The Port of Palm Beach was honored to welcome representatives from 21 foreign missions yesterday morning, as part of Experience Florida, a week-long program for participants to strengthen economic, commercial, scientific and cultural relations between the countries they represent and Palm Beach County. The foreign diplomats were treated to continental breakfast followed by a presentation and tour of the Port. The Port’s Vice-Chair of the Board Dr. Jean L. Enright, Executive Director Manuel Almira, and executive staff were on hand to host the meeting. With the support and guidance of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions and Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the Experience Florida program is in its second year, after a successful event in May 2016 held in Indian River County, Florida. During their stay this week in Palm Beach County, participating foreign diplomats will foster connections with representatives from the county and as a result, provide better support to their citizens living in or visiting Palm Beach County. Participants will also learn about law enforcement capabilities through the program, which provides for a mutual exchange and dialogue on policing, training, and technology in today’s rapidly changing environment. The consulates of the Bahamas, Canada, Ecuador, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Belgium, Nigeria, Germany, Monaco, Sweden, Angola and Pakistan attended the event. In addition to the Port of Palm Beach, the participants also visited the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach Regional Fusion Center, Solid Waste Authority, Lion Country Safari, Florida Power and Light, West Palm Beach City Hall, Research Park at Florida Atlantic University and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. “We were delighted to be selected for inclusion in the Experience Florida event,” noted Blair J. Ciklin, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Palm Beach. “We thoroughly enjoyed sharing insights into our cargo and cruise business with all the consulates during their familiarization trip in Palm Beach County.”