COA symposium to spotlight AI, investment and Latin America’s growth outlook

More than 500 executives, founders, officials and regional leaders will gather in Miami on Nov. 19 for the 2026 COA Symposium and BRAVO Business Awards. The event will focus on AI, investment, security and the economic forces reshaping Latin America’s business landscape.

Why it matters: - More than 500 top leaders will gather in Miami to debate the forces shaping Latin America’s business outlook. - The agenda puts AI infrastructure, investment conditions, security and cross-border expansion at the center of the conversation. - The event comes as regional companies face faster economic, technological and geopolitical change.

What happened: - The Council of the Americas will hold the 2026 COA Symposium and the 31st BRAVO Business Awards on Nov. 19 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Miami. - The annual flagship business event will bring together CEOs, founders, industry leaders, government officials and other regional decision-makers. - The symposium will open with private roundtables for senior executives, then move into public panels, conversations and afternoon breakout sessions. - The BRAVO awards will follow the symposium and recognize companies and leaders advancing Latin America’s economic development.

The details: - The theme is “The Next Chapter of Latin America: Growth, Investment and the AI Economy.” - Sessions will examine the infrastructure needed to support the AI economy and the use of AI as a competitive advantage. - Other topics include leadership during crisis, banking innovation, and the expansion of Latin American companies into the United States. - 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. - Private executive discussions will focus on large-scale AI deployment, the changing role of corporate affairs, public affairs and government relations, and geopolitical shifts likely to affect Latin America in 2027. - Speakers include leaders from PepsiCo, The AES Corporation, Bank of America, Philip Morris International, McKinsey & Company, Atlas Renewable Energy, ODATA, Amazon Web Services, Salesforce, LATAM Airlines, Banco do Brasil, Embraer, Globant, Citi, SAP Americas, Despegar, Habi, CAF and Mastercard. - The event is also backed by sponsors including Amazon, CAF–Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe, Chubb América Latina, 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. - Media partners include Americas Quarterly, Bloomberg Línea, CNN en Español, El País and Exame. - More information about the event.

Between the lines: - The program shows how AI has moved from a technology topic to a board-level economic issue across Latin America. - The mix of corporate, policy and academic voices suggests the region’s executives are looking for practical answers on growth, regulation, capital and resilience. - The Venezuela session signals that long-term political and institutional risk remains part of the regional investment conversation.

What's next: - The symposium will take place on Nov. 19, followed by the BRAVO Business Awards. - Honorees will receive awards tied to leadership, innovation, legacy and energy transition. - Roberto Alvo of LATAM Airlines will receive CEO of the Year. - Banco do Brasil will receive the Business Legacy Award, accepted by CEO Tarciana Medeiros. - Rappi will receive the Innovation Excellence Award, accepted by cofounder Felipe Villamarín. - Carlos Barrera of Atlas Renewable Energy will receive Innovative CEO of the Year.