Latin Trade Group Concludes Another Successful BRAVO Business Awards

MIAMI, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latin Trade Group hosted its annual Latin Trade Symposium and 19th Annual BRAVO Business Awards this past Friday, October 25 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami. Dubbed "The Oscars of Latin American business," the event honors leadership excellence in government, business, and social entrepreneurship in Latin America and honored eight individuals and one company. Winners included: Otto Perez Molina, President of Guatemala; Maria das Gracas Silva Foster, CEO of Petrobras; Alvaro Fernandez Garza, CEO of Alfa; German Efromovich, CEO of Synergy Group; Ignacio Antonanzas, CEO of Enersis; Eneas Pestana, CEO of Pao de Acucar; Magalie Dresse, President of Caribbean Craft; Marina Silva, former Brazilian senator; and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

The day began with the Latin Trade Symposium, the preeminent forum for discussion and innovation in the region. The Symposium focuses on people, companies and the paradigms for success in Latin America, and is organized in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, the Americas Society/Council of the Americas and Ashoka.

This year's Symposium focused on the Public and Private Sector Collaboration for Impact by highlighting the Leaders, the Companies and Paradigms for Success, and attracted more than 400 attendees, with more than 40 guest speakers leading dynamic discussions. These panels focused on topics like Strategies for Success, Innovative Collaborations for Sustained Growth, and Strategic Trade Alliances. Several sessions focused on logistics, energy, and foundations. The event's opening address was delivered by German Efromovich, who discussed the effect and potential of public-private partnerships in the region, while President Perez Molina delivered a Presidential Address on Guatemala's opportunities for investment. A lunchtime panel chaired by Foreign Policy CEO and Editor-in-Chief David Rothkopf featured a debate between the public and private sector.

More than 500 guests attended the evening gala. Highlights of the evening included a video message for winner Magalie Dresse from U.S. President Clinton in which he highlighted Dresse's commitment to Haiti, as well as a surprise visit by German Efromovich's brother Jose. Jose, a fellow board member of Synergy Group and CEO of Avianca Brazil, honored his brother's entrepreneurial spirit. Marina Silva delivered a rousing speech for her award for Distinguished Service in the Hemisphere, in which she underlined the need for environmentally sustainable solutions, and highlighted the power of ordinary people. Leader of the Year President Perez Molina, praised his country's improved security and business environment in his acceptance speech, and encouraged investors to explore the country. "For the past fourteen years I have witnessed this program flourish into a unique forum where leaders driving progress in Latin American and the Caribbean come together to exchange ideas and celebrate benchmarks of success in the region," said Latin Trade Group Chairman Richard Burns.

Sponsors of the BRAVO Business Awards and Latin Trade Symposium include: HSBC, Copa Airlines, Marriott Rewards, IESE Business School, AES, The Boston Consulting Group, CAF, Celistics, Charles Schwab, Hamburg Sud, International Enterprise Singapore, Microsoft Latinoamerica, Panalpina, SAS and Scotiabank. Lunch sponsors include Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Kroll. Media partners include CNN, the Financial Times, OnStream Media, PR Newswire and Newlink Group. Wines and spirits were sponsored by Ron Zacapa.

Next year's BRAVO Awards and Latin Trade Symposium will be held November 7, 2014. For more information, please visit www.bravo.latintrade.com.

Latin Trade Group is a leading provider of information and business services to companies operating in Latin America. It publishes award-winning content in Spanish and English for distribution throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States through print, online media and events. Latin Trade Group publishes Latin Trade magazine, Latin Business Chronicle, and is the organizer of the Latin Trade Symposium and BRAVO Business Awards, the LT CFO Series for financial executives of multinational corporations, and Trade Americas.

Media Contact:
Paula Gomez
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305-702-2771

SOURCE Latin Trade Group