Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson was instrumental to the success of the show as he opened the show on Friday.  More than 20,000 residents visited the First International Agricultural and Cattle Show of Miami on Saturday, May 16th, and Sunday, May 17th, enjoying an educational and healthy family outing.  Over 240 heads of cattle were exhibited by 34 breeders from the State of Florida. Hundreds of visitors from Latin America visited the Agricultural and Cattle Show.  There were two charter buses with a delegation of ranchers from Guatemala that purchased more than 65 head of cattle.  There were delegations from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama and many other countries, which also purchased cattle, horses, genetic materials, tractors, trucks and other equipment.  The cattle show had more than 50 corporate sponsors, which is outstanding for a first year event, where the attendance figures and product exposure is unknown.

The most important aspect of the Agricultural and Cattle Show was the large number of positive reviews and free publicity that Miami-Dade County received both internationally and nationally, with news headlines such as “Miami aims to become an agricultural business center” and “Miami wishes to devote itself now to agricultural business.”  International Internet sites that showcased these headlines include: Noticias Latino, of Microsoft Networks (MSN), Yahoo Noticias en EspaZol, Yahoo Finanzas EspaZa, Noticias en EspaZol de America On Line (AOL), Periodista Digital, Terra.Com Noticias, Cotizalia.Com de EspaZa, La Nacion.Com de Paraguay, El Comercio.Com del Ecuador, Prensa.Com, La Prensa Grifica.Com de El Salvador, y Panamá News Brief.Com de Panamá.

Miami is the Capital of the Americas because it has a unique geographic location, combined with a strong international banking and international shipping infrastructure.  We are uniquely poised to be a major international player in agri-business between Latin America, the Southeastern United Status, Europe and beyond.  One commodity which is strength in Latin America and will always be in demand throughout the World is cattle, livestock, grains, fruits and vegetables.  Today’s agri-business has evolved into a multi-billion dollar, high technology industry with the advent of embryo transfers, artificial insemination and cloning.   As South Dade and Florida’s agri-business industry become major international players, the positive economic impact will benefit our free trade zone, our sea port and our international airport.  The American Brahman Breeders Association named Miami-Dade County Commissioner to their International Committee in appreciation and recognition of his efforts to promote trade between the United States, Latin America and Europe.  It is quite an honor considering he is probably the only member who does not own cattle, livestock or any agricultural related business, but has championed the promotion of international agri-business trade.

“The Convention and Visitors Bureau pays a lot of money for the volume of positive publicity and positive news that this event generated for the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County in Europe and Latin America.  I even received a call from some government officials in Spain who saw news coverage of this event in their newscasts in Europe,” said Souto.  “This event could not have been a success without the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which co-sponsored the event and the participation of the Dade County Farm Bureau.  I want to recognize the efforts of our County Manager George Burgess, Assistant County Manager Alex Munoz, our Parks Director Jack Kardys, our Parks Department Assistant Director for Operations Frank Faragalli, the County Agricultural Manager Charles LaPradd, the entire Parks Department staff, Team Metro and many other County Departments and staff who made this event a success, as well as the Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.”