Hospitalar showcases Florida companies to more than 90,000 visitors from 74 countries

ORLANDO, FL (May 13, 2014) – Today, Secretary of Commerce and president & CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI) Gray Swoope announced that EFI will lead 10 small and mid-sized Florida healthcare companies to the Hospitalar tradeshow. Held May 20-23 in Brazil, Hospitalar is a direct channel to the Latin American healthcare marketplace.

“This event is a great opportunity for Florida’s medical and healthcare companies to promote their products on an international level,” said Secretary Swoope. “Brazil boasts one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world, and offers opportunities for Florida exporters in various business sectors to cultivate export-led bottom-line growth. The 10 companies participating in Hospitalar showcase the business diversity of Florida’s life sciences industry.”

EFI’s presence in the U.S. Pavilion will allow the 10 Florida companies to cost-effectively exhibit their products. Of the companies attending, four were awarded a Target Sector Trade Grant. Without the assistance of EFI’s International Trade and Development efforts, many of the companies would not be able to attend or be as successful and efficient in reaching such a large audience.

Florida companies and organizations traveling to Hospitalar with EFI this year include:

• Apira Science, Inc. – Boca Raton
• Atlas Specialty Lighting – Hialeah
• Bovie Medical Corporation – Clearwater
• Bulbtronics SA – Miami
• Endoscopy Replacement Parts – Newberry
• FIME – Miami
• Gaumard Scientific – Miami
• Medical Safety Innovations – Ponte Vedra Beach
• Phoenix Healthcare Resources – Ft. Lauderdale
• Rumex International – Clearwater 

Latin America Sales Manager at Gaumard Scientific, Leon Yahes said, “Exhibiting at Hospitalar enables Gaumard to reach a broader audience of both dealers and end users in one location in order to increase our sales in Latin America. Enterprise Florida has been helping our company for the past three years successfully navigate the exhibition. I could not manage this show on my own without their invaluable assistance.”

Vice President of Global Business Development at Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc., John Hartnett, III said, “The Florida exhibition provides an illustrious platform as a destination point for potential customers looking for ‘Made in America’ quality endoscope components. Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc. has experienced continual long-term sales growth after each show and we continue to fortify our presence in South America. In addition, Enterprise Florida offers strategy advice prior to the event and helps connect us with good business matches at the show.”

Claudio Delacroix, Business Development Representative for Latin and Central America at Bulbtronics S.A. Inc. said, “Florida and more specifically, Miami, are the portal of commerce for Latin America and therefore it’s very important for us to have a presence in the Florida showcase. Exhibiting at Hospitalar will help Bulbtronics’ business by giving us the ability to interact with the customers from different regions and countries that are going to visit the show. Enterprise Florida’s work at the show helps our company grow by organizing business meetings and that makes it easier to interact with the prospects and customers at the show.”

Each year, Enterprise Florida leads companies to international events to promote increased exports for Florida businesses. Recently announced international trade and development event results include:

• Expo Seguridad, Mexico: Six companies attended Latin America’s largest security and defense trade show, recording more than $4 million in total projected sales.
• Singapore Airshow, Singapore: Twenty-two companies attended Asia’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition, recording more than $62 million in total projected sales.
• Arab Health, Dubai: The 24 Florida exhibitors who attended the Germany-based show reported more than $111 million in total projected sales.
• Dubai Airshow, Dubai: The largest air show in the Middle East resulted in more than $67 million in expected sales for 11 Florida aviation and aerospace businesses. 

International trade and foreign direct investment accounted for about one-sixth of the state’s economic output last year and supports an estimated one million jobs. Florida has the highest trade surplus among all states, with total trade exports plus imports hitting a record of $162.2 billion. Florida has a number of strengths to leverage, including one of the fastest-growing international economies, strong air and seaport infrastructure, and a large and well-qualified multicultural workforce. Learn more about Enterprise Florida’s export assistance programs.

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  EFI facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

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