House Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1711 Florida Trade and Exhibition Center
Requester:	Luis Sabines		Organization:		The Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States, CAMACOL
Project Title:	Florida Trade and Exhibition Center		Date Submitted:		01/28/2000 2:37:26 PM
District Member:	Gustavo Barreiro		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	Dade
Recipient:	The Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States, CAMACOL		Contact:		Patricia Arias
	1417 West Flagler Street		Contact Phone:		(305) 642-3870
	Miami 33135
Project Description:
The Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States (CAMACOL) is the largest Hispanic business organization in the State of Florida and one of the most influential minority retailers to large corporations. The organization enjoys 501c(6) status with the Internal Revenue Service. The activities funded by this item are focused on providing statewide assistance to Florida's small and minority business community in order to penetrate the international marketplace.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
The Florida Trade and Exhibition Center provides technical support to small and minority companies interested in the export market; recruits small and minority Florida firms for participation in the annual exhibition of Florida Export Products- registration costs for 100 Florida firms are underwritten; provides on-line matchmaking services through CAMACOL's internet services; sponsors trade missions/seminars in cooperation with Enterprise Florida International Trade Division (formerly with the Florida Department of Commerce); recruit and assist small and minority firms form the "Incubator Project"; assist statewide Economic Development Organizations interested in setting-up incubator centers in their respective areas; conduct periodic seminars/workshops on "How to" export with leading experts as speakers; provide referral services to the Florida Export Finance Corporation to those qualifying firms in need of export finance.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
CAMACOL has met or exceeded the performance standards in its current contract with the Governor's Office of Trade, Tourism, and Economic Development. Development of Outreach Program targeting the State for 100 Florida companies and economic development organizations; development of 200/per month Electronic Business Matchmaker and Internet Services to assist Florida firms with business matchmaker services online; recuitment of 150-200 Florida based firms to participate in the Inter-American Business Matchmaker held in conjunction with the Hemispheric Congress; Participation of 150-200 Small/Minority Florida companies in the trade shows of the XVIII Hemispheric Congress; underwrite costs of 100 small/minority Florida companies at the Matchmaker and Exhibition; assist 200 companies per quarter; 3-4 trade missions/shows; 2 regional and 2 statewide seminars/workshops per quarter; Incubator program promotion throughout Minority Business Community; establish 30 small/minority export firms in Incubator Center; 2 statewide cooperative agreements; 4 domestic trade shows.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$300,000
Total cost of the project:		$800,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?						Yes
	Cash Amount:	$495,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?						Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1998-1999		Amount:		$300,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?						Yes
	Amount:	$300,000
	Purpose for future year funding:				Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?					Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?						Yes
	Agency:	Governor, Executive Office Of The
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?						Yes
Is there a documented need for this project?						Yes
	Documentation:	Enterprise Florida Strategic Plan
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?						Yes
	Hearing Body:	Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:	11/10/1999