US - Panama Business Council
Southeast Chapter Newsletter
August 2009 |
Welcome to USPA-SE first newsletter. This is a very exciting time for U.S. Panama business opportunities. USPA - SE is working hard to promote bilateral business relationships between companies in Panama and Southeastern U.S. companies.
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information about USPA-SE activities and business
opportunities for U.S. and Panamanian companies. |
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USPA - SE President Meets with USPA Panama
 On June 23, 2009 USPA-SE President Luis Hall, met with the USPA Panama Board of Directors in Panama. Mr. Hall provided an update on the accomplishments of the Southeast Chapter and discussed the importance of an alliance between the two Chapters. Annette Cardenas, President of USPA Panama (on left) and Luis Hall, President of USPA-SE (on right) agreed to the formation of this strategically. |
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USPA - SE Chairman attends South Carolina trade show May 26-28th
 The United States-Panama Business Council, Southeast Chapter, was represented at the 36th Annual South Carolina International Trade Conference by Chairman, John Wallace, and Board member, Jay Warren. USPA-SE was an exhibitor at the conference and collected business contact information from companies interested in learning more about business opportunities in Panama.
Conference attendees visiting the USPA-SE booth included government officials (OPIC, SBA), freight forwarders, shipping companies, logistic companies, software development companies, the South Carolina Ports Authority and Port of Charleston, distributors, energy consultants, industrial real estate firms, international insurance representatives, trucking representatives, engineering and banking companies.
Speakers at the conference presented on topics including "International Contracting and Dispute Resolution", "International Marketing: Finding New Markets", "International Trade: Rules; Fairness; and Decision-making", "Changes in the Global Export Finance Environment-What Do They Mean For Your Company", and "Credit Risk Insurance, What is it?"
The continuing theme heard from delegates was, "Yes, we know about the Canal. What else is going on there?" Very few knew anything more than superficial information on Colon, Panama Ports, Howard, Tocumen, the real estate boom, tourism, or much of anything else. They wanted to know when, how and what they could do to increase business with Panama. " Therein lays the opportunity for USPA-SE. The world awaits with positive feelings for the country, but it is woefully uninformed" said John Wallace, Chairman of USPA-SE. We have a lot of work ahead of us.
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Mississippi News
Bruce Frallic, USPA-SE Board Member and Executive Director of Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and key
representatives of the University of Southern Mississippi and other guests visited the University of Panama, Technological University, Maritime University and the City of Knowledge in Panama to explore the feasibility of establishing joint programs and courses. The President of USM, Dr Martha Saunders, along with directors of logistics-trade-transportation and international studies programs are attended the 3 day mission July 8-10, 2009. |
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USPA-SE Strategic Planning Session in Gulfport, Mississippi
On July 15 & 16, 2009, the United States-Panama Business Council, Southeast, Inc. (USPA SE) Board of Directors held its first Strategic Thinking & Planning Session at the Island View Casino & Resort in Gulfport, Mississippi. The discussion centered around programs, membership, operations, and sponsorship initiatives for the next 5 years.
The following individuals attended the two day planning sessions:
USPA Southeast Board of Directors:
John W. Wallace, Jr. - USPA SE Chairman, Bear Stearns, a division of J.P. Morgan
Bruce Frallic, Gulfport Biloxi International Airport
Henry Johns, Vision TRE, Inc.
Carla Rayman, Prudential Palms Realty
Ladrick Williams, Ladami, Inc.
Don Allee, Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport
Steve Tuttle, Mallory Alexander International Logistics
Rose Boxx, Mississippi Development Authority
Sandy Stice, Atlantic Investors Group, Inc.
Randy Wilhelm, Wilhelm Resource Company, Inc.
USPA Southeast President & Executive Director:
Luis R. Hall - BLJ Group, Inc.
USPA Southeast Alliances & Supporters:
America Helker - Gulfport Biloxi International Airport
Enrique Hurtado - Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport
Stephen P. Theobald, - Piltz, Williams, LaRosa & Co. (CPA firm)
Woody Register - Ports America & USPA SE Dinner Sponsor
USPA SE Thinking & Planning Session Facilitators:
Chuck Ueltschey, Community Services, Mississippi Power, a Southern Company
Joi Olive, Economic Development, Mississippi Power, a Southern Company |
Atlanta's story goes on the road, this time to Panama Schools
 Atlanta Public Schools (APS) Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall (on left with United States in Panama, Barbara Stephenson on right) was recently invited to Panama from June 23 to June 26, to share the school district's strategy for reform and improvement. During her visit, Dr. Hall spoke to a cross section of individuals - including the first lady-elect, the U.S. ambassador to Panama, minister of education-designate, Presidents of the United States-Panama Business Council, Panama and Southeast Chapters, entrepreneurs, key business leaders, university professors, aspiring educators, and members of the media. Panama's leaders expressed particular interest in how APS has generated support from the broader stakeholder community, as well as how to launch a teacher exchange program. It is expected that Atlanta's story will be used as a case study for facilitating public education reform in Panama. Dr. Hall explained that if consistent and dramatic improvement could be achieved in Atlanta, it could happen in any other city across the globe. The event was organized by the U.S. Department of State, USPA Panama, and USPA Southeast Chapter. Click here for more. | |
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Sincerely,
Luis Hall - President
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