EVENT'S BLOG

On Wednesday, October 28, the event FORWARD 2026 took place at Mana Tech in Miami. Organized by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami , this gathering brought together business leaders, investors, and experts to discuss key opportunities transforming corporate management, technology adoption, and global commercial relations. 

On Friday, October 23, the event "STRATEGIC INFLUENCE: How to Communicate Strategically to Drive Impact and Create Value" took place. This in-person connection space was organized by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami at URBE University. The meeting brought together members of the business community to reflect on how clear expression of ideas, words, and professional presence directly shape the perception created in the corporate environment. Message Intentionality and Differential Value During the gathering, featuring speaker Andrea Lorena Femenias from Strategic Influence, essential tools and concepts were shared to construct clearer, more concise, and effective messages. The discussion emphasized that communication is inherently intentional, meaning an underlying purpose exists behind what is said and how it is expressed. Because many professionals may offer similar services within the same industry, standing out depends on effectively conveying the true differential value of an offering rather than merely broadcasting information. To turn everyday conversations into business opportunities, the speaker highlighted the necessity of understanding what a company offers, identifying its specific target audience, and addressing the specific pain points or needs they experience. Aligning these elements enables professionals to deliver a message that generates influence, impact, and commercial growth. Evolution Toward Digital Presence and Value-Driven Content The space also addressed the critical role of establishing a strong digital presence in today's market. Because human curiosity naturally leads audiences to observe and research others online, maintaining active social media profiles has become essential for personal branding, visibility, and market positioning. Furthermore, the session encouraged traditional merchants to transition from legacy marketing methods toward integrated digital platforms. Having a functional website and active social channels acts as a primary digital storefront for corporate services. Rather than posting content arbitrarily, businesses were advised to structure consistent publications that deliver genuine value, resolve customer challenges, and build long-term trust. 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 conversation to stay connected, expand their vision, and discover real experiences that strengthen their decision-making.

This past Thursday, October 22 , the Advisory Board Meeting event of URBE University took place. This in-person encounter brought together various institutions and personalities from different professional backgrounds to collaborate on academic enhancement. The central objective of this annual meeting is to allow leaders and experts to contribute to the correct and balanced development of the programs the university offers to the community. Through this connection space, which took place in the format of a working breakfast, attendees reviewed and discussed the institution's class curriculum. Areas such as law , education , business , IT , health , communication , and international business were part of the collaborative agenda . The Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami participated as a organizational engine of the encounter , driving the integration between the needs of the business market and the academic offerings. The feedback from professionals with diverse backgrounds ensures that the study plans maintain their relevance and quality for future professionals. From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating and attending upcoming events, using these conversation spaces so you can continue connecting, expanding your vision, and learning about real experiences that strengthen your decision-making.

On October 8, 2026, the event “Excelling in the Artificial Intelligence Economy” took place—a space for connection powered by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami aimed at analyzing how to turn technological adoption into a sustainable competitive advantage. The gathering brought together executives and industry leaders to address key strategic pillars of artificial intelligence, data governance, and the impact of integrating global talent into modern organizations. From Technical Implementation to Strategic Value Creation During the session, Shailen Mistry , Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Retire.com, emphasized that the evolution of AI requires redefining hiring criteria, prioritizing "orchestrator" profiles capable of designing and coordinating agentic automation logic. Mistry explained how leveraging MCP models and connectors enables the integration of core tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Slack to achieve a unified operational view. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of establishing a clear vision from executive leadership and implementing continuous weekly training programs to accelerate internal adoption. Governance, Auditing, and Budget Efficiency For his part, David Rueda , President and Head of Compliance at Resect AI, delved into the challenges of governance and technical accuracy. Rueda underscored the importance of implementing real-time auditing solutions at the inference level to detect and surgically correct large language model (LLM) hallucinations without incurring costly retrainings. In his address, he urged companies to maintain rigorous control over cloud infrastructure and establish safety guardrails to prevent legal risks and optimize technology investments. Global Talent Integration and Reducing Opportunity Costs In the field of talent management, Andrés Concha , Partnering Director at Staffing Abroad and Founder/CEO of Leaders of Tomorrow, presented the strategic value of connecting with high-performing professionals in Latin America. Concha explained how remote hiring models and Employer of Record (EOR) frameworks allow U.S. firms to optimize recruitment costs by up to 50% while maintaining high retention and productivity levels. Additionally, he warned about the necessity of securing a clear "decider" or strategic architect role prior to launching technological builds to avoid budget fragmentation and lost operational time. This event reaffirmed the importance of approaching technological transformation from a holistic perspective that combines leadership, governance, and the right talent to drive growth in the digital landscape. From Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating and attending upcoming events, using these spaces for conversation to keep connecting, expanding your vision, and learning from real experiences that strengthen decision-making.

On Wednesday, September 30 , the event “Banking Solutions for Exporters and Importers” took place—an in-person working gathering hosted by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami as the organizational engine of the event, in partnership with Grove Bank & Trust . The gathering was held at 2701 S Bayshore Dr, Miami, bringing together business leaders and international trade professionals eager to enhance the competitiveness of their global operations. A Connection Space for Global Trade from Miami In a dynamic global economic environment, having access to the right financial solutions is essential for optimizing risk management, ensuring operational efficiency, and capitalizing on new growth opportunities. Operating from Miami—a strategic financial gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean— Grove Bank & Trust , a financial institution celebrating 100 years of continuous service, shared its expertise in structuring and financing commercial flows between the United States and the region.  Key Topics and Strategic Value for the Sector During this business connection space, key financial tools designed to address cross-border market demands were discussed: Forfaiting and Supply Chain Financing: Liquidity and risk-coverage solutions tailored for both exporters and importers. Treasury Management and Deposit Solutions: Efficient mechanisms for corporate cash management and liquidity optimization. Wealth Management and Trust Services: Comprehensive management and protection solutions for corporate wealth and key executives' assets. The event provided an excellent networking opportunity to strengthen commercial relationships and share best practices among key international trade stakeholders. Driving Business Growth and Vision From the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, we extend an invitation to the entire business community to continue participating and attending upcoming events, leveraging these spaces for conversation to stay connected, expand your vision, and learn from real experiences that strengthen your decision-making.

On Wednesday, September 25, the event “The Pension Reform Is Changing the Rules” took place—a virtual space for connection organized with the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami as the organizational motor of the gathering. This space was designed to analyze the implications of Colombia's new pension regulations and provide strategic tools to help professionals and their families make informed decisions to protect their assets and future retirement income.  Analysis of Regulations and Key Dates The event featured special participation from Marcelo Duque Ph.D. , Director of Cómo Me Pensiono, a recognized specialist in pension strategy and corporate management. During his presentation, Duque emphasized that the reform is a reality endorsed by the Constitutional Court, establishing April 1, 2027 , as the key effective date for the implementation of the new pension model. In this regard, it was highlighted that the main challenge for contributors lies in the timely management of the pension gap , defined as the substantial reduction in income at retirement compared to one's active working years. Transition Regime and Pillar Structure One of the central topics addressed during the gathering was the scope of the transition regime . It was detailed that individuals who, as of April 1, 2027, have accumulated 750 contributed weeks in the case of women or 900 weeks in the case of men will retain the benefits and calculation formulas of the current regime. On the other hand, those who do not reach that week threshold will enter the new pillar system . Under this structure, contributions on income up to 2.3 minimum wages must mandatorily go to the public component managed by Colpensiones, while any excess amounts will be contributed to individual savings component managers. This regulatory shift aims to reorganize the allocation of state subsidies, while requiring younger generations to build savings and investment habits early on to sustain their quality of life in adulthood. Strategic Recommendations for Families Additionally, the space for connection addressed the specific circumstances of Colombians residing abroad and guidelines to strengthen their financial planning. It was recommended to maintain continuous contributions to both pensions and healthcare , thereby ensuring comprehensive protection for the family unit against unexpected events such as disability or death. Finally, complementary alternatives were explored, including voluntary savings, real estate investments, and supplemental health solutions , as key tools to mitigate the income gap and consolidate a secure retirement. 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 their vision, and discover real-world experiences that strengthen their decision-making.

This past September 14 to 16, 2026 , the Americas Food & Beverage Show took place in Miami , a highly significant trade event that marked a milestone in the global food and beverage industry. This platform solidified its position as the premier stage for developing business relationships, opening new markets, and driving commercial integration across the hemisphere. The grand gathering brought together thousands of attendees from around the world, convening prominent producers, distributors, international buyers, and representatives from both the public and private sectors. The central purpose of the event was to promote the strengthening of supply chains, foster a positive investment climate, and consolidate robust commercial cooperation networks that allow companies to scale their operations in the competitive market of the United States and the Americas.

Honoring the Legacy: Connection, Leadership, and the Future of Colombian-American Commerce

On August 25 , the event "Skills Without Borders: Pathway to Labor Reconversion and Certification of Competencies in the United States" was held, a virtual connection space that established itself as a key platform for analyzing professional development and competitiveness in the global market. Actively organized and promoted by the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce Miami, this gathering brought together prominent academic and strategic consulting leaders to analyze the new dynamics of international employment. The main objective of the space was to guide business owners and professionals on how to strengthen their profiles and structure effective training pathways to enhance human talent. In a context marked by technological evolution and changes in hiring models, adaptability and the development of demonstrated skills have become fundamental pillars for business growth. Toward an evidence-based selection and evaluation model The session featured the participation of Rodrigo Silva , Academic Director of the Politécnico de Suramérica (Polisura) , who shared a practical guide on certification and professional development opportunities in the United States. During his intervention, Silva highlighted the importance of transitioning from traditional hiring schemes to a model based on performance evidence. In his analysis, he emphasized the need to concretely validate candidates' skills, mitigating the impact of profiles that do not always reflect the reality of practical competencies. Likewise, methodologies for redesigning evaluations were discussed, orienting them toward "knowing how to do" and aligning them with international regulatory frameworks such as the ISO/IEC 17024 certification, which endows talent with international validity and opens new commercial and professional doors in highly competitive markets such as the United States. Artificial Intelligence and the redefinition of the professional profile The meeting also featured the analysis of Carlos Parra , Clinical Professor at Florida International University (FIU) , who addressed the disruption of specialized artificial intelligence in corporate workflows. Parra explained how advanced AI tools are radically optimizing operational times in complex analytical tasks, such as mergers and acquisitions. In this new ecosystem, the expert warned about the emergence of an "adversary scheme" where technology is used both to create resumes and to filter them automatically. Faced with this challenge and potential algorithmic biases, Parra emphasized the inescapable responsibility of the human evaluator — the "owner" of the process — to make the final decision and design highly rigorous selection methodologies based on the factual demonstration of projects. Similarly, he pointed out that the use of adaptive AI agents is accelerating knowledge transmission times, allowing organizations to focus almost immediately on practical simulations and field performance. The value of continuous learning and internal mobility The conversation was also enriched by the perspective of Edda Caputto , Master Coach at Newfield Consulting USA , and Daniel Trejos , CEO and Founder of Polisura . The experts agreed that the corporate market increasingly demands a continuous learning mindset (upskilling). Caputto emphasized that, faced with low-turnover environments, organizations must strengthen their internal mobility systems and the ethical observation of key behaviors to maximize the operational effectiveness of their teams. For his part, Daniel Trejos delved into the need to overcome dependency on traditional degrees through agile schemes and micro-trainings of immediate application (such as AI workshops), rather than waiting for the completion of long formal programs. He explained that the structured evaluation of talent stands on three pillars of evidence: conceptual knowledge (Knowing), performance in real-world situations (Knowing How to Do), and measurable products delivered (Result), making it easier for medium and large companies to make more reliable hiring decisions. 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, utilizing these spaces of conversation to continue connecting, expanding their vision, and learning from real experiences that strengthen their decision-making.