By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Trade issues with Cuba, particularly if the U.S. trade embargo is lifted, will be the focus of a May 29 panel discussion in Tampa among the director of the Port of Tampa and academicians from the University of Florida and Tulane University.

The Tampa Bay World Affairs Council invited port director RIchard Wainio, director of the Latin America Center for Latin American Business at the University of Florida Terry McCoy and Tulane University senior research fellow Paolo Spadoni for a noon lunch and program at the University Club of Tampa, One City Center.

Reservations are required by calling 813-864-4401 or at

Cost is $25 for World Affairs Council members, $30 for guests of members and $35 for non-members.

Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.

The board of directors of World Trade Center Tampa Bay has voted to organize a fact-finding delegation trip to Cuba within the next few weeks.

Jose Valiente, chairman of the group’s Cuba Business Council, and vice chairman Frank Cisneros, will lead a delegation of local business people seeking to identify potential trade and business opportunities that could be developed between the Bay area and Cuba.