FIU and local government leaders joined small business experts on August 22 to discuss how public institutions and private enterprises can work together to drive growth in South Florida at the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference.
The event, themed “The Intersection of Business and Government,” featured sessions covering the environment, transportation, and the 2026 World Cup. Coral Gables Mayor Vincent Lago (BBA ’04), Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Orbis, and Brian Van Hook, regional director of the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at FIU Business also led a panel on doing business with the county and city. FIU President Jeanette M. Nuñez later delivered a fireside chat outlining her vision for the university’s future.
Jeanette M. Nunez, President of Florida International University, and Maria D. Garcia, chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.
Lago, a longtime business owner, emphasized that government should serve as a partner for entrepreneurs rather than an obstacle. “We want to make sure small businesses have a seat at the table,” Lago said. “At the end of the day, government should be about helping people succeed, not putting up barriers.”
Van Hook highlighted how the FSBDC at FIU Business has helped Coral Gables businesses secure more than $100 million in government contracts since 2014 and offered direct advice for entrepreneurs. He encouraged firms to start small, leverage past private-sector experience and use contracting opportunities to gradually build their track record.
“You’re probably not going to land a $20 million contract on your first try,” Van Hook said. “Start local, build up your past performance, and work your way up.”
He also recommended that business owners focus on their niche rather than trying to be “a jack of all trades.” Contracting officers, he explained, look for clear expertise and problem-solving. Collaboration can also open doors: “Partner with other firms that complement what you do. Subcontracting and teaming are powerful ways to grow,” Van Hook said.
In addition to offering strategy, Van Hook underscored the importance of financial preparation. “While you’re waiting to get paid by the city or county, you still have to pay your employees and cover your overhead,” he said. He advised firms to strengthen HR practices, secure access to capital and understand bonding requirements before pursuing larger contracts.
Following the panel, President Nuñez spoke about her priorities in a fireside chat with chamber chair Maria Garcia. Nuñez, who served as Florida’s lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2025, said FIU has become a critical economic engine in Miami-Dade.
“We’re only 53 years young, but we have 340,000 alumni, 55,000 students and we’ve been ranked No. 1 in performance among state universities three years in a row,” Nuñez said. She emphasized strengthening FIU’s role in health care and innovation, pointing to collaborations with Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Nuñez also highlighted the importance of embedding artificial intelligence across academic disciplines and ensuring students have access to internships and applied learning. “Our students want not just a great education, but the whole experience,” she said. “That means opportunity in the classroom, in the workplace and in the community.”