The Floriculture Congress by Asocolflores returns to Cartagena this May 23 and 24, 2024 with top-level speakers and a great networking space for the floriculture sector. If you're in the lively and spirited city of Cartagena in the following days and you work in the floriculture sector, you'll want to register ASAP for this event. It's an unmissable opportunity full of brilliant panelists and speakers while getting the opportunity to network among blazing people in the industry. Here's a full guide on the program and speakers of the 2024 edition.
The Congress of Floriculture - A Prominent Event in the Floriculture Sector Organized by Asocolflores
The Congress of Floriculture is a significant event that brings together industry professionals, experts, and stakeholders from the floriculture sector. It typically features a series of conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities, focusing on the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the industry while also striving to create an environment of connection and friendliness between colleagues and overall attendees during the event's coffee breaks and cocktails.
Flower wall and design by Shallima Turizo
If you're attending this year's Congress, here's a detailed guide about the speakers that'll be a part of this edition and what you must know about the topics that will be discussed. Visit Asocolflores' Linkedin to get a detailed glimpse of the two-day program.
Photo: Asocolflores
Alberto Vollmer Will Be Starting Off the Congress Talking About 'Project Alcatraz'
Alberto Vollmer is the CEO of Ron Santa Teresa, the oldest rum brand in Venezuela, founded in 1796. He founded Proyecto Alcatraz, a social reintegration program for troubled youth that has dismantled eleven criminal gangs and reduced violence in Revenga, Aragua. Since May 2017, he has chaired the National Investment Promotion Council (CONAPRI), supported by WAIPA, creating proposals to boost national investments.
Vollmer is the honorary consul of South Korea in Venezuela, chairman of Ron Santa Teresa, and serves on the boards of Domegas and the Institute of the Americas in San Diego. He is a member of Ashoka, Young Global Leaders, the Inter-American Dialogue, and the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
Andrés Cadena on Latin America: The Land of Never?
Andrés Cadena is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and a member of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) Board. For the past two decades, he has served various Latin American governments, as well as leading multilateral banks and companies in the financial, consumer goods, and telecommunications sectors. His expertise focuses on strategy and corporate finance, education, economic development, and city management. Andrés holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de Los Andes and an MBA from the University of Rochester in the USA.
José Manuel Restrepo - Economic, Political, and Social Perspectives of Colombia
José Manuel Restrepo, an economist from Universidad del Rosario, specializes in Private Finance from the same university. He holds a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics and a Doctorate in Business Administration in Higher Education Management from the University of Bath, UK. He has also been a university professor, researcher, and author of several books and articles. Previously, he served as Minister of Finance and Public Credit and, before that, as Minister of Industry and Commerce.
Juan Lozano - Economic, Political, and Social Perspectives of Colombia
Juan Lozano, a lawyer and journalist, served as Minister of Environment, Housing, and Territorial Development, and was a senator with the highest vote count in Colombia. He has held positions as councilor, mayor, deputy, and Secretary of Development. With a Master's in Anti-Corruption Policies from the University of Salamanca, he has taught law and journalism for over 30 years at universities such as Los Andes, Javeriana, Rosario, and Sergio Arboleda.
He's a columnist for El Tiempo and El Espectador. A recipient of the Simón Bolívar Journalism Award and other accolades, Lozano is the President, Board Member, and Founder of Transparency for Colombia. Currently, he advises the Ardila Lulle Organization and serves on the board of Transparency for Colombia.
Ana Fernanda Maiguashca - Trust for Growth
Ana Fernanda Maiguashca is the President of the Private Council for Competitiveness and a member of several boards and executive councils. She previously served as co-director of the Central Bank of Colombia and as Technical Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance. Maiguashca is an economist from Universidad de los Andes and holds an MBA from Columbia University.
Juan Ricardo Ortega - Short-Term and Medium-Term Energy Outlook
Juan Ricardo Ortega, President of the Grupo Energía Bogotá, is a native of Bogotá and an economist from Universidad de los Andes. He holds master's degrees in economics, finance, and mathematics from Yale University in the United States, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Economic Development at the same university.
Since July 2020, he has been the President of Grupo Energía Bogotá, a multinational company with operations in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as natural gas transportation and distribution in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Guatemala.
Charlie Hall - Sustainable Floral Industry
Dr. Charlie Hall, a native of North Carolina, holds a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University and is recognized nationally for his expertise in the production and marketing of Green Industry crops. He serves as Chief Economist for AmericanHort and Co-Chair of the Advisory Council of Seed Your Future. With extensive experience in academia and industry, Dr. Hall specializes in strategic management, market outlook, and financial analysis for Green Industry firms. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the floral industry and ornamental horticulture research.
Nicolás Uribe - Artificial Intelligence for Everyone
Nicolás Uribe Rueda, a lawyer from Universidad de los Andes with a Master's in Political Action and Studies in High Government and International Politics, has excelled in business, academia, and media. With experience in business consulting, media, and corporate transformation strategies, he is a sought-after panelist and speaker both nationally and internationally. As the founder of one of Colombia's leading public affairs consulting firms, his strategic focus and global vision enable him to navigate complex and challenging environments successfully.
Luis Diaz - Navigating Sustainability and Lessons from Global Family Businesses
Luis Diaz, an esteemed academic and current Academic Director of the MBA at Universidad de los Andes, specializes in management, ethics, and social responsibility, with a particular focus on family businesses. With 15 years of teaching and research experience, he graduated as an economist from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, pursued a master's degree in Development Studies at the London School of Economics, and earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Tulane University.
Recognized for his contributions to the global STEP project and his involvement in FERC and FECC, he enriches understanding of international business dynamics. His multidisciplinary perspective and commitment to business ethics make him an invaluable speaker for the business world.
Gabriel Duque - EU Green Deal and Economic Outlook
Gabriel Duque is currently the Director of the Commercial Office of the European Union for the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism of Colombia. In the Colombian public sector, he has served as Ambassador to the government of Japan and to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and International Negotiator for the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, and Director of Business Development at the National Planning Department.
Pedro de La Fuente - Air Transport Sustainability
Pedro is the Senior Manager of External Relations and Sustainability for the Americas at IATA. In this role, he oversees environmental issues relevant to the aviation industry in the region, managing international relations with governments and stakeholders, and representing airlines in regulatory matters affecting the industry. He also promotes the advancement of global best practices and standards to streamline business processes for IATA member airlines.
Pedro has extensive experience in international policies aimed at reducing aviation's carbon footprint. His current focus is on supporting governments in Latin America and the Caribbean in developing policies to promote the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels and decarbonization strategies for the industry by 2050.
Carolina Rojas - Air Transport Sustainability
Carolina has been the CEO of the Colombian Federation of Biofuels since 2023. Fedebiocombustibles promotes the use of biofuels (biodiesel, bioethanol), and advanced biofuels to decarbonize mobility in Colombia. With 20 years of experience in public sector institutions, international organizations, and consulting, Carolina specializes in public policy, strategic relations, and sustainability, with a focus on the extractive and energy sectors.
She previously served as Deputy Minister of Mines of Colombia and held other leadership positions in the National Mining Agency of Colombia and the Ministry of Finance.
Mauricio Cárdenas and Mauricio Reina - A Friendly Chat
Mauricio Cárdenas, a professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from UC Berkeley. He served as Colombia's Minister of Finance from 2012 to 2018 and played a key role in the country's OECD accession. He has held various ministerial positions and leadership roles in economic organizations. Currently, he researches energy and climate policy at Columbia's Center on Global Energy Policy and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Mauricio Reina, an economist from Universidad de los Andes with a Master's in Economics from the same university and a Master's in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, currently serves as an Associate Researcher at Fedesarrollo.
A Congress That Unites People in the Floriculture Sector
With the full details of panelists that'll be speaking during the Congress of Floriculture held in the Hyatt in Cartagena from May 23-24 of this year, the event has one goal in mind: allowing attendees to network and fully connect with their goals, mission, and overall knowledge coming from their experiences. During the program, there will also be 'coffee tables' which will allow visitors to enjoy a relaxing break while talking about business, strategies, knowledge, and exchange networking information.
With these types of events, Colombia is allowed to keep growing, rising, and becoming a leading country in what is the floriculture sector and industry while sharing its importance with the rest of the world. Learn more about Asocolflores and how they're powering Colombia's floriculture success.
Don't forget to register today before it's too late!
Flower wall by Shallima Turizo.
