BETHESDA, Maryland, Sept. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Maryland Hispanic Business Conference kicks off its 15th year anniversary celebration Monday October 3 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, an event that attracts more than 700 notable business leaders, entrepreneurs, experts, media executives and government officials.
Emmy Award-Winning Anchor and Reporter Yolanda Vazquez will emcee the hallmark gathering. Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd K. Rutherford will provide remarks. A top-notch speaker line-up includes representatives from leading companies such as BGE, Whiting-Turner, Comcast Spotlight, U.S. Census Bureau and more.
The plenary breakfast and ribbon cutting ceremony starts at 9:00am featuring a Conversation with Leading CEOs: Andres Echeverri, president and CEO of ACSI Translations, Maria Martinez, founder and chief executive officer, Respira Inc, Ricardo (Rick) Martinez, president and chief executive officer, Project Enhancement Corporation and Natalie Martz, owner, Chick-Fil-A.
The workshops will unveil new opportunities for entrepreneurs pursuing government contracts. A special procurement connection workshop, “Ready, Set, Exito” organized by the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA) will provide contracting opportunities to small, minority and women-owned businesses.
“The conference highlights the important role that Hispanic-owned businesses play in spurring Maryland’s economic development,” said Veronica Cool, CEO, Cool & Associates, LLC. Her company launched the Latino Innovators’ Pitch, a competition that invites enthusiastic entrepreneurs to present their innovative concepts and companies for a $5,000 cash prize.
“The event also spotlights Maryland’s vibrant nonprofit sector and helps entrepreneurs create valuable relationships that promote economic growth,” said Lanaea C. Featherstone, president, William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation.
The Conference will host its first career fair, providing a forum for job seekers to connect with top employers. “We invite all job-seekers to bring their resume and register for free,” said Executive Director Maria P. Rodriguez.
Attendees will hear from the region’s chamber presidents: Jorge Castillo, president, Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Angela Franco, president and CEO, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Erick Oribio, president, Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Daniel Parra, president, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County, Jorge Ribas, president and CEO, Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Carlos A. Romero, president, Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce of Washington, D.C. and Cindy Shao, president, Asian American Chamber of Commerce.
Musical icon Raul Morel will serenade attendees during a networking reception that concludes festivities. Visit our website for the full conference schedule and registration information.
The Maryland Hispanic Business Conference (MDHBC) is the premier Hispanic business event in the State of Maryland. Since 2001, the MDHBC has served more than 54,000 Hispanic businesses statewide.
