WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) hosted the organization's 2015 National Convention—the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in American history—on September 20-22 in Houston, Texas. Thousands of top corporate executives, successful business owners, entrepreneurs, chamber leaders and national political figures joined the USHCC to celebrate America's Hispanic enterprises.
During the National Convention, the USHCC released its latest study conducted with business intelligence firm Geoscape. The study revealed that between 2012 and 2015, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses has grown at an annual rate of 7.5 percent, 15 times faster than the 0.5 percent growth rate for all companies. There are an estimated 4.07 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the country, up 57 percent since 2007. Revenue at Hispanic-owned companies has also surged, rising 88 percent to a projected $661 billion this year from $351 billion in 2007.
Governor Jeb Bush, Secretary Julian Castro, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, U.S. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, Representative Joaquin Castro, Chairman & President of BP America John Mingé, President & CEO of Sprint Marcelo Claure, CEO of Frito-Lay North America Tom Greco, Chairman & CEO of BBVA Compass Manolo Sanchez, and Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor North America Osamu Nagata joined the USHCC to celebrate the contributions of America's Hispanic business community.
"The immigrant experience adds a vitality that is different and unique and extraordinary for our country," said Governor Jeb Bush in a keynote speech during the Women in Business and Leadership Luncheon. "If we embrace a set of shared values, then it shouldn't matter if you have a 'z' at the end of their name, or your accent might be different,"
"As the Latino community grows…we need to say very clearly and very firmly that we are proud Americans and that this community is not going anywhere,' said Representative Joaquin Castro in remarks during the USHCC Welcome Reception.
"Our lives are not measured by the way they are challenged, instead they are measured by the way we respond," said Texas Governor Greg Abbott, addressing the HBE Elite Luncheon. "You are those role models."
"The thriving Hispanic community has played an outsized role in Houston's success," said United States Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn during the USHCC Welcome Reception. "Hispanic businesses and entrepreneurs are a fundamental building block of our nation's economy. The story of Hispanic-Americans and their contribution to the United States both culturally and economically is part of the very fabric of who we are as a nation. Put simply, your success is America's success."
"When we invest in opportunity, this lifts everyone," said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro in remarks during the USHCC's annual Mayoral Plenary. "We owe it to our nation's future to insure that our children have the tools to compete as well."
"The USHCC's investment in our future is aligned with BP's values. Strategy changes, but values don't," said BP America Chairman and President John Mingé. BP America served as the Corporate Chair of the 2015 National Convention.
"There's no better place than the USHCC National Convention to come, be able to tell our stories, and speak with the audience," said Marcelo Claure, CEO of Sprint. "There are so many Hispanic entrepreneurs rising right now and it was fascinating listening to their stories."
"Diversity plus inclusive leadership drives performance in companies," said Tom Greco, CEO of Frito-Lay North America, while participating in the CEO Panel.
"Diversity pays off. It's not only a calling, but it's also good business," said Chairman & CEO of BBVA Compass Manolo Sanchez. "Like the USHCC, we believe that small business is one of the engines of the economy.
"We want all women & minority suppliers to have an opportunity to do business with us," said Executive Vice President Osamu Nagata of Toyota Motor North America in a keynote speech for the Closing Gala.
The National Convention received international, national and local news coverage, including ABC,Associated Press, Bloomberg, Buzzfeed, CBS, CNN, Dallas Morning News, EFE, Fox News Latino, The Guardian, The Hill, Houston Chronicle, Huffington Post, MSNBC, NBC, New York Times, Politico, and the Washington Post.
"The USHCC's National Convention brought together the most respected leaders in American business and politics," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "Here in Houston, we've hosted a national discussion on the promising future of the American economy. From Governor Bush's compelling keynote speech in our Women in Business and Leadership Luncheon, to Marcelo, Tom, and Manolo's thought-provoking discussion during our CEO Panel, this year's convention demonstrated the dynamic and growing influence of the Hispanic business community. We look forward to celebrating Hispanic enterprise next year in Miami."
To learn more about the 2015 National Convention, visit www.ushcc.com/convention.
About the USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that together contribute in excess of $661 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 240 major corporations.
For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.