COA Symposium will focus on Latin America’s growth and AI economy

More than 500 business leaders, officials and investors will gather in Miami on Nov. 19 for the COA Symposium 2026 and the 31st BRAVO Business Awards. The agenda centers on AI infrastructure, investment, security and how Latin American companies can compete in a fast-changing global economy.

Why it matters: - The COA Symposium is set to bring together more than 500 CEOs, founders, policymakers and regional leaders in Miami to discuss the forces shaping Latin America’s business outlook. - The event comes as companies across the region navigate faster changes in technology, investment flows and geopolitics. - The conference also gives Latin American executives a venue to compare strategies on AI, growth and cross-border expansion.

What happened: - More than 500 CEOs, founders, industry pioneers, government officials and other regional leaders will meet in Miami on Nov. 19 for the COA Symposium 2026 and the 31st BRAVO Business Awards. - The annual Council of the Americas event will be held at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel. - The symposium theme is “The Next Chapter for Latin America: Growth, Investment and the AI Economy.” - The gathering will open with private roundtables for senior executives, then move into public panels, talks and afternoon breakout sessions.

The details: - The agenda includes AI infrastructure, the adoption of artificial intelligence as a competitive advantage and the expansion of Latin American companies in the U.S. - Afternoon sessions will cover security risks in the Americas, the digital transformation of Latin American consumers and the institutional and investment conditions needed to rebuild Venezuela. - Early executive roundtables will focus on implementing AI at scale, the changing role of corporate affairs, public affairs and government relations teams, and geopolitical shifts most likely to affect Latin America in 2027. - The public program will feature executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs and experts from across the Americas. - Speakers include Athina Kanioura of PepsiCo, Andres Gluski of The AES Corporation, Carlos Capistran of Bank of America, Can Kuterdem of Philip Morris International and Mauricio Janauskas of McKinsey & Company. - Other sessions will feature leaders from Atlas Renewable Energy, ODATA, Chile’s energy ministry, Anthropic, Rappi, Amazon Web Services, Heineken, LATAM Airlines, Bank of Brasil, Safra National Bank, Castillo Hermanos, Embraer, Orbia, Globant, Philip Morris International, Cementos Progreso, SAP Americas, CHUBB Latin America, Despegar, Habi, CAF, Mastercard and GeoPark.

Between the lines: - The program shows how AI has become a central business issue for Latin America, not just a technology topic. - The inclusion of data centers, energy, payments, banking and supply chains points to the infrastructure needs behind the region’s digital shift. - The Venezuela session signals that capital formation and institutional stability remain major concerns for long-term regional growth. - The mix of multinational companies, multilatinas, investors, academics, governments and media suggests the event is designed as both a business forum and a policy conversation.

What’s next: - After the symposium, the Council of the Americas will hand out the 31st BRAVO Business Awards. - Roberto Alvo of LATAM Airlines will receive BRAVO CEO of the Year. - Banco do Brasil will receive the BRAVO Legacy Award, accepted by CEO Tarciana Medeiros. - Rappi will receive the BRAVO Innovation Beacon Award, accepted by cofounder Felipe Villamarín. - Carlos Barrera of Atlas Renewable Energy will receive the BRAVO Innovative CEO of the Year Award. - Sponsors include Amazon, CAF, Chubb Latin America, LLYC, Philip Morris International, Bank of America, Castillo Hermanos, Citi, Moody’s, Salesforce, The AES Corporation, BlackRock, FedEx, Grupo Mariposa, SBA Communications and Tower Strategy. - McKinsey & Company is the knowledge partner, and media partners include Americas Quarterly, Bloomberg Línea, CNN en Español, El País and Exame.

The bottom line: - The COA Symposium is positioning Latin America’s next growth phase around AI, investment and regional competitiveness.