Newsletter December

NEWSLETTERR RT H E S P A I N - U S C H A M B E O F C O M M E C EÁ R R ÑC MA A DE COME CIO ESPA A-EE.UU.DECEMBER ISSUE EDICIÓN DICIEMBRE

BienvenidosWelcomeBienvenidos al último newsletter del año 2016.Desde estas líneas, el equipo de la Cámara deComercio al completo quisiera transmitirlesnuestro sincero agradecimiento y darles lasgracias por la confianza depositada en laCámara durante este año.2017 vendrá cargado de novedades, con el únicoobjetivo de seguir mejorando la calidad de losservicios y beneficios ofrecidos por la Cámara deComercio a fin de fomentar los lazos entreAmérica y España como en años anteriores.“Comprometidos a mejorar de forma constante \"Desde la Cámara de Comercio queremos Descubra en las páginas de este newsletter lasdesearles unas muy felices fiestas y un próspero noticias de nuestros socios, los acontecimientosaño nuevo a todos nuestro miembros, amigos y más destacados dentro de la Cámara y próximoscolaboradores además de a los lectores. eventos. ¡No olvide suscribirse a nuestra newsletter!

CBOBVMAPASSOn Behalf of Roberto R. Muñoz, President, South BBVA Compass is proud of Spain-USFlorida Market, BBVA Compass is very pleased to have Chamber of Commerce not only in Miamibeen nominated The Company of the Year and for but across the entire Spain Chamberworking closely with the Spain-US Chamber allowing us footprint globally.to obtain: 4 Proclamations from Governor Rick Scott, 7Salutations from the City of Miami presented by Mayer “Banking on aTomas Regalado, 4 keys and 3 Certificates of brighterAppreciation presented by Miami-Dade County, MayorCarlos Gimenez. future for all!\"CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

Tabacalera USA, the U.S.- based premium cigar operations of Imperial Brands plc, is creating a new business unit to support company-owned and licensed-based retail partnerships using the Casa de Montecristo retail brand name – and it is acquiring well-known Texas cigar retailer Serious Cigars.According to Javier Estades, the head Montecristo, based in Miami,” Maneson Serious Cigars LLC began as a smallof Tabacalera USA, “the new business said. “The creation of this new online retail business in 1996. In 2003,unit will be known as Casa de business unit under the Tabacalera USA the Lesserauxs recognized the need forMontecristo Inc. I am also proud to umbrella will help coordinate and a better cigar experience in theannounce that Rob Maneson has been enhance the adult premium cigar Houston area and opened its first ofappointed General Manager of the smoker experience in all Casa de four locations in the Champions area ofnew division.” Maneson, a veteran Montecristo stores.” the city.tobacco industry manager, waspreviously VP Retail Operations for MC Houston-Based Serious Cigars Acquired “Since then we have enjoyed workingManagement in Whippany, N.J., an very hard in our industry and buildingaffiliated Tabacalera USA company. The addition of premium cigar retailer what we feel is a great business for our Serious Cigars, LLC, adds to the luster customers, employees and suppliers,”“The Casa de Montecristo program has of the Montecristo name. Serious Ron Lesseraux said. Fortunately forbeen nearly a decade in the making,” Cigars has four locations in the Casa de Montecristo, Ron andManeson said, noting that the first Houston metro area, and an online e- JeanneMarie will be staying on with theCasa de Montecristo location opened Commerce retail website, business to help ensure a smoothin 2008. www.seriouscigars.com. transition.“Casa de Montecristo includes “Owners Ron and JeanneMarie “No substantial changes are plannedcompany-owned stores and licensed- Lesseraux have built one of the finest for the retail stores or website,”based partnerships and includes such retail premium cigar businesses in the Maneson said, “and both will continuetop established premium cigar retailers country and we are thrilled to have to deliver the excellent customerin the country as Casa de Montecristo them as part of our business,” Maneson experience that adult premium cigarChicago; Casa de Montecristo by said. “Serious Cigars has a strong smokers in Houston are accustomedSmoke Inn, based in Boynton Beach, reputation in the industry, which we will to.”Fla; and Prime Cigar by Casa de continue to grow.”CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

HUNTON & WILLIAMS ASSISTS PROMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION IN ITS ACQUISITION OF BANCO CITIBANK DE GUATEMALA AND AFFILIATESThe deal, which closed on October 31, increases Banco Promerica Guatemala’s total assets in Guatemala to US$1.7 billion and 98banking branches, resulting in the bank’s leading position in the Guatemalan credit card and consumer banking business. BancoPromerica Guatemala is among the banks with the highest rates of growth and profitability in the Guatemalan financial sector. Thetransaction received all necessary approvals.Hunton also advised Promerica in obtaining a syndicated credit facility to fund a portion of the acquisition. The financing was ledby Bladex, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank as joint lead arrangers and book runners.“This transaction is transformational for Promerica, gaining significant market share and a stronger foothold in the credit cardbusiness in Central America,” stated Fernando C. Alonso, chairman of the firm’s Latin American practice group. David R. Yates,added: “This type of opportunity is very unique in the region. The quality of assets and operations were attractive to Promerica andcomplemented its existing portfolio.”Fernando Margarit, who headed the financing of the acquisition, commented: “The financing was particularly complex given thenumber of jurisdictions that it involved, but was successful thanks in large part to the hard work and dedication of all parties.\"The Hunton & Williams team was led by Fernando C. Alonso and Fernando Margarit, in Miami, and David R. Yates, in Atlanta,and included Miami lawyers Carlos Garcia (as to financing only), Stefano D’Aniello, Rail Seoane and B. Cary Tolley III; Mark A.Melton in Dallas; and Eric J. Hanson in Atlanta.Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. was Promerica’s exclusive financial investment adviser. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLPwas Citi’s outside counsel on the deal.About Hunton & Williams LLPHunton & Williams is a global law firm of more than 750 lawyers serving clients in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. The firm handles transactional,litigation and regulatory matters for a diverse client base, with significant experience in retail and consumer products, energy, financial services, real estate, andprivacy and cybersecurity. Visit www.hunton.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

\"Iberia incorporará una nueva clase en sus vuelos desde Estados Unidos: la clase Turista Premium es una nueva cabina que premia la comodidad a bordo y que estará disponible de forma gradual en 37 de los aviones de largo radio de la compañía aérea a partir de la temporada de verano de 2017. \"IBERIA OFRECERÁ LA CLASE TURISTA PREMIUMEN SUS VUELOS DESDE ESTADOS UNIDOSLa clase Turista Premium de la línea aérea española contarácon butacas exclusivas de más de 48 centímetros de ancho y94 cm de separación entre asientos. El asiento se reclinará un40 por ciento más que la butaca actual de clase Turista,mientras que su reposacabezas y su reposapiés seránajustables. La pantalla individual será de full HD de 13pulgadas. Un servicio gastronómico mejorado, auricularescanceladores de ruido y un neceser exclusivo completan laexperiencia a bordo de los clientes que viajen en esta nuevaclase, mientras que en tierra, podrán disfrutar de prioridad enel embarque y desembarque del vuelo, así como una maletaadicional dentro de la franquicia del equipaje facturado. CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

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30 years.The enthusiasm to go for new challengeswith the best team. Congratulations!Air Europa celebrates its 30th anniversaryThe Boeing 737-800 with tail number EC-MKL is Air Europa is celebrating its 30th anniversary as itAir Europa's aircraft which, since this weekend, undertakes an expansion and growth plan centred onhas been showing off the logo to commemorate three core concepts: The renewal of its fleet, thethe 30th anniversary of the company which extension of its network of destinations and theoperated its first commercial flight with a B737- improvement of its on-board services, all with the aim300 between Tenerife and London on 21 November of consolidating its position as one of the best airlines1986. in the world.The plane carrying Air Europa's 30th anniversary logo It is worth noting that in its 30th year, Air Europa hascovers domestic and European routes and it provides a written yet another new chapter in its history with thevisible image of the event in various destinations. The arrival of its first Boeing 787 which, in the words of theairline has also organised a number of events over the company President, Juan José Hidalgo, \"hascoming days in Palma de Mallorca and Madrid aimed revolutionised the concept of value\". Currently, theat both company employees and customers in order to airline's Dreamliner fleet includes a total of threeshare this important celebration with them. aircraft that operate between Miami, Santo Domingo and Bogotá and soon, with the new B787, the airlineThe airline also wishes to show its thanks for the loyalty will also be flying to Buenos Aires, Lima and Havana.shown by passengers over the last 30 years. To thisend, it will be launching various campaigns on social In December, the air travel division of Globalia willnetworks, such as ticket giveaways for domestic and also open new routes to Guayaquil and Córdoba inEuropean destinations aimed at passengers flying with Argentina, via Asunción, and next year it will land forAir Europa from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 November, the first time in Honduras and Boston, bringing its totalwho post a picture of their journey with the airline to of destinations in the Americas to 30 andInstagram or Twitter using the hashtag #aireuropa30. consolidating its position as a leading airline on the American continent and Europe. CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

CHAMBERNEWS

Gala 2016 EFE La Cámara de Comercio España-EE.UU. de Miami concedió el pasado 28 de octubre el premio de empresa del año al banco BBVA Compass por su expansión en Estados Unidos y el proceso de transformación a la era digital, en una gala a la que asistieron empresarios de ambos países. \"El BBVA Compass es un banco de futuro que está construyendo una gran marca mientras el sector se transforma en este nueva era digital\", dijo a Efe Manolo Sánchez poco antes de recibir el galardón. El presidente y director general del BBVA Compass agregó que la entidad dispone de un total de 674 oficinas en Estados Unidos, de las que casi la mitad se encuentran en Texas y que el banco se encuentra entrelas 25 entidades financieras más grandes deEstados Unidos por cuota de mercado dedepósitos.Igualmente, la Cámara de Comercio españolaotorgó el premio de líder empresarial del año aJosé Luis Bonet, presidente de las Cámaras deComercio de España y presidente del grupoFreixenet. Bonet expresó su \"más sinceroagradecimiento\" por un galardón que dijo recibir\"como un reconocimiento a una determinadamanera de hacer las cosas y de entender laactividad empresarial\".\"Mi experiencia como profesor y empresario haconstituido una fructífera combinación que hadurado medio siglo y de mi actividad en ambosmundos he extraído numerosas enseñanzas que hanido conformando mi manera de entender elliderazgo empresarial, y que resumiría utilizando lafórmula de las tres \"tes\": \"trabajo, talento ytenacidad\", subrayó Bonet. CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

AN EVENT NOTTO BE MISSEDthe Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit In his acceptance speech BBVA Compassrecognized by the Spanish government that’s Chairman and CEO Manolo Sánchez proudlydedicated to enhancing business and commercial recognized \"This award from the chamber is aties between the two countries, awarded BBVA milestone for us. We’ve worked hard to make ourCompass as company of the year and Jose Luis names here, to win your business and to help doBonet as leader of the year on Oct. 28. what we can to make sure Miami’s future stays bright\"The ceremony, which took place in Coral GablesCountry Club, was attended by more than 300 Bonet said that the leader of the year awardpeople from Spanish and American businesses. represented a recognition of a \"certain way toSome of the distinguished guests included Mayor work and understand business\"Tomás Regalado of Miami, Mayor Carlos Giménezof Miami-Dade County as well as Inmaculada WATCH THE VIDEO CLICKING HEREGutiérrez, Spain’s trade commissioner for theSoutheast U.S., and Spain’s Consul General for GO THO THE EVENT'S PHOTO GALLERYMiami, Cándido Creis Estrada.CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

MORE THAN: SIGNATURE EVENTS:20 Seminars OUR YEAR IN PONCE DE LEON AWARDS35 Trade Agendas SAVBOR5 Trade Missions8 Collaboration REVIEW ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS Agreements C l i f t o nGALA DINNER H a r r i s o n17 Lucheons & Cocktails10 J1 Visa for traineesCÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

UPCOMING EVENTS Trade missions to LATAM: informative session 18 January CÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

Happy Holidays! WARM WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON  Our Platinum MembersCÁMARA DE COMERCIO MIAMI · NEWSLETTER DECEMBER

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