2026 Agenda
February 27, 2026 | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
The Economic Club of Miami is proud to present our third annual Miami Economic Forum. It will be held at the Miami Dade College Padron Campus in Little Havana, 627 SW 27th Avenue, Building 6, 16th Floor, Miami, Florida 33135.
Please check in early for registration. Breakfast items will be provided. Doors open at 7:30am. The program will begin promptly at 8:30 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM on February 27, 2026, with a cocktail reception to follow.
Please see the campus map for directions. The event will be held in Building 6 and on the 16th Floor.
2026 Miami Economic Forum (Tentative Agenda)
February 27, 2026
MDC Padron Campus, Little Havana, Miami
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7:30 AM
Registration Opens / Light Breakfast Served
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8:30 AM
Breakfast Ends
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8:40 AM
Welcome Remarks
- Francisco Gonzalez, Executive Director, Economic Club of Miami
- Jeremy Schwarz, Chairman, Board of Directors, Economic Club of Miami
- Dr. Oscar Loynaz, President, Padron Campus at Miami Dade College
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9:00 AM
Is Miami the Dubai of the Western Hemisphere?
- Michaeljohn Green, Miami Downtown Development Authority
- Peter Yared, In Country Agent Cloak
- Christian Busch, Investor and Real Estate Broker
- David Andolfatto, Chair, Department of Economics, University of Miami
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9:45 AM
Miami's New Frontier: Aerospace & Aviation
- Roberto Gonzalez, Miami-Dade County Commissioner
- Jeanette Nuñez, President, Florida International University; Chairman, Space Florida
- Charles Beames, Executive Chairman of the SmallSat Alliance
- Dr. Malou C. Harrison, Executive Vice President and Provost, Miami Dade College
- Tyler Johnson, Director, National Security, eMerge Americas
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10:30 AM
Global Gateways: Miami's Growing Role Connecting Dubai and the GCC to Latin America and Beyond
- Jose Felix Diaz, Executive Vice President, Ballard Partners
- Antonio Lopez, President, Access Global
- Yolanda Perez, Senior Vice President, International Wealth Advisor, Truist Wealth
- Harout Samra, Of Counsel, DLA Piper LLP
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11:15 AM
Venezuela's Economic Future: Investment Potential Amid Uncertainty
- Jorge Jraissati, Economic Inclusion Group
- Sarah Levy-Carciente, FIU Adam Smith Center
- Luis Ball, President, Ball, Coseley & Co.
- Atilano Bullos, Head of Business Development, Mercantil Bank
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12:00 PM
(Lunch Break)
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12:30 PM
Keynote Lunch / Fireside Chat
- Jim Esposito, President, Citadel Securities
- Jon Hartley, Founding Chairman, Economic Club of Miami
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1:15 PM
Prospera: Building Special Economic Zones in Honduras
- Erick Brimen, Founder, Prospera
- Lonis Hamaili, Head of Growth, Prospera
- Joey Langenbrunner, Founder, Nomad Layer
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2:00 PM
Building the Florida-Canada Partnership
- Sylvia Cesaratto, Consul General of Canada in Miami
- John Price, Managing Director, Americas Market Intelligence
- Andy Schmidt, Vice President and Global Industry Lead - Banking, CGI
- Michael Gregory, CFA, Deputy Chief Economist and Managing Director, BMO
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3:05 PM
Cafecito Break
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3:20 PM
Miami: Europe's Economic Gateway to the Western Hemisphere
- Christofer Burger, Consul General of Germany in Miami
- Pamela Fuertes Berti, Dean, Miami Dade College School of Global Business, Trade and Transportation
- Belén Alfaro, Consul General of Spain in Miami
- Vuk Velebit, President & Co-Founder, Pupin Initiative, Serbia
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4:10 PM
Closing Keynote & Miami Economic Leadership Award
Honoree: Francis Suarez, Mayor of Miami (2017-2025)
Fireside chat with Jack Abraham, Founder, Managing Partner & CEO, Atomic -
4:55 PM
Closing Remarks
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5:00 PM
Cocktail Reception
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6:00 PM
Event concludes