This year’s 12th annual Maryland Hispanic Business Conference was held on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at the Northern Bethesda Marriott. The conference is the premier Hispanic Business event in the state of Maryland, serving more than 40,000 Hispanic businesses, and it is a joint collaboration between the different Hispanic Chambers of Commerce organizations throughout the state.
The 2013 Maryland Hispanic Business Conference focused on creating strategic alliances between Hispanic and non-Hispanic businesses that target the fast growing Hispanic market. This is done by hosting a variety of workshops, trainings, and business sessions focused on creating opportunities for participants in all industries.
During the conference several individuals were recognized for their contribution to the Hispanic business community. Among the several awardees were Charles Ramos, CEO and Founder of CR Dynamics & Associates, who was awarded the “American Dream” award; Natalia Olson-Urtecho, Small Business Administration Regional Administrator of the Mid Atlantic Region, who received the “Latina Powerhouse” award; and Erick A. Orbio Quintana, President & CEO of Latin Opinion, who was the recipient of the “Negocio del Año” (Business of the Year) award.
The conference has come a long way from the initial conference over 12 years ago. During the conference you were able to see how influential the Hispanic business community has become in the state of Maryland. Among the speakers in attendance were U.S. Ben Cardin, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Montgomery County Executive Isiah (Ike) Leggett, and President of the Montgomery County Council, Nancy Navarro. There was also participation from several Fortune 500 companies such as BG&E and Exelon Company, State Farm, Verizon Wireless, and Kaiser Permanente; as well as a collaboration of many government agencies such as Montgomery Economic Development, Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
The conference was a great success and was made possible by members of the Maryland Hispanic Business Conference Board: Bill Villanueva, President & MDHBC, Founding Chair; Luis Borunda, Vice-President, U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education; Julio C. Parra, Treasurer – Parra Consulting Group, Inc.; Jose Rivas, Secretary & President of Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and the numerous volunteers.
If you missed this great event, made sure to visit the Maryland Hispanic Business Conference website for more information on next year’ conference.
By Juan Torrico
