2026 International Business Forum

Forum Program

IBF 2026

Program Schedule

Check back for speaker updates.

8:00-9:00 AM
Registration, Breakfast & Expo

Breakfast Sponsor


9:00-9:10 AM
911±¬ÁÏÍølcome Remarks by USF Leadership


9:10-9:30 AM
Keynote Remarks by Alex KellySecretary of Commerce, Florida Department of Commerce


9:30-10:30 AM

Moderator
Raul Alfonso, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Port Tampa Bay

Fireside Chat
Alex Kelly, Secretary of Commerce, Florida Commerce Department
Michael SimasPresident and Chief Executive Officer, The Florida Council of 100

Keynote Speaker & Fireside Chat Sponsor


10:30-10:45 AM
Coffee & Networking Break


10:45 AM-Noon
Panel Discussion

Foreign Direct Investment: Global Companies, Local Growth

 

Moderator
Madison LawsonVice President of International Investment, SelectFlorida

Speakers
Jonathan Abreu, Director of Supply Chain in Global Operations, OPSWAT
Tobias Borawski, Managing Director, Astaras (Germany)
Nicholas CoucoulesVice President of Programs, CAE USA (Canada)
Martin Palmeri, Managing Director, Head of Operations for the Americas, MUFG (Japan)
Chia Yuan Wang - Invited, President, Gerdau Long Steel North America

Foreign Direct Investment Sponsor


12:00-12:30 PM
Lunch & Expo

Lunch Sponsor

12:30-12:50 PM
911±¬ÁÏÍølcome by Jane Castor, Mayor, City of Tampa
Luncheon Remarks by Patrik Hansson, Chief Revenue Officer, AquaFence (Norway)


12:50-1:30 PM

Moderator
Mitchel Allen, Senior Vice President of Economic Development, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council

Fireside Chat
Jennifer Crabtree, President, Tampa Medical & Research District
Patrik HanssonChief Revenue Officer, AquaFence (Norway)

Lunch Speaker & Fireside Chat Sponsor


1:30-2:30 PM
Expo

Expo Exhibitors

expo tablesClick to enlarge image.