Welcome and thank you for registering for the BrandHaiti Second Annual Business Symposium entitled “Investing in Haiti: Challenges, Strategies, Opportunities”! The purpose of the symposium is to bring the entrepreneurial potential of Haiti to the forefront of economic policy while simultaneously deconstructing the negative conceptions too often associated with the country. This symposium will assemble prominent members of the business community, students, activists, and organizations that currently work to ameliorate the Haitian economy, but who will also discuss the promising future for a sovereign Haitian with an innovative private sector. It is our hope that you will share your vast personal and professional experiences with the students, academics, activists, economists, and investors in attendance during the question and answer sessions.

BrandHaiti is a non-profit, student-led marketing organization that re-brands the negative images and perceptions of Haiti currently dominating international discourse. Our goal is to highlight the Haitian people’s resiliency, creative capacity, and entrepreneurial ability to foster pro-Haitian business investment and revitalize a non-exploitative economy. We do so through a number activities, including the creation of a product line to connect Haitian artisans and entrepreneurs directly to markets, an inaugural spring break program to expose young foreign entrepreneurs to the beautiful Caribbean island of Haiti and network with Haitians, exposés of Haitian entrepreneurs on our website with photos and videos to highlight the positive aspects of doing business in Haiti, and many more.

List of confirmed speakers:

·      Nicole Lee, Esq., President of TransAfrica
·      Jean-Philippe Vixamar, CEO of Banque Nationale de Credit (BNC Haïti)
·      Ralph Latorture, Former-General Consul of Haiti in Miami
·      The Honorable Marie Jossie Etienne, Deputy of Milot for the 48ème Législature
·      Drusillia Brown, Economist at Tufts and Chair of International Relations Studies
·      Prof. Bernard Simonin, Nation-Branding Specialist at Fletcher School
·      Genevieve Lemke, Owner of Wahoo Bay Beach Club & Resort in Haiti
·      Joey Adler, CEO of Diesel and Founder of ONEXONE
·      Jean-Patrick Lucien, CEO of BelSoley
·      Fritz Charles, Managing Partner of Haiti Ventures
·      Mathias Pierre, President of GaMa Group and Foundation ETRE Ayisyen
·      Samuel Darguin, Managing Director of Haitian American Caucus in Haiti, Co-Founder of Alpha Phi Alpha Academy
·      Jacques-Philippe Piverger, Founder & Chairman of Global Syndicate
·      Wilhelm Lemke, CEO of d’Adesky Group
·      Jennifer Lemke, Manager of Wahoo Bay Beach
·      Legrand Gandhi Lindor, Esq., CEO of LGappareL, LLC, President of Provincial Real Estate Group
·      François-Garel Jean-Enard de Vertières, King Henri Estate
·      Chef Ron DuPrat, “Top Chef” and Culinary School of Haiti

In addition, Her Royal Highness Miss Haiti Universe 2011 Anedie Azael will screen a video at the event. Thank you to renowned “Top Chef” Ron DuPrat who has generously agreed to cater the event! Thank you also to Dave’s Fresh Pasta in Somerville, Sunrise, and Sister’s Caribbean Cuisine who have kindly donated Haitian and Italian cuisine for the symposium. Students will have an opportunity to network with the panelists during this delicious lunch break!

Tickets $10 for General Public, $5 w/ student ID, and $5 suggested donation w/ Tufts ID at the door!

REGISTER NOW HERE!

Map and directions:

We would love to invite you to the first U.S. university symposium on marketing, investment and entrepreneurship in Haiti.

BrandHaiti’s mission, and the purpose of the symposium is to bring to the forefront the commercial potential of Haiti while deconstructing the all too often negative conceptions of the country.

The conference will consist of four parts:

• Breakfast and lunch, generously donated by our sponsors
• Panels on growing the business capacity of Haitian entrepreneurs and building a positive Made-in-Haiti brand with U.S. consumers
• A fair of Haitian companies, products and organizations
• A career and networking event focused on social enterprise and business opportunities in Haiti in 2011