January 22, 2009Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Aurelia Vasquez, Communications
Manager 305-579-1341 / avasquez@beaconcouncil.com
THE BEACON COUNCIL TO CONDUCT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MISSION TO SPAIN Meetings to be held with Financial Services, International Commerce and Fashion and Lifestyle industries as part of the ongoing effort to bring job-generating investments to Miami-Dade County MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – January 22, 2009 – The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County’s official economic development organization, is partnering with CAMACOL and the Spain U.S. Chamber of Commerce in leading a collaborative mission to Madrid, Cordoba and Sevilla, Spain from January 26 to the 30th. Frank Nero, President & CEO, The Beacon Council, the Honorable Natacha Seijas, Miami-Dade County Commissioner (District 13) and Chair of the Jay Malina International Trade Consortium and select Beacon Council members will lead the mission. Spain is The Beacon Council’s top international market and this mission marks the eighth visit to Spain since 1997. Through the organization’s targeted efforts, Spanish business presence in Miami-Dade has grown steadily in recent years and continues to attract leading financial, telecommunications and engineering/construction-related service companies. To date, The Beacon Council has assisted Spanish 55 companies in locating to Miami-Dade County, creating 1,724 direct jobs and $139 million in initial capital investment. In 2008, The Beacon Council completed 10 projects from Spain creating 239 new high-paying jobs and over $16.8 million in new capital investment. The mission schedule includes meetings with prospects considering Miami as a business location and key industry associations, as well as a joint business seminar in Cordoba. The message that will be conveyed throughout the mission is that Miami-Dade County is a global business center, offering Spanish companies a platform on which to do business in the U.S. and Latin America. The Beacon Council is targeting Financial Services, International Commerce and Fashion and Lifestyle industries on this occasion. Frank Nero, President & CEO of The Beacon Council states, “Miami-Dade has a solid relationship with Spanish industry and, despite the global economic crisis affecting us both, we still see a sense of optimism and confidence that our economies will be able to weather through the tough times. We remain aggressive in our marketing efforts and this mission will serve to strengthen the interest of Spanish companies looking to invest in our community.” The seminar in Cordoba on Tuesday, January 27 is being held due to the increasing interest and investment by companies of the Andalucía region in Miami-Dade. The Beacon Council recently met with a visiting delegation from Andalucía, and will now reciprocate by hosting a seminar for their local business community and will present to the advantages of being located at the epicenter of a vibrant metropolitan city with world-class transportation access, high-tech infrastructure, international business environment and a skilled, multilingual and multicultural workforce. On Thursday, January 29 in Madrid, The Beacon Council will host a business networking reception with key contacts, projects and officials. Together with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Miami: Where Worlds Meet campaign will be presented. In addition, Enterprise Florida’s Spain Office will be honored for their support and outstanding commitment to The Beacon Council. As part of The Beacon Council’s ongoing Fashion-Lifestyle Initiative, meetings will also be held in Madrid with key Spanish fashion industry associations. Contacts were made with these organizations through the assistance of the Spanish Trade Commission offices in Miami and New York. This mission is being supported in part through the Enterprise Florida South Florida European Grant, designed for the use of South Florida economic development organizations in their efforts to bring foreign direct investment into the region. The Beacon Council organized this mission in collaboration with Enterprise Florida in Spain; the Spanish Trade Commission in Miami, led by Trade Commissioner Belen Cristino; the U.S. Embassy and Commercial Service in Madrid; EXTENDA, the Trade Promotion Office for Andalucía; and the Spain - U.S. Chamber of Commerce. There are close to 50 Spanish multinationals currently located in Miami-Dade including Telefonica USA, MAPFRE, Banco Santander, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, Caja Madrid, Santillana USA Publishing, and Porcelanosa among many others. In 2008, the total trade between Spain and the Miami Customs District was $740 million.
