Dilawar Syed of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Briefs Central Texas Innovators and Entrepreneurs February 5

Celebration to include Awards Ceremony Honoring Economic Contributions of Asian American Leaders

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) announces that Dilawar Syed, economic development chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and President and CEO of Yonja Media Group, will open the 15th Annual TACC Lunar New Year at the Bob Bullock State History Museum February 5th, 2011. Syed recently led the first in a series of economic summits to encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to leverage the Administration's efforts to spur growth.

At the recent Silicon Valley summit led by Syed, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, co-chair of the White House Initiative noted that two million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders work in small businesses, and that AAPI businesses boast $300 billion in revenue and employ 50 percent of all employees in minority-owned firms.

The summit leaders believe that healthcare and IT are the strongest areas for 2011 entrepreneurial growth.

"We're hearing some buzz that new Census data is showing Austin is a top city for Asian Americans in 2011. Eight percent of Austinites are Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Our goal is tap the strength of the community, working with all Austinites, to realize Austin's economic potential," says Jim Yatsu, TACC Board Chair, who recently announced the TACC Annual Business Award winners.

Award Casulo Hotel CEO Sam Chen and Rainforest Partnership founder Niyanta Spelman are honored with Small Business Leader of the Year awards. "Sustainability is a theme among this year's nominees," says TACC Awards Committee Chair Sam Hai. "Both Sam and Niyanta are global citizens that have chosen to invest in making Austin more competitive."

Global Innovation Award winner Fisoc, Inc. CEO Jay Valanju is a UT alumnus focused on helping banks relate to the Gen Y market and their heavy use of social media. Sustainability Award winner BarZ Adventures has developed the world's first GPS-based automated tour guide.

"This year's award winners epitomize the entrepreneurial spirit of Asian Texans," says Poonam Dhawan, Gala Co-Chair, CEO of Medtrava Group, and Past President of TiE Austin. "Austin exemplifies the American dream in which all parts of the community work together to achieve economic growth."

Past recipients include fashion designer Chloe Dao, Tony‐Award winning producer Pun Bundhu, Austin Designer Michael Hsu, Former Austin Mayor Will Wynn, Dell, and International SEMATECH.

TACC Chairman's Award winner Shirley Sheffield is a financial services professional and a registered representative for New York Life Insurance and TACC Gala Chair. "Life lessons have shown that what's here today can be gone tomorrow. We've all just got to manage risk, and it's manageable. Chambers help entrepreneurs learn from each other."

The Lunar New Year event features a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance to ward off evil spirits, a Parade of Nations, and introduction of honored officials. TACC will present four awards to individuals and corporations that are building a prosperous Central Texas economy.

During the celebration, TACC will award $1,000 college scholarships to four Asian-American high school seniors who have excelled either scholastically or in their community.

The 2011 Lunar New Year Celebration features a reception replete with heavy Asian and Asian fusion hors d'oeuvres served by several well-known local restaurants from diverse Asian cultures, and emcees award-winning actor Leng Wong, and musicians including Korean gayageum instrumentalist Mi Seon Nam . Dinner will be followed by more live entertainment and dance.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. on February 5, 2011 at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Avenue, in Austin Texas. Tickets are available for purchase online: http://www.txasianchamber.org/?page_id=34

TACC expresses deepest appreciation for Sponsors Tokyo Election, Bank of America, Dell, Seton, The University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and Progressive Manufacturing & Technology.

About the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce

TACC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting business opportunities and closer ties between the Asian-American community and the Central Texas community at large. TACC serves its diverse membership by increasing business opportunities through: the Annual Lunar New Year Gala, the Connect Business and Career Forum, the Asia Food Fest, and monthly networking meetings. TACC serves the City of Austin by supporting international economic development, developing entrepreneurs, and supporting major annual attractions such as South by Southwest.

For more information, call 485-1090 or visit www.txasianchamber.org, or visit us at http://www.txasianchamber.org/?page_id=34 for tickets.

SOURCE Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce