March/April 2009 - Port Canaveral

Boosting LOCAL IMPORT/EXPORT CAPACITYIn February, the Port Authority partnered with the EconomicDevelopment Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) to hosta full-day seminar on international trade. The seminar was freeof charge and designed to educate new-to-export businesseson trade basics and expand the knowledge of experiencedimporters and exporters.“We got involved because we believe that good education,along with maximization of our foreign trade zone’s positiveinfluence, are important ways to increase our community’sopportunities in global trade,” said the Port’s Deputy ExecutiveDirector of Business Development Robert Giangrisostomi.“And experts will tell you that global trade is essential to oureconomic recovery on a local and national level.”The seminar was held at the Port’s Maritime Center and fundedby an international trade grant awarded to the EDC by the stateof Florida and Enterprise Florida. It included a welcome addressby Port CEO Stan Payne plus talks by seven other speakerswith varying perspectives on the business of internationaltrade in Brevard County. During breaks and after the seminar,participants were given an opportunity to network with, andask questions of, representatives from foreign trade zoneoperators, freight forwarders and customs brokers who areclosely involved in trade through the Port.Trade experts at the state (Enterprise Florida) and federal(Department of Commerce) levels conducted a joint seminar thatwas a highlight. It was a two-part talk entitled ‘Export 101.’ Otherspeakers included a certified public accountant who spoke aboutAttendees learn about transportation and foreign trade zone servicesoffered at the Porttax strategies, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementagent and a specialist in global trade financing. Shannon Feeley,a Port Business Development Manager, educated the audienceon the purpose, benefits and process of getting involved withPort Canaveral’s Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) 136.The $60,000 grant that provided funding for the seminar alsowill enable the EDC to offer mini-grants to local companiesinterested in securing new foreign business and help the PortAuthority maximize the effectiveness of FTZ 136.The Port is engaged in analyzing the boundaries of this traderesource to see if they efficiently meet the needs of BrevardCounty and to identify additional areas that could benefitfrom inclusion. Several local municipalities attended the tradeseminar to educate themselves in preparation for discussionsabout potential boundary adjustments, which could be put intoeffect next year.Second Ports Group VISITS THE SPACE COASTPort Canaveral hosted a meeting of the South Atlantic andCaribbean Ports Association (SAPCA) on March 5-6, attendedby about 50 representatives of organizations with an interest inpromoting trade in the region. This is the second time in recentmonths that the Port has brought industry representativesinto the area to enjoy a Space Coast welcome and boost localhospitality revenues. In December, the North Atlantic PortsAssociation held its first meeting south of Virginia here.A reception and dinner were held for the SACPA at the RadissonResort at the Port in Cape Canaveral, followed by a morning oftalks and discussion. Port CEO Stan Payne addressed participantsabout growth at Port Canaveral, especially the successful cruisebusiness and how it has been developed and sustained, andthe $125 million Seaport Canaveral petroleum terminal — thelargest private investment at the Port.Canaveral Port Authority CEO Stan Payne welcomed the visitors andbriefed them on the Port’s business.Dr. Walter Kemmsies, Chief Economist with Moffatt & Nichol,presented an informative talk on the current economy with10 March/April 2009 PORT CANAVERAL