Present were Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams and Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus.
Commissioner Wescot-Williams provided some welcoming words. "Good morning and welcome. It is indeed a pleasure to welcome the delegation from Tallahassee, who is here to meet with the business community. As we continue, this our 10th anniversary of this relationship, much has happened and much more will happen in the future. Lets explore new relationships, new ideas, so that the relationship can grow between these two entities.
Commissioner Buncamper-Molanus also gave a short introductory speech about the relationship that exists between Tallahassee and St. Maarten, the need to further develop the relationship, and explored different economic areas that can be beneficial, such as the agriculture & fisheries, and marine industry, projects that engage our youth, creative industries, finance and off shore sector, logistics and distribution, call centers, education center, among other topics.
Bill Proctor, Tallahassee County Commissioner, spoke about economic developments on St. Maarten and in Tallahassee, including some of his observations on St. Maarten, some ideas on how the relationship can be strengthen, and the current economic situation in the US.
The objective was to provide a venue whereby local and Tallahassee delegation members in the business world can network and explore new opportunities. During this week, there will be several individual meetings between these two groups.
There will be presentations by the Tallahassee delegation on different topics and possible investment opportunities during individual meetings with the business community.
Besides the Commissioners, there were other speakers: Miguel de Weever, Sector Director of Economy and Tourism, who spoke on Economic developments in St. Maarten; Benjamin Harris, Representative of the Economic Development Department, Stephan Knight, President of the Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation, J.R Richards, President of the Bond Community Health Center, Arthur Lugisse, Executive Director of the Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation, Dr. Keith Simmons, Professor of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, and James Weaver, Business Consultant.
The meetings will revolve around these key areas:
- Programs of ongoing relationship between Tallahassee and St. Maarten with regards to education, student exchange and media.
- Business to business relationship between Tallahassee and St Maarten Chambers of Commerce
- Investment opportunities by way of the City Program
- Financial opportunities for businesses in Florida
- Business Exchange program
- French student exchange
- Legal presentation for students
- Organization and function of the Community Bond Center in Tallahassee
- King Arthur's Tool (www.katools.com)
- Janitorial Foodservice & Paper
- Business & Tourism package
- National Cultural Heritage Initiative
- E-Florida
- Trademark and copyright registration in Tallahassee
- Rotary Club
- Sports & Culture
- Billboard Exchange program
- Student exchange and internship opportunities at FAMU
- And others.