Brazilian Commercial Associations Highlight Innovation and New Leadership

The Associação Comercial e de Inovação de Marília (Acim) was featured at a national gathering of the country’s 50 most active commercial associations in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. President Carlos Francisco Bitencourt Jorge presented Acim’s Connect innovation hub, which supports over 3,500 mapped startups, facilitates pitch sessions and incubates projects, and operates across a network of cities in São Paulo state. The meeting, organized by the Confederação das Associações Comerciais do Brasil, also discussed creating a parliamentary front to represent the sector in Brasília.

In Ibiporã, Paraná, the Associação Comercial e Empresarial de Ibiporã (ACEIBI) inaugurated its 2026‑2028 board. Marcelo Juliano Machado returned as president, emphasizing a commitment to strengthen the association, promote women’s entrepreneurship through ACEIBI Mulher, and energize young business leaders via ACEIBI Jovem. Municipal officials and regional business representatives attended the ceremony.