International business convenes at 36th Hemispheric Congress

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - May 26, 2015 - PRLog -- MIAMI, May 25, 2015 –On Monday, June 1, CAMACOL, the Miami-based Latin Chamber of Commerce, will convene the 36^th Annual Hemispheric Congress at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. CAMACOL and major sponsors including Enterprise Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and PortMiami organize the four-day event.

“The Hemispheric Congress of Latin Chambers of Commerce and Industry is a unique program that CAMACOL has spearheaded for decades. It is the only international event in Miami that brings together almost two-dozen presidents of the national chambers of commerce throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region, as well as, Poland, Portugal and Spain. This infrastructure facilitates business linkages for Florida companies in the export sector and helps to expand our state economy well beyond its borders,” said Commissioner Wifredo “Willy” Gort, Chair of the City of Miami Commission and Chair of the 36^th Hemispheric Congress.

The Congress program includes interactive panels, networking events, facilitated introductions, luncheons, a trade show expo, cocktail receptions and a gala dinner.  The full agenda can be found online at http://camacol.org/programs-and-services/the-hemispheric-congress/

Highlights of the conference include:

·      Tuesday, June 2 at 11:15 a.m.  - Panel discussion on ways to eliminate barriers to international trade. Panelist include:

o   Antwaun Griffin, Deputy Asst. Secretary for U.S. Operations, U.S. Department of Commerce,

o   Richard Mewes Schnaidt, President of the Chilean National Chamber of Commerce,

o   Jorge Eduardo Briz Abularach, President of the Guatemala Chamber of Commerce,

o   Eduardo Gamarra, Professor in FIU’s Department of Politics and International Relations, and

o   Jose Antonio Villamil, President of the Washington Economics Group.

o   Port Agreement Signing: Immediately following the panel discussion there will be a port agreement signing ceremony between PortMiami and the National Port Authority of Peru.

·      Tuesday June 2  - Noon: Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and PortMiami Director Juan Kuryla will be the guest speakers at the conference luncheon.

·      Wednesday, June 3 - Noon: Pawel Pietrasienski, Minister Counselor of the trade and investment section of the Polish embassy, will be the luncheon keynote speaker.

·      Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m.: Florida Secretary of Commerce Bill Johnson will be the guest speaker at the Closing Ceremonies Gala Dinner.

This year 23 countries participating in in the Hemispheric Conference, which is held jointly with the Fifth Edition of the Miami Media and Film Market (MMFM). The MMFM is an international film/entertainment forum and marketplace that focuses on bridging the gap between the global entertainment industry and diverse fast-growing multi-cultural markets.

“This is an important annual conference for the film and entertainment industry because it provides one of the few opportunities for the international community to discuss film and entertainment industry issues, explore creative finance strategies, network with each other and pitch products and films in a relaxed and boutique-like environment, said,” said Patricia Arias, CAMACOL managing director and MMFM founder.

The MMFM will host several panel discussions. The full agenda can be found on the MMFM’s website http://miamimediafilmmarket.com/miami-film-event/ .

Throughout the conference, industry leaders such as Craig Bernstein, Senior Agent at ICM Partners, Paul Brett, Executive Producer of “The King’s Speech,” and “Chef,” as well as Lisa Bruce, the producer of  “The Theory of Everything,” and Gina M. Reyes, Creative Executive of Fox Filmed Entertainment, will participate in interactive discussions covering business development issues including an “Elevator Pitch” coaching session, a discussion about, “The Art of Making the Deal,” and a Collaboration Cocktail.

Other MMFM panel discussions will focus on the film and entertainment industry in Miami and Florida. Speakers include Jim Bingham, Producer UPM and Ballers, Pieter Bockweg, Executive Director OMNI CRA, Chris Cooney, COO EUE / Screen Gems Studios, Sandy Lighterman, Film Commissioner Miami Dade County and Kevin Sharpley, Chairman Miami Dade County Film Commission.

MEDIA ATTENDANCE: Members of the media planning to attend should contact the media contacts listed above.

ABOUT CAMACOL: The Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States (CAMACOL) is the largest Hispanic business organization in Florida and one of the largest in the United States.