EVENT'S BLOG

Last April 28, the event “Breaking Myths: How the U.S. Banking System Works” was held, organized by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami. Understanding the U.S. banking system is essential for growing with confidence, and during this virtual session, participants had the opportunity to learn how to choose the right bank, understand the current financial landscape, and make informed decisions for the future of their businesses. This space for connection featured the valuable participation of two specialists from Seacoast Bank: Daniela Betancourt , Director of Global Banking, and Kimberly Narvaez , Senior Vice President of Global Banking. Through their expertise, they provided attendees with a practical guide to structuring their finances in the United States and understanding banking as a strategic ally for corporate expansion. Throughout the event, key aspects that every international company should consider when entering the U.S. market were addressed: Best Practices and Transparency: Cultural differences between Latin American and U.S. financial systems were explained. The speakers emphasized that in the United States it is essential not to mix business and personal funds, and to maintain each account for its intended purpose. Proactive Communication: The importance of maintaining a close and transparent relationship with your banker was highlighted. Notifying in advance about changes in business activity or unusual income facilitates regulatory compliance and strengthens long-term relationships. Security and Institutional Support: The community was advised to ensure their deposits are protected by the FDIC and to select well-capitalized institutions to safeguard their assets. Credit and Corporate Growth: Available business financing options were explored after establishing operations during the first and second year in the country. Maintaining centralized deposits, a clean financial history, and demonstrating cash flow are essential factors to access credit lines for imports or real estate. From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating in and attending upcoming events, using these spaces for dialogue to stay connected, broaden perspectives, and learn from real experiences that strengthen decision-making. If you missed this event, we invite you to watch it by clicking here . If you would like to explore the topics discussed in greater depth and enjoy the content at your own pace, we invite you to listen to the podcast version of our event. Click below to listen now.

Last Wednesday, April 22, the virtual session “Webinar: Colombia is Local Flavor” was held, organized in collaboration with the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami. The main objective of this session was to analyze the logistical processes and operational partnerships required for companies based in the United States to plan corporate travel, executive meetings, conventions, and incentive programs in key cities across Colombia. The technical session featured Juanita Salazar , International Sales Key Account Manager for USA Movich Hotels , who detailed planning methodologies for organizing cross-border corporate events. She emphasized how establishing a strong institutional partner in the destination country helps mitigate operational barriers and streamline the arrival of U.S. companies into Colombia. Additionally, the session examined a joint operational model for managing groups and conventions. Juanita presented a centralized management framework that facilitates the initial coordination of corporate requirements from the United States directly with planning teams in Colombia. Within this context, she explained benefit structures for the corporate community, highlighting preferential rate schemes that eliminate minimum lodging requirements or long-term commitment clauses, thereby providing both technical and financial feasibility for organizations of varying capacities. From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we remain committed to creating spaces designed to educate, guide, and provide high-value tools to our members. We invite the entire business community to stay informed through our official channels and to actively participate in our upcoming events. These sessions serve as a key platform for collaboration, the generation of strategic opportunities, and the continuous strengthening of professional networks and business knowledge.

Last Wednesday, April 22, the in-person event “Strategic Meeting with Carlos Fernando Galán, Mayor of Bogotá” was held. The event, hosted at the JW Marriott Miami, brought together business leaders and decision-makers to analyze the development priorities and economic growth projections of Colombia’s capital within the international context. During the session, key pillars positioning Bogotá as a dynamic investment hub in Latin America were examined. Mayor Galán presented progress on strategic infrastructure projects, highlighting advancements in the Bogotá Metro and the development of the Bogotá Airport City complex. The role of Invest in Bogotá in facilitating public-private partnerships and attracting foreign capital was also discussed, as these are critical factors for regional competitiveness. The technical discussion also addressed the city’s transition toward becoming a center for technology and innovation. Efforts in STEM education and bilingualism were evaluated as part of strengthening human capital , along with sustainability and environmental resilience policies that open opportunities for collaboration in green engineering . Finally, the session explored the advantages of nearshoring and the trade exchange opportunities between Bogotá and the Miami market. From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we extend an invitation to the entire business community to participate in upcoming events and initiatives, with the goal of strengthening professional networks and accessing high-level technical insights that support strategic decision-making.

Last April 8, the Trustees Networking Breakfast took place, organized by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami at the World Trade Center Miami. This event, designed exclusively for members of the Board of Trustees, brought together business leaders in a space for dialogue, strategic connection, and community building. The session included a strategic activity aimed at strengthening integration among Trustee members and deepening their engagement with the organization. The Board of Directors reaffirmed the value this group represents for the Chamber, recognizing its role as a driver of institutional growth and of the binational business ecosystem promoted by the CACC. The Trustees Networking Breakfast reflects the work carried out by the CACC to build a strong, connected business community with a long-term vision. Spaces like this allow relationships among members to evolve beyond transactional interactions and become partnerships with real impact. From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating in and attending upcoming events, using these spaces for dialogue to stay connected, expand perspectives, and learn from real experiences that strengthen decision-making.

Last Tuesday, March 17 , the virtual event “Webinar: Nearshoring Without the Hype” was held, organized in collaboration with the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami. This session, designed for entrepreneurs and professionals, took place virtually via Zoom with the objective of sharing methodologies on how to structure results-driven international hiring processes and optimize resources. During the first part of the session, María Isabel Ventura , partner and co-founder of the firm NearConnect , explained the characteristics and benefits of nearshoring compared to other hiring models. She focused on how it enables cost reduction , facilitates communication across shared time zones, and provides access to skilled talent . She also highlighted the role of the city of Miami, which currently serves as a key connection point between the U.S. market and professionals across the region. Later, Elsa María Solís , also partner and co-founder of NearConnect, discussed the historical evolution of service outsourcing and the legal planning that supports these operations. During her presentation, she explained how different international hiring models work, such as the use of independent contractors , Staff Augmentation , and the Employer of Record (EOR) model, which allow companies to delegate administrative burdens and ensure compliance with labor regulations. She also addressed the consolidation of Global Business Services (GBS) centers in Colombia. The session emphasized the importance of making informed decisions, showing that managing talent with clarity and structure is a valuable tool for long-term organizational development. From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating in and attending upcoming events, using these spaces for dialogue to stay connected, expand perspectives, and learn from real experiences that strengthen decision-making. If you missed this event, we invite you to watch it by clicking here . If you would like to explore the topics discussed in greater depth and enjoy the content at your own pace, we invite you to listen to the podcast version of our event. Click below to listen now.

Last March 10 , the virtual event “Living Outside the U.S. Does Not Exempt You from Your Tax Obligations” was held, organized by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami. This meeting, designed for U.S. citizens and residents living abroad , took place virtually via Zoom with the objective of providing clarity on federal tax obligations and international compliance. During the session, Néstor Rangel , business strategist at the firm Biz CPA's Accountants and Advisors , explained that the United States tax system is based on citizenship rather than residency, requiring the reporting of worldwide income through Form 1040 . He also detailed tools such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) , which allow taxpayers to manage their situation and prevent double taxation while residing in other countries. Later, he addressed the importance of transparency and reporting financial assets abroad, highlighting compliance with regulations such as FBAR and FATCA . He noted that conducting a meticulous inventory of bank accounts and investments is a fundamental step and shared a seven-step strategic action plan to organize information and facilitate regularization processes. The session emphasized the importance of making informed decisions, maintaining organized financial documentation, and seeking professional guidance to manage these requirements while living abroad. From Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami , we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating in and attending upcoming events, using these spaces for conversation to stay connected, expand perspectives, and learn from real experiences that strengthen decision-making. If you missed this event, we invite you to relive it by clicking here . If you would like to explore the topics discussed in greater depth and enjoy the content at your own pace, we invite you to listen to the podcast version (in spanish) of our event. Click below to listen now.

Last Thursday, March 5 , the in-person event “Women Who Inspire, Lead, and Transform 2026” took place, organized by the FEBICHAM Women’s Committee and supported by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami . This gathering, designed for leaders and members of the business community, was held at Craft American Eatery, located in Virginia Gardens, with the goal of connecting, collaborating, and reaffirming the commitment to the growth of women in the business sector.  During the first part of the session, following a reception, Marcela Prado delivered the welcome remarks to the participating chambers. Next, María Angélica Berrizbeitia presented the role of FEBICHAM as a network that connects and strengthens binational chambers . Afterwards, Deisy Sanabria shared the mission of the FEBICHAM Women’s Committee to promote female leadership , a vision that was also supported and complemented by the presentation of the Women’s Committee of the Argentine American Chamber of Commerce (AACC). Later, the program featured Adriana Parra, who shared a message focused on leadership, purpose, and community. The event also recognized the work of the inter-chamber community through the presentation of awards to outstanding women , included a musical performance by Katy , and concluded with a networking session where attendees continued building professional connections. We extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating in and attending upcoming events, using these spaces for conversation to keep connecting, expanding perspectives, and building relationships that strengthen leadership and the professional development of all members.

Last Friday, March 6 , the in-person event “Conversation as a Strategic Advantage” was held, organized by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami. This meeting, designed for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals, took place at the World Trade Center Miami with the objective of sharing methodologies on how coaching and leadership can generate value through conversational networks applied to today’s business context.  During the first part of the session, the team from Newfield Consulting, composed of its CEO and Founding Partner, Alicia Pizarro Domínguez , together with Senior Coach Edda Caputto, explained how organizations depend on the effectiveness of their conversational networks to achieve results. The speakers addressed the importance of understanding the conversational breakdowns that affect businesses and provided guidelines to identify those conversations that hinder the achievement of satisfactory outcomes. Later, the session combined presentations with practical exercises, where attendees had the opportunity to observe their own leadership style based on the conversations they generate. Participants worked on designing conversational flows aimed at addressing specific workplace situations, contrasting different perspectives to facilitate conflict resolution. The event highlighted the value of applying conversational strategies, from the perspective of Ontological Coaching, as catalysts for producing coordinated actions within teams and improving overall performance in a complex environment. The Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami extends an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating in and attending upcoming events, using these spaces for conversation to keep connecting, expanding perspectives, and learning from real experiences that strengthen decision-making.

On Wednesday, February 26 , the hybrid event “Deepfakes and Reputation: The New War of Trust” was held, organized by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami . Designed for business owners and leaders, the event took place in person at the World Trade Center and virtually via Zoom, with the purpose of addressing how digital misinformation and AI-generated alterations are redefining trust in the business environment. During the first part of the session, Andrea Liévano , founder of PR para Todos , explained the importance of building and protecting both corporate and personal reputation as the primary line of defense. She outlined how proactive action and a structured contingency plan — including the formation of a rapid response team within the first hours of an incident — are key steps to mitigating risks in cases of identity impersonation. Subsequently, José Javier Cordero and Enrique Barco , co-founders of the technology company Revelum , addressed the rise in fraud schemes that misuse the image of public figures and well-known brands. Their presentation focused on the need to implement continuous monitoring technology to promptly detect and remove fraudulent videos and links , emphasizing that the integration of specialized platforms can effectively curb deception campaigns at scale. The event underscored the importance of making strategic decisions proactively and integrating preventive technology with clear communication plans to safeguard credibility in the digital sphere. From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami , we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating in and attending upcoming events, using these forums for dialogue to stay connected, broaden perspectives, and gain real-world insights that strengthen decision-making. If you missed this event, we invite you to watch the replay by clicking here. If you would like to explore the topics discussed in greater depth and enjoy the content at your own pace, we encourage you to listen to the podcast version of our event. Click below to listen now.