By:Annette Perez Issue: Biennial of the Americas 2010 Section:City Exhibitions and Special Events

Not only was the city of Denver on the international stage for the Biennial of the Americas it was also in the international spotlight for the annual U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum. The Forum consisted of 20 CEOs from companies in the United States and Brazil who meet bi-annually to offer guidance to both governments on ways to reinforce positive interactions between the countries. While in Denver, the topics concentrated on bilateral tax treaty negotiations, facilitation of customs reform, energy and infrastructure.

The campus at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) served as the conference location and is one of the most technologically advanced and energy efficient facilities in the world. Participants included James Hackett, chairman, president and CEO from Andarko Petroleum Corporation; Lee McIntire, president and CEO of CH2M HILL; William Rhodes, chairman, president and CEO of Citibank N.A.; Gregory Page, chairman and CEO of Cargill; Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company; Tim Solso, chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc.; David B. Speer, chairman and CEO of Illinois Tool Works, Inc.; John Faraci, chairman and CEO of International Paper; Greg Brown, president and Co-CEO of Motorola Inc.; Stephen Angel, chairman, president and CEO of Praxair, Inc.; Carlos Alberto Vieira, CEO of Banco Safra S.A.; Luiz Roberto Nascimento, vice chairman of the board of Camargo Corrêa S.A.; Frederico Fleury Curado, president and CEO of Embraer; Jorge Gerdau Johannpeter, chairman of the board of directors of Grupo Gerdau; Marcelo Odebrecht, chairman and CEO of Odebrecht S.A.; Marco Antonio Stefanini, CEO of Stefanini IT Solutions; José Luís Cutrale, CEO of Sucocítrico Cutrale Ltda; Roger Agnelli, CEO of Vale; and Jose Roberto Ermírio de Moraes, CEO of Votorantim Participações S.A.

This forum was co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke and White House Deputy National Security Advisor, Michael Froman. Following the CEO Forum, the participants bustled over to the McNichols building where a roundtable discussion was held to highlight energy and trade topics.