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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2015 Contact: Pamela Nieto (202) 340-5157 pnieto@gwhcc.org THE GREATER WASHINGTON HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM TO PROMOTE TRADE WITH LATIN AMERICA Washington, DC– The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) will launch the International Symposium “Promoting Trade Among the Americas,” the day after its Business Expo on March 25th from 9am-1pm at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The purpose of the symposium is to provide education on trade and investment between the United States (US) and Latin America (LA) through existing free trade agreements. “We’ve seen how the Business Expo has influenced and assisted thousands of Hispanic businesses throughout the past five years,” said Angela Franco, GWHCC President and CEO. “Now it’s time to take it to the next level. Most businesses are still looking to do business with Asia, but do not see the opportunities in LA, therefore we want to be able to provide that education in our symposium.” The International Symposium is hosted as part of the GWHCC’s recently launched international initiative entitled “Promoting Trade Among the Americas,” during its Embassy Dinner Series in November of 2014. The international initiative also includes trade missions to Colombia, Mexico and Panama and from these countries to the US to promote trade. “For the past two decades, we have watched as trade agreements have been proposed, ratified and implemented. Being personally aware of many of the products, resources and services the region has to offer we believe that it is crucial to continue to push forward," said Syddia Lee-Chee, GWHCC Board Member and Chair of the Initiative. "I believe that events such as our International Expo are the perfect platform for Hispanic and non-Hispanic businesses to leverage these opportunities which also help to improve regional socioeconomic standards in the Western Hemisphere. This key topic will also be addressed during the upcoming 7th Presidential Summit of the Americas to be held in Panama next month," added Syddia. The Business Expo will be the day before the Symposium on March 24th from 9am-7pm. The purpose of the event is to provide the ideal platform for Hispanic Business owners to start and/or grow their businesses by connecting them with potential clients and organizations that support their growth. This year the Expo is expected to bring together more than 2,000 attendees. Event Program and Invited Speakers March 25, 2015/9am-1pm Walter E. Washington Convention Center – East Salon 9:00 - 10:00am: Local Economic Outlook Jim Dinegar, President, Board of Trade Pablo Pardo, Washington DC Correspondent for Mundo 10:00 - 11:00am: Latin American Economic Outlook Jason Marczak, Deputy Director, Atlantic Council James McGregor, Publisher, Washington Business Journal 11:00am - 12:00pm: How to Take Advantage of the US Free Trade Agreements in Latin America Alberto Avendaño, Editor, El Tiempo Latino Kenneth Smith, Director of the Trade and NAFTA Office, Embassy of Mexico Christopher Wilson, Associate, Mexico Institute Allen B. Green, Parter, McKenna, Long Aldrige 12:00pm - 1:00pm: International Business Opportunities in Latin America Gabriela Morales, Business Development Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), US Department of Commerce Bill Houck, Regional Manager, Office of International Trade, Export Solutions Group Francisco Estrazulas, BID - Connect Americas John Larsen, Deputy Director, National Export Initiative, USDC Natalia Olson-Urtecho, Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration ###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2015
Contact: Pamela Nieto
(202) 340-5157
pnieto@gwhcc.org
THE GREATER WASHINGTON HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM TO PROMOTE TRADE WITH LATIN AMERICA
Washington, DC– The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) will launch the International Symposium “Promoting Trade Among the Americas,” the day after its Business Expo on March 25th from 9am-1pm at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The purpose of the symposium is to provide education on trade and investment between the United States (US) and Latin America (LA) through existing free trade agreements.
“We’ve seen how the Business Expo has influenced and assisted thousands of Hispanic businesses throughout the past five years,” said Angela Franco, GWHCC President and CEO. “Now it’s time to take it to the next level. Most businesses are still looking to do business with Asia, but do not see the opportunities in LA, therefore we want to be able to provide that education in our symposium.”
The International Symposium is hosted as part of the GWHCC’s recently launched international initiative entitled “Promoting Trade Among the Americas,” during its Embassy Dinner Series in November of 2014. The international initiative also includes trade missions to Colombia, Mexico and Panama and from these countries to the US to promote trade.
“For the past two decades, we have watched as trade agreements have been proposed, ratified and implemented. Being personally aware of many of the products, resources and services the region has to offer we believe that it is crucial to continue to push forward," said Syddia Lee-Chee, GWHCC Board Member and Chair of the Initiative. "I believe that events such as our International Expo are the perfect platform for Hispanic and non-Hispanic businesses to leverage these opportunities which also help to improve regional socioeconomic standards in the Western Hemisphere. This key topic will also be addressed during the upcoming 7th Presidential Summit of the Americas to be held in Panama next month," added Syddia.
The Business Expo will be the day before the Symposium on March 24th from 9am-7pm. The purpose of the event is to provide the ideal platform for Hispanic Business owners to start and/or grow their businesses by connecting them with potential clients and organizations that support their growth. This year the Expo is expected to bring together more than 2,000 attendees.
Event Program and Invited Speakers
March 25, 2015/9am-1pm
Walter E. Washington Convention Center – East Salon
9:00 - 10:00am: Local Economic Outlook
10:00 - 11:00am: Latin American Economic Outlook
11:00am - 12:00pm: How to Take Advantage of the US Free Trade Agreements in Latin America
12:00pm - 1:00pm: International Business Opportunities in Latin America
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