(Crystal Proenza is associate editor of RealEstate Florida.)

MIAMI-The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's economicdevelopment organization, is reaching out to the internationalcommunity in hopes of bringing in new capital investment. A groupconsisting of executives from the council, Coral Gables Chamber ofCommerce, Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, Jay MalinaInternational Trade Consortium, Salvatore Ferragamo and PoltronaFrau Atlantica is traveling to Italy and France through May 23 toinform international investors about the advantages of operating acompany in a city that is a global business center.

During various meetings in Milan, Florence, Paris and Toulousewith corporate executives and networking events, the group willpromote the Council's Fashion and Lifestyle Initiative, presentingMiami as a hub for European fashion houses. The aim is to attractfashion industry associations, along with related industriesincluding cosmetics, design and jewelry. In addition, the councilhopes to reiterate Miami's value as an international city with amulti-cultural work force to corporate executives in the aviation,financial, information technology and telecommunicationsindustries.