Why Florida? Series I Maritime Trade Mission from Estonia I Part 2
As part of a trade mission to the United States, a group of Estonian companies in the maritime industry are travelling to Miami to attend Seatrade Cruise Global (13–16 April 2026). Some of the companies will be in Miami for the second year in a row. The purpose of their visit is to continue exploring opportunities available to them in Florida and to deepen some of the relationships established during their 2025 visit.
The delegation will be led by Mr. Kristjan Truu, Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs and Water Resources at Estonia’s Ministry of Climate.
As part of a 2-day program of group visits, EACC Florida will hold a “Why Florida? What Business Leaders Need to Know When Considering Expanding into the US/Florida I Part 2” morning seminar for the group on Monday April 13 from 9.00AM to 11.00AM. This seminar is hosted by Cozen O’Connor – a President Circle Member.
If you are an EACC Florida Member and wish to attend, please send an email to [email protected] indicating “Estonian maritime delegation” in the subject line.
ESTONIAN MARITIME DELEGATION
PANELISTS
- Anders Aasen, Founder & CEO – Nesaa Maritime Solutions
- Daniela Betancourt, Senior Vice President & Director, Global Banking – Seacoast Bank
- Nicole Connors, Counsel – Cozen O’Connor
- Christina Sleszynska, Executive Director – EACC Florida [Moderator]
As part of his Welcome Remarks, our Host, Scott Bettridge from Cozen O’Connor will offer brief insights into the legal, tax and immigration basics to our guests.
SCHEDULE
9.00am – 9.30am Arrivals & Registration
9.30am – 10.30am Panel Presentations
10.30am – 11.00am Networking
DATE/TIME
Monday, April 13 2026
9.00AM-11.00AM
LOCATION
Cozen O’Connor
Exact location provided to registered attendees only
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
Anders Aasen is Chief Executive Officer of Nesaa Maritime Solutions and a globally respected maritime executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience across cruise operations, marine technology, newbuild programs, and environmental innovation. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Global Marine Technology for Royal Caribbean Group, overseeing technical strategy for a fleet of 69 advanced cruise vessels across five global brands. During his 32-year career with Royal Caribbean, he led large-scale refurbishment, optimization, and maintenance programs and directed organizations of 62 senior specialists and more than 1,300 traveling professionals. A former CEO of Triton Emission Solutions, Anders continues to advance sustainable maritime technology and operational excellence worldwide. Anders is also the current President of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce for Florida.
Daniela Betancourt Agosto, AMLCA is a seasoned strategic banking executive with over 20 years of experience in international finance and cross‑border operations. As SVP and Director of Global Banking at Seacoast Bank since October 2022, she leads the development and execution of global banking strategies, supporting multinational clients entering or expanding in the U.S.Holding the AMLCA (Anti-Money Laundering Certified Associate) designation, Daniela brings deep expertise in BSA/AML and OFAC regulatory frameworks, ensuring robust governance and adherence to global standards while enabling growth and innovation.Outside her core role, she actively contributes to the Miami business community, serving as Chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Financial Services Committee since May 2023. Her leadership has been recognized with accolades such as “Most Influential Business Woman” by the South Florida Business Journal in 2025.
Nicole Connors concentrates her practice on complex residential and commercial property insurance litigation, maritime litigation, bad faith claims, and alternative dispute resolution. She regularly advises insurance carriers on coverage and excess exposure issues, claims handling procedures, and fraud investigations, and represents insurers in state and federal courts from pre-suit through trial preparation.
Her maritime practice includes maintenance and cure, seaworthiness and voyage-related warranty claims, marine contract and indemnity disputes, passenger claims, and matters under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Death on the High Seas Act, and general maritime law.
Before joining Cozen O’Connor, Nicole was a partner at a Florida litigation firm and previously served as corporate counsel for a Florida insurer. She began her career working with home builders, title companies, real estate firms, and property insurers, giving her a practical, industry-based perspective.
Nicole holds a B.A. in Finance from Florida Atlantic University and earned her J.D., cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law.
Christina Sleszynska is an international association executive and has served as Executive Director of EACC Florida since its establishment in January 2020.Previously based in Brussels, she spent three decades in Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels managing European trade associations and EU government relations across sectors including cultural cooperation, audiovisual, commercial radio, and intellectual property.She established and led the European Representative Office of the International Trademark Association (INTA) in Brussels, serving as Chief Representative Officer Europe from 2006 to 2017. Christina holds an MA in European Integration from American University (Washington, DC), a BA in Politics and Public Affairs from the University of Miami, and an Executive MA in Management of International Associations from Solvay Business School (Brussels). She speaks English, French, Spanish, and German, with working knowledge of Dutch and Italian.
Program kindly hosted by and organized in cooperation with
