WASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) successfully carried out its fourth annual business expo. This year's expo drew over 1700 participants, 60 sponsors and supporters and 120 exhibitors.
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The Expo kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony where local government and business leaders joined Angela Franco, GWHCC president and CEO in inaugurating the event. Speakers during the ceremony included Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Vincent Gray, Events DC President and CEO Greg O'Dell, Presenting Sponsor Chris Simmons, Managing Partner at PwC; Presenting Sponsor Sandra Dorsey, Vice-President for Field Operations for Erie Insurance and Maryland Lieutenant Governor, Anthony Brown, among others. Special guests at the opening ceremony also included Congressman Albert J. Wynn; Deputy Director of Constituent Services for U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Lillian Cruz; DC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Beatriz Otero; DC Councilmember At-Large Anita Bonds; DC Council At-Large David Grosso; District of Columbia Councilmembers Jack Evans (Ward 2) and Muriel Bowser (Ward 4); Director of the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Nicholas Majett and Director for the DC Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs, Roxana Olivas. The Master of Ceremony was Scott Thuman, anchor of Good Morning Washington and ABC7 News.
Throughout the day experts presented on key business topics such as government contracting, international trade, and certification opportunities. For the first time a very important panel was offered, The Million Dollar Club. During this panel Hispanic business owners Moe Vela, Moe Vela LLC; Mariano Lopez, Analytica, and Martin Mayorga, Mayorga Coffee discussed their business success stories and challenges on making a million dollar business. The moderators of the panels hosted throughout the day included Michelle Wright, DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development; Mauricio Vera, Director, U.S. Agency for International Development; Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser; Guylaine Saint Juste, Capital One Bank; and Alejandra Castillo, Minority Business Development Agency.
Furthermore, GWHCC hosted yet another successful Business Matchmaking event in the afternoon. GWHCC member Andrea Stone from Dynamic Pro Inc supported the Chamber in the coordination of the popular event which counted with the participation of over 40 organizations including buyers and suppliers. Business Matchmaking sessions allow buyers and suppliers to meet their matches and discuss common business ventures.
The event concluded with a reception where leaders from the local business community and Hispanic organizations joined exhibitors and attendees.
The Chamber thanks all sponsors for their enthusiasm and participation in its business expo and for sharing the mission of the Chamber. Sponsors supporting the Expo include: Presenting Sponsors – Erie Insurance, PwC, El Zol 107.9 FM; Gold Sponsors – Telemundo Washington, Events DC; Silver Sponsors – American Airlines, DiReggio Advertising; Breakfast Sponsor – Aetna; Internet Café Sponsor – Verizon, Verizon Wireless; Lanyard Sponsor – Wells Fargo; Media Sponsors – Washington Business Journal, El Tiempo Latino, La Nueva 87.7 FM, Tele El Salvador, VOXXI, Radio America 1540 AM, Romantica 900 AM, Entravision/Univision, Latin Opinion; Washington Hispanic, Eventos VIP Pass, Vega Pages; Sign Sponsor – Gerlberg Signs; Business Reception Sponsors – Comcast, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), and Walmart; Workforce Row Sponsor – National Children's Center; Business Matchmaking Sponsors –My Business Matches, Dynamic-Pro Inc., John Marshall Bank; Corporate Sponsors – DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), Carefirst, State Farm Insurance, Aeromexico, BB&T, Capital One Bank, Sam's Club, Lanigan, Ryan, Malcolm, Doyle, PC, Double R Productions; Coffee Sponsor – Mayorga Coffee. Restaurant partners included B. Smith's Restaurant, Minute Catering, Taberna del Alabardero, Aji Dulce Catering, and Cuba Libre.
About the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization that supports the economic development of the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area by facilitating the success of Latino and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education, and access to capital. The Chamber was founded in 1976 and is a 501(C) 6 nonprofit. For additional information visit our website www.gwhcc.org
