Harlem USEAC Export Assistance Specialist, and Trade Americas team member David Román spoke to a standing room only audience (over 200) at the Queens Museum of Art (Flushing, NY), on August 7, 2008. The event, which was created by the Chamber of Commerce of Ecuador in New York, kicked off and promoted the first annual 'Feria de la Vivienda' (Lifestyle Fair), with the aim of networking Ecuadorian exhibitors with buyers, and vice versa.

The fair took place the weekend of August 8-10.

The event was co-sponsored by local business publication Your Future Capital Magazine and El Diaro-La Prensa, the prominent Spanish-language daily newspaper in the New York City metropolitan area.

As the featured speaker, EAS Román presented an informative overview (in Spanish) on U.S exports to Ecuador, including statistics and best practices, industries with the best potential, and resources for Ecuadorian importers who are interested in U.S. products and services. EAS Román credits the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Commercial Section, Quito, Ecuador for the market research used to prepare the presentation.

The other speakers included representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Cuenca (Ecuador), the Office of the Mayor of Cuenca, the province of Azuay (located in Southern Ecuador), and the Department of Construction for the city of Cuenca. The focus was on establishing/expanding future business with the U.S., the role of immigration, as well as updates the state of affairs in the Azuay, and Cuenca.

After his presentation, EAS Román participated in a lively networking session, answering questions and providing export counseling to those who expressed interest.