Wed07Aug2013

Growth and opportunity

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Elena Miramar Print Email
More than 3,000 business leaders and owners throughout California will gather at the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Convention in Oakland. They will be joined by famous guests and musicians such as  Daisy Fuentes, Richard Montañez, and Sheila E.
 
Hispanic business leaders coming to Oakland ---

Hispanic Business magazine has calculated that Hispanic-owned companies in the U.S. combined for a total revenue of $37.8 billion. Hispanic businesses and consumers are one of the great engines driving the nation’s economy, and it is an engine that is growing strongly.

The tremendous growth and impact that the Hispanic business community is experiencing throughout California will be at the forefront of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Convention on Aug. 14-16 in Oakland. Featuring top business experts and entertainment, the convention is a big event that will attract thousands of Hispanic business leaders throughout California.

“The conference will honor the accomplishments of Latino-owned businesses, while helping many small-business owners with the information and other critical details they need to survive and thrive,” said Mark Martinez, president and CEO of CHCC.

Highlighting the convention will be TV personality Daisy Fuentes, who is being awarded the Excellence in Business Award and will be inducted into the Chamber’s Latinas Hall of Fame. 

Headline speakers include branding expert and author Richard Montañez, the creator of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and author of ‘A Boy, a Burrito, and a Cookie’. Other top speakers include acclaimed singer and percussionist Sheila E, Monica Gil of the Nielsen Company, and Xavier A. Gutierrez, president of The Meruelo Group.

More than 3,000 small-business advocates, corporate representatives and entrepreneurs will attend the convention, which will celebrate the CHCC’s 35th anniversary and promote the growth of Hispanic-owned businesses in California and their contributions to California’s economy.

“This year has been a better year and we are seeing a resurgence in Hispanic business,” says James Duran, member of the CHCC’s Board of Directors and the Chair of the convention. “The most important thing that Hispanic businesses need is access to capital, to borrow money to grow our businesses.”

The three-day convention will have specific day themes, including Latina Impresario Day, which will offer Latina entrepreneurs inspirational and educational panels and workshops.

“We are celebrating the success of Latina business people, and also recognizing their role, responsibilities at home as the center of family,” adds Duran. “Currently there are more Latinas in college, more female than male Latinos. The growth of Latina-owned businesses is also strong.”

Regarding the ongoing development of Hispanic business owners, Duran stresses the importance of responsible financial management. “We can have a profitable business but then not do a good job with finances and taxes,” he says.

Needed education on financial management and other topics will also be covered at the convention. Sessions include:
 
• Bottom Line Economics: Acquiring, Maintaining and Growing Your Customers
• Social Media: Navigating & Maximizing Opportunities to Build Your Brand
• The Latina Effect: Secrets of Success in Business, Leadership & Influence
• Launch Your Business Today! The A-Z Steps of Business Management
• Capital Access in 2013:  Getting Found & Financed!
• The Affordable Care Act: The Latest On Its Implications and Ramifications On Latino Business

A business expo featuring seventy booths, a Latina Pavilion with daily fashion shows and procurement matchmaking – where major corporations, government agencies and minority-owned business executives can meet – are also part of the convention.

"I'm excited to see the over 3,000 small business owners who make up California's Hispanic Chambers of commerce chapters descend on Oakland for the annual convention,” says Roseann Torres, board member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County.

“With one day dedicated to the Latina entrepreneur, it will be encouraging to see how the state has rebounded with vitality and ingenuity of new products and services on the market!"

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) is the largest regional ethnic business organization in the nation, promoting the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and California’s emerging businesses. Through its network of more than 65 Hispanic chambers and business associations throughout California, the CHCC represents the interest of more than 700,000 Hispanic business owners in California.