February 2025 | Newsletter

  • February 14, 2025

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News & Events:

International Women’s Day Achievement Awards:

And the Winners Are…


The WTCM and South Florida’s international business community will celebrate the 21st Annual International Women’s Achievement Awards on March 7, 2025 at the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon. Honorees for 2025 are Gisela Marti of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau; Ilona Vega of the Beacon Council; Madeline Pumariega of Miami Dade College; Queralt Puig of the Trade Commission of Spain; and Yolanda Cash Jackson of Becker Lawyers. Don’t miss this highly anticipated and well-attended business event. Join us to celebrate and honor five extraordinary women in our community! 

For Individual Seats, Corporate Tables,

and Sponsorship Opportunities


CLICK HERE

Thank You to Our Sponsors:


NEXT TRADING AFTER HOURS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 27


Following the great success and record-setting attendance of our January 2025 event, the WTCM wishes to express its gratitude to The Deck at Island Gardens for graciously hosting Trading After Hours. The evening set a new standard that we hope to repeat throughout the year. Make plans to join us on February 27th for the next Trading After Hours Networking Reception, along with our hosts at the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel,3900 NW 21st Street, Miami,33142. Network with industry leaders, explore new opportunities, and learn more about our initiatives. Enjoy complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres in the company of fellow professionals. 

RSVP is required | Register Here

THE WTCM AEROSPACE DEFENSE AMERICAS CONFERENCE & EXPO…
Recalibrated, Loaded and Ready for Launch!


Originally scheduled for February 11-13, in Miami and Cape Canaveral, FL., Aerospace Defense Americas will now be held May 20-24, 2025, in Cape Canaveral & Miami Beach, Florida, with a reversed schedule now beginning in Cape Canaveral and concluding in Miami Beach. The World Trade Center Miami is also partnering with the National Salute to America’s Heroes the organizers of the Hyundai Air & Sea Show to be held on Miami Beach May 24-25, 2025, an event attended by senior leadership of U.S. Department of Defense as well as private sector aerospace and defense industry leaders and manufacturers.

Save the Date and Check Back for Registration… Coming Soon!

Visit Our Website: Aerospace Defense Americas Website 


WTCM State of the Ports Presentation & Business Expo Set for June 12!


Following the success and positive feedback from the 2024 event, the WTCM will offer a “double event in a single day” again this year, as the State of the Ports Luncheon Presentation is paired-up with the Tabletop Business Expo. Set for June 12, 2025 at the Miami Airport Hilton Blue Lagoon, the Expo will kick off the day and later pause for the joint presentations by Miami International Airport Director & CEO Ralph Cutié and PortMiami Director & CEO Hydi Webb. The Expo will then resume, ending the event in the early afternoon. To see highlights from last year’s event, Click here.

 

SAVE THE DATE: June 12th, 2025 @ Hilton Blue Lagoon 

Registration Packages for the State of the Ports Luncheon or Business Expo, or both will be soon available as will Sponsorship Opportunities. Plan on being part of this highly attended Aviation, Maritime, Transportation and International Business gathering.

Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference: It’s Time to Book


With February racing toward the finish line, September doesn’t seem that far away for what is going to be the biggest Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference ever! Join us at the Miami Beach Convention Center where Food, Beverages, Hospitality, and Food Service will be spread across Halls A, B, C, with FHL LATAM in Hall D! Our sponsorship & branding programs are a fantastic way to showcase your products to buyers attending the show even before the event kicks off! To book your exhibit space, Register here! For Buyers and Attendees, Click Here!

Transport Logistic Americas / Air Cargo Americas:

Debuts in Miami this Fall!

The premier multimodal platform for innovation, networking, and collaboration in the logistics and air cargo industries in the USA is coming to Miami!


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. Secure your place at our Trade Show & Conference today.

 

CONTACT: 📧Robert Berrios or 📧Robert Hernandez today!

WTCM TO HOST SELECTFLORIDA EXPORTING WORKSHOP


SelectFlorida is offering a multi-city, multi-date series of workshops titled The ABC’s of Exporting Roadshow, designed for Florida-based companies seeking to expand into international markets. Companies will gain valuable insights and practical strategies, including assessing export readiness, identifying and targeting top foreign markets, selecting effective market entry strategies, and implementing techniques to establish market presence and boost sales. The first workshop is to be held at the World Trade Center Miami on February 17, 2025, 8:30-11:30 a.m. For further information, other dates and locations and to register, Click 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 🙌  

| FedEx | FI Group | First American Bank |

| Miami Tunnel (MAT Concessionaire/Port Miami Tunnel) | 

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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.