Invest: Miami 2020 Launch Conference Highlighted Miami-Dade’s Economic Strength

Kaufman Rossin | Featured in Capital Analytics Associates | December 8, 2020

Miami-Dade’s economic resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges highlights Invest: Miami 2020 business forum, book launch.

The Invest: Miami 2020 Launch Conference successfully brought together Miami-Dade’s business and community leaders in an online business forum to discuss the region’s economic climate and how to prepare for a post-pandemic world. Hosted by integrated media platform Capital Analytics, the well-attended event took place on Thursday, Dec. 3, via Zoom Webinar.

Following a brief introduction by Capital Analytics’ CEO Abby Melone, founding Chairman of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation Adrienne Arsht presented the opening keynote address. In her speech, Arsht remarked that “2020 has been a test of our strength and courage, our resilience,” and that this challenging time has revealed the economic sectors for which society needs to fortify resilience to “not only survive, but thrive.”

Arsht was followed by a robust panel discussion that was introduced with a speech from panel presenter James R. Haj, president and CEO of The Children’s Trust. Julio Frenk, president of the University of Miami, delivered his keynote speech before the second panel began. “The year 2020 has offered South Florida, and indeed the world, many lessons. It happens that my career has spanned two fields, global health and higher education, which are now converging as we seek solutions to a pandemic of unprecedented magnitude,” Dr. Frenk remarked.

Upon conclusion of the second panel, Daniella Levine Cava, the new mayor for Miami-Dade County, addressed the current state of the local economy and the opportunities that this year has presented.

“In this moment of crisis that we are facing, we have the opportunity to ask some very hard and important questions about the type of community that we want to be. We have an opportunity to imagine a stronger, more resilient foundation for our economy and our families,” Mayor Levine Cava said.

Also on the docket was the launch of the company’s critical annual analysis, Invest: Miami 2020. Compiled after eight months of thoroughly researched analysis, the sixth edition of Invest: Miami highlights the opportunities in Miami-Dade’s economy through C-level insider insights and key business intelligence.

World-renowned for its tourism and hospitality offerings, diversifying industries, strong banking and finance sector and home to one of the busiest airports and seaports in the world, Miami-Dade is poised for a strong economic bounceback in 2021 despite the challenges caused by coronavirus-related uncertainty. The challenges, and the steps taken to overcome them, are just some of the focal points in Invest: Miami 2020. Featuring exclusive insights from industry leaders, sector insiders, elected officials and heads of important institutions, the report analyzes the leading challenges facing the market and uncovers emerging opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and innovators. The 2020 edition includes a special focus chapter on the City of Aventura.

During the forum, participants addressed how the banking and financial sector is positioned for success in a post-pandemic world, as well as the innovations that are emerging in all business sectors and which will help shape the future.

The panel “The future of finance: What’s to come in 2021 and beyond” featured Steve Zelkowitz, office managing partner of Fox Rothschild LLP; Nick Miceli, regional president for Florida metro at TD Bank; Jeff Ransdell, founding partner and managing director of Fuel Venture Capital; and Ryan Marks, corporate finance and strategy lead for Kaufman Rossin. The “Shaping the future: Today’s problems are tomorrow’s innovations” panel featured Kelly Kronenberg CEO Michael Fichtel, Knight Foundation’s Miami Program Director Raul Moas, NDM Hospitality’s Managing Principal Nick Falcone, Stantec’s Senior Principal Andrew Burnett, and Location Venture CEO Rishi Kapoor.

Hundreds of high-level guests and officials from Miami-Dade’s key industries and economic institutions tuned into the event.

“Thank you again for letting me be a part of this important conversation. I know since your founding you have been a key collaborator in showcasing the economic strength, diversity and resilience of Miami-Dade and creating the conversation about where we are and where we are going. The role that you play is more important than ever as we plot the future,” said Mayor Levine Cava about the event and organizer Capital Analytics.