A Message from the Chairman

Chairman of the Board Carolina Rendeiro

We are at the start of our new Chamber year where our Goals Conference theme “the world is not enough” will be put into play.  I am excited about this upcoming year and hope all of you will help make it a successful year for our Chamber. 

I would like to share my vision with you.  I want our Chamber not only to grow in membership, but in visibility throughout the community.  Through our various programs, you will see more Chamber involvement in Education, Advocacy and in Strategic partnerships that will not only benefit our members, but our community, as well as the branding of our name.  The Chamber should be the voice of business in our community and in the international arena.  We offer the international community a European quality of life here in Coral Gables. 

Those of you who know me, realize that I have worked the international sector for the past 29 years, spanning 19 countries, but primarily focused in the Americas.  There are quite a few challenges.  One of the largest challenges we have here in Miami is competing with other port cities such as Houston, New Orleans, and Tampa - we all compete for the same businesses.  So the selection becomes the cost of doing business in these cities, where in all cases - housing, taxes, insurance and staff - we are beginning to lose out to the other cities. 

This needs to be looked at very seriously and aggressively over the next 18 months; it will soon affect all of us, even our tourism.  It took a while for the South Florida area to diversify from just being tourism based to other sectors; it would be a shame to lose that edge.  We need to continue to build relations with our neighbors to the South and to the North of us.  Many companies locate here from Europe and Asia to conduct business from Miami with the Americas; we need to facilitate that process and perfect it everyday, in order to keep our edge with competing cities.

We are becoming the voice of the business community; we have strong international roots with nearly 200 multinational companies located here, as well as 20 consular corps and trade offices.  We want to strengthen what Coral Gables has to offer, not only in our Class A office space, but in our vibrant commercial district as well.

I would like to thank our outgoing Chairman Sergio Barrera, as well as the outgoing Board Members and Executive Committee; through their time and efforts, they helped make this year a success. 

What is the recipe for successful achievement?  I think there are four essential ingredients:  choose something you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities and be a vital member of your organization.   Let the Chamber be your partner in helping you create your successful achievements for you and your business, through community involvement.

The greatest achievements of the human spirit are to live up to one’s opportunities, and make the most of one’s resources.  The Chamber has many opportunities waiting for you, and with your help, will continue to be one of your most valuable resources.

On behalf of the incoming Executive Committee and Board of Directors, I thank you for your continued support.

Chairman of the Board
Carolina Rendeiro