PALMETTO, Florida – The International Trade Hub at Port Manatee is taking global businesses opportunities on the road again Aug. 26-29, with expo-style showcase events to be open to the public in four Florida cities.

More than 30 companies from 11 countries are slated to participate in 2019 International Trade Summit events in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Bradenton and Tampa, building upon momentum from a three-city tour in August 2018.

“Entrepreneurs throughout Florida and beyond will have dynamic opportunities to build productive global connections through the International Trade Summit functions,” said Port Manatee Executive Director Carlos Buqueras. “Taking Port Manatee’s world-class trade center on the road with a series of interactive events to which the public is invited maximizes the prospects for Florida businesses to benefit from the hub’s extensive expertise while developing highly valuable commercial relationships around the world.”

The 2019 International Trade Summit series features four separate showcases, each put on in conjunction with local partners:

  • Fort Lauderdale: Monday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Port Everglades, 1850 Eller Drive, Fort Lauderdale;
  • Fort Myers/Lee County: Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Lee County Economic Development Office, Conference Room 118, 2201 2nd St., Fort Myers;
  • Bradenton-Sarasota: Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Manatee Chamber of Commerce, 222 10th St. West, Bradenton; and
  • Tampa: Thursday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Portico, 1101 N. Florida Ave., Tampa.

Participating companies include purveyors of a wide range of foods and beverages, apparel, fragrances and cosmetics, technological innovations and business services. Countries represented include Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru and Spain, as well as the United States.

“In its sixth year as a vibrant catalyst for bringing global business interests together, the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee is once again reaching out throughout our state to expand rewarding access to lucrative worldwide markets,” said Manatee County Port Authority Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh.

For more about the hub and the events, visit www.internationalhubportmanatee.com or phone 941-721-2370.

The International Trade Hub at Port Manatee, founded in 2014, serves as a vital link between markets in Florida and throughout the world. The hub provides expert advice and support tools to local and global firms, assisting them with production, distribution and related activities, including development of innovative supply chain solutions.

Located “Where Tampa Bay Meets the Gulf of Mexico,” Port Manatee is the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal, with 10 40-foot-draft berths serving container, bulk, breakbulk, heavylift, project and general cargo customers. The port generates more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact for the local community, while supporting more than 24,000 jobs, without levying ad-valorem taxes.

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