Panama: Finance, Trade, Tourism & Service Center of the Americas

Bi-National Board Meeting
October 24
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center

Minutes

Present
United States Chapter: Nick Antonelli, Linda Boyd-Jones, Joe Cornelison, Susan Davis, Michael Farrell, Robert McMillan, Eugene Renzi, Vince Ryan (guest), Juan Sosa, and Albert Zapanta.

Panama Chapter: Kaiser Bazán, Rossana Castrellón (guest), Roberto Dominguez, Félix Carles, Ricardo Eskildsen, Tom Kenna, and George Thomas (guest).

Meeting started at 7:30 am.

Panama Week 2002
A discussion on the New York program was held. The conclusions were as follows:
(1) It was felt that the New York program was successful.
(2) New York should be included in future events.
(3) With recent success, more sponsors should be able to be incorporated in the future.
(4) Panama Week 2003/Panama Day should be programmed for New York with the following strategy:

·        Select the appropriate date

·        Try to incorporate President Moscoso in the program

·        Select a site in mid-town Manhattan

·        Allow sufficient time for raising the funds

·        Allow a day for transportation to Washington

New York Chapter
During the New York activities it was announced that the New York Chapter had been created and that Linda Boyd-Jones will be the Director of the Chapter. Ms. Boyd-Jones is an executive at Parsons Brinckerhoff and her company has generously agreed for Linda to devote time to the chapter activities and have her office serve as the Council’s New York office.

ExpoTrans
A briefing was made on the concept and objectives of ExpoTrans, an Expo Conference hosted by the Council in Panama City January 27-29, 2003. Vice President Kaiser Bazan and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater will co-chair the conference. There are four groups involved: USPA USA; USPA Panama; Rodney Slater; and Congrexpo de Panama. Brochures were distributed.

Miss Universe – Tourism
Miss Panama 2002, who was recently crowned Miss Universe 2002, participated in the New York program. Next year the Miss Universe Pageant will be held in Panama and it was proposed that the Council take advantage of this event and organize a series of business activities heavily oriented to the tourism sector and to those companies that are associated in one way or another with the beauty sector. A concept paper will be prepared for the consideration of the board.

Centennial Year
Next year Panama will be celebrating its Centennial Year. A discussion was held on how to best take advantage of this celebration to promote the relationship between the United States and Panama. Some of the ideas offered included:

·        Reactivate the successful format of “Panama Day” implemented in 2000, considering the following cities: New York City, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and Chicago, in addition to Panama Week in Washington.

·        Try to include President Bush and President Moscoso in next year’s Panama Week.

·        Consider following up “ExpoTrans” with a similar initiative in the United States.

“Friends of the Canal”
Vince Ryan, former member of the Board of the Panama Canal Commission, proposed the formation of a group “Friends of the Canal”, that would be in a position to access opportunities to support the Canal. After a lengthy discussion in which favorable and cautionary opinions were voiced especially in the perceived “lobbying” nature of the group, it was decided to give a more in-depth consideration to the proposal. In addition, this would have to be considered in relation to the Panama Canal Authority’s proposed lobbying efforts in Washington

Support for FTAA
The bi-national board meeting of 2001 approved to give support to Panama’s efforts to become permanent site of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. This support has been given especially to Vice President Bazan and Special Ambassador Rossana Castrellón. Vice President Bazan briefed the board on the advances of this initiative. Full support was reiterated by the board.

Board members proposals
Chairman of the Board Robert McMillan informed the board that additional responsibilities that he recently has acquired as the first non-physician member of the Board of the American Medical Association and his expanded responsibilities as Chairman of the finance committee of Blue Shield Blue Cross New York, were making difficult to spent the time he would like on USPA business. Chairman McMillan formalized his resignation as Chairman but agreed to stay on the board, and nominated board member Eugene Renzi for Chairman. Gene Renzi’s nomination was seconded by Susan Davis and Kaiser Bazan and he was elected by acclamation. Linda Boyd-Jones was also elected to the Board by acclamation.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 am.

(General information)
( Play "Say Goodnight Gracie" & Reception Sardi's)
(NY Tourism Breakfast & Destination Panama Workshop)
(NY Finance Forum, Howard Special Zone Pres. & Lunch)
(Washington Tourism Reception & Presentation)
(Bi-National Board Meeting, Washington Trade & Business Opportunities Forum & 
Lunch with Keynote Speaker Vice President Kaiser Bazan)
( Embassy Reception)
(Private Breakfast, Finance Forum & Lunch with Keynote Speaker Administrator of Panama Canal Authority Alberto Aleman Zubieta)
("Friendship Award" Reception)
("Friendship Award" Gala Dinner)
(Sponsor Appreciation Page & Participants)
(To Receive Copy of Presentations)
(Media Coverage)
(What People are Saying)