International Affairs Council

Connecting Florida Businesses with Global Markets
Council Lobbyists: Al Cardenas & Stephen Shiver                                                        

Due to Florida’s location at the center of the Western Hemisphere, and with the advantages of multiculturalism, political stability, and business-friendly government, Florida is quickly emerging as an international trading powerhouse. In fact, Florida is number one among all states in the U.S. in international trade.

We host approximately 2,000 companies from other countries, including 300 regional headquarters of multi-national firms. Our state also has one of the largest concentrations of international banks, consulates and bi-national chambers of commerce in the nation. In addition, about 80% of the Fortune 500 companies that do business in Latin America have offices in the Southeast Florida area. More than 815,000 Floridians are currently employed statewide in this international business activity.

Businesses, small and large, all across Florida benefit from Florida’s position as a hemispheric hub for international trade. Banking, telecommunications, education, transportation and manufacturing are just a few of the economic sectors in which Florida is recognized as an international leader. Florida businesses get the opportunity to act as a key supplier to buyers around the globe and sell goods made locally in Florida to global markets. In fact, since 1999, Florida executives participating in trade missions have realized $700 million in actual and expected sales for Florida companies.

With merchandise trade valued at over $95 billion flowing through Florida’s 14 seaports and 20 major airports, Florida’s continued competitive edge in the global economy depends on maintaining our international trade dominance in the western hemisphere.

In recognition of the tremendous value international trade represents for Florida’s economy, Associated Industries of Florida created the International Affairs Council (IAC) to promote multilateral trade; to lobby in Tallahassee, FL, and Washington, DC, for favorable legislation; to grow our expertise in international law and finance; and support other policies and programs that will strengthen Florida’s role as a global leader in international trade.

IAC Activities & Issues

• Lobby the state Legislature to invest dollars in helping Florida businesses to expand their operations (goods and services) internationally through trade missions and other programs
• Encourage programs that will help prepare our workforce for this multicultural environment
• Lobby the state Legislature on substantive matters (taxation, regulation, etc.) impacting the conduct of international business in Florida
• Encourage national and multinational companies to expand their business operations internationally
• Encourage location of the Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) in Miami and work with all interested parties in ensuring that this takes place
• Set up and oversee international trade missions
• Create a compendium of resources that a business person would need to do business internationally
• Enlist experts in law, trade, finance, intellectual property, patents, etc., to work with Florida businesses that want to expand operations internationally
• Other recommended activities per the input of the International Affairs Council