FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 1, 2014

Media Contact: Stacey Swank

Pinellas County Economic Development

(727) 464-7425 or sswank@pinellascounty.org

Media Contact: Michelle Bauer

Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation

Tampa Bay Export Alliance Exploring Export Opportunities in Chile

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL - December 1, 2014 - Leaders of the Tampa Bay Export Alliance, a partnership of Pinellas County Economic Development and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, have boarded a plane to Santiago for their first joint trade mission to Chile, taking place December 1 - 5.

Commissioner Karen Seel, Chair of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, and City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn are leading the delegation of approximately 40 Tampa Bay business leaders with the goal of developing commercial relationships and increasing exports to Chile.

The group will spend three full days in Santiago to promote international business opportunities between Chile and the Tampa Bay region. The agenda will include a Gold Key program, customized one-on-one meetings arranged by the U.S. Commercial Service, site visits, informational briefings, and networking events with a variety of Chilean business organizations.

Highlights of the agenda include:

A country commercial briefing by the U.S. Embassy
A meeting with the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX)
A reception at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Michael A. Hammer
A meeting with the Chilean Trade Commission (Pro-Chile)
A meeting with the mayors of the cities of Santiago, Tampa, and St. Petersburg to discuss a Public Tri-City cooperation agreement
A meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce of Chile and CORFO.

Participating in the Gold Key program are 14 companies representing diverse sectors such as auto parts, construction, engineering, solar energy, safety equipment, marine equipment, heavy machinery, electric power equipment, water technologies, agricultural equipment, industrial supplies and education.

Leaders from Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Visit Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Partnership, Tampa International Airport, Port Tampa Bay, and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the mission as well. The representatives from the two regional tourism agencies have additional meetings scheduled to promote tourism between Chile and Tampa Bay.

The mission to Chile is the latest in a series of significant trips Tampa Bay business leaders have taken to Latin America to strengthen commercial opportunities with the region. In February and October of this year, delegates with the Tampa Bay Export Alliance traveled to Panama to build relationships and focus on bilateral trade.

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The Tampa Bay Export Alliance (TBEA) is a partnership between Pinellas County Economic Development and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, formed in 2014 to grow jobs and capital investment by increasing the international export of products and services within the bi-county area. The TBEA conducts joint export activities, such as seminars, trade events and trade missions, and supports the export-related growth initiatives of regional economic partners, including Tampa International Airport and Port Tampa Bay.

Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) works with existing businesses to encourage expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers to our community. Through investment tools, business classes, professional consulting services, trade missions to open new markets, and strategic partnerships, PCED fosters a pro-business environment and promotes the Ideal Business Climate of Pinellas County, Florida.

The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation is the lead economic development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. The EDC works to develop and sustain a thriving local economy through the attraction, retention, and expansion of high-wage jobs and capital investment within targeted industry sectors. Locally, the EDC helps existing businesses access the tools and resources they need to succeed, now and in the future.