Broward County's largest international trade event is free to attend, but registration closes before the doors open. The 11th annual Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo, known as FITCE, runs Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, and the registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 16.
The expo is a service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, and the official FITCE page on Broward.org lists the schedule, what general admission includes, exhibitor details and sponsorship levels. Local artists already had their own call for entries, covered in the Gazette's FITCE 2026 artist deadline report. This attendee guide focuses on owners who want to walk the floor, meet buyers and learn how to sell abroad.
FITCE at a Glance
- What: 11th annual Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where: Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Atlantic Ballroom, New East Expansion, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
- Cost: general admission is free
- Registration deadline: Monday, Nov. 16, 2026
- Scale: more than 70 countries and an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 attendees, according to the county
- Contact: Broward County FITCE team, 954-357-6400 or FITCE@broward.org
What Free General Admission Includes
The county lists a full slate of programming in general admission. Registered attendees can take part in:
- Breakfast and opening ceremonies
- The World Expo Marketplace
- All panels, including Doing Business with the World
- The Large American Buyers Panel and Meet and Greet
- Speed Matchmaking with Country Representatives
- Concurrent sessions
- Evening receptions
For a small business, that list covers most of what a paid trade conference would offer. The difference is cost. Owners pay nothing to attend, which makes FITCE one of the lowest cost ways in South Florida to start learning about exporting, importing and international partnerships.
Register by Nov. 16
The registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, two days before the expo opens. Owners who plan to attend should register through the official FITCE page well before that date. Registering early also gives attendees time to plan which panels and matchmaking sessions fit their goals.
Questions about registration go to the county's FITCE team at 954-357-6400 or FITCE@broward.org.
Speed Matchmaking With Country Representatives
One of the most practical parts of the program is Speed Matchmaking with Country Representatives. With more than 70 countries represented, the format gives owners short, direct conversations with people who know specific foreign markets.
To get the most from matchmaking, owners can prepare a few points in advance:
- The product or service they want to sell or source abroad
- The countries or regions that interest them most
- Any experience they already have with exporting or importing
- One or two specific questions for each country representative
A clear, short introduction helps a representative point an owner to the right contact, program or next step.
The Large American Buyers Panel
The Large American Buyers Panel and Meet and Greet gives suppliers a chance to hear from large purchasers and then meet them. For local manufacturers, distributors and service companies, this is a chance to learn how big buyers choose vendors and what they expect from suppliers.
Owners who attend should bring business cards or a digital way to share contact details, a short description of what they sell, and any certifications that matter to large buyers. Following up within a few days of the meet and greet helps keep a new contact from going cold.
Panels on Exporting, Importing and More
The county lists panels on export, import, foreign trade zones, artificial intelligence and other topics, along with the Doing Business with the World panel. These sessions suit owners at every stage, from those who have never shipped outside the United States to those who already trade and want to grow.
Concurrent sessions run alongside the main program, so attendees should review the schedule and choose the sessions that match their business before arriving.
Foreign Trade Zone 25 and Port Everglades Tours
FITCE activities include tours of Foreign Trade Zone 25 and Port Everglades. Port Everglades is one of the region's main gateways for international cargo, and foreign trade zones offer customs related benefits to companies that qualify.
For an owner who imports parts or exports finished goods, seeing how cargo moves through the port and how a foreign trade zone works can make the paperwork and logistics easier to understand. Owners interested in a tour should check the official FITCE page for tour details and sign up options.
The World Expo Marketplace and Evening Receptions
The World Expo Marketplace is the expo floor, where exhibitors from Broward and around the world set up tables. Attendees can walk the marketplace to meet suppliers, service providers and international partners.
Evening receptions close out each day, and the county also lists receptions hosted by SAFT. These events give attendees a more relaxed setting to continue conversations started during the day.
Exhibiting: The Oct. 30 Table Deadline
Owners who would rather exhibit than attend should act fast. The county lists a local exhibitor table at $350, with a deadline of Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Exhibitor setup takes place Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sponsorships are also available, ranging from $700 to $25,000, according to the FITCE page. Owners interested in exhibiting or sponsoring should contact the FITCE team at 954-357-6400 or FITCE@broward.org before the deadline.
Parking at the Convention Center
The county notes that garage parking at the convention center is by card only, with no cash accepted. Attendees should bring a credit or debit card for parking and plan extra time on the first morning, since the program starts at 7 a.m. with breakfast and opening ceremonies.
Planning Your Two Days
With programming running from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days, FITCE is a long event. A simple plan helps:
- Register before the Nov. 16 deadline
- Choose the panels, matchmaking sessions and tours that match your goals
- Prepare a short introduction to your business and what you want from international trade
- Bring a card for garage parking
- Pace yourself across both days, with time for the marketplace and receptions
- Follow up with new contacts within a week
Who Should Attend
FITCE suits a wide range of South Florida businesses. Manufacturers and distributors looking for overseas customers, importers seeking new suppliers, logistics and professional service firms that support trade, and owners who are simply curious about selling abroad can all find something useful. Because general admission is free, the main cost is time.
Questions to Bring to the Expo
Owners new to international trade often get the most value by arriving with a short list of questions. Useful ones include which countries are buying products like theirs, what documents a first shipment requires, how payment is usually handled with overseas customers, and whether a foreign trade zone could lower costs for their imports. Country representatives, panel speakers and exhibitors on the marketplace floor can each answer different parts of that list. Writing the answers down during the day, along with the name of the person who gave them, makes follow up much easier after the expo ends.
Sources
Related
- FITCE 2026 Broward Artist Deadline
- Florida SBDC STEP Grant and Export Advising
- JIS Fall Miami Beach Trade Buyers Guide
Key Facts
When and where is FITCE 2026?
The 11th annual Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo runs Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. It takes place in the Atlantic Ballroom of the New East Expansion at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, 1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316.
Is FITCE free to attend?
Yes. General admission is free, according to Broward County. It includes breakfast and opening ceremonies, the World Expo Marketplace, all panels, the Large American Buyers Panel and Meet and Greet, Speed Matchmaking with Country Representatives, concurrent sessions and evening receptions. The registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, two days before the expo opens.
What can owners do at FITCE?
Owners can meet representatives from more than 70 countries through speed matchmaking, hear from large American buyers, attend panels on exporting, importing, foreign trade zones and artificial intelligence, and walk the World Expo Marketplace. The county also lists tours of Foreign Trade Zone 25 and Port Everglades, plus evening receptions on both days.
How much is a FITCE exhibitor table?
Broward County lists a local exhibitor table at $350, with a deadline of Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Exhibitor setup runs Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sponsorships range from $700 to $25,000. Owners interested in exhibiting or sponsoring should contact the FITCE team at 954-357-6400 before the deadline.
Who runs FITCE and how do I contact them?
FITCE is a service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, run through the county's economic development office. Questions about registration, exhibiting, sponsorships or tours go to 954-357-6400 or FITCE@broward.org. Garage parking at the convention center accepts cards only, so attendees should not plan to pay with cash.
