The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its fourth annual Hispanic Business Expo 4-8 p.m. July 22 at the Pines Manor, 2085 Lincoln Highway (Route 27), Edison.
The expo provides professionals an opportunity to network with and learn about the rapidly expanding Hispanic market in Central Jersey. It also allows for Hispanic professionals to network with the non-Hispanic market.
Ramon De Leon, a social media strategist who speaks to audiences around the world, will give the keynote address. De Leon is widely known for his ascent to being a highly successful businessperson who began his career delivering pizza for Domino’s.
“Middlesex County is New Jersey’s economic core, and the Hispanic business community here is, in many ways, responsible for that,” said Alex Hollywood, president of the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce. “De Leon’s story is exceptional, to be sure. But it’s very much illustrative of the work ethic and drive that keeps Middlesex County’s economic engine humming.”
Hollywood pointed to the county’s 45 percent increase in the Hispanic population since the 2000 census, with Latinos comprising 18 percent of the county’s population.
“This growing group has significant purchasing power and plays a key role in our region’s economy,” she said.
As the Hispanic community — and, particularly, its business community — continues to grow, maintaining sustained personal and business relationships is critical, according to Luis De La Hoz, a vice president at the Intersect Fund, a New Brunswick-based microlender to smallbusiness entrepreneurs. De La Hoz also chairs the Small Business Council as a member of the Middlesex Chamber’s board of directors.
“Now in its fourth year, this expo really is the premiere event for the Hispanic business community to meet new people and explore new opportunities,” he said.
Last year’s expo drew nearly 600 business owners, employees and legislators, as well as 145 businesses representing the nonprofit, health care, retail, finance and hospitality sectors.