Writer: Joshua Andino
3 min read November 2021— The Miami Movement is well underway, according to community and business leaders across Miami-Dade County, including Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who spoke at the Invest: Miami 2022 Launch Conference. The leaders agreed the county is experiencing a once-in-a-generation influx of wealth, business, and new residents that will propel the region to new heights as a global destination.
“We are a community united. We are bullish on Miami-Dade, and the world is discovering it,” Cava said during her closing keynote address detailing the successes of the region against COVID-19 and key opportunities yet to come, citing a report that named Miami “the most recovered economy in the nation.”
Miami also remains a key market for media platform Capital Analytics, with CEO Abby Melone speaking to the area’s diversifying economy, strong leadership, business-friendly pandemic response and international appeal that has contributed to the region’s ongoing growth. “Miami has all of these elements and more, which has not only allowed the county to weather economic downturns of years past, but has propelled us as leader of the pack in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.” Melone said.
With three panel discussions on the importance of healthcare and education, what an equitable economy means for the county’s future, and how Miami’s real estate today will create the city of tomorrow, the Invest: Miami conference, held on Wednesday, Nov. 17 on Zoom Webinar, showcased the future of Miami-Dade County from the perspective of both business and community leaders, who gave their views on what this future means for the region’s economy.
Invest: Miami is an annual business intelligence report compiled by Capital Analytics as part of its suite of yearly reports focusing on local and regional economies. “Miami-Dade is enjoying a steady influx of new residents and businesses moving to the region, all signs that suggest the area is moving forward, and in a positive direction. A robust education system, top-flight healthcare and one of the country’s most diverse communities are all playing a role in that,” Melone said.
Christina Crespi, executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority, provided the opening keynote address, highlighting the Authority’s efforts to assist local businesses, coordinate funding and tackling the challenges the future may hold, lauding the growth and strength of Miami as an economic engine to be able to successfully work in addressing what issues may emerge. “It’s been spurred by the $38 billion economic engine that we have here, but also all the investment coming through these private companies,” she said.
Known for the diversity of its population, strong transportation and logistics network as well as its connection to Latin American and international markets, and unrivalled temperate climes that see warmth and sunshine year-round, Miami is quickly redefining itself as a hub of institutional business and activity.
The first panel, “Essential Industries: The integral role education and healthcare play in shaping Miami’s future,” looked at the role that both sectors, and the relationship between them, play in shaping the regional economy. Moderated by Madeline Pumariega, president of Miami Dade College, the panelists included Gulliver Preparatory School President Cliff Kling, Banyan Health Systems President CEO Vincent Carrodeguas, Dean of the University of Miami Division of Continuing and International Education Rebecca MacMillan Fox and Principal for Government Relations from Buchanan Ingersoll and RooneyMichael Grissom.
The second panel, “Equitable Economy: Why diversity, equity and inclusion are essential factors toward the future of Miami’s economic growth,” discussed what an equitable economy means for the city and how organizations both public and private are looking to make their organizations and wider sectors more accessible and representative of the diverse populations across the region. Moderated by Leigh-Ann Buchanan of aire ventures, panelists included Kaufman Rossin Entrepreneurial Services Principal and Practice Leader Meredith Tucker, The Children’s Trust President and CEO James Haj and Baker McKenzie Managing Partner for New York and Miami Scott Brandman.
The third panel, “Miami’s Future: How today’s real estate and development market is creating the Miami of tomorrow,” looked at the integral real estate sector and how its development will continue to play across Miami. Moderated by Hamptons Group Chairman and Managing Director Jeff Bartel, panelists included Location Ventures CEO Rishi Kapoor, Borges Architects Principal and CEO Reinaldo Borges and Hancock Askew & Co. LLP Miami Office Managing Partner Craig Armstrong.
For more information, visit: https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/
To watch the Invest: Miami Event in full, please visit our Youtube Channel
