MannyG.global

Global partnershipsInternational tradeMiami, Florida

Manuel “Manny”
Gonzalez

Portrait of Manuel “Manny” Gonzalez

I build the partnerships that connect Miami to the world’s markets: governments, companies and institutions working toward the same deal.

25+ years leading international trade, economic development and government relations for Miami-Dade County, Miami International Airport and the boards I serve on across the Americas, Europe, Israel and Asia.

Connect on LinkedIn ↗ See experience
Origin: Miami 25.76°N 80.19°W Missions include Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Morocco, Qatar, Oman, China and Malaysia
25+years in trade and economic development
61inbound missions a year, from 21 countries
15outbound trade missions led
6new Sister Cities partnerships
65K+leads in the CRM I built for the ITC
130KLatin American entrepreneurs represented by ASELA

01 · Profile

Partnerships across borders

I’m a global partnerships leader with more than 25 years of experience in partner acquisition, channel partnerships and alliances, and scaling partner ecosystems across international markets.

My work sits where government, business, academia and nonprofits meet. I’ve developed international trade initiatives, built global partnership networks, supported public-private collaboration and helped bring foreign direct investment to South Florida. I’m known for building trusted relationships, moving cross-border opportunities forward and aligning stakeholders around a shared growth strategy.

Along the way I’ve served in government relations, on boards and advisory councils, in business development and in program management. I focus on execution, collaboration and outcomes that last.

  • Global partnerships
  • Economic development
  • International trade
  • Government relations
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Business development
  • Program management
  • Diplomacy & protocol
  • Board leadership
  • Critical thinking

02 · Record

Selected outcomes

Brazil · Honor

Awarded the Medal of the Order of the Southern Cross

Recognized by Brazil for creating “Compra Fora,” an e-commerce pre-clearance program in Miami that lets local delivery services in Brazil handle US packages.

China · Trade mission

Led Miami-Dade’s largest trade mission to China

51 participants, one of 15 outbound missions organized to Asia, Europe, Israel, Africa and Latin America.

Israel · Cybersecurity

Helped create the Cyber Security Center of the Americas

Established at Miami Dade College in 2018 as a direct result of a 2016 inbound mission from Israel.

Investment attraction

Brought companies, trade shows and jobs to Miami

Recruited 3 international trade shows and 12+ soft-landing startups, Chile’s Genosur (now 20+ employees) and CyberTech’s Miami show, and supported Kaseya’s 300+ person Security Operations Center.

Aviation · Revenue

Grew MIA’s bottom line by 7.5%

Negotiated agreements with INFRAERO (Brazil), Lima Airport Partners and Aeropuertos Argentina to increase cargo and passenger traffic.

Global growth

$100M+ in sales generated through the International Trade Consortium

Launched a development strategy for Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia and organized 12+ international conferences, including the first Free Trade Area of the Americas Ministerial.

03 · Experience

27 years with Miami-Dade, and before

  1. 2022 – Present
    Current

    Global Engagement Officer

    International Trade Consortium, Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

    Developing the ITC’s five-year strategic plan, updating the County’s protocol manual and expanding ties with the region’s entrepreneurship and innovation community.

    • Built and maintain a CRM database of 65,000+ leads with actionable tracking data.
    • Wrote a three-year plan assessing nearshoring, cyber-tech and supply-chain risks and opportunities, with recommended countermeasures.
    • Help organize the InterAmerican Mayors’ & Local Elected Officials Conference, from speaker recruitment to fundraising.
  2. 2019 – 2022

    Manager, Economic & Business Development (Trade Commissioner)

    Miami-Dade County Office of Economic Development

    Advised the Office of the Mayor and the Director of Regulatory and Economic Resources on national and international business opportunities, and worked with the US Departments of Commerce and State and their foreign counterparts.

    • Recruited 3 international trade shows and 12+ startups from soft-landing programs to open Miami offices.
    • Hosted 12+ foreign delegations from Africa, Israel, Latin America and Europe.
    • Supported the world headquarters move of AWE360 and the launch of ASELA’s Miami chapter.
  3. 2015 – 2019

    Chief, Economic Development & International Trade

    Miami-Dade County

    Drafted the County’s international trade development plans, ran protocol and managed the Sister Cities Program. Led a staff of 7 and a $1.6M budget, reporting to an 18-member board.

    • Grew office activity 239% through missions, events and public engagement.
    • Coordinated 61 inbound missions a year from 21 countries.
    • Signed new partnerships with Shanghai and Qingdao, Marseille, Cork, Suriname, Tel Aviv and Southampton.
  4. 2006 – 2015

    Chief, MIA Business Ventures

    Miami International Airport

    Launched new revenue projects for MIA, with a business plan that identified 6 new markets and key strategic partners. Worked on infrastructure financing, special-purpose vehicles and public-private partnerships.

    • Built relationships with 15+ foreign trade ministers and presented to 20 aviation ministers.
    • Secured a letter of intent with INFRAERO and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a school of aviation in Brazil.
    • Served on the US Southern Command task force for Haiti earthquake response and recovery.
  5. 2004 – 2006

    Executive Director

    Miami-Dade International Trade Consortium & Sister Cities

    Steered a County board of 10 leading international economic development organizations and built relationships with 24 foreign public and private entities. Managed a team of 9 and a $1.3M budget.

    • Supported the launch of Brazil’s APEX international business incubator in Miami.
  6. 1992 – 1997

    Chief Operating Officer

    City of Miami International Trade Board

    Managed an $880K budget, produced 24+ cable TV programs and led a team of 25 that doubled revenue. Organized the Western Hemisphere Health Ministers Conference.

04 · Boards & advisory

Where I advise

Since 2018

Co-Founder & Chair, ASELA USA

US headquarters in Miami for the Association of Entrepreneurs of Latin America, representing 130,000 members.

Since 2022

Advisor & Board Member, AI-LATAM

A global AI and machine-learning conference on health data, with 2,000+ leaders from 80+ countries.

Since 2024

Advisor to Executive Staff, Nexus Miami

A conference on nearshoring, AI-ready leadership and business across the Western Hemisphere.

Since 2017

LATAM Advisor, CyberTech Conferences

The cyber industry’s B2B networking platform, running major events around the world.

Since 2019

Faculty, International Business

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain (part-time).

Since 2016

Consultant & Advisor, Sinerlog.Global

Launched tracked international parcel service across Brazil, working with Brazil’s Treasury and Customs on compliance.

05 · Contact

Let’s build the next partnership.

Message me on LinkedIn ↗

For speaking, board and advisory roles, trade missions, or partnership opportunities between the US, Latin America and beyond.