Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) Announces Its Third Annual Business Expo - Connections, Opportunities and Growth

MARCH 15, 2012 AT THE WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On March 15th the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) will host its third annual business expo.  The Expo will once again bring together business leaders and decision makers from dynamic companies, corporations, embassies, prime contractors as well as federal and local government agencies in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  

Building on the success of previous years, the Expo is expected to draw more than 1,200 attendees, around 100 exhibitors and more than 20 sponsors. "The objective of the Expo is to connect minority-owned businesses with potential clients and to find resources to grow and we have been successful in gathering many important players of the Hispanic business community for this event," Angela Franco, GWHCC President & CEO states. "Many organizations have seen the value in getting involved and in having visibility in the local Hispanic market; it is encouraging to count with the support of sponsors and partners. We invite all business owners in the area to participate."

Throughout the day, the Expo will offer panels and business development activities designed to guide participants in securing government and corporate procurement contracts, promoting their own businesses and more. The Chamber partners with local organizations and agencies that serve businesses in the metropolitan area to assure that the content and network really help local small and minority-owned businesses. "The SBA is looking forward to participating in this event for the third consecutive year," said Bridget Bean, Director of the Small Business Administration's Washington, DC District office. "This event highlights the importance of Hispanic businesses in the metropolitan area and brings information and key connections for small businesses looking into growing their revenues and helping our economy."

The language ties and cultural familiarity that the immigrant communities have with their foreign roots has proven to facilitate the import-export process as the exchange of information and business connections makes it easier to do business across borders. The District of Columbia launched Export DC, the city's first export development program and the Expo presents a great opportunity to explore business opportunities with Latin American countries. "Our agency is pleased to be an organizing partner of the GWHCC Expo this year," said Harold Pettigrew, Director of DC's Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). "This event presents a great opportunity for local companies to explore business opportunities abroad and DSLBD wholeheartedly supports this effort to strengthen the export capacity of DC businesses." Several embassies have confirmed participation, including Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Argentina.

Expo Organizing Partners include DSLBD and Arlington Economic Development. Sponsors supporting the expo include Gold Sponsors – American Airlines, Freddie Mac, Lanigan, Ryan, Malcolm & Doyle and Telemundo Washington; Silver Sponsor – Events DC; Breakfast Sponsor – Wells Fargo; Internet Cafe Sponsors – Verizon and Verizon Wireless; Corporate Sponsors – Bank of America, State Farm Insurance, Creative Guys, La Nueva 87.7 and Vega Pages; International Row Sponsor – HSBC Bank, USA; Business Matchmaking Sponsors – TD Bank and My Business Matches. Partner organizations include Washington DC Economic Partnership, Center for Minority Business Development of Price George County and Department of Economic Development of Montgomery County.

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 501(C) 6. For additional information visit our website www.gwhcc.org

SOURCE Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce