chamber focus

BUILDING A BRIDGE FOR HISPANIC BUSINESS

By Millie Acebal Rousseau

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is heading south—to the tropics—for its 2007 USHCC Annual National Convention, Business Expo & International Pavilion. San Juan, Puerto Rico will host this year’s event, which is expected to attract more than 3,000 attendees and nearly 100 chambers from Mexico, Canada, Florida, New York, Chicago and Denver, just to name a few.
The location was carefully selected to capitalize on Puerto Rico’s long tradition and focus on international business.
“It’s a great business decision,” says Michael L. Barrera, USHCC president and CEO. “It will highlight opportunities they [Puerto Rico] have, and open up the door for other businesses outside the mainland.”
According to USHCC, Puerto Rico is the largest per capita consumer of U.S. goods, and more than half of Fortune 100 companies invest and operate on the island. “Puerto Rico has been steeped in international trade for generations,” says David C. Lizárraga, USHCC chairman. Successful businesses in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean do business there.
The convention is drawing people from around the world—including Colombia, Jamaica and Spain. “This is the first time the convention has an international footprint,” Lizárraga says.
The theme this year is “Bridging Commerce Among the Americas.” Barrera says some of the topics the convention will include highlighting Latina businesses, which are growing at six times the rate of the national average; encouraging businesses to become certified to do business with Corporate America; and opening up business opportunities for USHCC members.
Over four days, the USHCC will host a variety of workshops, chamber training and business sessions focused on building business relationships and creating opportunities for participants from all industries and from every corner of the U.S. and around the world.
Business leaders, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and chamber members can take advantage of opportunities to network, exchange ideas for better business strategies and participate in business matchmaking sessions with supplier-diversity procurement officers from Corporate America and the federal government.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship; we provide a forum to build relationships and share best practices,” says Lizárraga. At the same time, “We’ve also learned a lot from local [chamber] initiatives on how we can have a better impact in the local community.” This, he explains, is a significant part of integration when reaching out to international markets.
In line with the bridging commerce theme, there is also a strong emphasis on helping Hispanic businesses be competitive in a global economy. In the U.S., there are more than 2 million Hispanic-owned businesses, and they earn more than $350 billion annually.
Corporations have taken notice. Lizárraga says major companies are collaborating with USHCC, including Verizon, which serves on the procurement council, and Coors Brewing Company, which launched its Lideres initiative featuring prominent Hispanic leaders. Other corporations partnering with USHCC are AT&T, Comcast, Coca-Cola, Toyota and Washington Mutual.
Puerto Rico stands to benefit from USHCC’s presence. Rooms for the convention sold out two months in advance of the event. Last year’s Philadelphia convention generated $4 million for the city, Barrera says, and drew exhibitors from across Central and South America.
The 28th Annual USHCC National Convention takes place on September 19 through 22.

For More Information on the future business and Commerce missions call the USHCC at (202) 842-1212 or visit www.ushcc.com