Miami Economic Forum: Miami as a Global Hub for Business

Описание: The Economic Club of Miami hosted our 2nd Annual Miami Economic Forum on February 7, 2025. A full day finance and investment conference with a heavy focus on international markets, the Miami Economic Forum amplifies the leading role that Miami serves in building global economic partnerships between citizens and entrepreneurs in the United States with those in Latin America and across the globe.

To learn more about the club, including how to apply for membership, visit: https://www.econclubmiami.org

This video features a conversation with Michaeljohn Green (Miami Downtown Development Authority), Jeff Maxon (Opalvest), and Noah Williams (University of Miami).

About our speakers:

Michaeljohn Green serves as Chief of Economic Development & Strategy of the Miami Downtown Development Authority, a quasi-governmental agency of the City of Miami governed by a 15-member board of directors, including three public appointees and 12 downtown property owners, business owners, and/or residents. Mj previously served as the Deputy Director of Innovation and Economic Development for Miami-Dade County Office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.He has served in roles at Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and The Bank of Montreal.Mj helped start the Africa Town Land Trust, a vehicle that creates affordable housing, homeless housing, and homeownership opportunities for African Americans in the Seattle metro Area.

Jeff Maxon is the Chief Revenue Officer at Opalvest, which recently located an office in Miami. Through Opalvest, registered investment advisors can unlock institutional-grade investment opportunities for their clients with reduced minimums and enhanced liquidity. Each Opal represents a carefully polished stake in premier alternative funds, backed by due diligence and structured for simplicity. Beyond direct fund access, Opalvest’s upcoming secondary marketplace will enable seamless trading of Opal units, offering liquidity that rivals traditional investments. A former investment banker and co-founder of MCA, Jeff specializes in scaling businesses and revenue growth, with a focus on RIA and family office engagement.

Noah Williams is a professor of economics at the Miami Herbert Business School at the University of Miami. Before joining Miami, he was on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Princeton University. He is also an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Williams's research focuses on macroeconomics—particularly monetary policy, social insurance programs, and financial markets—as well as state economies, and has co-authored several papers with Nobel Prize recipients Lars Peter Hansen and Thomas Sargent. In addition to his academic work, he regularly comments on economic policy for broader audiences.Williams regularly consults and advises businesses and community groups, politicians, and policy organizations on macroeconomics and tax policy. He earned his Ph.D. and B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago.

0:00 Video Intro
0:27 Introduction of panelists, Francisco Gonzalez, executive director, Economic Club of Miami
1:47 Opening remarks, Michaeljohn Green, Miami Downtown Development Authority
2:35 Opening remarks, Jeff Maxon, Opalvest
4:33 Miami as a path from emerging wealth to ultra wealth
5:18 Opening remarks, Noah Williams, Professor of Economics, University of Miami
6:53 Miami is #1 in new business creation per capita
7:39 Fertile ground for entrepreneurship by both state policy and immigrants
8:22 What attracts new businesses to move to Miami?
9:21 Future trading floor, media, and finance in Miami
10:10 Future trends for Miami's economic growth
13:32 How the journey of Opalvest aligns with their move to Miami
15:30 Miami as a Global Business Hub including, Port of Miami, Venture Capital, and MIA Cargo
19:37 Advice for students and young professionals
23:55 Miami's current moment represents the American Dream
27:00 Q&A with the audience