2020

2020 International Business Summit (IBS) Summaries

Session I Overview: Session I of the International Business Summit (IBS) addressed topics including Practicing Trade Peace, Globalization, the International Order in the Post-COVID Era, Technology Bridging the World, and Chile’s position as a renowned global trading partner.

John Ackerman: Practicing Trade Peace

First to present was John Ackerman, Executive Vice President of Global Strategy and Development at the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport. Ackerman premised the discussion on international trade by underlining its significance to the DFW Airport, as it continues to serve as the leading economic generator for the North Texas Region.

Ackerman’s expertise on airline relations, cargo business development, and government relations offered a credible report on the status of global trade, and how DFW International Airport can position itself as the ideal air cargo gateway connecting transit freight between Asia and Latin America and how it influences the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Dr. Patrick McDonald: Globalization & The International Order In The Post-COVID Era -

To follow, Dr. Patrick McDonald, an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of "The Invisible Hand of Peace: Capitalism, the War Machine, and International Relations Theory" shared on how COVID has hastened globalization and reaffirmed that globalization and institutions of capitalism should foster peace within stable international political orders. Through Dr. McDonald’s extensive research, he has concluded that globalization slowly destabilizes domestic and international political orders in the long run, but it also offers a reduction in costs and exchange rate stability.

McDonald has accumulated extensive knowledge of international relations theory, U.S. Foreign Policy, and the international political economy. His current research focuses on the macro-political consequences of war in the twentieth century. He is currently completing a book that critiques a broad set of empirical findings linking democracy to peace.

With the publication of his book titled “The Invisible Hand of Peace”, McDonald received the 2010 Robert Jervis and Paul Schroeder Best Book Award on International History and Politics as well as the 2010 Lepgold Book Prize from Georgetown University.

Click here to watch video -Session I Part I

Lahou Keitas: Technology Bridging the World Peace

Lahou Keitas, COO and Co-Founder at Keitas Systems, discussed the importance of centralized data and databases for ecosystems. Keita ultimately suggests that centralized data will increase efficiency, and reduce time and costs for businesses. Keitas Systems is a technology company founded by women in Nantes, France. Since 2011, Keitas Systems has offered aviation companies aerospace expertise, consultation, and advanced software, including Maintenance Hub CanadaTM and the TempeusTM Maintenance Portal. Keita has over 20 years of experience in aviation and international relations. Her company was recently selected to join the Boeing Launchpad Canada program.

Emilio Armstrong: Chile 3P - ProChile

Emilio Armstrong, Trade Representative for Chile in Texas, and the Chilean Promotion Bureau shared how Chile remains as one of the world's 70 largest trading economies.

The Chilean Promotion Bureau (ProChile) is always improving, and they have started to emphasize their focus on health and fostering business partnerships with Texan entities. ProChile has just launched a new office in Texas in February, as a testament to the growing trade relationship between Chile and Texas. ProChile is hosting Chile Connected, a virtual business meeting meant to offer an opportunity for Chilean companies to connect with American companies. Learn more and participate in the event here.

Click here to watch video - Session I Part II

Session II - Pandemic Preparedness: an Interdisciplinary Work

Global leaders lead the discussion on Pandemic Preparedness for Session II of the International Business Summit (IBS) regarding the Development of COVID vaccines, and how the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport has contended with the coronavirus.

Dr. Luis Gaviria, Provost, and General Director of Neuroscience and Coaching Institute and the Vice President of the International Association of Coaching IAC, initiated the session and shared on processes that individuals should adhere to prepare their brains and lead the organizations during these unprecedented times.

Dr. Gaviria is a worldwide recognized pioneer of Neurocoaching. The objective of Neurocoaching is to enable participants to achieve self-awareness and learn empowering tactics to permit self-change and encourage greater oversight of their day-to-day.

Development of COVID Vaccines and How we Prepare for the Future

On the subject of health and the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Hua Tu, President & CEO of LakePharma, presented on the ongoing research regarding the COVID-19 vaccine along with the leading vaccines that are being tested. As of now, key findings identify protein vaccines as the best to curing coronavirus.

Dr. Hua Tu has been working with multiple medical partners on SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Tu aspires to help bring efficiency and scale to the life science industry. LakePharma is a US-based Biologics CRDMO with operations in CA, MA, and Texas. The company specializes in the production and evaluation of DNA vectors, antibodies, proteins, and more. LakePharma has been instrumental in the development of 200+ diagnostic products and strives to contribute to hundreds more.

Click here to watch video - Session II Part I

DFW International Airport - Pandemic Preparedness Panel

The DFW International Airport Session II panel including distinguished Julio Badin, Senior VP of Customer Experience; Alan D. Black, VP & Director of Public Safety; Jodie Brinkerhoff, VP of Innovation; and Catrina Gilbert, VP of Risk Management came together in a fireside chat-style discussion to address how the airport has pivoted to increase resiliency during the pandemic. Moderated by Milton de la Paz, VP of Airline Relations and Cargo Development, the panelists shared insights on the communication and effective contingency planning processes adopted by the DFW Airport staff. With new structures, the staff has addressed major disruptions, mitigated threats and risk to people and property, that have or might have affected business operations. A multidisciplinary team of the airport’s leadership is responsible for detecting, managing, and reporting suspected COVID-19 cases and preventing other disease outbreaks. The airport continues to handle many international relations and aims to strengthen its bonds to sustain long-term partnerships.

Click here to watch video - Session II Part II

Session III Overview

Renowned local and global leaders such as Roberto Velasco-Álvarez, General Director for North America, Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs; The Honorable Hideo Fukushima; Robert Kaplan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Bosco Marti of the Inter-American Investment Corporation; and Angela Lopez Shareholder and Head of Immigration Practice Group at Cowles & Thompson drove a discussion on international trade, the economy and global mobility for Session III of the International Business Summit (IBS). Each panel presented opportunities that could grow the global economy if respective trade peace is practiced.

USMCA And The Effects On Texas-Mexico Trade Relation

Roberto Velasco Álvarez, General Director for North America, Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, discussed the USMCA and highlighted some changes between Texas and Mexico's trade relations that have been documented since the introduction of the agreement. He said the USMCA is promising and will offer more bilateral collaboration to include other industries, social inclusion, and environmental protection. As Texas' leading trading partner, Mexico aims to further develop trade relationships, especially in the North Texas region.

The Honorable Velasco Álvarez was introduced to the global audience by The Honorable Francisco de la Torre, Consul General of Mexico in Dallas. Mr. Velasco, who has a master of public policy degree from the University of Chicago, and was the Chicago Policy Review's editor-in-chief, brought over a decade of experience in the Mexican federal, state, and local public sector, he prior served as a Strategy and Policy Coordinator to ProMexico's NAFTA Regional Direction in Washington, D.C.

Peace and trade in the Asia-Pacific Region

Coinciding with global trade, The Honorable Hideo Fukushima, Consul General of Japan in Houston, elaborated on how the ratio of U.S. trade deficit in goods with Japan has been gradually decreasing since 1992, to 8.6% today. Since 1990 Japan Direct Investment in the U.S. has grown steadily to become the # 1 foreign investor. From 2009 to 2019, Japan's DI in the US has grown over 168%. With almost 500 thousand jobs, mainly in the auto industry, Japan is also the US workforce's #1 foreign employer.

Japan-Texas business relations are thriving, mainly due to its geographical location, excellent workforce, biz-friendly regulations/taxes, and affordable living cost. Over 300 Japanese Companies have settled in Texas during the last 5 years as a result. Said Mr. Fukushima.

Japan's diplomacy determined ultimately to take on the peace, trade, and stability of the Asia-Pacific region has positively impacted the CPTPP country members' trade integration.

Mr. Fukushima closed his presentation by saying that the Tokyo Olympics most probably, next year, will take place on the New National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo and newly added sports such as baseball/softball, sport climbing, karate, skateboard, and surfing.

Mr. Fukushima, introduced to the attendees by Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi, has had a diverse and international career as a representative of the Japanese government since 1985. Mr. Fukushima has an M.A. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a B.A. from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law.

Click here to watch video - Session III Part I

Global Economy Concerns and Opportunities

Robert Kaplan, CEO and President Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, was interviewed by Bosco Marti, Former Executive Director, Inter-American Development Bank, and the Inter-American Investment Corporation. Mr. Marti asked about the current state of the global economy and the necessary steps towards advancing. Mr. Kaplan advised that monetary policy and fiscal relief will play key roles in the economy's recovery from COVID. He shared some additional insights on wealth gaps and the communities most impacted by the financial fallout associated with the pandemic.

Kaplan has served as President & CEO of the Federal Reserve since 2015. Previously he was the Martin Marshall Professor of Management Practice and a Senior Associate Dean at Harvard Business School. Kaplan has authored The Power of Thinking and Acting Like an Owner; What You're Really Meant To Do: A Road Map for Reaching Your Unique Potential; and What to Ask the Person in the Mirror: Critical Questions for Becoming a More Effective Leader and Reaching Your Potential.

Bosco Marti served for six years as Executive Director for Mexico and the Dominican Republic at the board of directors of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Inter-American Investment Corporation headquartered in Washington, DC. With a multifaceted career of over 20 years in the Mexican federal government under four presidents, Mr. Marti previously served in prominent finance, diplomacy, and national security positions.

U.S. Immigration & Global Mobility

Regarding U.S. Immigration, Angela Lopez, Shareholder, and Head of Immigration Practice Group of Cowles & Thompson elaborated on the impact of COVID on immigration and President Trump Proclamation suspending immigration since April 23. She provided statistics on the benefits and contributions of the immigrant population to the United States.

Angela is one of the founders of the Dallas Bar Association Immigration Law Section and 2018 Chair. She has been an award honoree as Dallas' Top 50 Women in Law (2017) by Texas Diversity Council and Best Lawyers 2020 by D Magazine. Lopez has published numerous articles on immigration and has been interviewed by the media on the national and local scales.

Click here to watch video - Session III Part II

SESSION IV— The DFW International Airport Location & Its Global Impact

The Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport is one of the leading economic generators for the North Texas Region, producing more than $37 billion in economic impact each year. The airport serves as an ideal cost-efficient air cargo hub, connecting transit goods between Asia and Latin America. Its cargo transport has increased more than 6% year after year, handling 971,000 tons of cargo in 2019. The DFW Airport is one of just two airports in North America to have achieved IATA CEIV Pharma community status, and in 2019, earned the prestigious Airport of the Year award from Air Transport World. In 2020 DFW Airport earned its first major air cargo recognition, receiving Air Cargo World’s Air Cargo Excellence Diamond Award for airports with handling capacity up to one million tons.

Click here to watch video - Session IV Part I

Click here to watch video - Session IV Part II

> International Business Summit - Practicing Trade Peace - Media Q&A

>> Media Registration Form

Past Summit Chaired by Sentrum International Consulting

2018
Dallas Fort Worth: Bridging Latin America-Asia Trade
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Texas

SENTRUM INTERNATIONAL AND DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HOLD SUMMIT WITH COUNTRIES IN ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA

On November 1 2018, SentrumGlobalTrade – a division of Sentrum International Corporation - and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport held the international business summit Dallas Fort Worth: Bridging Latin America-Asia Trade, with local and global trade leaders from public and private sectors. The summit aimed at enabling the Dallas Fort Worth region to become the connecting platform for suppliers and buyers from the Pacific Alliance member nations. (More )

LOGISTICS, CONNECTIVITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY ARE CRITICAL TO
INTERNATIONAL TRADE MARKETS OF PERISHABLE GOODS

International trade of perishable products from Latin America to Asian countries is exponentially growing. Perishable goods covers a broad range of products from fruits, vegetables, proteins and flowers to highly valuable high-tech commodities, biotech, and pharmaceuticals/life sciences products. All of them should be handled carefully and in a safe manner throughout the various steps of the supply chain. Some of these topics were the subject of debate by nearly 200 participants attending the 2018 International Business Summit, held today, November 1, in Dallas, Texas. (More)

2016
Dallas Fort Worth: The New Crossroads for Latin America- Asia Trade
DFW International Airport, Texas

Remarks from Global Business Leaders

"It was a pleasure in being able to contribute to our regional integration. Congratulations on an excellent event." Francisco de La Torre, Consul General of Mexico in Dallas

"There were some valuable contacts made that will foster our interaction in the international trade market." Trina Zais, AICP, MPA, Director of Public Services/Economic Development

"It was a pleasure having the opportunity to attend “The New Crossroads for Latin America-Asia Trade Summit”. It was a very informative and excellent networking event." Robert Xavier Chavez,
Broker & Principal, The Alta Vista Group

"Having attended many conferences over the years as a participant, panelist and moderator, I know how difficult it is to encourage open and frank discussions on complex and/or politically charged topics. The fact that you were able to achieve this level of interaction is a tribute to both Sentrum and to the commitment from DFW Airport as the principal sponsor. Based on the success of this edition, I would look forward to additional conferences focused on placing DFW squarely in the center of Asian/Latin America/US trade. Congratulations again on a terrific job." Michael Keough - General Manager Downing Teal Colombia