a host of other activities held during the course of the past year. A glimpse of the 2025 program line-up, including the new Aerospace Defense Americas Show, clearly pointed to the ambitious new year ahead.

Attendees were then addressed by two speakers who offered insight to trade impacts as a result of pending tariffs. Ken Roberts, Founder & President of WorldCity, presented Impact of Tariffs on Three South Florida Ports. John Price, Managing Director of Americas Market Intelligence presented International Trade Disruptions Ahead for South Florida’s Gateway Economy. With both presentations focused on MIA, PortMiami and Port Everglades, it was both reassuring to hear that tariff-imposed markets do not play major roles in South Florida trade. The presentations also disclosed that international trade via these ports, including trucking and rail, totals in excess of $100 billion annually. 

International Achievement & International Hall of Fame Awardees Honored

Each year, the WTCM organizes and hosts the International Achievement & International Hall of Fame Awards in a ceremony and reception aimed to honor and celebrate those exceptional individuals that have made transformative contributions to international trade and commerce in our community and region. This year’s prestigious event was held at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables on December 4th.


Receiving the International Achievement Award was:

  • Grisel Vega, General Manager of Banco de Crédito y Inversiones (Bci) Miami

The three recipients of the International Hall of Fame Awards were:

  • Ambassador Chuck Cobb
  • Ambassador Sue Cobb
  • Dr. Eduardo Padrón, President Emeritus of Miami Dade College

The event was a highlight for South Florida’s business community, uniting leaders to celebrate these visionary honorees who have helped shape the region’s global business landscape. Their efforts continue to inspire and elevate the impact of international trade and commerce in our community and beyond. Congratulations, again, to our 2024 Honorees!

Click here to view the full album from the event!

International Women’s Day Achievement Awards:

Save the Date & Nominate!

The WTCM and South Florida’s international business community will be celebrating the 22nd Annual International Women’s Achievement Awards on March 7, 2025 at the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon.  Registration for the event will be available soon.


The WTCM is now accepting nominees for the 2025 awardees. Nominees must be involved in international business in the Miami area and involved in mentorship, community service and community outreach activities outside of those required by their employment. Nominee submissions are due January 10, 2025.

Click here to complete the Nomination Form

Americas Food and Beverage Show & Conference (AF&B)
Exhibit Sales Surge, Show newsletter Introduced, &
New Market Development Underway


Demand for the 2025 AF&B Show is high. Just three months after the 2024 edition, the WTCM is reporting nearly 40 percent of next year’s show sold or committed. AF&B 2025 will take place September 10-12, 2025 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Exhibit sales and inquiries may be directed to CLICK HERE.

Separately, the WTCM is pleased to announce the creation of a dedicated newsletter for the AF&B Show. Designed to serve as an essential source for all things food & beverage, the monthly e-newsletter offers cutting-edge trends to innovative products and industry strategies, as well as the latest happenings with our own AF&B Show and Conference. To subscribe to the AF&B Show & Conference, CLICK HERE.


With 120 countries represented at the 2024 AF&B, we hope to add even more to our show’s international presence.  Last week, we attended meetings in Athens, Greece to promote AF&B 2025.  Pictured in the Athens meeting are Ivan Barrios, WTCM CEO; Alice Ancona, WTCM COO; and Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs & Chairman of the Board, Enterprise Greece.  


We hope to welcome Greece to the AF&B Show with a loud OPA!  

Transport Logistic Americas / Air Cargo Americas:

Exhibit Booth Sales Now Available

Miami’s ultimate trade show and conference for the entire transportation & logistics industry will debut in 2025, with an anticipated 6,000 participants and over 350 exhibitors, all there to discuss the latest trends and innovations in air cargo, logistics and the future of the global supply chain.


Join us at the Miami Beach Convention Center on November 11-13, 2025, as Messe München and the World Trade Center Miami present transport logistic Americas/air cargo Americas. Meet air cargo professionals and shippers as well as logistics experts from all transport modes at this new supply chain management event. Reserve your booth today! 

CONTACT: Robert Berrios or Robert Hernandez today!

TRADING AFTER HOURS RECEPTION Scheduled for January 30th


Join us for our first Trading After Hours Reception for 2025, on January 30, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, at The Deck at Island Gardens – 888 MacArthur Causeway, Miami. Network with industry leaders, explore new opportunities, and learn more about our initiatives.

RSVP is required | Register Here

Amerijet International Airlines Celebrated 50th Anniversary

Congratulations to World Trade Center Miami Member Amerijet International Airlines as it marks its 50th anniversary in December 2024. Founded in 1974 by David Bassett, the company began with humble beginnings, operating as a Part 135 air-taxi operator with a single leased airplane evolving into a market leader in the Caribbean & Central America.


Today, Amerijet operates a dedicated fleet of 767 freighters from its Miami International Airport hub, serving the Caribbean, Mexico, the Americas, and Europe. The Miami Hub location includes 235,600 square feet of dry warehouse space, 38,000 square feet of cooler space ensuring cold chain integrity for pharmaceuticals and perishables as well as seven dedicated 767 aircraft parking positions. Offering scheduled and charter services across 20 company-managed and more than 200 partner locations, Amerijet’s extensive network and 350+ interline routes provide seamless cargo connections to destinations worldwide.

Keeping Things Cool! From our colleagues at the Journal of Commerce by S&P Global. Scan the QR Code for details on the TPM Cold Chain25 Event.


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   

Richards & Partners P.A.

BanReservas | Dolphin Products

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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.