Hala Moddelmog, President, Jorge Fernandez,VP Global Commerce, Metro Atlanta Chamber

Hala Moddelmog, President, Jorge Fernandez,VP Global Commerce, Metro Atlanta Chamber

Listen to the Talk 2 Brazil interview by Tom Reaoch with Hala Moddelmog, President and Jorge Fernandez, VP Global Commerce,  Monday May 12, 2014:

We talked about the Metro Atlanta Chamber recent visit to Brazil as part of the Atlanta Trade Delegation with City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

HALA MODDELMOG, President and CEO

Hala Moddelmog became the first female president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) in January 2014 following a long and successful career in the corporate and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining MAC, Moddelmog was president of Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, an international quick-service restaurant chain with approximately 3,500 units and annual system-wide sales of approximately $3 billion. As president, Moddelmog led the brand to 12 consecutive quarters of comparable store sales increases and increased EBITDA by 80 percent from 2011 to 2012. Under her leadership, the team created a new brand positioning, launched new product platforms and new advertising campaigns and redesigned the logo. She led the brand revitalization with strategic marketing and operational initiatives that make the brand relevant to today’s consumers.

Jorge L. Fernandez, vice president of global commerce for the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC).

Jorge L. Fernandez leads the international investment recruiting arm of the MAC’s economic development division. Fernandez finds innovative ways to connect Atlanta area companies to international business growth opportunities, furthering Atlanta’s reputation as a top competitor in the global marketplace. 

Prior to joining MAC, Fernandez was the international and alliance vice president for Delta Air Lines at its world headquarters in Atlanta. His responsibilities encompassed all Caribbean, Latin American, Pacific and transatlantic operations, including airport customer service, finance, human resources, reservations and sales activities outside of the United States. In addition, he was charged with developing Delta’s alliance strategy, managing the SkyTeam global alliance and overseeing codeshare relationships with 16 partner airlines around the globe.

Hala Moddelmog and Jorge Fernandez

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

Giovanna Sanches, Foreign Affairs Office Sorocaba

Cliff Hoskins, Hoskins Global Trade

Brazil Business Travel to Hit $37B in 2014

Brazil Business Travel to Hit $37B in 2014

Despite two quarters of weaker economic growth in 2013, business travel spending in Brazil is expected to expand 12.5% to $37 billion in 2014 and another 5.9% in 2015, according to the latest semi-annual “GBTA BTI Outlook — Brazil” report by the Global Business Travelers Association (GBTA) Foundation.

Sponsored by Visa Inc., the report includes the GBTA BTI — an index of business travel spending that distills market performance over a period of time.

“This forecast tells a story of continuing positive growth in Brazil despite recent volatility,” said Wellington Costa, president of GBTA Brazil. “The encouraging turnaround for international outbound business travel spending, paired with expected domestic growth as well, shows suppliers and travel managers that Brazil is a key market to be in for businesses expanding globally.”

According to the GBTA, key highlights of the report include:

• Since 2000, annual spending on business travel in Brazil has tripled.
• Last year, Brazil’s business travel industry moved up one spot in the rankings to become the eighth largest business travel market in the world. If Brazil can get economic growth back on track, GBTA expects it to continue to climb the ranks of the top business travel markets in the world, likely surpassing South Korea and France during the next 10 years.
• Domestic business travel spending growth in Brazil has slowed significantly off its aggressive pace earlier in the decade, mostly due to the slowdown in the domestic economy. But GBTA expects domestic business travel spending will strengthen a bit in 2014, as firms and policymakers continue to take strides to boost productivity and competitiveness.
• Growth in international outbound (IOB) business travel was hit hard in recent years mostly due to the external environment, but the worst appears to be in the past — as a recovery in the Euro Area, Brazil’s largest trading partner, is underway. GBTA expects IOB spending will advance 13.1 percent in 2014 followed by another 8.1 percent in 2015 hitting $7.2 billion USD.

“With the forecast for increased business travel to and from Brazil, travel will continue to be an important sector of the Brazilian economy,” said Percival Jatoba, vice president of products of Visa Brazil

Joao Conrado, CEO Ghetz Footware, London

Joao Conrado, CEO Ghetz Footware, London

Listen to the Talk 2 Brazil interview by Tom Reaoch with Joao Conrado, Monday May 5, 2014

Ghetz Footware was set up by Moema Pimentel, Managing Director, and Joao Conrado, CEO, both from Brazil. They identified a gap in the market for high quality yet sustainably made shoes at competitive prices.

Joao and Moema met in 1998 and formed a business partnership close to their roots as well as their hearts. Born in Franca, one of the shoe capitals of Brazil, they both have shoemaking in their blood. As natural entrepreneurs, they both have a very organic style of management and are open, friendly and flexible in business.

They established an office in London with a Ghetz team that is hands on and truly international, with people from South America, Europe, Asia and the UK. Such a multicultural melting pot brings diversity and a depth of experience resulting in a vibrant office culture.

Moema and her partner Joao started Ghetz Footwear in 2004. After just three years, their Anatomic & Co brand had become one of the top 10 brands selling men’s shoes to independent stores in the UK. It was shortlisted as ‘Brand of the year’ for the Drapers Footwear Awards in 2009 and 2010.

Moema is also a member of Vistage, UK .