The event is hosted annually by Latin Trade in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In its latest edition this past June 20, more than 300 registered participants attended a two-day conference program held at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami hotel. The conference brought together more than 40 international experts who discussed topics like ‘The new architecture for SMEs to grow businesses beyond borders’, ‘Doing business in Latin America’, ‘Access to financing for SMEs’, as well as regional presentations and success stories.

The discussions had the participation of high-ranking government officials like U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, one of the most powerful women in the hemisphere, who delivered the event’s keynote address which focused on the new agenda for economic engagement in the Americas. Uruguayan Minister of Economy and Finance Fernando Lorenzo, Dominican Minister of State Jean Alain Rodriguez, Peruvian Vice Minister of Tourism Claudia Cornejo, and United States Export-Import Bank Board Member Sean Robert Mulvaney were also present in presentations and panels.

A number of members from the private sector were present to share their expertise and success stories, such as Goodyear Latin America President Jaime Szulc, Marriott Latin America President Craig Smith, Panalpina Latin America CEO Ferdinand Kurt, and Carlos Gonzalez, partner at Diaz, Reus & Targ. Santiago Urti, business development director of Uruguay’s Pagnifique, and João Barbosa, CEO of Brazil’s Giraffas, were also there to share their company’s success in entering the U.S. market. Attendees at Trade Americas also heard success stories from SMEs like Colombian VSI Nearshore Outsourcing, Mexican Delinutricion, U.S.-based Chen Moore and Associates, Colombia’s Mayorga Coffee, and Guatemalan Fogel Group.

Specialists from the IDB, the World Bank, Bulltick Capital Markets, Visa, the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, the U.S. Department of State, Start-Up Chile, the Council for Economic Growth and Investment of Haiti, the Ministry of Economy of Mexico, the Investment and Development Corporation of Suriname were also present to share their insights on the region’s economy.

Besides the conference, Trade Americas Expo served as a window for exhibitors who wanted to showcase their products or promote trade or investment in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also provided the setting for more than 250 one-on-one business match-making meetings. “This conference provided usable connections and powerful information to facilitate our business in Latin America,” said Kris Smith, CEO, of U.S.-based, Datacom Solutions.

“This was my first time attending. The whole meeting was very informative. Everyone was knowledgeable and presentations were excellent. This is a ‘must attend’ event for me,” said Kathleen Kieffer, international sales manager at Sanrio.

On the second day, a special afternoon session, the Peru Investment Forum, was hosted with Promperu, which gave a chance for investors to see the tremendous opportunities for investment in the country, which will this year be the second fastest growing in Latin America. Presentations included opportunities for investment in the country’s major infrastructure projects, as well as presentations on the regions of Ica and Piura.

By bringing on international investors who have forged successful partnerships in Latin America and showcasing their personal experiences and accomplishments, we are able to offer Trade Americas attendees a thorough understanding of the opportunities available to grow their businesses in the region,” said Rosemary Winters, CEO of Latin Trade Group.