2005
MARCH
Presented “The Development of Trade Corridors: The Role of Integration Rountables and Future Opportunities – The Brazil-Houston Case” , Vitoria, Brazil, Mercosul Atlantic Corridor Consortium
COMPANY HISTORY
PORTAL COMMERCE HISTORY AND KEY MILESTONES
2003
APRIL
University of Texas at Austin graduate school students John Cuttino and Kevin Schroeder together with Washington, DC-based lawyer Gerardo Lapetina founded Portal Commerce & Logistics for the purpose of helping Brazilian clients with the export of granite and green coffee from Brazil to Central Texas and U.S. Southwest.
2006
MARCH
Portal begins Brazil Representation of Port of Houston Authority, opening first Brazil office in São Paulo, representing the Port of Houston through December 2018.
AUGUST
Port Of Santos Authority And Port Of Houston Authority Renew Cooperation Agreement.
SEPTEMBER
Santos Export Trade Mission to Houston
2007
JUNE
Presented “The Role of Barging on Houston’s Transport System,” Conexão Maritima Navegar Congress 2007, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul
2008
APRIL
Brazilian Minister of Ports Trade Mission to Houston
SEPTEMBER
Organized And executed first major trade show exhibition for the Port Of Houston Authority, State Of Texas, and the Greater Houston Partnership at the Rio Oil And Gas Expo in Rio De Janeiro.
2009
APRIL
Organized the first participation of the Port of Houston Authority, the Greater Houston Partnership, and the Houston Aiport System at the Intermodal South America trade show.
MAY
Developed a strategic partnership with the Cantrell Company [cantrellco.com] in Abuja. Nigeria to develop U.S. – Brazil – Nigeria trade and investment.
AUGUST
Presented “Inland Waterway Navigation: The Case of the Houston Ship Channel of the US Gulf”, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul
OCTOBER
Led the first Nigeria trade mission from the state of Benue, Nigeria to São Paulo, Brazil.
Presented “The Development of People for the Opportunities and Challenges of Ports in the 21st Century: The Houston Experience”, 6th International Seminar on Port Business, UNISANTOS, Santos, São Paulo
DECEMBER
Port Of Houston Authority Officially Overtakes Port Of New York/New Jersey For Top Spot In U.S.-Brazil Containerized Cargo
2010
MARCH
Presented “The Port of Houston and Logistics Cost Reductions for Exports to US, São Paulo, Brazil”, Central Park Jardins
JUNE
Presented “Houston and Sergipe: Business Opportunities”, SEDETEC, Aracaju, Sergipe
NOVEMBER
Presented “The Development of Competencies in Professional Education Services to the Port Sector: The Recent Case of Houston”, Ports Seminar at Transpoquip 2010, Exponorte São Paulo.
2011
MAY
Presented “Port of Houston Excellence and Challenges”, 12th Port Forum, Rio de Janeiro,
JUNE
Presented “The Blue Ocean Proposal: Search for New Sustainable Logistics”, Bright Green Ports Panel, Brazilian Ports and Coastal Waters: Sustainability and Economic Development Opportunities, in conjunction with the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FIRJAN), Rio de Janeiro
2012
MARCH
Organized Texas One State of Texas trade mission to São Paulo with the Texas Secretary of State
Presented “Inland Waterway Transport and Applied Scheduling/Monitoring Technologies for Vessels and Barges at the Port of Houston and in the US Gulf,” Polo Naval Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul,
APRIL
Oxiteno announces investment in the Houston region with the acquisition of the Texas Chemical Company
2013
JULY
Presented “Multimodality and the Drainage of Production: The Case of the Port of Houston,” Intercomex 2013 at Transposul Expo, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul,
SEPTEMBER
Presented “Inland Waterway Transportation: Some Considerations,” Brazil-Germany Chamber of Commerce, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul
Presented at the United Nations CEPAL International Seminar, “Facilitating the Effective Integration of Developing Countries in the Global Economy through Aid for Trade”, Managua, Nicaragua, Seminole Plaza Hotel
2014
MAY
SEBRAE-Rio de Janeiro Trade Mission
Presented “B2B Matchmaking Sessions” at OTC Houston
AUGUST
Portal organized and executes Texas One State of Texas Trade Mission to Brazil, São Paulo, Brazil led by Texas Secretary of State.
OCTOBER
Presented “Houston as the Gateway to the Americas for Brazilian Companies,” Maranhão for Business, São Luís, Maranhão, Federation of Industries of the State of Maranh
2015
APRIL
Presented “The New Exchange Rates and Opportunities for Intermodal Logistics and Foreign Trade Between U.S. and Brazil”, Intermodal South America 2015, São Paulo, São Paulo
MAY
SEBRAE-Rio de Janeiro Trade Mission
Presented “B2B Matchmaking Sessions” at OTC Houston
OCTOBER
Presented “The Port of Houston,” Expo Industria, São Luis, Maranhão, Federation of Industries of the State of Maranhão.
NOVEMBER
Presented “More Competitive Exports to USA: Facilitating DDP Sales and Improving Logistics Through the Port of Houston,” Exporta São Paulo Seminar, São Paulo, Brazil, São Paulo Commercial Association
2016
MARCH
Port Houston Delegation meets with Brazilian Foreign Trade Association President in Development of Trade Cooperation Agreement, Rio de Janeiro.
MAY
Participation at Texas Chamber of Commerce in Brazil’s booth at Agrishow 2016 the largest agricultural equipment expo in Brazil, Riberão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
SEPTEMBER
Brazilian Furniture Trade Mission to Houston, Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul
2017
JANUARY
Portal Commerce organizes and executes Federal University of Santa Catarina’s LABTRANS and SEST/SENAT Waterborne Transport Training and Benchmarking Trade Mission to USA (Houston, Norfolk, Ft. Lauderdale).
JUNE
Port of Houston Authority and Brazilian Foreign Trade Association sign a cooperation agreement.
AUGUST
Portal Commerce represents the Port of Houston Authority at ENAEX 2017.
DECEMBER
Presented “Houston and Business Opportunities: Dallas Showroom and Exports Delivered,” Exporta São Paulo, São Paulo Commercial Association, São Paulo, Brazil.
2018
AUGUST
Portal represents the Port of Houston at ENAEX 2018
SEPTEMBER
Portal Commerce is invited and attends the launch of Clube Empreendedor – The Entrepreneur’s Club – in Rio and becomes a charter member. The mission of The Entrepreneur Club is to connect entrepreneurs in Rio de Janeiro and help generate new business.
DECEMBER
Portal Commerce launches its Digital Services initiative with visits to startups and accelerators in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states including HubSpot at the University of São Paulo (USP).
2019
FEBRUARY
Portal Commerce advances its Digital Services initiative with discussions on the creation of International Services Zones (ZIS) and Smart Cities with Fomenta Rio.
Portal Commerce becomes member of the Prosyon Group to offer M&A advisory services to Brazilian middle-market companies.
MARCH
Portal President John Cuttino named Director of International Business for the Brazil Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services and the Rio de Janeiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the term 2019-2023.
APRIL
Portal Commerce continues its Digital Services initiative with discussions on the creation of International Enterprise Services Zones (ZIS) in partnership with Fomenta Rio, visiting the technology parks in Ribeirão Preto, Joinville, Florianopolis, and Belo Horizonte.
Portal Commerce executes Federal University of Technology at Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria educational trade mission to Brazil with Nigerian partner Cantrell Company. The trade mission results in successful cooperation agreement with the Federal University of Santa Catarina.
MAY
Portal Commerce meets with senior executives at the Red Cross to discuss a partnership arrangement to cultivate technology services in underserved communities. The initial target areas are the Favelas in Rio.
JUNE
Portal Commerce is exhibitor at 11th World Congress of Chambers of Commerce in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as member of the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services and the Rio de Janeiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
JULY
Portal Commerce visits the startup accelerators Silicon Harlem in New York City, the Newark Venture Partners (NVP) Technology Hub in Newark, NJ, and the Bizology Academy, also located in Newark
AUGUST
Portal Commerce visits the startup accelerators Silicon Harlem in New York City, the Newark Venture Partners (NVP) Technology Hub in Newark, NJ, and the Bizology Academy, also located in Newark
Portal President John Cuttino serves as guest presenter on Brazil at the Greater Houston Partnership sponsored event, “Beyond Borders: Latin American Markets, Politics and Business Environment”.
OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER
Portal begins contract to assist CODEMAR (Marica Development Company), participating at OTC Brazil and ENAEX 2019.
NOVEMBER
With Nigerian partner Cantrell Company and Brazilian partners Solutek, Duciello, and Aliança, Portal Commerce executes successful Benue State, Nigeria Executive Trade Mission to Brazil for Renewable Energies, Education and Agro-Allied Investments led by His Excellency Governor Samuel Ortom.
DECEMBER
Portal Commerce is invited to participate in the signing of the trade pact for the Fluminesse Development Project held in Maricá.
2020
FEBRUARY
Portal Commerce and Nigerian partner Cantrell Company lead follow-up Benue State, Nigeria Renewable Energies Trade Mission to Brazil.
JUNE
Portal Commerce signs partnership agreement with best-in-class Brazilian logistics solutions provider Interoceanica.
