Sonoma Co. to host California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce convention
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The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce announced its 38th annual statewide convention this summer will be held in Sonoma County.
The event is set for Aug. 24–25 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Rohnert Park.
“This is the first time the convention will be held in Sonoma County, and the first time in a non-metropolitan area,” said Jenny Chamberlain, president, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Sonoma County, who lobbied to bring the convention to the area.
Participants can register here.
Each year, the convention attracts more than 3,000 entrepreneurs, small business advocates, corporate representatives, community leaders and government officials.
This year’s theme is “Building Bridges for a Stronger Tomorrow.” A kickoff celebration will be held Friday, June 16, at noon at the Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. Speakers at event will include convention Co-Chair and local chamber President Jenny Chamberlain, Chairman of the Board Frank Montes, Santa Rosa City Councilman Ernesto Oliveras.
There will also be a celebration party after the event, at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree hotel. This event will feature a 20-minute roundtable with elected officials from Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and Sonoma.
A golf tournament will be held Aug. 23 with networking and sponsorship opportunities. Event participants will also have an opportunity to pitch their business ideas in front of angel investors, and there will be a special luncheon for Latinas.
Attendees at the convention will also participate in workshops focused on tools for business owners, California energy and water issues, procurement opportunities for small business, and strengthening the state’s Hispanic chambers of commerce network and business community.
After the event, Aug. 26, the chamber will share the beauty and bounty of Sonoma County on a four-hour wine excursion.
Past speakers and business honorees at the annual event have included former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, branding pioneer and actress Daisy Fuentes, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos creator Richard Montanez, actor and Latino community activist Edward J. Olmos and media dynamo Nely Galán.
The statewide chamber represents the business interests of over 800,000 Hispanic-owned businesses throughout California. Through a network of regional Hispanic chambers and business associations, the California organization promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and the state’s emerging businesses.
