Speakers at Wednesday's Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo said South Florida is the best place for international businesses looking to enter the U.S. market.

More than 1,500 people from 63 countries registered for the sold-out event at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale.

The conference focused on the array of resources available to local businesses that want to export their products to international markets, as well as foreign businesses who want to enter the U.S.

“Anyone want to make some money? Then you came to the right place, because Broward County is all about business,” Dale Holness, vice mayor of Broward County, said during the event’s opening ceremony on Wednesday.

South Florida Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Mel Meléndez moderated a panel on bringing foreign businesses to South Florida, one of several panels scheduled for the two-day event.

According to panelists, South Florida is a prime location for international businesses that want to enter the American market due to its low-tax environment, its proximity to several airports and seaports, and a multicultural business environment.

“The three South Florida counties make up the 38th largest economy in the world,” said Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance CEO Bob Swindell. “If you’re going to test a market, you have a six-million-resident region right here, and a platform to enter the rest of North America."

The region's economic output – the value of goods and services – surpassed $369 billion in 2018, according to a recent report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. That’s bigger that the entire output of several countries, including South Africa, Ireland, and Denmark.