The Latino Coalition (TLC) and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) will be hosting the Latina Procurement and Small Business Summit on October 9^th, 2014 at the City Club Los Angeles. At the summit, TLC, one of the largest membership and advocacy organizations for Latino-owned small businesses in the country, will be announcing a new partnership agreement with the LALCC, a trade group corporation seeking to organize and unify Latino business owners by advocating and providing improvement member services for small and mid-sized businesses.

Left to right, LALCC Chairman Gilbert Gonzalez; CA Controller John Chiang; and LALCC CEO Theresa Martinez

“The LALCC is looking forward to partnering with The Latino Coalition to help surround the small business community with critical information and resources needed to succeed in the entrepreneurial world today,” said Theresa Martinez, CEO, LALCC. “The Latina Procurement & Small Business Summit promises a diverse, experienced and talented group of leaders sharing valuable insight about the world of business, technology and a path to leadership. This will be a very exciting partnership.”

The exclusive one-day summit promises to present an exciting blend of speakers and pioneering entrepreneurs who will discuss ideas and innovations for evolving businesses.

“The Latina Procurement & Small Business Summit will fuel professional development opportunities, as well as provide small business owners with tangible benefits and the tools necessary to succeed,” said Hector Barreto, TLC Chairman and former Administrator to the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Our participants will gain better technology skills, capacity, capital and cost cutting strategies to navigate their current economic challenges.”

The day will focus on the economic influence of women and how they have been opening doors in a competitive workforce by encouraging opportunity. This year’s summit will feature a Latina Purchasing Power presentation by Nielsen and an exciting town hall format with Ibi Fleming, Senior VP and Managing Director of Herbalife North America; Pamela Gibbs, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion for the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission; Anna Caballero, Secretary of the California Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency; Jeanette Prenger, President of EccoSelect; and Maria Salinas, Chairwoman of ProAmerica Bank.

TLC Board Member Jeanette Prenger

“In recent years, the number of women-owned businesses in this country has been increasing at a dramatic rate.  From 1997 to 2013, the number of women-owned businesses in the United States increased by 59 percent, significantly outpacing the overall 47 percent growth in business.  These women are not only rising to the top, but they are leveraging professional gains to fulfill their potential and will continue expanding the imprint they have on the economy and our country,” added Barreto.

Knowledgeable speakers, high-impact panels, networking opportunities and related activities will create an interactive environment between industry leaders and government officials. Panels during the conference will spotlight: Latina’s Success in Business, Digital Solutions, Procurement, Energy and Healthcare/Regulations. Sessions with top executives from domestic and global corporations will discuss technologies and strategies to help grow small business, access capital, new opportunities and existing challenges facing the Latino business community.

Featured speakers during the Latina Procurement & Small Business Summit include national business leaders such as: David L. Cohen, Executive VP of Comcast Corp.; Matt Koch, VP of the U.S. Chamber 21st Energy Institute; and John Walls, VP of Public Affairs for CTIA The Wireless Association to name a few.

ABOUT THE LATINO COALITION- The Latino Coalition (TLC) was founded in 1995 by a group of Hispanic business owners from across the country to research and develop policies relevant to Latinos. TLC is a non-profit nationwide organization with offices in California, Washington, DC and Guadalajara, Mexico. Established to address policy issues that directly affect the well being of Hispanics in the United States, TLC’s agenda is to develop initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance overall business, economic and social development for Latinos.