Miguel Angel Franco appointed director of Colombia Nautica

Colombia Nautica announced Monday the appointment of Miguel Angel Franco as the company’s first director. The new organization was established by Grupo Heroica, AsoNautica Colombia and the National Marine Manufacturers Association to build the country’s recreational boating industry through world-class boating events and will launch the Colombia Nautica International Boat Show April 27-30, 2017 in the coastal city of Cartagena de Indias.

“We’re excited to bring Miguel Angel Franco on board to oversee Colombia Nautica and the new Colombia Nautica International Boat Show,” said Jennifer Thompson, vice president, consumer and trade events, NMMA. “His wealth of knowledge of Colombia’s boating and tourism sectors along with his vast networking base and government relationships will help Colombia Nautica to grow recreational boating throughout the country and Latin America and establish the Colombia Boat Show as the region’s premier boating event.”

Miguel Angel Franco is an experienced business administrator with postgraduate studies in International Business and has professional experience of more than 13 years in the public and private sector.

Franco has served in several different leadership positions throughout his career in companies including Drummond International, BDP International Colombia, and the Chamber of Commerce of Cartagena. During the last four years, he led the international promotional strategy efforts of Colombia as a nautical tourism destination and managed the positioning strategy of cruise tourism for ProColombia, the export promotion agency of the Colombian Government in charge of promoting non-traditional exports, international tourism and foreign investment.

Franco’s dedication and work strengthened international relations of ProColombia with some of the world’s most influential nautical associations including the NMMA, ICOMIA, FYBA, USSA, ANC, and British Marine and contributed to Colombia’s achievement as a part of important nautical rallies such as the Grand Prix del Atlantico, the World ARC Rally and the OCC Rally.

In Colombia, Franco has been working closely with national boat builders, advising along with the team of ProColombia, on new international businesses opportunities and simultaneously with marinas and government authorities to attract more international recreational boats to Colombia.

For more information about Colombia Nautica and the Colombia Nautica International Boat Show, please contact Miguel Angel Franco at director@colombianautica.com, 575-654-4000, ext. 4250.