On November 19, 2009 the Hispanic BIC conducted the fifth in a national series of Hispanic Business Forums at the Center at Cathedral Plaza in Los Angeles. The Forum attracted over 120 local small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and Hispanic leaders to network and learn about proven business practices and potential business opportunities from a Latino perspective.

The L.A. Forum featured nationally recognized panelists Hector Barreto, Chairman of the Latino Coalition and former SBA Administrator; Martha de la Torre, Publisher of El Clasificado; Captain Christopher Brady of the U.S. Army; and Alberto Alvarado, District Director of the SBA. Topics of discussion included trends in small business procurement and social networking, as well as the U.S. Latino market. For more information please contact Rovi Sharp at [email protected]. The Forum was sponsored by Western Union, U.S. Army, Microsoft, U.S. Department of Labor, Nissan USA and El Clasificado.

The following students were recognized as recipients of the Nissan/Hispanic Scholarship Fund Community College Transfer Scholarship award at the Nissan-sponsored Los Angeles Hispanic Business Forum: Lara Garcia, Maria Marcela Guzman Aparicio, Jorge Geovanni Juarez, Edgar Nunez, Luciano Nunez, Donna Stephanie Rivas, Valerie Rubio de Gonzalez, Jose Eugenio Sanchez, Jordan Anthony Trujillo, and Mark Vidal.

“The BIC event is a great way to celebrate such an achievement where the students will be surrounded by Hispanic business entrepreneurs that value education,” said Sandra Gomez Mendoza, Vice President of Impacto, Nissan North America’s PR agency of record. “Education is a must to compete in today’s economic environment. But attending events like the BIC Forum where you have the opportunity to network with successful businessmen and women is just as important. That is why I am pleased to be able to honor our recipients in this venue.”

The Hispanic BIC has released an original report to help small business owners keep up with the latest techniques in marketing and advertising on the Web. The 15-page overview is aimed toward those who are new to Internet marketing or have yet to develop a website. Simply visit HispanicBIC.org and register to download this free report. It takes just a minute to complete the BIC registration, and registering ensures you’ll receive future reports, updates, and other benefits exclusive to Hispanic BIC members.

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City (HCCGKC); KCBizcare, a Kansas City, Missouri small business initiative; and the Hispanic BIC are now partnering to bring resources to entrepreneurs. In a meeting with leaders of the Hispanic Chamber, KCBizcare announced that the Hispanic BIC website will be part of the city’s new small business storefront and resource center. KCBizcare is dedicated to assisting city entrepreneurs in navigating city rules and regulations and assisting with planning, permitting and licensing. KCBizcare is located at 1118 Oak Street, right across from City Hall, and their website contains links to other city agencies and resources. Please look for the KCBizcare logo at the Hispanic BIC's partner page soon. Hispanic BIC is proud to partner with HCCGKC and the City of Kansas City, and looks forward to helping KC entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

In October, the most recent Hispanic Business Forum took place in San Antonio, TX.  At the Forum,  attendees heard discussions on business financing, viral marketing, government procurement, technology and other topics. The Hispanic BIC thanks our local partners the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, ACCIÓN Texas, TAMACC, and Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) for their assistance and support. We also thank Forum sponsors Western Union, U.S. Army, Microsoft, U.S. Department of Labor and Nissan USA.

The Hispanic BIC Network welcomes a new partner that believes a prosperous America is possible with people of all backgrounds working together. Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together, or MATT, is dedicated to furthering dialogue between Mexican and American citizens that leads to positive solutions on immigration issues. Many business owners support clarification of existing laws and believe both countries can benefit by addressing immigration in light of present economic conditions and demographic trends. To learn more about MATT, visit their website at http://www.matt.org/.

The National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse offices have moved. Please make a note of our new address effective December 1, 2009: 1125 17th Street, Suite 2450, Denver, Colorado 80202. The telephone numbers will remain the same.