WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) will host its Sixth Annual Business Expo: Connections, Opportunities and Growth on March 24, 2015 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Expo is the premier event for Washington, DC's Hispanic business community showcasing businesses and building connections with participating government agencies, corporations, embassies, nonprofits, small businesses, and local Hispanic business community members. The Expo represents the perfect platform to help businesses grow, and this year we are anticipating over 2,000 attendees, 160 exhibitors, and key new features.
The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce reported in 2014 that Hispanic businesses are growing at more than twice the rate of all U.S. businesses and contribute nearly $500 billion in revenue to the national economy. According to the U.S. Census, from 2010 to 2012, the Hispanic population in the District of Columbia grew by 14.6 percent, jumping from 54,749 to 62,726. By 2020, the Hispanic community is expected to grow nationwide by 16.6 million people for a total of 66.6 million Hispanics nationwide!
"The Sixth Annual Business Expo will offer new and strategic opportunities to help Hispanic-owned businesses to succeed in the DC region. As a catalyst for business growth in the Washington metropolitan area, the GWHCC is uniquely positioned to provide the platform and tools needed to help move Hispanic-owned businesses forward," said Mario Acosta-Velez, GWHCC Chairman.
This year's Business Expo will continue to "Move Hispanic Businesses Forward" by expanding and improving the event over previous years. Throughout the day, the Expo will offer prominent speakers, interactive seminars and business development activities designed to guide participants in every aspect of their business, from how to market their business to securing government and corporate procurement contracts. In addition, on March 25th, the Expo will feature a brand new activity, "Promoting Trade among the Americas" International Symposium. This symposium is part of the GWHCC's international initiative recently launched in November 2014.
"At this year's Expo we will be adding an International Symposium where we will offer educational seminars for businesses interested in growing their opportunities in Latin America," said GWHCC President and CEO, Angela Franco. "Reports show that 40 percent of all American exports go to Latin America. Therefore, adding an international portion to our event will bring great value and resources for local Hispanic businesses. We hope that everyone can join us in supporting the Hispanic business community."
For more information on the GWHCC's Sixth Annual Business Expo visit www.gwhcc.org/expo.
Sponsors supporting the Expo as of Jan. 28, 2015 include: Presenting Sponsors: Exelon, Pepco, Department of Small and Local Business Development; Gold Sponsor: Events DC; Silver Sponsor: DC Health Link; Internet Café Sponsor: Verizon; Health and Wellness Sponsor: Providence Hospital, Walgreens; Workforce Development and Education Row: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; Sign Sponsor: Gelberg Signs; Business Matchmaking Sponsor: My Business Matches; Media Sponsor: Latin e, Vamos Empresa, El Tiempo Latino, Hispanos Sin Fronteras.
About the GWHCC
The GWHCC is a 501(C) 6 membership driven organization, founded in 1976, that supports the economic development of the greater Washington metropolitan area. The Chamber facilitates the success of Latino and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education and access to capital. For additional information visit our website www.gwhcc.org.