POLITICS, TRADE AND EDUCATION CONVENE IN MIAMI
Fispal Latino 2
and the 27th Hemispheric Congress to be held in
May
Miami,
Fl. April 17, 2006. Four hundred companies
with 15,000 products, over 20 countries and many
political figures will convene in Miami on May
10th 12th, 2006 during Fispal Latino 2 and Camacols
27th Hemispheric Congress.
Fispal Latino, the largest Latin food show in
the world, acts as a marketplace where US buyers
can preview a wide array of high quality Latin
products from all countries and all sectors within
the food & beverage industry.
Latin America is the fastest growing U.S. regional
trading partner, notes Oscar Domnguez, President
of Fispal Latino. For example, in 2005, more than
60% of the fresh produce sold at supermarkets
and convenience stores came from Latin America.
This region exported more than $4 billion in alcoholic
beverages and over 26% headed to the USA. Finally,
1/3 of beef & veal imports to this country
came from Latin America.
A sign that this new kid in town is already making
inroads as a strategic platform to reach this
ethnic group is the amount of support it has received
not only from the Latin American Governments but
from that of Florida. More specifically, the participation
of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Agriculture
Commissioner Charles Bronson, Florida Enterprises
President John Adams, and country delegations
all the way from Brazil to Spain.
According to Florida Agriculture Commissioner
Charles Bronson, The growth potential of Latin
food products in the US market today is tremendous.
With about $16 billion in overall goods flowing
through Florida annually from the CAFTA nations
alone (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala,
El Salvador, Honduras & Nicaragua) plus another
$21 billion from Brazil, Florida fuels the nation
with traditional and new Latin offerings.
The fact is North Americans love diversity and
trying new things. Just about every city in the
U.S. now has a wide variety of Hispanic dining
opportunities and that wont change anytime in
the near future. Everyone in the U.S. is eating
out more. The average North American is now eating
nearly half of their meals outside of the home.
Floridas importation of Latin food products, and
distributing them throughout the U.S., may very
well be the gateway to the hearts - and bellies
- of all North Americans, added Bronson.
With 80,000 square feet of exhibition space and
over 7,500 visitors, Fispal Latino has already
confirmed the participation of household names
such as Bacardi, Costco, Goya, Badia, Polar, Alpina,
Marriott, Conchita, Flor de Caa rum, Ron Diplomtico,
Quirch, and El Sembrador, among many others.
Fispal Latino does not stop here. Visitors will
not only network and taste the Latin flavor during
3 heartfelt days of trade show, but these will
be privy to other activities such as:
Hemispheric Congress: Camacol will host the 27th
edition of the Hemispheric Congress of Latin American
Chambers of Congress. The mission of the Congress
is to actively promote free trade, through ardent
support of the FTAA/ALCA process, link businesses
throughout the globe, and promote Miami Dade County
and the State of Florida as the gateway of the
Americas.
Gourmet Show: The Gourmet Show is composed of
a series of events. Johnson & Wales will host
and certify professionals in the industry by offering
3 seminars that will be taught on site (Restaurant
Inventory Management, Opening a Restaurant, and
How to choose a wine menu). Miamis Chef Edgar
Leal (Cacao Restaurant) will organize, together
with three internationally renowned Chefs, a culinary
demo for the spectators using Latin-based products.
Johnson & Wales will organize a contest in
which their students will compete for the title
of Best Chef Latin Promise. Bacardis Ambassadors
will host two seminars on the history of scotch
and rum.
International Forum: Sugarcoating the Fuel Economy:
US President George W. Bush recently stated that,
Keeping America competitive requires affordable
energy. And here we have a serious problem: America
is addicted to oil, which is often imported from
unstable parts of the world. He then continued
the State of the Union Address by boasting the
virtues of ethanol fuel. Brazil is the largest
producer of alcohol and a pioneer in sugar-based
ethanol production. Meanwhile, in the USA, Florida
has the most advanced and efficient sugar industry.
In order to capitalize on these experiences and
make this new kind of ethanol real and competitive,
the forum will address how to brake Americas addiction
by analyzing the past, present, and future of
hydrocarbons.
Product of the Year Awards: A group of ten buyers
from leading national companies will judge businesses
who are currently exporting to the USA and those
best prepared to accomplish this. The products
will be rated based on packaging, benefits of
the product, and market opportunities.
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NOTE TO THE EDITORS:
To register for these events, please call 305-860-6333
ext. 21.
Pre scheduled interviews will be granted on-site,
at the events Press Room. For more information
or to schedule an interview with available spokespeople,
please contact Priscilla Colon or Carlos Munera.
Please Note that spaces are limited.