Miami, FL (November 3, 2016)—From October 24 to 28, a delegation of 130 leaders from Chile, the largest ever mission to visit the United States, to part in the country’s inaugural Chile Week USA. Kicking off in Miami, the collaboration of political and business leaders from Chile’s public and private sectors celebrated the people and places that make Chile an exciting destination, resource, and partner to American interests abroad.
Programs began on Monday, October 24 at the University of Miami with “Challenges of the Export Industry: Chile’s Fresh Fruit Success Story,” an informational presentation by Ronald Bown, President of ASOEX, Chile’s export authority. Bown addressed a group of 40 undergraduate and graduate business students for a discussion about the foreign policy impacts on commodities and the role Chile’s imports play in stabilizing prices and year round availability for American consumers.
Another highlight of the week was an Investment Seminar held on Tuesday, October 25, led by the Ambassador of Chile to the United States, Juan Gabriel Valdés. In a packed ballroom at Miami’s Conrad Hotel, Ambassador Valdés highlighted Chile’s growing energy, infrastructure, services and food industries, all ripe for investment from U.S. businesses due to Chile’s skilled workforce and stable economy.
At the same time, Miami-based sommelier Daniel Toral led a Wines of Chile Master Class highlighting sixteen wines from Chile’s six distinct regions, for an audience of local sommeliers, wine buyers, retailers and the media. The group hosted bilateral meetings with South Florida importers looking to expand their portfolios of fresh and packaged products from Latin America, including produce, innovative new wine products, seafood, and more.
The grand finale came Wednesday night when Chilean and U.S. business leaders, Consul Generals from nearly 20 countries, and leaders of Miami society and industry gathered under the stars at the Perez Art Museum for the “Sabores de Chile” dinner honoring legendary TV personality Mario Kreutzberger, aka “Don Francisco.” The evening began with a diverse array of appetizers, wine and cocktails while actors portraying everyday Chilean people mingled with guests. Following remarks by the Mayor of Miami Jose Tomas Regalado and Chile Trade Commissioner Sacha Garafulic, guests proceeded to the waterfront terrace and dined on a menu of Chilean foods served up Miami-style, with colorful, contemporary presentations. Following the meal, Ambassador Valdés recognized Kreutzberger as an unconditional supporter and promoter of Latin American artists and Chile’s best cultural representative at home and abroad. While accepting this recognition, Kruetzberger pointed to the increase in Chileans contributing to business and culture in the United States as an example of the kind of work Chile Week aims to bring into the spotlight.
Chile Week Miami drew to a close on Wednesday, October 26 with a seminar for Chilean business leaders about obtaining visas for their employees as they expand to the United States. That seminar included The Ambassador and Vice Minister of Trade Paulina Nazal who then traveled to New York to continue the Chile Week USA meetings and celebrations.
Information provided by Alysa Turner, Linda Roth Associates, Inc.
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