You may have already heard (here and here), but Jacksonville and San Juan, Puerto Rico will formally become Sister Cities during a ceremony to be held on Friday, Oct. 2 at 12 noon at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Jacksonville. San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini will join Mayor John Peyton and members of the Jacksonville Sister Cities program and the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce of Northeast Florida for the official “twinning” ceremony.

Puerto Rico is currently JAXPORT’s largest trading partner. More than 75 percent of the goods going to and coming from Puerto Rico move through Jacksonville, creating an economic impact of more than $1 billion.

Links:
Jacksonville Sister Cities Association

Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce of Northeast Florida

When Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,052-passenger vessel Carnival Fascination sails from JAXPORT in February 2010, it will sport a delightful variety of new amenities, including 98 brand-new balcony staterooms.

Guests can currently play a round of miniature golf on Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Fascination. More amenities will be added during a January 2010 dry dock renovation. (Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines)

The ship is receiving a multimillion-dollar renovation, which will take place during a 28-day dry dock in January 2010. (Regular cruise service aboard the Carnival Fascination continues through 2009 and will resume after the dry dock period. See itineraries here.) Other enhancements will include a new Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only retreat and resort-style main pool area.

Today is the first day you can book one of the new balcony staterooms. Contact your local travel agent to book your cruise vacation today!

Carnival Cruise Lines press release announcment

JAXPORT is giving away 25 ballet prints, each sized 20” x 30” and featuring April McCarley of The Florida Ballet and the Carnival Fascination. Call us at (904) 357-3052 or send us an email and we’ll mail you a copy for free.*

Florida Ballet dancers were photographed at JAXPORT last year by Brian Shrum, who took inspiration from the waterways, the commerce of our seaport and the art of the dance. On Nov. 8, 2008, the Florida Ballet performed “Four Sea Interludes,” an original piece choreographed by The Florida Ballet’s Director and Co-founder Laurie Picinich-Byrd. JAXPORT and other port businesses sponsored the performance.

Now the full photography exhibit, entitled “The Florida Ballet Comes Home to Port”, is on display at the Main Library Downtown through the end of the month.

*Available while supplies last.

UNF’s Small Business Development Center is offering a six-part International Trade Certificate Program for small businesses interested in international exporting. In 2008, this program was quite helpful for Heavy Equipment Resources of Florida Co., who began exporting agricultural equipment in containers through JAXPORT after completing the program.

Program attendees will learn about available resources when pursuing exporting opportunities, get the “nuts and bolts” information about export transactions and network with other professionals involved in international trade.
From UNF’s SBDC:

Date: Thursdays, starting Sept. 24 through Oct. 29, 2009
Fee: $295
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon (continental breakfast included)
Location: UNF University Center – 12000 Alumni Dr., Jacksonville, FL

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION:
Space is limited. To register please call the UNF Division of Continuing Education at (904) 620-4200. Or register online at www.ce.unf.edu. For more information about the content of the program, contact Cathy Hagan at the SBDC at UNF at (904)620-2478 or chagan@unf.edu.

A 35-member business delegation from Senegal, Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea will visit Jacksonville August 23-27, led by representatives from U.S. embassies in both countries. The delegation is looking to meet with sellers of used cars, used heavy equipment and used trucks, as well as freight forwarders and ocean carriers servicing the ports of Dakar and Cotonou from Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce will brief the group about the City of Jacksonville, and JAXPORT will lead the group on a tour of our port’s roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) capabilities.

If your company sells previously-owned vehicles and equipment, or if you represent a freight forwarder or ocean carrier with Dakar/Cotonou connections, contact Jorge Arce at the U.S. Commercial Service at (904) 232-1270 for more information about the visit.