MIAMI, FL — The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) hosted its Annual Symposium & Business Leaders Luncheon on March 29 at Hyatt Regency Miami, located in downtown Miami. Each year, the Miami Dade Chamber’s executive leadership chooses a theme that directly impacts its constituents, building a power panel around it. It’s no secret that the economic landscape is changing in Miami. One of the most important elements of this landscape is the workforce. As the leading chamber in Miami-Dade County’s minority community, MDCC leveraged its position to bring together several formidable thought leaders to discuss “Employment: Today & Tomorrow”. Title sponsor CareerSource South Florida was uniquely positioned to lend deep insight on this topic. Executive Director, Rick Beasley, led an intuitive fireside chat with none other the President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Jamal Sowell.
The day began with an introduction provided by Dr. Mark Rosenberg, President of Florida International University (FIU). Dr. Rosenberg shed light on how universities like FIU must be at the forefront of preparing students to step confidently into the workforce. The first panel of the day, led by President of the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council Beatrice Louissaint, focused on Enhancing Small Business Competitiveness. Panel members included President and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Michael Harrington, Managing Member of Brickell Ventures John Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Holsen Inc. Enterprises Darryl Holsendolph and Dr. Mark Rosenberg. The second and final panel of the symposium, led President of the Mourning Family Foundation Bill Diggs, took a deep dive into “Tools to Develop South Florida’s Talent Pipeline.” Panel members included Executive Director of CareerSource South Florida Rick Beasley, District 1 Miami-Dade County Public School Board Member Steve Gallon, Venture Hive Founder and CEO Susan Amat and Florida Memorial University’s Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Adrienne Cooper.
During the Business Leaders Luncheon, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce acknowledges those individuals who have worked so hard in the community. It also recognizes Chamber members for their business savvy and accomplishments. Special recognition was awarded to the following; Aletha Player – Board Member of the Year; Greenberg Traurig – Corporate Business of the Year; United Way of Miami-Dade – Large Non-Profit Organization of the Year; BAC Funding – Small Non-Profit Organization of the Year; MIA Media Group – Dexter Foster Small Business of the Year; Matthew Pigatt – Rising Star of the Year.
After the awards were presented, Rick Beasley of CareerSource South Florida welcomed Marine Corps. Veteran Jamal Sowell to the stage to talk economic prosperity for middle class and minority communities as well as Enterprise Florida’s talent retention efforts. “It was a pleasure to speak with the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce last week about Enterprise Florida and our mission to diversify Florida’s economy,” said President Sowell. “We look forward to partnering with local communities to recruit new businesses and create opportunity for Floridians.”
Sponsors for the event included CareerSource South Florida (title sponsor), Wells Fargo, AARP, American Airlines, Bank of America, Bayside Marketplace, Commissioner Barbara Jordan, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jackson Health System, Knight Foundation, Royal Caribbean Ltd and InTouch Logistics LLC.
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