Chamber´s Activities

August - December 2006

Fiscal obligations for foreign companies in the U.S.

As part of the series of Seminars organized by the Chamber of Commerce, last July the consulting firm Alonso & Garcia P.A reviewed the main types of fees that apply to corporations, natural residents and foreign citizens residing in the U.S. The consultants of Alonso & Garcia also gave some orientation responding to questions concerning estate planning law, capital gains and occasional earnings, FIRPTA (10% of gross income), and provided practical tips on how to fill out declaration forms among others.

The Health Insurance Challenge

The increase in insurance rates of over 15% in the last year has led the majority of corporations to look for alternatives in facing the existing crisis. Alternatives such as “changes in types of benefits, or increasing the employees share of cost by increasing deductibles and copays” were analyzed during the last seminar organized by the Chamber in October. The company D’Leon Insurance & Financial Services Inc, presented the seminar which counted with great participation from the members of the Chamber.

For additional information on upcoming seminars send your questions to info@spainchamber.org

Members General Assembly

The balance for the year 2005 was very favorable for the Chamber, due in part to the significant increase in the number of members in the last year which presently exceeds more than 450 companies. This was one of the factors highlighted during the Member General Assembly which too place last July in one of the most emblematic hotels in Coconut Grove.

The high number of membership renewals (90%), as well as the high level of participation by members in the events and activities organized by the Chamber were also points that were mentioned.

Luis Pérez, honorary guest at Chamber luncheon

The last luncheon celebrated during this past summer by the members of the Chamber had as the honored guest Luis Perez partner at the firm Hogan & Hartson, who last January was named president of the U.S. Spain Council.

Luis Perez shared with the attendees some of the impressions exchanged during the last U.S. - Spain Council celebrated last June in the city of Tampa.

The U.S. – Spain Council serves to promote a plural economic, scientific and cultural dialogue between the two countries.

Latin - American Chambers Gathering, CBCA

The Council of Bi-National Chambers of the Americas convened last October 5th in Coconut Grove to celebrate the annual luncheon in which the main Latin-American Chambers, together with the Spain –US Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce gathered. The event’s guest of honor was Brian Dean recently named Executive Director of The Florida FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas), who invited those present to participate and collaborate in the different activities offered by this organization.

Celebration of the Chamber’s 27th Anniversary

The 27th edition of the Chamber’s Annual Gala Dinner will be held on October 27th. On this occasion it will count with the attendance of the Honorable Governor of Florida Jeb Bush who will be given an award recognizing his work in support of the Spanish Business Sector present in the State of Florida. Also the company Banco Sabadell, which has been named by the Chamber’s Board of Directors as “The Company of the Year” will receive this award in recognition to its outstanding work performed at an international level.

This event which each year gathers in Florida the main players in the business and political community of both the U.S , Spain and parts of Latin America, is one of the most important events held organized by the Spain U.S Chamber of Commerce in Miami.

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