Puerto Rican Chamber Annual Conference a Success
May 2008 issue

Welcoming over 130 guests, the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida held its annual Conference entitled “Puerto Rico / Miami-Dade / Florida:  Markets that Work for You” on Thursday April 24^th at the Doubletree Grand Hotel in Downtown Miami.  This year’s Conference was generously sponsored by General Motors (GM) and co-sponsored by Miami-Dade County , AT&T, STAPLES, and the City of Miami .

General Motors was represented by Sonia Maria Green, Director of GM’s Florida Initiative, who spoke about the innovative ideas which General Motors is introducing in its newer models to address the ever increasing cost of oil and other energy, as well as of General Motor’s concern that car manufacturers take environmental issues into consideration.  She spoke especially of the “electric” car and other hybrid models which will reduce driver dependency on ever more expensive oil and gas.  Ms. Green, whose career has been dedicated to ensuring that corporate America recognizes the every growing Hispanic market, was honored with the Chamber’s Corporate Achievers Award

At the Luncheon, we also honored Mr. Raul Martinez, President and CEO of ASPIRA of Florida, who received the Distinguished Educator’s Award for a lifetime career dedicated to the education of our young people. Under the direction and guidance of Mr. Martinez, ASPIRA of Florida has grown to include operations in the three counties of South Florida – with funding of over $10 million, serving more than 3000 students annually with over 175 staff members.

Two special guests from Puerto Rico addressed the Conference participants.  They were Jose Julian Alvarez Esq., President of the Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico in San Juan , and Ms. Miriam Martinez, President of International Business Consultants of Puerto Rico.  Both spoke about the many advantages and incentives available in Puerto Rico’s market to the business people and entrepreneurs of South Florida seeking to expand into that market.  Ms. Martinez emphasized the importance of networking with such organizations as our Chamber of Commerce, as well as the importance of thinking “outside the box” when doing business.  Mr. Jose Julian Alvarez Esq. presented an excellent slide show on Puerto Rico ’s economy, which will soon be available on our Chamber’s website www.puertoricanchamber.com 

Luis De Rosa, Chamber President, spoke about the programs available through Miami-Dade County ’s Department of Small Business Development – as well as the excellent business workshops and seminars which are being presented throughout the County at the initiative of Mayor Carlos Alvarez.  He urged everyone to visit the County’s website www.miamidade.gov to learn more details of these programs.  In addition, Mr. De Rosa invited those Miami-Dade business people seeking to expand their businesses to inquire about our Chamber’s Microloan Program.  This Microloan Program offers small loans ($5,000 through $7,500, repayable over three years at prime rate on the day of closing) to qualified Miami-Dade County business people. 

For more information on our Chamber of Commerce and its activities, please visit our website www.puertoricanchamber.com often.

 

 

Community Empowerment Workshop Well Attended

At the annual “Puerto Rico / Miami-Dade / Florida :  Markets that Work for You” Conference held on April 24^th at the Doubletree Grand Hotel, a special workshop was held entitled “Puerto Rican Community Empowerment”.  The purpose of this workshop was to stress how important it is for Puerto Ricans to become active and involved in community organizations and in the political process – both as voters and as candidates – in order to ensure that the concerns of our growing community are heard and met. 

The Workshop Panel consisted of Hon. Maurice Ferre (Former Mayor of the City of Miami and a former Miami-Dade County Commissioner); Hon. Luz Urbaez Weinberg (Commissioner, City of Aventura ) and Hon. Raymond Marin (Mayor, City of North Miami Beach ).  The moderator was Melvin “Skip” Chaves, Founding Chairperson of our Chamber of Commerce. 

The Workshop was attended by over 70 participants.  After the presentation by panelists, a Question & Answer Session was held.  The extreme interest in this topic extended the Workshop beyond its originally planned hour duration.