VIAREGGIO, Italy ─ On the second day of the historic trade mission to Italy, Florida's transportation and logistics industry comes into focus. Across the marine industry, several future partnerships were explored to increase port-to-port opportunities. Governor Ron DeSantis also announced a new SelectFlorida Italy office. The value of Italian exports to Florida is valued at $4.4 billion, and one of Italy's main exports includes boat and yachts.

"Under the Governor's leadership this mission continues to be a success, today was focused on Florida's nation-leading ship building industry and our 16 deepwater seaports," said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "Viareggio is the epicenter of the world yacht building industry and Florida is the epicenter of yacht building outside of Italy with more than 500 ship building companies, today we strengthened this industry connection and charted the way forward with the new SelectFlorida Italy office."

The Florida delegation met with Sanlorenzo Yachts, Benetti, and Overmarine, three of the world's top yacht builders, all with presences in Florida to discuss future opportunities; held a roundtable discussion on port, trade, and logistics with local stakeholders; and toured a maritime industry cluster with Florida companies from the marine industry. This was an important day in the mission as Florida's 16 deepwater ports are some of the most efficient in the country and have capacity for expanded operations. During the day, delegates discussed the potential to expand import and export operations between those Florida ports and the Port of Viareggio.

Governor DeSantis also announced the establishment of a SelectFlorida office in Italy. With 18 offices around the world, SelectFlorida maintains a network of representative offices outside the United States, spanning all continents except Australia. SelectFlorida provides information and assistance to Italian companies interested in establishing operations in Florida or identifying strategic partners in Florida.

The Delegation also traveled to Florence where Florida businesses continued to meet with companies, universities, and industry clusters. In total, this mission will create thousands of connections in one week, connections that would otherwise take years.

From Monday, November 11, to Friday, November 15, Governor Ron DeSantis will lead this historic international trade and business development mission. Florida delegates joining the Governor include agency heads and university presidents, such as Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, President Richard McCullough from Florida State University, President Richard Corcoran from New College of Florida, President Rhea Law of the University of South Florida, President Ken Jessell of Florida International University and representatives from the University of Central Florida, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida International University, and Florida Polytechnic University.

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