WASHINGTON, March 20, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday, March 19th, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) successfully carried out its Fifth Annual Business Expo. This year's event attracted over 1700 participants including 60 sponsors and partners and 130 exhibitors.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=24270
The Expo commenced with a lively ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local government officials and highly-recognized business executives. Attendees during the ceremony included Regional Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration Region III, Natalia Olson-Urtecho; Mayor Vincent Gray; DC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Beatriz Otero; Councilmember At- Large Vincent Orange; Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser; Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans; Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham; Arlington County Board Member, Walter Tejada; VA Delegate Mark Sickles; Executive Director of the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority, Mila Kofman; District Director at U.S. Small Business Administration, Antonio Doss; Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development(DSLBD), Robert Summers; Director of the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Nicholas Majett; Latino Liaison in the Office of the County Executive of Prince George's County, Dinora A. Hernandez; Multicultural Affairs Liaison in the Office of the County Executive of Prince George's County, Daisy Avelar; Events DC President and CEO, Greg O'Dell; and presidents of local chambers of commerce in the DC metro area.
"The support the Expo received from the government, business sponsors and partners show an unsurmountable commitment towards the growth of the local business community. They help make this event more successful and prominent each and every year," stated Angela Franco, GWHCC President & CEO. She added, "We want small businesses to see us as a catalyst to grow their business, and I believe this Expo achieved this purpose."
Additionally, GWHCC hosted a Business Matchmaking session. The high-demand event consisted of 47 buyers and suppliers. Business Matchmaking sessions allow buyers and suppliers to meet their matches and discuss common business ventures.
"The success of the Expo is a testament to the Chamber's commitment to move Hispanic businesses forward," said Mario Acosta-Velez, GWHCC Chairman. "Our Chamber works every day to help Hispanic businesses grow, connect, and find opportunities to succeed. We look forward to another successful Expo in 2015," he added.
The Expo concluded with a reception where leaders from the local business community and Hispanic organizations joined exhibitors and attendees in celebration.
The Chamber thanks all sponsors for their enthusiasm and participation in our business expo and for supporting the mission of the Chamber. Sponsors that participated in the Expo include: Presenting Sponsors – Erie Insurance and PwC; Presenting Partners - DC Health Link and DSLBD; Presenting Media Sponsors – Latina Style, El Zol 107.9FM, and Telemundo; Digital Media Sponsor – Univision Washington; Gold Sponsor – Events DC; VIP Reception Sponsor - SunTrust; Internet Café Sponsor – Verizon; Silver Sponsor – American Airlines; Matchmaking Sponsor – My Business Matches, Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP, John Marshall Bank and Capital One Bank; International Row Sponsor – Citibank; Workforce Development Sponsor – National Children's Center and WMATA; Business Reception Sponsor – Walmart; Signage Sponsor – Gelberg Signs; Registration Sponsor – DCBC Event Productions; Coffee Sponsor – Mayorga Coffee; Lunch Sponsor – Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; Booklet Sponsor – M&T Bank; Corporate Sponsor – Wells Fargo, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Pepco Holdings, and B-Thrifty; Media Sponsors – Washington Business Journal, Washington Hispanic, Latin Opinion, El Tiempo Latino, El Pregonero, Vega Pages, La Nueva 87.7FM, Asi Es Mi Gente, and Eventos VIP Pass; Government Contracting and Procurement Opportunities Workshop Sponsor – BB&T. Restaurant partners included Taberna del Alabardero, The Grill from Ipanema, Aji Dulce Catering, Mansion on O Street, Latin Concepts, El Tamarindo, El Sabor del Taco and Cerveza Mahou.
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.
