Cortlandt Manor, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/18/2015 -- Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA), the premier forum dedicated to the understanding and debate of key issues confronting the Americas, was announced today as the exclusive "Thought Leadership Partner" of the "Cuba Opportunity Summit" hosted by Knowledge@Wharton (http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu), the online research and business analysis journal of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Knowledge@Wharton is organizing the conference in New York City on April 1 in collaboration with The Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and Momentum.

"AS/COA's Cuba Working Group has been committed to promoting closer relations between the U.S. and Cuba for several years, so this is a uniquely exciting time for all of us," noted AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal. "We are thrilled to be working with one of the world's most important and prestigious business schools on this event, and to contribute our resources and expertise to the timely and thorough analysis of the political and economic climate in Cuba, and the potential opportunities for U.S. businesses in that market."

It was also announced today that CNBC, a world leader in business news, will be the "Exclusive Broadcaster" of the Cuba Opportunity Summit. CNBC's Chief International Correspondent Michelle Caruso-Cabrera will broadcast live from the summit for CNBC's Business Day programming and participate as a speaker at the event.

In addition, Knowledge@Wharton has confirmed several new speakers including Susan Segal, President and CEO, AS/COA; Frank Del Rio, President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Lines; John McIntire, Chairman, Cuba Emprende Foundation; Mark Entwistle, Former Ambassador for Canada to Cuba and Founding Partner, Acasta Capital; Jay Brickman, Vice President of Government Services, Crowley Maritime; Alana Tummino, Director of Policy and Head of the Cuba Working Group, AS/COA; Eddie Lubber, Founder and CEO, Cuba Travel Network; Ted A. Henken, Professor, Baruch College and co-author of the recently published Entrepreneurial Cuba: The Changing Policy Landscape; and Stephen J. Kobrin, William H. Wurster Professor Emeritus of Multinational Management and Publisher, Wharton Digital Press at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Gustavo Arnavat, chairman of the Advisory Board of the Cuba Opportunity Summit, said: "The President's December 17 announcement has generated considerable interest on the part of the U.S. business community about Cuba. This summit is an ideal setting for examining the business, economic and legal considerations necessary before making any investment decision."

The Summit's Co-Chairs are Mauro Guillen, director of The Lauder Institute at The Wharton School, and Faquiry Diaz Cala, CEO of Tres Mares, an investment and private equity firm in Miami, Fla. Mukul Pandya, executive director and editor-in-chief of Knowledge@Wharton will be the host.

"We are on track to have a completely sold out audience in a matter of just a few weeks. That to me underscores the significant level of interest that American CEOs and the investment community have in the Cuban market," remarked Ben Greenzweig, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Momentum, the organizer of the summit.

Presentations at the summit will focus on providing insights for companies to develop a strategic roadmap to enter the Cuban market by thoughtfully considering opportunities and risks.

Sponsors of the "Cuba Opportunity Summit" include the Nasdaq, which is hosting the event at its MarketSite venue in Times Square, Tres Mares, the Cuba Travel Network and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

In addition to keynote presentations, the summit will feature panels and fireside chats as well as extensive time for Q&A, discussion among participants, and networking opportunities.

More information, including details on how to register, are available at http://www.knowledge.whartonevents.com/Cuba

About the Wharton School and Knowledge@Wharton
Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates economic and social value around the world. The School has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 9,000 participants in executive education programs annually and a powerful alumni network of 93,000 graduates.

Knowledge@Wharton is the online business analysis journal of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The site, which is free, captures relevant knowledge generated at Wharton and beyond by offering articles and videos based on research, conferences, speakers, books and interviews with faculty and other experts on current business topics. The Knowledge@Wharton network – including Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Indian, Arabic, Israeli and High School editions – has more than three million users worldwide.

About the Lauder Institute
The University of Pennsylvania's Lauder Institute, founded in 1983, combines a world–renowned Wharton MBA with a Master's in International Studies. Advanced language and foreign culture training, a two-month in-country immersion program, and a Master's Thesis from the School of Arts & Sciences all prepare Lauder Fellows for the ever-evolving global economy. This year's offerings include the new Global Program for students who are already fluent in several languages. Graduates join the diverse, supportive and committed worldwide Lauder community – continuing a nearly 30-year tradition of international business leadership. The Lauder Institute also offers an MA/JD joint degree.

For more information, visit http://www.lauder.wharton.upenn.edu/

About Momentum
Momentum Events is a leading international event creation and execution specialist working with numerous partners in order to bring their brands to life through customized live-event experiences. With an emphasis on rigorous research and world-class customer service, its team comprises many of the leading names in event creation and execution.

For more information about Momentum, visit http://www.momentumevents.com

Wharton Media contact:
Peter Winicov
Wharton School Media Relations
215-746-6471
Winicov@wharton.upenn.edu

Momentum contact:
Matt Godson
Momentum
917-579-8945
matt@momentumevents.com

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