brazil - jacksonville alliance achievement report

8/9/2019 Brazil - Jacksonville Alliance Achievement Report

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Tel: 904.473.8900 Fax: 270.626.0468


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT i

Organization Mission and Vision. 1

Structures of Committees. 2Jacksonville and Curitiba Initial Talks.. 3

Jacksonville and Curitiba Twin Cities... 4

Members Party and Recognition with Mayor from Curitiba 5

Members Party and Recognition with Mayor from Curitiba 6

Promoting North Florida Partnership 7

Positioning Florida as Partner to Brazilian Organizations 8

Expanding from City City to State State. 9

Media Partners Support 10

Spearheading Efforts in the United States 11

Florida Support and Partners. 12

Future Events and How to Get Involved.. 13

A Growing Country with Extraordinary Business Opportunities

Appendix-I: Letter from Mayor Dyer to Mayor Peyton

Appendix-IV: JAXPORT Magazine Article

Appendix-II: Letter from ACP Commercial Association

Appendix-V: Brazil Focus Training Program Information

Appendix-VII: Letter from Brock McClane City of Orlando

Appendix-VI: First Coast High school Portuguese

Appendix-III: FCMA Magazine Article


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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Brazil is the worlds best new opportunity and our members have the ability to access these opportunities throughnetworking, training and tools for trade. Its common knowledge that Brazil is and has been Floridas number one tradingpartner for years, during these years no formal relationship had been established between Brazil and Jacksonville. Throughour efforts and members support, Brazil has been advanced to become the leading business partner for product and serviceproviders in our region.

This month we consolidated eighteen months of existence and this report intends to list several or ouraccomplishments. Its rewarding to see business happening and the common goal of growing and developing business withBrazil increase as we move forward with additional opportunities, training and network for members.

Brazils 2009 exports totaled US$ 5.83 billion, and imports, US$ 5.558 billion, resulting in a surplus of 372 millionand a recent analyst survey of the Brazilian Central Bank shows Brazil's economy is on track to grow more than 5% in 2010The opportunity goes beyond the import and export of products as trade of services with United States has been growing anaverage of 27%.

Brazil has several project opportunities like Soccer World Cup in 2014 which will drive investments of $11.5 billionto fund infrastructure and transportation development. The army has only200 cannons built in the 1950s plus a little over 10French and Russian portable launchers and is shopping for new equipment. Petrobrs, the largest company in Latin Americaby market capitalization and revenue, a semi-public company, has recently identified a need for 600 new pieces of drillingequipment to be used at pre-salt fields. Additionally, other investments for the city of Rio de Janeiro, hosting the 2016Olympics and for new Port Terminals are already confirmed, the Special Secretariat for Ports, stated that will receiveinvestment of US$ 1.8 billion from the federal government over the next few years, the port's container handling capacityshould triple by 2024. These and the fact that only 5% of owned properties in Brazil are mortgaged and 95% are ownedoutright make Brazil also a great opportunity for the financial industry.

World fortune 500 companies are aware of the opportunities and continue to invest in Brazil; over 80% of them havepresence and are already doing business in the largest country in Latin America. Brazil stands as a leader and model forseveral members of Mercosur, a Latin American trade agreement made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay with

Chile and Bolivia as associate members since 2008. Peru, Ecuador and Colombia have expressed their desire to join the grouand Mexico has also expressed an interest. The population of Mercosur's full members totals more than 270 million people.That group, including Venezuela, has a collective GDP of $2.4 trillion. Our strategy from the beginning has been to provideAlliance members with access not only to Brazil but also to Latin America through the city of Curitiba, know as the modelcity of Brazil.

In all, this report demonstrates that we are determined, and focused on being a dynamic organization to help increatrade opportunities and access to Brazil, today and in near future. Im looking forward to even greater accomplishments in thcoming years. None of this would be possible without the hard work and support of our Board of Directors and Membersexpress my sincere appreciation for all the support and participation received during these past months.

Joshua RodriggsPresidentBrazil Jacksonville Alliance of NE Florida

Brazil Jacksonville Alliance of NE Florida 2010 Achievement Report Aug/08 Mar/10


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ORGANIZATION MISSION AND VISION

As of January, 2010 our new organization consists of:

President: Joshua Rodriggs from SOS4biz LLC (Strategic Overseas Solutions for Business)

VP of Membership: Frank G. Spalla from Transforma LLC VP of Treasury/Fundraising: Tyler Newman from Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc. VP of Communications: Geoffrey A. Messick from Advanced Supply Chain Solutions Inc. VP of Business / Cultural / Educational Development Programming: Joanne Kazmierski from JAXPORT

2 Corporate Trustees 13 Corporate 10 Small Business 50+ Individual members

The MISSION of the Brazil - Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida is to advance Brazil as a leading business partner bfostering trade and investment between Southern Brazil and Jacksonville Florida region. By promoting commerce betweenthe two regions, we will expand economic development, job creation, and increase the volumes of imports and exportsthrough the state of Florida.

The VISION of the Brazil Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida is to become the premier resource organization fornetwork, trade and culture opportunities between Southern Brazil and Northeast Florida with partnerships, training andeducational advancements throughout the state of Florida. Promote awareness, knowledge and network for trade increase ansupport changes on trade lanes to have vessels from Brazil with direct calls to Florida first. Help and support growth asFlorida becomes the best connection between Brazil and United States most populated regions - South, Midwest and West.

Our SUCCESS will be measured by the changes, relationships and business opportunities that we help develop.

August 2008 set the beginning of our journeyand our first group of directors met for the firsttime at Panera Bread.


ACHIEVEMENT REPORT: AUGUST 2008 MARCH 2010

Board of Directors

Membershi


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STRUCTURE OF COMMITTEES

Membership Committee

Membership Management Business Connections and Card Exchanges New Members Letter Package and Recognition Event Renewals, Retention through Personalized Programs

Fund-raising / Treasury Committee

Donor classification and sponsor packages Business involvement on fundraisers and secure funds for projects already approved by the Board of Directors Manage bank account, payables and receivables Supply data for QuickBooks system update

Communications / Public Relations Committee

Creation and Development of Value-Added Benefits Programs for Members.

Create and Manage all Media Publications Manage communication with members, subcommittees and through Press Releases Supervises Website and Online Communication

Business / Cultural / Educational Development Programming Committee

Propose New Projects to take effect in 2011 Select and invite speakers and topics for monthly meetings

Responsible for social functions and events programs to promote networking Responsible for planning incoming & outgoing trade missions Raises awareness of Charities in Brazil Promotes programs developed for Charitable Organizations selected and approved by Board of Directors



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JACKSONVILLE AND CURITIBA INITIAL TALKS

After the initial talks and agreement with Curitiba city the focus turned to Sister Citi

Association in order to acquire the approval and support to establish the formality and twJacksonville with Curitiba.Because Curitiba was already a sister city to Orlando, a special permission had to be acquirefrom the Sister Cities Association in Washington D.C. as well as from the city of OrlandMayors office.On November 6, 2008 Mayor Dyer of the City of Orlando sent Mayor Peyton of the City Jacksonville, a letter confirming his agreement.

Appendix-I

Once all necessary steps, permissions, and agreements had beenaccomplished, it was time to organize the event. For the first time inhistory Jacksonville had such a large event for twin cities ceremony.Tam Airlines sponsored for two tickets and an interview wasarranged with Mayor Beto Richa in Curitiba Brazil, followed by aninterview with Mayor Peyton in Jackosonville. The interview andcamera shots were turned into a video that was presented during theevents breakfast.A delegation of nine consisting of Mayor Beto Richa, his wifeFernanda Richa, City Council House President - Joao Claudio

Derosso, Secretary of International Affairs Eduardo Guimaraes,with other city officials, Deonilso Roldo and Felipe Braga Crtes,together with business executives from Curitiba came to Jacksonvillein April 2009 for the ceremony organized by Brazil JacksonvilleAlliance with the support of all participating members, sponsors,City of Jacksonville, and Sister Cities Association.

Nancy Olsen deserves a tribute andrecognition for dedicating her life insupporting important internationalaffairs issues. From the beginningshe supported the effort ofestablishing Curitiba andJacksonville partnership.

In February 2008, Nancy Olsen traveled withJoshua Rodriggs to Curitiba, representing the cityof Jacksonville and was introduced to Curitiba cityofficial formalizing the initial partnership talks.



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JACKSONVILLE AND CURITIBA TWIN CITIES

The formal twining of cities betweenJacksonville, Florida and Curitiba -

Brazil was architected and formalitieswere concluded on April 3, 2009.



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Holland & Knight a Trustee Member Gerdau Ameristeel a Corporate Member

Runways a Corporate Member CSX a Corporate Member

ICS Logistics a Corporate Member Haskell a Corporate Member

A members only private party on the 38th floor of the Peninsula was organized the nightbefore the signing event, allowing time and an excellent opportunity to network andrecognize our most recent trustee, corporate and small business members.

Brazil Jacksonville Alliance of NE Florida 2010 Achievement Report Aug/08 Mar/10 5


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Transforma LLC a Small Business Member Language Services International a SmallBusiness Member

Alexander & Black Graphic Design aSmall Business Member

Twenty 2PS a Small Business Member

Humate International a SmallBusiness Member

Other Participating Members



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PROMOTING NORTH FLORIDA PARTNERSHIP

The original strategy has been to connect Brazil to north Florida region for new trade opportunities. With Jacksonville formatwin city signing came also common grounds with the city ofOrlando, already a twin city with Curitiba. The Brazil Jackonville Alliance also coordinated a meeting with CuritibaMayor Beto Richa and Mayor Dyer in the city of Orlando the dayafter the signing in Jacksonville. This marked the beginning of atriangle development effort among cities with formal partnershipagreements signed.

Continual efforts will help increase trade opportunities for northFlorida region beyond Orlando and Jacksonville, attracting newindustries to the region and improving results for existing ones;Jacksonville providing port, rail and logistics infrastructure andOrlando, a crossroads of Florida's highway and excellent hub anddistribution city will help connect north Floridas region to Brazil.

In March, 2010 a mission led by Joshua Rodriggs, consisting of nine executives and representing eight companies fromJacksonville and Orlando visited Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Curitiba meeting with corporate and government representatives. InCuritiba, both cities had the opportunity to be represented at International Conference of Innovative Cities with over 1000people from different countries attending. During this conference Brock McClane spoke on behalf of the city of Orlando,

representing Mayor Dyer and Dan Quiggle spokerepresenting the city of Jacksonville. Both Mayors habeen invited but their agenda did not allow them toattend.

Orlando and Jacksonville had speakers representing each city and displayed side by side during Conference in Curitiba

Familiarization Mission provided

opportunity and new contacts forbusiness development in Sao Paulo,Brasilia and Curitiba, Brazil.

View more details by searchingJoshua Rodriggs onwww.youtube.com



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POSITIONING FLORIDA AS PARTNER TO BRAZILIAN ORGANIZATIONS

Developed business and networking connections between Brazil and Florida with theAssociao Comercial do Paran (State of Paran Commercial Association), an organizationthat currently hosts eight thousand members.

Similar relations have been established withseveral other institutions including with FIEP(State of Parana Industry Federation), abusiness organization with a yearly databasecatalog consisting of over five thousandindustries and over twenty-five thousandestablishments and service providers.

Established a strong relationship and supportalso with owners of new internationaldeepwater port facility, Port of Pontal. Thisfacility is being built in the state of Parana,

which will have a natural draft of fifty (50) feetand will be able to work with large volumesincluding post-Panamax ships.

Speech about Florida partnership andBenefits to Curitiba City Council

Joined social efforts of FAS (Fundao de Ao Social)association presided by Fernanda Richa

Had meeting with Secretary of State of Paran athis unique architecture office above

Participation on the 1st LogisticsConference in Curitiba

Lunch with Mayor Beto Richa and CouncilmanFelipe Braga Crtes

City Council House President, University andNewspaper President and Directors

Appendix-II



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EXPANDING FOCUS FROM CITY CITY TO STATE - STATE

2010 is an election year in Brazil and Mayor Beto Richa is ahead of the competition, he has been selected the best Mayor inBrazil several times and has great chances of becoming the next Governor of the state of Paran, Brazil.Strong relationship already established will help effort in expanding with focus from city to city only, to state to state;Curitiba Paran being the best city to enter Brazil and Latin America and Florida the best entry for access to US largestpopulated regions.

STATE OF PARAN: located in the South of the country, bordered on the north by So Paulo state, on the east bythe Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Santa Catarina state and the Misiones Province of Argentina, and on the west by MatoGrosso do Sul and the republic of Paraguay, with the Paran River as its western boundary line. Cut by the Tropic ofCapricorn, Paran has what is left of the araucaria forest, one of the most important subtropical forests of the world. At theborder with Argentina is the National Park of Iguau, considered by UNESCO as Patrimony of Humanity and the spectacle othe Cataratas do Iguau attracts about 700 thousand tourists per year. At only 40 km (24 miles) from there, at the borderwith Paraguay, the largest dam in the world was built, the Hidroeltrica de Itaipu. The State Park of Vila Velha near the cityof Ponta Grossa, is another attraction, with great rocky formations sculpted by the erosion of rain and wind. Curitiba, thecapital, is famous for its high quality of life, compared to the Brazilian average, and the Ilha do Mel, next to thehistorical Paranagu, is another destination for eco-tourists.

Iguau Falls Itaipu Dam

Mr. Fabiano Braga Crtes (far right) is the Former Director at Itaipu Dam, he was also a Congressman and president of theLegislative Assembly of the state of Paran. His son, Felipe Braga Crtes (far left)is presently a Curitiba city Councilman and running this year for StateRepresentative.

With the State to State focusin mind,

Brazil Jacksonville Alliance board of directors already approved a name change to Brazil Florida Alliance. Also, in orderto promote opportunities between the two regions an association, Aliana Americas Sul (Alliance Americas South) is alsobeing established in Brazil.



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www.jacksonville.bizjournals.com

MEDIA PARTNERS SUPPORT

The Brazil - Jacksonville Alliance has been able to get a lot of publicity both here in US and in Brazil. Whensearching Brazil Jacksonville Alliance a good number of links are made available, see result below.

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,440 for "brazil jacksonville alliance". (0.09 seconds)

In Brazil, RICTV (TV Record), the second largest TV station in Brazil has provided the opportunity for morning showinterview, and covered the most recent mission and participation at the conference in Curitiba. Local newspapers like Gazetado Povo have also supported the efforts

Some of the recent media exposure: Recent and past articles from Business Journal:

Appendix-III

Appendix-IV

Brazil-Jacksonville alliance grows

...The Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida has come a long way in a...

August 14, 2009Blog: Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance gets $50,000 in funding

...of Latin American and intermodal sales. Over the next two years, the Brazil-

Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida plans to train about 100 people on...

by Mark Szakonyi on February 4, 2009Brazil trade mission a success

...trade mission to the burgeoning South American country. Nine members ofthe Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida representing fi ve Jacksonvillecompanies and executives from...

March 26, 2010Jacksonville's campaign to grab global trade continues this spring

Before international companies can come to Jacksonville, they have to know it exists.It has taken a more than decade-long campaign involving briefing foreign...

by Mark Szakonyi on February 26, 2010Jacksonville's campaign to grab global trade continues this spring

Before international companies can come to Jacksonville, they have to know it exists.It has taken a more than decade-long campaign involving briefing foreign...

Jacksonville-to-Brazil trade swells as Asian trade crawls

The Port of Jacksonvilles high-profile trade lane to China holds much promise, but aroute to another growing economic heavyweight is paying dividends faster....

by Mark Szakonyi on February 5, 2010Brazil exports: Where it's at

...read the whole thing, make sure to read this wrap-up . The Brazil-JacksonvilleAlliance of Northeast Florida is aiming to host a trade mission...

November 18, 2009Jax-Brazil trade group ramps up

...trade opportunities through Jacksonville and the booming South American countrythrough the Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida. The alliance has rampedup its efforts...

July 23, 2009Trade visit to Brazil recruiting visitors

...Jacksonville and Brazil. The June 23-30 mission is hosted by theBrazil-JacksonvilleAlliance. The trip includes visits to businesses and scenic train tour...

May 14, 2009Companies line up to visit new Brazilian sister city

...government officials how to increase trade, said Joshua Rodriggs, president ofthe Brazil Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida. He said Orlando Mayor BuddyDyer is...

by Mark Szakonyi on April 10, 2009

More Articles from our Search Engine



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SPEARHEADING EFFORTS IN THE UNITED STATES

One of the objectives for the Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance has been to help increase trade with updated perspectives, traininand awareness. With the increase of trade volumes, we intend to help lead a change on the vessel rotation. Brazil has beegrowing trade with Middle East, Asia and other countries and there are plenty of opportunities to have growth in trade wiUnited States.

Traditionally the vessels come from Brazil and after calling the Brazilian ports they go all the way to New York area and th

head down to our region and Jacksonville. The focus is that with new and incremental business between the south regions US and Brazil ocean carriers may have justified volumes to direct a vessel to Florida first as US gateway to and from BrazilLatin America. This means that the vessels could stop in Jacksonville, instead of bypassing on the way to NY region, as itdone presently, providing Brazil trade with better transit times and supply chain cost, making US largest consumer populatarea, the South, and second largest, the Midwest, more competitive markets, increasing business opportunities for Florida anUS supply chain service providers as well as better Brazil access for US exporters.

With a grant from Workforce Florida a curriculum wdeveloped and a Brazil Trade Training program is noavailable to help US companies to develop more businewith Brazil and increase trade volumes through Floridports.

Appendix-V

During our monthly meetings we continue to strive to provide ourmembers with updated information about Brazil and efforts in place tobring the opportunities closer to our region. Our meetings are also agreat opportunity for local companies to network. Several businessventures have already started from networking during these meetings.



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FLORIDA SUPPORT AND PARTNERS

Workforce Florida funded a program to help Florida business retain and grow job opportunities byexpanding and developing business with Brazil, Floridas already number one trading partner. The BrazilJacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida, in partnership with the Employ Florida Banner Center forDistribution and Logistics, Florida State College of Jacksonville and the University of North Floridadeveloped a curriculum to train business people on how to do business with Brazil.

So far, both UNF and Enterprise Florida have provided training venues.We have had one class at UNF and one at E-Florida in Orlando.

Students at First Coast High School are the first in the district to have the opportunity tostudy Portuguese and be better prepared to work and develop business with Brazil in thefuture.

A program will be administered by Junior Achievement of Floridas First Coast and theJunior Achievement program coordinator for the Curitiba, Brazil local area.

The students enrolled in the language program will be matched with students from a siste

school in Brazil. Each classroom will create a small business corporation, electing leadersdeveloping a product and selling stocks to raise funds to purchase the goods or raw-materials to make the products. Students from Brazil will export their products and sellthem to the students in Florida, and visa-versa.

Appendix-VI

Partnerships are an important part of getting more accomplished and the Brazil Jacksonville Alliance has been veryfortunate of having several excellent partners and members who have been walking the walk and supporting our efforts,beyond the ones above and several small business and individual members, we can also list our Trustees, Corporate memberand other Strategic Partners below:

Strategic Partners, besides the Listed Above:

There are many more supporters that are not listed here but were very grateful for them as well.

The city of Orlando through Mr.Brock McClane, Chairman of the Orlando Mayors International Advisory Committee madthe following comment on a recent letter (Appendix-VII), after participating on the mission to Brazil;I believe the promotion of Orlando together with Jacksonville was a successful approach for the mission,

boosting the presence of both cities at the conference and touting our respective industries.



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FUTURE EVENTS AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED

2010 Goals

Training: Train 100 businesses people on how to do business with Brazil Trade Missions: 1-3 Trade Missions to Brazil Business Networking: Local and/or State-wide Brazil Business Networking Events Groundwork in Brazil: Creation of a Sister Brazil-Florida Alliance Group

Garner Financial Support: For Training, Trade Missions and Business Memberships

Become a Member (Individual / Small Business / Corporate / Trustee) Attend regular meetings Participate on Training Program Volunteer for Committees, Events for Business Networking Become a Sponsor for Events, Website and Scholarship Advertise Your Business in Brazil though Partners Participate in Trade Shows and Missions Invite others for Network Events and Business Opportunities

www.braziljacksonville.com


BRAZIL MAKES SENSE!TAKE ACTION TOWARDS GROWTH, GET INVOLVED NOW..

2010 Calendar of Events


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Appendix-I


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Appendix-II


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Appendix-III


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Appendix-IV


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Appendix-V


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Appendix-VI

brazil - jacksonville alliance achievement report

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