MIAMI—Many are talking about Miami’s rising international city status. But that talk reached a fevered pitch at a recent panel discussion that aimed to explore the elements driving the gateway city’s growth.

Hundreds of Miami’s business and civic leaders gathered at 1450 Brickell office tower for “Miami Goes Global: From Latin American Outpost to International Gateway” last week. BrickellHouse, the 374-unti luxury residential tower under development in the Brickell Financial District, and the Miami Downtown Development Authority sponsored the panel.

“There is a perception that Miami is dependent on Latin America, but bulk of my clients are now coming from points east and west, as opposed to north and south,” said Suzanne Amaducci, a partner at Bilzin Sumberg in Miami. Amaducci was among the panelists, who discussed topics ranging from foreign investment and mass transit, to education and casino gambling.