January 2025 | Newsletter

  • January 25, 2025

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News & Events: 

International Women’s Achievement Award Ceremony

Registration Now Open!

The WTCM and South Florida’s international business community will be celebrating the 21st Annual International Women’s Achievement Awards on March 7, 2025 at the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon. Registration for the event is now available! 


The WTCM’s Signature Events Committee is now reviewing 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.

2025 Awardees will be announced soon!

↓ For More Information and to Register ↓


Click here

Save The Date! The State of the Ports

Join us as the WTCM celebrates World Trade Month on May 7, 2025, at the Hilton Blue Lagoon. The day kicks off with the Tabletop Business Expo, followed by the State of the Ports Luncheon, featuring presentations from the Directors and CEOs of Miami International Airport and PortMiami. After the luncheon, the Tabletop Business Expo resumes.

In 2024, this event attracted over 520 business executives and government leaders from Miami-Dade County, with discussions focused on trade, travel growth, and infrastructure investments.

Two exciting events, one great opportunity to participate! Discover insights on our community’s key economic drivers while promoting your business and networking. To see highlights from last year’s event, Click here

 

SAVE THE DATE: May 7th, 2025 @ Hilton Blue Lagoon 

TRADING AFTER HOURS RECEPTION Scheduled for January 30th


LAST CALL! 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

Aerospace Defense Americas: ANNOUNCING NEW DATES!

Under new dates, the World Trade Center Miami is set to debut

Aerospace Defense Americas, on May 20-24, 2025. an innovative event designed to empower the aerospace and defense sectors while addressing critical supply chain challenges. Over four dynamic days, attendees can engage in high-value B2B meetings, attend specialized conferences, and participate in international market workshops—all aimed at fostering collaboration and resilience across the Americas.

World Trade Center Miami is partnering with the Nation Salute to America’s Heros the organizers of the Hyundai Air & Sea Show which is being held on Miami Beach May 24-25, 2025. 

This premier international gathering will bring together professionals from the aerospace, defense, security, and space industries, promising valuable insights and networking opportunities. projects with global partners. The event is specifically designed to meet industry needs and strengthen supply chains by connecting Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their Tier 1 & 2 suppliers with manufacturers and service providers from the aerospace, space, defense, and security sectors through a series of customized one-on-one meetings. Aerospace Defense Americas is organized in partnership with ADS, The Aerospace Alliance, and Space Florida.

Transport Logistic Americas / Air Cargo Americas:

Exhibit Booth Sales Now Available

Taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center on November 11-13, 2025, Messe München and the World Trade Center Miami are presently paving the way for a comprehensive logistics platform that covers all modes of transport. With the spotlight on all sectors of the freight transportation, logistics and air cargo industry, air cargo Americas & transport logistic Americas is a must for exhibitors to connect with a global trade audience. 


Join us at transport logistic Americas/air cargo Americas and meet air cargo professionals, shippers, logistics experts from all transport modes at this new supply chain management event and so much more. Reserve your booth today! 

CONTACT: Robert Berrios or Robert Hernandez today!

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   

Business Alliance for Secure Commerce | Central & Eastern European Trade Center, LLC. The Deck at Island Gardens | Providence Healthcare Services

Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon | Aloft Miami Dadeland 

Finacity Financial


Interested in Membership?

Trading After Hours Networking Reception 

January 30, 2025 — 6:00 PM — The Deck at Island Gardens – More Information 

2025 International Women’s Day Achievement Awards – SAVE THE DATE!
March 7, 2025 – Miami Airport Hilton Blue Lagoon, Miami, Florida – More Information

2025 The State of the Ports – SAVE THE DATE!
May 7, 2025 – Miami Airport Hilton Blue Lagoon, Miami, Florida 

2025 Aerospace Defense Americas – SAVE THE DATE!
May 20-24, 2025 – Cape Canaveral & Miami Beach

2025 Americas Food and Beverage Show & Conference – SAVE THE DATE!

September 10-12, 2025 – Miami Beach Convention Center – Show Website

Transport Logistic Americas / Air Cargo Americas – SAVE THE DATE!

November 11-13, 2025 – Miami Beach Convention Center – Visit Website

Membership Events

Bravent  –  Networking Reception for Professionals in the Logistics and Supply Chain Industry 
February 6, 2025, 5:00pm-7:00pm 

World Trade Center Miami 

RSVP HERE

Select Florida – ABC’s Of Exporting Roadshow with Michael Schiffhauer
February 6, 2025, 8:30am-11:30am

World Trade Center Miami 

RSVP 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.