In February, we were scheduled to receive a large group from South and Central America, but due to snowstorms throughout the country, only three visitors actually made it to Pensacola. Our Bolivian and Columbian guests were with us for one day of meetings & one day of Mardi Gras fun.
The Department of State outlined the following specific objectives for the project:
· Observe the effectiveness of the micro-business sector in creating jobs and alleviating poverty worldwide;
· Examine the legal and regulatory systems that allow micro-entrepreneurs to flourish, and identify policies that may discourage such enterprises;
· Discuss societal barriers facing micro-entrepreneurs, especially women and other disadvantaged groups, and best practices in overcoming these restrictions; and
· Explore various micro-business models, support mechanisms, and innovations such as micro-lending, multi-level marketing, the use of the internet, and others.
While with us, the group met with Andrea Moore of Enterprise Florida and Bridgette Price of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss mechanisms for economic development. Ms. Moore was especially accommodating, providing a meeting space for the group’s last appointment of the day when the snow closure at UWF threatened to cancel their appointment with the Hass Center. (Thank you, Andrea!)
A special thank you also goes to Leslie Vilardi, clothing representative with CAbi, who next welcomed the group into her home, highlighting a home-based business, her marketing efforts, and the corporate support structure behind it.
Rick Harper of the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development at the University of West Florida discussed the support that his center gives to local entrepreneurs and also presented the group with their City of Pensacola Certificates of Honorary Citizenship previously prepared by Mayor Mike Wiggins.
Intern Bruno Barros met the group at the airport and accompanied them to their appointments despite the threat of snow. Thank you, everyone!
