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Washington, DC, March 16, 2016. The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) hosted its largest event of the year, the 7th Annual Business Expo, with 1,600 attendees, 170 exhibitors, 90 sponsors and partners, and dozens of speakers. This year’s Expo, themed “The Value of Hispanic Businesses: Social, Economic, and Political Power,” expands on the Chamber’s momentous year of growth and partnership-building across the tristate region. GWHCC Chairman, Alfredo Casta, commented on the Expo and its influence among businesses and attendees, “Yesterday we were able to experience the impact the Business Expo has in our business community and the economic development of the DC metro area. Hispanics aren't afraid of opening businesses, they just need the education and essential tools in order to do it. The Chamber provided these tools and connections in one place in one day.” Local and national business leaders, influencers, and government officials, including Mayor Bowser, showed their support and led keynote speeches, interactive seminars, and business development activities to guide participants in every aspect of their business. The Executive Luncheon’s keynote speaker, Nina Vaca, Chairman & CEO of Pinnacle Group, shared her inspiring entrepreneurial story and awarded Angela Franco, President & CEO of the chamber, a presidential ambassador for global entrepreneurship limited-edition coin. The day concluded with a business reception with lively music, libations, and food from supporting Hispanic restaurants. “As a catalyst for growth and development, we are committed to moving Hispanic businesses forward so they may succeed in this dynamic and invigorating marketplace. GWHCC serves as a bridge to connect Hispanic and non-Hispanic owned businesses together to conduct business. In addition, we were able to connect businesses with real opportunities by providing meetings between buyers and suppliers through our business matchmaking tool,” said Angela Franco, President & CEO of the GWHCC. According to Geoscape, there are 4 million Hispanic-owned businesses nationally generating $661 billion in revenue (28% increase since 2012). And a recent US Census survey reports that in the DC region alone, the most affluent and diverse Hispanic market in the nation, there are almost 66,000 Hispanic-owned businesses. Recently named Chamber of the Year by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, GWHCC initiatives continue to focus on driving economic growth in the DC Metro region and fostering economic relations in Latin America. As a membership driven organization, the GWHCC consists of businesses and individuals that represent all segments of commerce in the Greater Washington area. The members’ diversity mirrors the growing local Hispanic and minority business market. Sponsors for the Business Expo: Presenting Sponsors - Exelon, Pepco, GWHCC Foundation; Presenting Partner - DC Health Link; Presenting Media - El Zol, Latina Style, Telemundo; Gold - Events DC, Kaiser Permanente; Silver - Bank of America, Latino Magazine, Verizon, WAMU; Executive Luncheon - Respira, Inc; Partners - Freddie Mac, BizLaunch, DMPED, MOLA, OHR, DHCD, PGEDC, PADF; Health & Wellness – Walmart; Contractor’s Row – Sprint; International Row – UPS; Workforce & Education - Don Bosco/Cristo Rey High School and Corporate Work Study Program; Business Reception - M&T, WSSC; Marketing - LiMón LLC, Socially Ahead; Signs - Gelberg Signs; Million Dollar Panel - Paychex; Corporate - AARP; Erie Insurance; Media - Armand Hugon, Asi es mi Gente, Bisnow, El Tiempo Latino, La Mega, El Pregonero, La Mera Mera, Latin Opinion, Latino Connection, Hispanos Sin Fronteras, NTN24, Mundo Latino, Univision, Washington Business Journal, Washington Hispanic. ###
Washington, DC, March 16, 2016. The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) hosted its largest event of the year, the 7th Annual Business Expo, with 1,600 attendees, 170 exhibitors, 90 sponsors and partners, and dozens of speakers. This year’s Expo, themed “The Value of Hispanic Businesses: Social, Economic, and Political Power,” expands on the Chamber’s momentous year of growth and partnership-building across the tristate region. GWHCC Chairman, Alfredo Casta, commented on the Expo and its influence among businesses and attendees, “Yesterday we were able to experience the impact the Business Expo has in our business community and the economic development of the DC metro area. Hispanics aren't afraid of opening businesses, they just need the education and essential tools in order to do it. The Chamber provided these tools and connections in one place in one day.”
Local and national business leaders, influencers, and government officials, including Mayor Bowser, showed their support and led keynote speeches, interactive seminars, and business development activities to guide participants in every aspect of their business. The Executive Luncheon’s keynote speaker, Nina Vaca, Chairman & CEO of Pinnacle Group, shared her inspiring entrepreneurial story and awarded Angela Franco, President & CEO of the chamber, a presidential ambassador for global entrepreneurship limited-edition coin. The day concluded with a business reception with lively music, libations, and food from supporting Hispanic restaurants. “As a catalyst for growth and development, we are committed to moving Hispanic businesses forward so they may succeed in this dynamic and invigorating marketplace. GWHCC serves as a bridge to connect Hispanic and non-Hispanic owned businesses together to conduct business. In addition, we were able to connect businesses with real opportunities by providing meetings between buyers and suppliers through our business matchmaking tool,” said Angela Franco, President & CEO of the GWHCC.
According to Geoscape, there are 4 million Hispanic-owned businesses nationally generating $661 billion in revenue (28% increase since 2012). And a recent US Census survey reports that in the DC region alone, the most affluent and diverse Hispanic market in the nation, there are almost 66,000 Hispanic-owned businesses. Recently named Chamber of the Year by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, GWHCC initiatives continue to focus on driving economic growth in the DC Metro region and fostering economic relations in Latin America. As a membership driven organization, the GWHCC consists of businesses and individuals that represent all segments of commerce in the Greater Washington area. The members’ diversity mirrors the growing local Hispanic and minority business market.
Sponsors for the Business Expo: Presenting Sponsors - Exelon, Pepco, GWHCC Foundation; Presenting Partner - DC Health Link; Presenting Media - El Zol, Latina Style, Telemundo; Gold - Events DC, Kaiser Permanente; Silver - Bank of America, Latino Magazine, Verizon, WAMU; Executive Luncheon - Respira, Inc; Partners - Freddie Mac, BizLaunch, DMPED, MOLA, OHR, DHCD, PGEDC, PADF; Health & Wellness – Walmart; Contractor’s Row – Sprint; International Row – UPS; Workforce & Education - Don Bosco/Cristo Rey High School and Corporate Work Study Program; Business Reception - M&T, WSSC; Marketing - LiMón LLC, Socially Ahead; Signs - Gelberg Signs; Million Dollar Panel - Paychex; Corporate - AARP; Erie Insurance; Media - Armand Hugon, Asi es mi Gente, Bisnow, El Tiempo Latino, La Mega, El Pregonero, La Mera Mera, Latin Opinion, Latino Connection, Hispanos Sin Fronteras, NTN24, Mundo Latino, Univision, Washington Business Journal, Washington Hispanic. ###