PHILIPSBURG--More than 240 entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, professionals and regional partners attended the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (COCI) "Island Roots to Global Routes" Pre-Mission Assembly, far exceeding the original goal of approximately 50 participants.
The event, held on Friday, July 17, at the JW Marriott, was designed to prepare businesses for international expansion and the upcoming "Island Roots to Global Routes" US Business Expansion Mission and Expo, scheduled for November 16-19, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
According to COCI, the event brought together local entrepreneurs with regional partners and international experts who shared practical guidance on expanding into the United States market.
The assembly opened with remarks by Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten, followed by an official welcome from COCI President Tamara Leonard. Members of COCI's Board of Directors also participated by introducing speakers and delivering the closing acknowledgements.
"Together, we are responding to the calls and cries of our business community because people have been waiting for this!" Leonard said.
The programme featured presentations on business funding, grants, economic development opportunities, US business formation, legal and regulatory requirements, immigration strategies, international trade resources and strategic partnerships.
According to COCI, the event produced several immediate results. Twenty-nine entrepreneurs began the process of establishing US companies, including obtaining US Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), with assistance from Preferred Capital Ventures. In addition, 25 businesses officially pre-registered for the Island Roots to Global Routes US Business Expansion Mission and Expo in Miami.
COCI also said hundreds of business connections were established between local entrepreneurs, regional chambers of commerce, international organisations and US business experts.
Throughout the evening, the message "No more gatekeeping!" was repeatedly emphasised.
According to COCI, many entrepreneurs have expressed frustration over limited access to business information, international opportunities, funding, strategic partnerships and professional networks. The organisation said the assembly sought to address those concerns by openly sharing information and resources needed to enter the US market.
The event also drew representatives from the French St. Martin Chamber of Commerce (CCISM), the Aruba Chamber of Commerce and the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while the Curaçao Investment and Export Promotion Agency (CINEX) expressed its support for the initiative despite being unable to attend.
Reflecting on the event, Leonard said, "People have been waiting years for an initiative like this. The great response confirmed that entrepreneurs have been looking for more opportunities, practical guidance and "access" to genuine opportunities to grow internationally. One of the most powerful moments of the evening was the highlight of "no more gatekeeping!" That message resonated deeply because our business community deserves access to information, productive partnerships and progressive opportunities that empower them to succeed. Together with our regional partners, we are opening doors, building bridges and creating a pathway for Caribbean businesses to compete globally. This is only the beginning."
According to COCI, the "Island Roots to Global Routes" initiative was created through Leonard's vision and is being carried out with regional partners to help Caribbean businesses expand beyond their island markets by providing access to US business registration, funding opportunities, legal and regulatory guidance, immigration strategies, export opportunities, strategic partnerships, international networking, market entry support, trade missions, business matchmaking, banking services, Foreign Trade Zone opportunities and long-term international growth strategies.
The next phase of the initiative will be the Island Roots to Global Routes US Business Expansion Mission and Expo in Miami, where participating businesses will connect with US government agencies, business leaders, investors, chambers of commerce, economic development organisations and strategic partners. Registration for the mission is now open.
