GOYA Foods Accepted 'Icon of Industry Award' at USHCC 32nd Annual National Convention Chairman's Gala

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is proud to announce that GOYA Foods received the 2011 'Icon of Industry Award' at the 32nd Annual National Convention & Business Expo in Miami Beach, Florida.  The convention took place at the Fontainebleau Hotel from September 18-21, 2011.

GOYA Foods President Bob Unanue, President of GOYA Foods of Florida Frank Unanue and Vice President Tom Unanue accepted the 'Icon of Industry Award' at the Chairman's Gala held Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at the Glimmer Ballroom of the Fontainebleau.

"This year we were pleased to end our convention with a celebration of Hispanic business in America, and by recognizing one of our very own exemplary Hispanic Business Enterprises (HBEs), GOYA Foods," said USHCC Chairman, Nina Vaca-Humrichouse. "For three generations, the company has continued to grow with over 3,500 employees across the globe, generating an estimated $1 billion per year in revenue.  GOYA Foods is a true pioneer in the Hispanic business community and the USHCC is honored to have presented them with the 2011 'Icons of Industry Award.'"

This is the first year the USHCC presents the "Icons of Industry Award," which recognizes Hispanic business leaders who have uniquely impacted the industry through their work and consistently dedicated their time and efforts to community outreach through education and/or corporate giving.  GOYA's scholarship program for the children of its employees, as well as its donation of 1.5 million pounds of food to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, make the company stand out as a leader that is truly deserving of such an accolade.

"GOYA Foods considers the 'Icon of Industry Award' a great honor," says Bob Unanue. "We are also proud of the fact that we are part of the 50 million Hispanics that live in the United States and thousands of Hispanic businesses that provide goods and services to this country. GOYA Foods is grateful to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for this distinction and receives this recognition in the name of the entire Gran Familia Goya without whom this would not be possible."

The Chairman's Gala served as the closing event for this year's Annual Convention, considered the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in America. The keynote address was delivered by 2011 Convention Corporate Chair Former Senator Mel Martinez, JPMorgan Chase Chairman of Florida, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

"As Hispanic business continues to gain momentum, we also celebrate its position in the American business landscape. Hispanic entrepreneurs are poised for greatness in this country, so I am proud to have been a part of the National Convention in Miami," says Martinez.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that combined generate in excess of $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce