Also known as The International Economic Forum of the Americas, this two-day event held in April at the Palm Beach County Convention Center drew professionals from all walks of life seeking expert insight into the future of global economic development. As expected, Brazil received its share of attention. After all, the world’s sixth largest economy continues to set a global example in terms of rapid and sustainable growth.

The event featured several specialists on Brazil, including Welber Barral, chairman of the board for Brazil Industries Coalition. “The perception about Brazil is changing rapidly, but there’s still a lot of work to be done,” said Berral, who was part of the Brazilian delegation led by President Dilma Roussef that visited the White House in early April.

Florida’s current governor, Rick Scott, who is interested in developing close business relations with Brazil, spoke with Brazil Preview about his latest trip to São Paulo (last October). “We want to do more business with Brazil,” Scott said. “This was the most important trade mission we had last year. Brazilians love Florida, they are hard workers and we want them to come here.”

Watch interview with governor Rick Scott here

Watch interview with chairman of the board for Brazil Industries Coalition Welber Barral here

Port Miami director Bill Johnson has been working for years to attract more business from Brazil. Johnson made it very clear when he spoke about the importance of developing more trade with Brazil. “It’s all about relationships,” he said. “We’ve been going to Brazil and talking to key people there. Increasing the volume of cargo between Port Miami and Brazilian ports is something we take very seriously.”

Watch interview with Port Miami director Bill Johnson here

As president of the Palm Beach County Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Jorge Pesquera is interested in capitalizing on the emerging Brazilian middle class, which can now afford to spend vacation time abroad. Such trips often are more affordable than domestic destinations inside Brazil. “Brazilians are now discovering Palm Beach County,” Pesquera said. “Here they find stress-free shopping with less traffic, plenty of good options and available parking everywhere. It’s a different experience when compared to Miami, for example.”

Watch interview with president of the Palm Beach County Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Jorge Pesquera here

Much like the State of Florida and Port Miami, the Palm Beach County CVB is expanding its presence in Brazil in order to achieve its goal of generating more business between Florida and one of the most active economies in the world.

The Palm Beach Strategic Forum is sponsored by Bank of America, Forbes & Manhattan, Florida Power & Light, Greenspoon Marder, Enterprise Florida, Florida Realtors Association, FTI Consulting, Professional Touch, Odebrecht, Garda, The Palm Beach County Conventions and Visitors Bureau, BDB, Kaufmann de Suisse, the City of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Atlantic University.