The 2010 International Business Summit will be held at Higgins Hall (cnr Hillsborough and Himes) on Thursday, 11 March, 2010, beginning at 9 a.m. (Registration: 8.30 a.m.)
IBS is in its fourth year, as an annual event that brings together the diverse communities of Tampa Bay to build economic prosperity for the Tampa Bay/Suncoast area. It is organized by the Bi-national Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations, including the British, Caribbean, Chinese, French, Hispanic, Indo, Philippine, Scandinavian-Baltic, Swedish, etc. Please see www.ibsummit.org.
IBS provides three tracks for education (the Collaboration, Diversity and Prosperity tracks) and is relevant to both local and international businesses.
Local businesses benefit from the valuable opportunities that lie in our diverse community. Support, learning, resource contacts and information are exchanged, and IBS creates connections – e.g. purchasing agents from many major small business and diversity supplier programs come to IBS to meet new vendors.
More globally-oriented business people can explore paths to new business ideas and prospects. Local partners can provide international connections, cultural knowledge, business mentoring or partnerships for international business people and projects.
Major events in the IBS day are:
1. The plenary opening and breakfast. The Mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio, has confirmed that she will deliver the Summit welcome. The Plenary Keynote Address, by Dr. Rengen Li, Manager of Global Supplier Diversity and Global Procurement and Trading, of the CocaCola Company, will cover the subject of how small and medium sized businesses can do business with large corporations.
2. Nine breakout learning sessions (two sessions before lunch, one session after lunch).
3. The lunch – Brent Willis will be the keynote speaker.
4. The speed networking (very popular).
5. The International Panel. This is led by Dr Maria Crummett, head of the USF International School of Business. The panel includes Louis Miller (CEO Tampa International Airport), Jim Pyburn (Head of Port of Tampa), Frank Hibbard and other transport and transit experts.
7. The Awards and Cultural Reception, including open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cultural entertainment. This will include final remarks on the Summit by Gene Gray and Mike Meidel, Economic Directors of Hillsborough and Pinellas.
The continuing theme of IBS is prosperity, through collaboration and diversity.
2010 focus: Putting Tampa Bay on the Map.
IBS is a full-day event, held in beautiful, graceful surroundings. Higgins Hall has ample parking, and our caterers provide excellent food, beverages, elegant linens, service and flawless organization.
IBS attendee numbers: We expect 400 – 550 people at the 2010 event.
Sponsorships. The Lunch, International Panel, and The Cultural Reception and Awards Sponsorships are taken. There are still a sponsorships available. Recognition sponsorships begin at $500.
Our thanks to the current confirmed 2010 sponsors, including:
Premier Sponsor: UK Trade and Investment. Gold Sponsors: Brighthouse, Fowler White, Nielsen, Ogletree Deakins. Silver Sponsors: Tampa General Hospital, Ikea, Coca Cola, Partner Sponsors: SHRM, Tech Data. (If you have confirmed since the last update, please accept my apologies.)
The larger sponsorships include:
- A five to eight minute presentation at the start of the sponsored event.
- 6-8 full day tickets for staff and clients, including breakfast, all workshops, lunch, speed networking, and the Cultural Reception with open bar.
- If desired, an exhibition table to promote business objectives during the Summit, advertising banner etc.
- Sponsor Company logo and details, links etc appear on the IBS website, in the program and in all IBS marketing. A write-up also appears in the program (size depends on sponsorship level).
- Sponsor Company logo displayed throughout the summit.
- A complete list of all attendees at the Summit, and their contact details.
- Invitations to Bi-National Chamber events throughout the year, as we strive to promote our sponsors in the bi-national and diverse community.
- Year-round time with connected members of the various Chambers, so that we can help to build your connections in the Tampa Bay area.
- Assistance with your entry for the Brighthouse-IBS Collaboration Diversity Prosperity Awards.
There are many photos of IBS 2009 on-line, and pictures of Higgins Hall on the Hall website. www.stlawrence.org/higginshall/gallery/
Contact: Potential sponsors and media personnel can contact Hilton Ross-Munro at hilton[@]hiltonrossmunro.com or Glynis at Glynis[@]c-psolutions.com. Hilton’s cell phone is 813-598-9180.
To contact the IBS Board President: Grant Petersen of Ogletree Deakins. Joanne L. Cornell is his Assistant and International Paralegal: 813.289.1247 Office or 813.221.7243 Direct Dial. Email joanne.cornell[@]ogletreedeakins.com.
Sincerely,
Glynis Ross-Munro
Secretary
International Business Summit
www.ibsummit.org
813-598-9184
