Manny Mencia: Trade veteran heads board of World Trade Center Miami

Manuel (Manny) Mencia is the new chairman of the board of the World Trade Center Miami, which promotes two-way trade for small and medium-sized companies into the global marketplace and is the oldest private sector trade development organization in Miami, a history of more than 40 years.

With more than 45 years in international economic development, trade, and market recruitment, Mr. Mencia said his hope as chairman is to facilitate the World Trade Center Miami’s programs. “I want to continue to do everything that I can to help the community continue to grow and expand economically.”

Mr. Mencia was senior vice president of the International Trade and Business Development unit at Enterprise Florida from 1996 to 2021. He was also vice president of world marketing at the Beacon Council from 1992 to 1996 and served in executive positions at the Florida Department of Commerce from 1977 to 1991.

“I am most proud of having put my grain of sand into helping Florida and Miami develop into what it’s become, from a second-tier city to a great metropolis and a great international destination,” he said.

Mr. Mencia is recipient of the US Department of Commerce’s E-Award for Export Development, a Gold Award from Export Magazine and the Council for Urban Economic Development, and the E Star Award for Export Promotion Excellence, the nation’s highest trade development honor.

He was the only two-term president of SIDO (State International Development Organizations), and co-chaired the Florida International Trade Partnership. He serves on the board of the Florida Export Finance Corp., the University of Miami’s Launch Pad, and the Florida District Export Council.

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named him Government Hispanic Business Advocate of the Year in 1990. The International Business Council of South Florida named him International Businessman of the Year in 2003, and in 2010, he received the International Achievement Award, Florida’s award for lifetime achievement in international business.

“When I drive by downtown Miami, I have to pinch myself, because the city that I remember when I started in economic development is so different than what we are today,” he said. “The whole world wants to come here.”

Investing in our education, our infrastructure and keeping Florida business friendly is essential to continue economic and trade growth, he said.

Mr. Mencia spoke with Miami Today reporter Monica Correa. 

To read the full article and the rest of the Miami Today issue, subscribe to e-MIAMI TODAY, an exact replica of the printed edition.