“The need for collaboration between the U.S. and the Caribbean couldn’t be greater.”

With Wall Street continuing its burst of investment energy, the U.S. economy recording a relatively strong third quarter performance; and businesses ratcheting up spending on manufacturing to boost production and trade, Carl Masters, Chief Executive Officer of Goodworks International was explaining why next month’s Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference in the Bahamas will be such an attractive place for executives and entrepreneurs to be.

“Conventional economic wisdom holds that when the U.S. economy is on a fast track to buoyancy, the economies of America’s Caribbean neighbors can expect good times,” said Masters, the co-convener of the 2014 Business Conference which is to be officially opened by Bahamas Prime Minister, Perry Christie at the Sandals Royal Resort on November 6.

“The record-setting pace of investments on Wall Street and the uptick in business confidence across the country are strong indicators that the prospects of the U.S. economy look better, much better than was previously thought,” added Masters. “They are all good signs for the Caribbean and for executives of large and medium-size U.S. firms and small business owners on the lookout for profitable business relationships in the archipelago of islands that comprise the Bahamas and the rest of the Caribbean.”

The conference which runs until November 9 will have as its theme “The Caribbean – Waves of Opportunity, Oceans of success” and it will explore a broad range of trading and financing opportunities in the Caribbean and the U.S. They range from investment financing; security and the law; corporate inversions; and creative industries to sustainable economic development; women of power and influence as well corporate and public sector leadership.

“Now in its 19th year, the conference has proven to be a successful gateway to the U.S. and Caribbean markets, encouraging investment and cross border trade through enlightened partnerships between companies seeking to diversify their operations by taking advantage of profitable opportunities in places like the Bahamas, Jamaica, Panama, U.S. Virgin Islands, Grenada, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia and Barbados, all of which have served at different times as hosts of our lively and informative sessions,” said Karl B. Rodney, publisher of Carib News. “It is a well-spring of opportunities for Caribbean enterprises to tap into and gain a foothold in the vast American market.”

During the four days of collaborative sessions, presentations and deal shops, conference participants will:

Engage in leaders ship dialogues featuring such iconic public figures as former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Andrew Young who served two terms as Atlanta’s Mayor; David Dinkins, the first and lone African-American elected as New York City’s Mayor; U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, a Brooklyn Democrat; and New York State Assemblyman Nick Perry.

Examine the hot button issue of security and the law and its impact on business. Charles Ogletree, Harvard University professor of law and New York State Appeals Court Justice Sylvia Hinds Radix are to lead off the discussion.

Explore investment avenues for creative industries as vehicles for sustainable development. Paula Madison, principal owner of “The Africa Channel” and a former Executive Vice President at NBC Universal Studios; Ray Goulbourne, Executive Vice President of BET; Sheryl Lee Ralph, a prominent movie, television and stage actress; and Ben Chavis, founder of Hip Hop Magazine will lead the discussion.

Discuss “Women of Power and Influence” and their impact on business. Suzan Johnson Cook, a former U.S. Ambassador for International religious Freedom, Justice Hinds-Radix and New York City Councilmember Inez Dickens of Harlem are to be the main speakers.

Study business opportunities in the U.S. and the Caribbean during a session involving Ed Goldberg, executive vice president of Macy’s, Michael Roberts, CEO of Roberts Companies, Ambassador Masters and William “Bill” Thompson, a former two-term Comptroller of New York city.

Engage Sabrina Hosang Jordan, President, Royal Caribbean Bakery, Michele Rodney, Dean of Monroe College’s School of Criminal Justice, Randy Chin, EVP of VP Records, Jovia Radix, and Brooklyn Representative in the office of New York’s Governor in discussions on “Emerging Leaders.”

“The conference provides invaluable connection for the Caribbean and the U.S.,” said P.J. Patterson, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica who is a co-convener of the conference.

Ambassador Young agreed but put it differently.

“I have attended several sessions of the Caribbean Multi-National business meetings in different countries of the region and they have proven to be valuable sources of information that have propelled business ventures,” he said. “I expect the Bahamas conference to follow in that tradition.”

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