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.