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NEWS BRIEFS & TRADE

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For Information on Upcoming Events

"Experts Discuss Cuban Embargo" - May 29

"AsiaFest 2009" - May 2

"Young Russian Playwrites" - May 16

"GRAND TAMPA BAY SHOWCASE"

LONDON OCT 22-OCT 26, 2009

TBGBI ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST INITIATIVE TO LONDON FOR OCT 25 BUCS FOOTBALL GAME

Realizing the high level of potential media attention that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL regular football game with the Boston Patriots would generate, the board of directors of the World Trade Center of

Tampa Bay announced plans to conduct a "Grand Tampa Bay Showcase" mission to promote the many real estate and other investment opportunities available in the Tampa Bay area.

A blue ribbon committee of local business and civic leaders under the leadership of Bob Sharp, president and CEO of AAA South are working to develop a mission which can

bring increased exposure to the entire

Tampa Bay area. The committee is

composed of Bob Sharp, chairman; Jim Sweat, AA Auto Club; Stephen Hayes, The Tampa Company; Keith Norden, Tampa Committee of 100; Jack Bierley and Frank Cisneros, World Trade Center; Marco

Oliveri; Maddy Krasne, Engles & Volker, St. Petersburg; George Martinez, US DOC and Steve Albee, Tampa Bay World Affairs & Foreign Trade Council.

The Table Top Grand Tampa Bay Showcase will be limited to 35 companies and is open

to any business or individual wishing to promote their professional services, properties or products. The Showcase is scheduled for Friday, October 23 in the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown London starting with a morning "Invest in Tampa Bay" workshop with seven panelists representing different segments of Tampa Bay's diverse region, including commercial and residential real estate, trade, tourism, education, government and quality of life. The afternoon will consist of a Table Top Exhibition to offer collateral promotion brochures and other information and an opportunity to talk with potential customers and clients. The price to exhibit is $750.

AAA Auto Club is working on a special travel package, which includes air travel direct to London from Tampa, ground transportation, four nights in the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown London and transportation to the game. The trip also includes a cocktail reception at the Royal Air Force Club in London. There will also be an optional rail trip to Paris for two days for those not attending the football game. Participants will be given an opportunity to choose which services they wish to take advantage of from an a la carte list. A $250 registration fee is required of all participants.

For further information and to reserve a spot, please call Steve 813.864.3500 or email sa.wtctampabay@gmail.com.

THE TAMPA BAY GLOBAL BUSINESS INITIATIVE - TBGBI IS A PARTNERSHIP OF THE TAMPA BAY WORLD TRADE CENTER & TAMPA BAY WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL

OPEN TO ALL REGIONAL CHAMBERS, EC0NOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS & BROKERS

Realizing the importance and need to move Tampa Bay toward a deeper appreciation and understanding of the advantages of global connections, the World Trade Center Board of Directors, under the direction of A. Bronson Thayer, Jack Bierley and Frank Cisneros, are working with the Tampa Bay World Affairs Council to initiate the TAMPA BAY GLOBAL BUSINESS INITIATIVE.

It is a revival of the highly successful initiative of the late 80's by J. Parke Wright III of Lykes, Inc. and Ben Atkins of Tampa Bay International Airport, who spearheaded the Tampa Bay Super Task Force. Their efforts led to significant international activity and to increased global recognition of Tampa Bay.

The TBGBI will pick up where they left and offer unique opportunities to promote Tampa Bay and its people to the world. It will develop programs and a series of opportunities designed to engage Tampa Bay region business and citizens in becoming informed participants as part of the global community. It shall provide a venue for concerned leaders of Tampa Bay to consider issues of importance for international economic development, trade and foreign direct investment to our community and to act on those issues in accordance with the will of the members. The Tampa Bay Global Initiative will lead a united effort of regional business leaders to develop a series of new programs which can bring new global business and trade opportunities and recognition through the Tampa Bay Global Business Initiative.

The Tampa Bay Global Business Initiative was formed by the Tampa Bay World Affairs & Foreign Trade Council and the World Trade Center Tampa Bay to provide individuals and corporate executives the opportunity to stay informed of important international economic, political, cultural and travel issues along with opportunities to develop new business abroad. It offers globally minded citizens an opportunity to hear from international experts and high level dignitaries about their perspective of major world issues and also to enlighten members on the cultures of their nations. It comes at a time when U.S. foreign policy around the world is in question, making it increasingly important to understand the decision making process in global affairs and how decisions made around the world impact us locally.

To find out more about how to get involved and become a Tampa Bay World Ambassador Trustee

Call: 813.864.3500

BREAKING NEWS

World Trade Center Tampa Bay

Announces Plans for

Cuba Fact Finding Mission

Tampa, Fl...April 30, 2009 The president of World Trade Center Tampa Bay, Jack Bierley, today announced the board of directors of WTC had voted in favor of organizing a fact finding delegation trip to Cuba within the next several weeks. "There are several formalities which must be met in order to take a delegation to Cuba," Bierley said.

Leading the delegation of Tampa Bay business leaders and executives will be Jose Valiente, chairman of the WTC Tampa Bay-Cuba Business Council and vice chairman Frank Cisneros, both Cuban Americans, who have lived in Tampa since the 60’s. The delegation will focus on identifying potential trade and business opportunities which could be developed between Tampa Bay businesses and Cuba.

The fact finding delegation will be composed of 10-15 business individuals who are interested in exporting products which are certified as legal by the US Government. For information on the mission contact WTC president, Jack Bierley, Tel: 813.226.1880

Listed in the link below is a report and helpful information on the Cuban agricultural sector and a listing of all products which can be legally exported to Cuba. The report was compiled by the University of Florida for USDA.

http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/cuba/

CubaSituation0308.pdf

With specific regard to rules, regulations and trade sanctions on exporting to Cuba, go to the following USDA websites:

http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/cuba/cuba.asp

http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/sanctions.asp

http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/cuba/title_ix.html

What you need to know about the US Embargo and travel to Cuba.

http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/

ofac/programs/cuba/cuba.pdf

Q&A with new Tampa

Chamber of Commerce

President & CEO

Robert Rohrlack Jr.

By James Thorner, St. Pete Times Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 06, 2009 06:39 PM

When Florida landed such top-notch, job-producing companies as Merck in Tampa and SRI International in St. Petersburg, Robert Rohrlack Jr. was at the forefront of the negotiations. Later this month he'll be stepping to the forefront in Tampa.

The new president of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce starts April 27. He discussed his new job with the Times, which edited the answers for length and clarity.

How do you see your role at the Chamber of Commerce?

I've got to guide and lead the chamber to be the voice of business in Tampa and Hillsborough County. If businesses are succeeding, they're hiring people and paying taxes. It creates that financial interconnectivity. I'm going to work to create a strategic plan for the chamber so we'll be in the best position possible when the economy improves. There are so many resources available. The University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, the community college system, the sites and businesses already here, the port, the airport. How do you get them pulling together? That's the role the chamber has to play.

To Read Entire Interview Click Here

How do you identify and improve the area's weakness?

I'm going to reserve answering that question till I jump in with both feet. My first priority is to listen to the members to see what issues need to be worked on. We want to work closely with the government partners to keep things moving forward. We need to set an agenda and stick to it. But the key issue is we're all in this together. Just keep looking for the commonality. There's too much strength in the Tampa/Hillsborough market not to be successful. With this economy, everybody's taking the white board and wiping it clean. There will be some changes I'll want to make.

You've worked for years on statewide business recruitment. How do you adjust to the narrower focus of recruiting for the Tampa area?

There are pluses and minuses at doing economic development at the local and state level. Tampa's is a market I've worked in and seen success in, so there's a natural comfort level to that market. I wasn't looking to leave Enterprise Florida. The opportunity to come back and be the leader of the Chamber of Commerce was certainly attractive. I've got a unique perspective at Enterprise Florida of seeing how all the markets in the state position themselves. I can bring that experience to Tampa — and bring the chamber to levels it hasn't seen before.

What's your take on using incentives for job creation?

If the company doesn't feel the labor market fits, all the incentives in the world won't make it fit. But having the right kind of incentives on the books shows that the business community and government support economic growth. If you're shopping for a car and narrow it to two models, the dealer to throw in car mats and cruise control will win. It's showing they want your business.

You've worked many jobs over the past 20 years, including three stints in the Tampa Bay area. Are you restless?

In economic development, to move up you've got to move on. We're like migrant workers in suits. I had a boss who once said, reflecting on a previous job, that I'm the only guy who could fall into a pile of garbage and come out smelling like a rose.

FAST FACTS

Robert Rohrlack Jr. - Age: 48

Hometown: Orlando

Alma mater: University of Southern Mississippi, economic development

Previous employer: Enterprise Florida, where he was in charge of business recruitment and retention

Replaces: Kim Scheeler, who left in August for Richmond, Va.

Previous Tampa Chamber stints: 1986-1991 and 1993-96

Other bay area background: Held an executive post at Progress Energy in Clearwater from 2003 to 2005