The International Business Summit is an event that is in its fourth year.  It is not really a single event – it actually runs year round – but it is based on two concepts:

1) Differentness is an economic resource, once people learn how to leverage it.

Our local economy can benefit from the many valuable opportunities that lie in our diverse community. IBS provides an on-going networking and a face-to-face forum for strengthening understanding between different demographics. This can fast-track entrepreneurship, build collaboration, facilitate innovation and consolidate trust. It is a way in which smaller businesses meet each other, and connect with larger companies.  IBS offers a route by which larger companies can to build strong, local and diverse vendor bases, and discover many previously-hidden economic resources, talented people, customers and business partners in their community.

2) Bi-national communities are an economic resource in a global world.

Business people with international needs or business initiatives can benefit from IBS’ connections to new business ideas and prospects. The nine bi-national Chambers and Trade Associations find business support and mentorship for local partners, and are deeply connected to sources of cultural, training and economic resources.

The route to the “flat world” of the 21st Century begins with our own neighbors, who have the knowledge and ability to guide, support or promote our region, as we become employers, employees, suppliers, customers, outsource resources or other types of partners in the worldwide business community.

IBS members and scope

The International Business Summit is an umbrella body of nine Bi-national Chambers of Commerce and Trade Association in the Tampa Bay/Suncoast/Lakeland areas. We reach about 10,000 businesses and business people.

1. British-American: 180 people and businesses. www.babctampabay.org
2. Caribbean-American: 2018 people and businesses. http://www.cacctb.com
3. Chinese-American: 280 people and businesses. http://www.ccctb.com
4. French-American: 380 people and businesses. http://www.framco.org
5. Indo-American: 2875 people and businesses. http://www.indo-us.org
6. Hispanic Chamber: http://www.tampahispanicchamber.com
7. Philippine-American: 3,875 people and businesses. http://www.paccoftampabay.com
8. Scandinavian Baltic: 242 people and businesses. http://www.scandbalt.org
9. Swedish-American: http://www.sacc-greaterorlando-tampabay.org

Vision: IBS draws together members of the Suncoast business area, to leverage our extensive networks, reaching both our diverse regional community and our worldwide contacts. As such, it supports local collaboration, innovative thinking and economic growth. It also creates practical opportunities and contacts for the many trade and business opportunities that our region can build through our local bi-national communities, and their associations throughout the region, nation, and the world.

The Brighthouse IBS Diversity Awards highlight the way the IBS values build our community. IBS does not seek, nor accept, sponsorship from companies who do not support the IBS values.

Implementation: At present, IBS is focused on an annual event, or summit. It is supported by a strong Board, close contact between the chambers, and by cross-chamber involvement in chamber events.

IBS provides three tracks for networking and education (the Collaboration, Diversity and Prosperity tracks) and is highly relevant to both local and international businesses. These are shown in separate (sunglasses-required bright) colors on www.ibsummit.org and at http://c-psolutions.com/2009/11/international-business-summit-schedule/.

The next International Business Summit is Thursday, March 11, 2010, located at Higgins Hall, 5225 N Himes Ave, Tampa. Cross street – Hillsborough Ave.

IBS Sponsorship:

IBS works with organizations in the region to help them gain visibility and be an integral part of the mission of diversity, prosperity and collaboration. IBS Board members meet with prospective sponsors to understand their needs and objectives, and to discuss ways in which IBS and the bi-national chambers can help to achieve the sponsor’s goals. We work with sponsors year-round to deliver on this, even for very small donations.

Further IBS Information:

IBS is a full-day event, held in beautiful, graceful surroundings. Higgins Hall has ample parking, and is very well maintained. 2010 will be the fourth annual IBS event with an expected turnout of 400 – 600 people.

The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 7.30ish after the Cultural Reception and Awards Event. We work closely with the universities to involve many business students in the event, and have had excellent feedback from this initiative. http://c-psolutions.com/2009/03/international-business-summit-2009-feedback/

There are many photos of IBS 2009 on-line at www.ibsummit.org, and pictures of Higgins Hall on the Hall website. www.stlawrence.org/higginshall/gallery/

Potential sponsors and media personnel can contact Hilton Ross-Munro at hilton[@]hiltonrossmunro.com.  Hilton’s cell phone is 813-598-9180.