Panama – In a bold stride toward innovation, Panama City hosted the influential #CADE2025, solidifying its reputation as a hub for thought leadership in Latin America. Organized by the Asociación Panameña de Ejecutivos de Empresa (APEDE), this three-day event became a milestone, attracting high-profile international speakers, policymakers, and executives to discuss crucial topics on innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and economic competitiveness.
CADE, celebrated since 1966, has continuously shaped Panama’s economic and policy agenda, reflecting national priorities and fostering dialogue between government and business sectors. This year’s conference, emphasizing innovation and AI, elevated Panama’s standing as a forward-thinking nation committed to sustainable economic growth and transparent governance.
“CADE 2025 brought together top national and international experts to address critical issues such as democratic governance, digital government, inclusion, sustainable productivity, and economic competitiveness,” remarked Nerio Peña, President of CADE 2025.
APEDE: The Power of Collaboration
The backbone of CADE’s enduring success is APEDE, an influential non-profit organization established in 1958. The institution advocates for ethical leadership, free enterprise, and sustainable national development. Giulia De Sanctis, President of APEDE, encapsulated the conference’s ambition by stating, “We aim for both the public and private sectors to establish the foundations for implementing a solid public policy framework around artificial intelligence.”
Indeed, public-private collaboration emerged as a central pillar throughout discussions, underscoring the critical role of joint efforts in maximizing AI’s potential for governance and economic advancement.
Joining Forces: A Strategic Alliance for Innovation and Digital Transformation in Panama
During CADE 2025, a pivotal moment was marked by the digital signing of an inter-institutional agreement: the Letter of Intent to create the Alliance for the Private Sector Digital and Artificial Intelligence Roundtable, an initiative spearheaded by APEDE. This agreement symbolizes the business community’s collective commitment to digital transformation, enhancing innovation through effective collaboration between public and private institutions, thus driving sustainable technological development in Panama.
Kido, Marketing in a snap!: Leading the Conversation
Strategically aligned with CADE’s mission, boutique marketing and communications firm Kido sponsored and actively participated in the event, reinforcing its commitment to innovation-driven growth. Santaine Aubourg, Our Kido’s Founder and CEO, notably influenced the conference through dual roles—as a moderator and a speaker—bringing forward-thinking insights from a marketing perspective.
A highlight was Aubourg’s moderation of the high-level panel, “Building an Effective Regulatory Framework for AI in Panama.” Joined by distinguished panelists such as Ariana Coba from the National Assembly, Sofia Harris from National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT), Irvin A. Halman of National Competitiveness Center (CNC), and independent Deputy Manuel Cheng, Aubourg expertly guided the conversation, addressing essential issues from international best practices to digital inclusion and data protection.
Photographed from left to right: Santaine Aubourg, CEO of Kido, Sofia Harris from National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SENACYT), Ariana Coba from the National Assembly, Manuel Cheng, independent Deputy, and Irvin A. Halman of National Competitiveness Center (CNC).
“Regulation shouldn’t be a roadblock—it should enable AI to become an engine of inclusive growth,” Aubourg noted, highlighting her vision for regulatory agility as a competitive advantage for Panama. Panelists reinforced the need for collaborative frameworks ensuring AI’s ethical implementation and equitable benefits distribution.
Masterclass in Marketing Innovation
The culmination of Kido’s presence was our visionary conference, transforming into a masterclass titled, “The Definitive Roadmap to Thrive in the Age of AI, Technological Disruption, and the Consumer of the Future.” Santaine vividly illustrated how businesses must pivot to adapt to the consumer demands reshaped by AI-driven personalization and technological disruption.
“Innovation is no longer optional, it’s essential. Creativity will be the defining factor that sets leaders apart. Embracing AI and digital disruption proactively today empowers us to shape a thriving future for business, society, and sustainable growth.”— Santaine Aubourg, Founder & CEO, Kido, Marketing in a snap!
She emphasized agility, strategic use of AI, and a customer-centric innovation mindset, laying out a clear, actionable path for executives to navigate the complexities of the digital age.
“The consumer of the future will expect hyper-personalization, immediacy, and purpose-driven brands,” she urged, stressing the blend of technology and human creativity as indispensable. Kido, Marketing in a snap!
Key Takeaways: Innovate Strategically and Ethically
CADE 2025 provided Panama and its business community with crucial insights: AI is an opportunity, not a threat; innovation requires a collaborative public-private ecosystem; and ethical leadership is vital. As Aubourg illustrated, staying competitive involves not only technological adoption but also fostering continuous innovation, collaboration across sectors, and customer-centered strategies.
For Kido, sponsoring CADE represented an active commitment to these ideals, aligning its business model with Panama’s national vision for innovation and growth. Aubourg’s dual roles at CADE exemplified how business leaders can actively shape and drive conversations toward actionable strategies.
Panama’s path forward, guided by forums like CADE is clear: embrace innovation strategically, foster collaboration, and lead ethically. This approach promises to solidify Panama’s status as a leading nation in innovation and AI for years to come.
Learn more about: APEDE