WEBINAR I From Europe to Florida – Your Strategic Entry Point to the U.S. Market and the Americas

For European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) exploring expansion into the United States, choosing the right entry point is a key strategic decision. Florida has emerged as one of the most attractive gateways to the U.S. market, combining a dynamic business environment, strong international connectivity, and a rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem.

Beyond its economic growth and business-friendly environment, Florida—and particularly Miami—has developed into a global crossroads for trade, investment, and entrepreneurship, connecting North America with Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Its multicultural business community, international talent base, and expanding technology and startup ecosystem make it an increasingly compelling location for companies seeking to establish a presence in the United States.

The webinar will introduce European SMEs to the key advantages of Florida as a platform for U.S. market entry. Through perspectives from state-level economic development, the local business ecosystem, and the innovation community, participants will gain practical insights into the opportunities and support available to international companies considering expansion to Florida.

This event is jointly organized by the European American Chamber of Commerce Florida and Enterprise Europe Network and run by the European Commission in Brussels.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• Why Florida? Key sectors and investment opportunities
• Development of Miami as a technology and startup hub
• Trade facilitation and business development support
• Regional programs supporting international companies & State-level support
• Miami-Dade as a gateway to the U.S. and the Americas
• Florida’s international connectivity and logistics strengths
• Opportunities for international companies entering the ecosystem

SPEAKERS

• Jaret Davis, Co-Managing Shareholder, Miami – Greenberg Traurig
• Pere Francino, Founder and CEO – CityVitae
• Marta Morellato, Investor Services and Aftercare Manager – Select Florida
• Christina Sleszynska, Executive Director – EACC Florida (Moderator)

Thomas Steiert, Project Advisor at European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) and Christos Skouras, Policy Officer, DG GROW at the European Commission will be offering introductory and closing remarks.

DATE I TIME

Wednesday September 30, 2026
10:00-11:00AM ET I 16.00-17.00 CET

REGISTRATION

This program is free of charge. Register HERE

SPEAKER BIOS

Jaret L. Davis is Senior Vice President of Greenberg Traurig, Co-Managing Shareholder of the Miami office, and a member of the firm’s global Executive Committee. He oversees 400+ attorneys and business staff in the Miami office and focuses his practice on structuring and negotiating domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, capital raising transactions, and large financings. For over a decade, Jaret has helped guide the firm’s global efforts to be a dominant player in the tech industry. The vast majority of Jaret’s clients are tech companies – information technology, life sciences/biotech, renewable energy sources and more. He has played a key role in many of South Florida’s largest transactions and represents publicly traded clients with an aggregate market capitalization of $100+ billion, plus several of Miami’s largest “unicorn” companies. Beyond his legal practice, he serves as Chair of the Nicklaus Children’s Health System Board and is a founding member and officer of the Partnership for Miami. He served as Chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council from 2016–2017 and led Miami’s effort to recruit Amazon’s HQ2 headquarters. He has been recognized by leading industry publications, including Best Lawyers in America as 2026 ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in Technology Law.

Pere Francino is the Founder and CEO of CityVitae, a Miami-based company providing intelligent electric vehicle charging infrastructure and services for residential, commercial, and public-sector properties. An industrial engineer and MIT Sloan Fellow (MBA), Pere brings extensive international experience in transportation, operations, and project management. Before founding CityVitae, he spent nearly two decades in the railway sector, leading multinational teams and managing complex logistics and technology projects. He has lived and worked in five countries and holds Spanish, Chilean, and French nationalities. Through CityVitae, Pere has combined his transportation expertise with entrepreneurship and technology to develop scalable EV charging solutions in the United States. His experience establishing and growing a business in Florida offers a practical perspective on the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned by European entrepreneurs entering the U.S. market.

Marta Morellato is the Investor Services and Aftercare Manager at Select Florida, where she focuses on supporting foreign companies established in the state and strengthening their long-term success. In her role, she coordinates with international offices, local stakeholders, and strategic partners to facilitate business growth and ensure continuous engagement with the Florida business ecosystem. Marta holds a master’s degree in International Trade and Finance from the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and previously worked with the World Trade Organization in Geneva, contributing to projects on international economic cooperation. She also has experience in the financial services sector, where she worked closely with European institutions in Brussels. Marta is fluent in Italian, English, and French.

Christina Sleszynska has served as Executive Director of EACC Florida since its establishment in January 2020, working to strengthen transatlantic business relationships and support European companies exploring opportunities in Florida and the United States. An international association executive with 30 years of experience in Europe, she previously managed trade associations and their EU government relations across various sectors in Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels. From 2006 to 2017, she established and led the European Representative Office of the International Trademark Association (INTA) as Chief Representative Officer Europe until she moved back to Miami in 2017. Christina holds degrees from American University, the University of Miami, and Solvay Business School in Brussels.