FGCU College of Business officials recently participated in a week-long trade mission to Mexico with individuals from Enterprise Florida. For Enterprise Florida, the trip was a spin-off of a mission led by Gov. Jeb Bush last July. For the College of Business, it was part of the Second Circle Program created by Dean Pegnetter to increase business and academic ties with other countries. The timing to join the two endeavors was perfect. The University played a prominent role in the trip. Enterprise Florida officials participated in university activities and FGCU participated in Enterprise Florida's meeting.
FGCU officials are interested in developing relationships with business development organizations and universities in the three states of Merida, Campeche and Quintana Roo. FGCU already has agreements with universities in Campeche and hopes to be able to develop new ones with universities in the cities of Merida, Cancun, and Carmen.
It was also fortuitous timing for FGCU's Small Business Development Center. Dan Regelski, Center Director, visited several Mexican Universities who have an interest in establishing their own Small Business Development Centers. During the trip, he traveled with other FGCU officials to eight university campuses where he met with ten university leadership groups and more than a half dozen economic development and small business development organizations.
"This has been an outstanding experience. It helps me to understand how helpful SBDC's are to the American small business community and how much other countries could benefit from similar programs," said Regelski. "I'm looking forward to the next step and to the SBDC's continued involvement in the mission of the College of Business abroad."
Officials believe that Mexico is an important country to target because it is so close to Florida. "It affords many import and export opportunities for small business," said Suzanne Specht of the Small Business Development Center, "and it definitely impacts our Florida economy."
