手机看片 President Moez Limayem welcomed a capacity crowd to the Third Annual 手机看片 International
Business Forum.The Tampa Bay region鈥檚 emergence as one of the nation鈥檚 fastest鈥憆ising destinations for international business and foreign direct investment was on full display at the University of South 手机看片鈥檚 Third Annual International Business Forum, where leaders from higher education, state economic development and the private sector examined how growth is being translated into global competitiveness. The discussions were punctuated by an expo featuring over 30 leading firms and organizations from the Tampa Bay community.
The takeaway from the day鈥檚 in-depth conversations: The Tampa Bay Region is rising in prominence as a strategic foothold for international companies seeking long鈥憈erm U.S. market opportunity in an interconnected global economy.
鈥淕lobal engagement is not a side strategy. It鈥檚 not an afterthought,鈥 said 手机看片 President Moez Limayem in his opening remarks to a gathering of more than 300 in the 手机看片 Marshall Student Center. 鈥淚 want to add to that: Global engagement does not just happen to a region. We choose it. We decide it. We are intentional about it through the partnerships we build, the talent we develop, and the vision we set.鈥
"Global engagement does not just happen to a region. We choose it. We decide it." 鈥 手机看片 President Moez Limayem
The April 1 forum built on last year鈥檚 rankings of Tampa as the leading city in the nation for international businesses in the Investing in America report. The ranking surprised many in larger cities, but confirmed for state, local and regional economic development officials that their long-term strategy to build the nation鈥檚 most business-friendly state, coupled with 手机看片鈥檚 healthy growth rate and comparative quality of life was resonating on a global scale.
Select手机看片 President and CEO Matt Swanson said 手机看片鈥檚 deliberate and strategic decisions to become one of the nation鈥檚 most supportive states for businesses have been central to the state鈥檚 success in attracting international companies and foreign direct investment. Powering the growth trajectory is long-term investments in talent development and infrastructure, including building research and innovation capacity at 手机看片鈥檚 leading research universities, and focusing on student success to fuel one the nation鈥檚 best talent pipelines.
Further, a focus on emerging technologies 鈥 including advanced air mobility, cybersecurity, and quantum computing 鈥 along with leveraging historic strengths such as agricultural technology and strengthening the maritime industrial base, are globally significant moves signaling that 手机看片 is home to the future innovation economy, Swanson said.
In the current fiscal year alone, there have been 20 projects involving international investment, creating 2,300 jobs and totaling $1.2 billion in capital investment, with a quarter left to go, Swanson noted. More than 455,000 jobs in 手机看片 have been created by international companies, and more than $100 billion in international capital investment has flowed into the state in recent years.
鈥淭he opportunity out there is, in my opinion, limitless,鈥 Swanson said. 鈥淲e just have to provide the right infrastructure, the right workforce, and the right ecosystem.鈥
手机看片 Council of 100 President and CEO Michael Simas
Select手机看片 President and CEO Matt Swanson
Port Tampa Bay Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Raul Alfonso
In a fireside conversation, Port Tampa Bay Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Raul Alfonso described how the port鈥檚 diversified business and global linkages create a foundation for growth across multiple industries. Port Tampa Bay has a $34.6 billion annual economic impact. 鈥淭he best is yet to come,鈥 Alfonso said. 鈥淚 think we all believe we are in the right place at the right time.鈥
手机看片 Council of 100 President and CEO Michael Simas discussed efforts to promote 手机看片 as a destination for ambitious companies through highlighting the state鈥檚 entrepreneur鈥慺riendly culture, where businesses can build and scale rapidly.
鈥淚 would say every region needs to focus on its assets 鈥 what are their best bets 鈥 and really line up around those assets, the ecosystem that supports them, from venture capital to innovation to aligning the marketplace more efficiently and developing talent pipelines,鈥 Simas said.
Madison Lawson, Select手机看片鈥檚 Vice President of International Investments, (left)
leads a conversation with executives from internationally-owned companies whose U.S.
operations are based in the Tampa Bay Region.
Photo by Giovanna Silveira Chitto
International Business Leaders Highlight What Attracted and Keeps Their Companies in the Tampa Bay Region
Martin Palmeri, Managing Director and Head of Operations for the Americas, for Japan鈥檚
MUFG said the bank plans to grow its workforce in Tampa to more than 600 in the years
to come.Talent, infrastructure, and quality of life are driving Tampa Bay鈥檚 rise as a destination for international business investment, according to global executives who spoke during a session moderated by Madison Lawson, vice president of international investment at Select手机看片. Lawson framed the discussion around a central question she hears frequently from international companies: Why Tampa Bay?
Martin Palmeri, managing director and head of operations for the Americas at MUFG Bank, said Tampa Bay exceeded expectations when the Japanese financial institution was selecting a new East Coast operations hub. is Japan鈥檚 largest bank and opened its hub for East Coast U.S. operations in Tampa in 2024. The has grown to about 450 employees, with plans to reach 600 to 700 within the next two years.
鈥淲e were kind of blown away,鈥 Palmeri said. 鈥淚t hit a lot of the criteria that were very important to us 鈥 access to talent, the number and quality of universities, availability of office space, and airport accessibility. It started ticking off all the boxes.鈥
Palmeri said the region鈥檚 collaborative business environment stood out compared to larger banking centers. 鈥淚n places like New York, everything feels zero鈥憇um,鈥 he said. 鈥淗ere, it鈥檚 the opposite. If one company succeeds, the region succeeds.鈥
For technology firms, talent availability was a recurring theme. Jonathan Abreu, director of supply chain and global operations at international cybersecurity firm OPSWAT, said Tampa鈥檚 growing workforce made it a natural fit.
Talent, infrastructure, and quality of life are driving Tampa Bay鈥檚 rise as a destination for international business investment, according to global executives who spoke...
鈥淲e saw a diverse and growing pool of professionals,鈥 Abreu said. 鈥淐ompared to the (U.S.) West Coast, the cost structure makes sense, but more importantly, the talent here has been incredible. That made this a very easy decision.鈥
Tobias Borawski, managing director of , a German-owned manufacturer of welding consumables, said Tampa Bay offered both workforce depth and logistical advantages critical to industrial operations. 鈥淵ou have a strong airport, an active seaport, and competitive export rates,鈥 he said. 鈥淔or companies serving customers across the United States, this is a very efficient place to operate.鈥
Government and defense-related activity also play a major role in the region鈥檚 international appeal. Nicholas Coucoules, vice president of programs at , said Tampa鈥檚 proximity to MacDill Air Force Base and U.S. Central Command was a key factor in CAE鈥檚 long-term presence. Canadian company CAE Inc. is the parent company of the U.S. subsidiary.
鈥淏eing here matters. About 40% of our Tampa workforce are veterans, many of whom retire from MacDill (Air Force Base) and want to stay in this region,鈥 Coucoules said.
Nicholas Coucoules, Vice President of Programs at CAE USA, touted the defense tech
company鈥檚 long-standing partnership with the 手机看片 College of Engineering.CAE has operated in Tampa Bay for more than 25 years and recently opened a new state-of-the-art training and simulation facility near Tampa International Airport. The company has a long鈥憇tanding partnership with 手机看片, working to develop students to work in the defense, aviation and simulation industries. The company supports engineering capstone projects, participates in career fairs and provides internships across disciplines. CAE leaders also engage directly with students through guest lectures, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.
From an agricultural and global trade perspective, Joao Roberto Amador, board adviser to , and an adjunct professor at 手机看片 Southern College, emphasized Tampa鈥檚 importance in the international citrus industry. While much of 手机看片鈥檚 orange juice now originates from Brazil, Amador said the region is a central and growing player in the scents and flavoring industry, which relies heavily on citrus products.
鈥準只雌 is still the center of decision鈥憁aking and innovation for citrus,鈥 Amador said. 鈥淲e invested more than $20 million in Tampa because the infrastructure, ports, and customers are here. From this region, we export finished products to the world.鈥
鈥淭he future here is very strong. Tampa has already proven it can support global operations.鈥 鈥 Jonathan Abreu, Director of Supply Chain in Global Operations, OPSWAT
Throughout the discussion, Lawson highlighted how 手机看片鈥檚 economic development ecosystem 鈥 from state and county agencies to universities and international chambers of commerce 鈥 supports business growth after companies arrive.
鈥淐ompanies don鈥檛 just land here and get left alone,鈥 Lawson said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a deep network that helps them succeed from site selection to workforce development.鈥
Panelists also candidly discussed challenges, including housing affordability and insurance costs, but remained optimistic about Tampa Bay鈥檚 trajectory. Many pointed to continued investment, university partnerships and regional collaboration as keys to sustaining growth.
鈥淭he future here is very strong,鈥 Abreu said. 鈥淭ampa has already proven it can support global operations.鈥
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said nearly 500 foreign-owned businesses operate in the region, representing 40 different nations. Those companies are 鈥渁mbassadors鈥 for drawing additional international investment in the region, the mayor said.
Photo by Giovanna Silveira Chitto
Tampa鈥檚 Mayor Highlights the City鈥檚 Global Business Strength
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized Tampa鈥檚 economic diversity as one of its greatest strengths. Unlike regions that rely heavily on a single industry, Tampa has built a broad portfolio that includes health sciences, cybersecurity, manufacturing, tourism, maritime activity, and more.
鈥淭hat really puts us in a strong position,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hen you look across the nation and internationally, many places dominate in just one area. That leaves them vulnerable to downturns. We鈥檙e fortunate not to be.鈥
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized Tampa鈥檚 economic diversity as one of its greatest strengths.
The mayor also highlighted Tampa鈥檚 global footprint, noting that nearly 500 foreign-owned businesses operate in the region, representing 40 different nations. Those companies, she said, become some of Tampa鈥檚 strongest ambassadors.
鈥淲hen businesses have positive experiences here, those conversations travel,鈥 Castor said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 incredibly valuable.鈥
While technology enables global outreach, Castor stressed that human interaction remains the most powerful recruitment tool. She described traveling internationally with 手机看片, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, chambers of commerce, and regional partners to promote Tampa in markets across Europe, Asia and Latin America.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been to France, Germany, Japan, Mexico 鈥 all over the world,鈥 she said. 鈥淎nd it has paid off.鈥
She also emphasized the region鈥檚 collaborative approach, citing joint recruitment missions that include leaders from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. 鈥淚f any one of us wins,鈥 she said, 鈥渢he entire region wins.鈥
Castor shared just how personally she approaches business recruitment. While Tampa was competing to land the , she found herself in the market for a new boat. 鈥淎nd I鈥檒l tell you, I took it personally,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 just happened to be buying a new boat at the time. You know what kind of motor is on that boat? That鈥檚 right 鈥 a Suzuki.鈥
AquaFence Chief Revenue Officer Patrik Hansson (right) explains in a conversation with Tampa General Hospital Senior Vice President and Tampa Medical Research District President Jennifer Crabtree (left) and Mitchell Allen, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, how the company works with TGH to install flood protection barriers when hurricanes threaten.
AquaFence Leaders Highlight Resilience, Innovation and Community Investment
A sample size of the AquaFence system. The barrier deployed at TGH during recent hurricanes reaches almost a full story and holds back devastating storm surge.
When hurricanes Helene and Milton threatened Tampa in 2024, Tampa General Hospital鈥檚 vulnerable location on Davis Islands put their investment in a flood barrier system engineered by Norwegian company to the test. while the hospital鈥檚 first floor remained dry became a global viral sensation.
AquaFence鈥檚 flood鈥憄rotection expertise is rooted in its founding in Oslo, where managing water is a constant challenge shaped by fjords, dense urban development, rivers, snowmelt and heavy seasonal rainfall. The company views flooding as a design and infrastructure problem, said AquaFence Chief Revenue Officer Patrick Hansson, not merely an emergency response.
AquaFence鈥檚 system focuses on load鈥慴earing systems designed to withstand water pressure, storm surge, wind, and debris, developing modular barriers that become more stable as water levels rise. By the time a TGH official came across the company at a trade show, AquaFence had made its U.S. reputation in New York City, another island vulnerable to storm surge, where it was protecting more than 50 buildings, including One World Trade Center and the tunnels going in and out of Manhattan.
While Tampa had its unique challenges as a customer for its business, the experience of protecting TGH also provided an undeniable attraction for AquaFence. Last year, the company opened its , seeing it not just a lucrative market for its systems but a place that Hansson, originally from Sweden, and his teammates wanted to call home.
We see Tampa at the intersection of growth, innovation, and risk.鈥 鈥 Patrick Hansson, Chief Revenue Officer, AquaFence
鈥淒uring the hurricanes in 2024, a woman told us her mother was in Tampa General Hospital and did not have to evacuate,鈥 Hansson said. 鈥淪tories like that are why we wake up in the morning. We鈥檙e not just working for a paycheck, we鈥檙e doing good.鈥
Hansson explained the business case for AquaFence to establish its U.S. presence in Tampa in a conversation with TGH Senior Vice President Jennifer Crabtree, who also serves as president of the Tampa Medical & Research District, and Mitchell Allen, senior vice president of economic development for the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. 鈥淲e see Tampa at the intersection of growth, innovation, and risk,鈥 Hansson said. 鈥淵ou have incredible talent, strong institutions, and real-world conditions where, if our system works here, it will work anywhere.鈥
Crabtree described the unique vulnerabilities facing Tampa General Hospital, located on Davis Islands, and why the hospital鈥檚 leadership rethought its approach to storm preparedness after years of planning for first鈥慺loor flooding. 鈥淎s the region鈥檚 only Level I trauma center, shutting down was never an option,鈥 Crabtree said.
手机看片 Aquarium President and CEO Roger Germann accepts the donation of an AquaFence system to protect the waterfront facility and its delicate, and often endangered, inhabitants.
鈥淲e performed 30 major surgeries during one storm, including two kidney transplants,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat simply would not have been possible without AquaFence.鈥
The session concluded with a major community announcement: AquaFence is donating a flood protection system to The 手机看片 Aquarium, reinforcing the company鈥檚 commitment to Tampa.
Accepting the donation, 手机看片 Aquarium President and CEO Roger Germann praised the partnership and its impact on the region鈥檚 quality of life. Like TGH, the waterfront aquarium faces flood risks, some of which might be severe enough to require moving its delicate, and sometimes endangered, inhabitants during a storm.
鈥淥n behalf of the 20,000 animals we care for, our staff, and the million people who visit us every year 鈥 thank you,鈥 Germann said.