Bradenton Area EDC Hosts Visit for Businesses from Spain

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. on June 14 hosted its first-ever in-bound trade mission, giving local business leaders an opportunity to meet with representatives from Spanish companies seeking to do business in the United States.

Seven companies from Barcelona and Mataró, Spain were represented, including LINKM, Gymtonic S.A., Tramontana, Alooha, Unisport Universitas, Mar & Nua and the TecnoCampus Mataro’. Approximately 14 Bradenton area businesses participated in the session held at the EDC’s office at the McClure Center at Lakewood Ranch.

“We were extremely pleased to host our new friends and colleagues from Spain at this inaugural event,” said Sharon Hillstrom, EDC president and chief executive officer. “We are encouraged by the positive feedback we’ve received from those in attendance and the opportunity for collaboration on an international scale.”

The in-bound trade mission grew out of a previous visit in April by officials from Mataró who participated in a roundtable discussion at Port Manatee. Following that visit, which was initiated by Port Director Carlos Buqueras, the officials from Mataró identified companies that want to introduce their products or services to the U.S. and Latin American markets during the trip in June.

“Port Manatee is pleased to serve as a catalyst to promote international trade opportunities in Manatee County,” said Carlos Buqueras, Port Manatee executive director. “After several exploratory meetings in Spain, a meeting here at the port, the EDC-hosted event and a wrap-up meeting in Miami this weekend, I can confidently say that, together, we have opened the door and are holding it open for new economic opportunities in the international arena.”

“The EDC’s partnership with Port Manatee is helping to put the Bradenton Area more firmly on the map as a global business destination,” Hillstrom said. “Based on the success of this initial effort, we believe that in-bound trade missions will be a useful tool in our outreach initiative to attract businesses and high-impact jobs to the Bradenton area.