Governor to Speak at New Jersey Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Expo

October 10, 2006; 07:08 AM

Governor Jon Corzine, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage and Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney will be the featured speakers on October 20 at the 16th Annual Convention, Expo and Career Fair organized by the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. Over 2,500 people attended the event last year, once again putting the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at the center of New Jersey's rapidly emerging small business community.

This year's Expo, to take place at the Newark Airport Marriott Hotel, will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 am. The conference, entitled "Bridging the Gap," will center on the theme of "Marketing your Business to the Fastest Growing Market" that is the state's Hispanic population. Numerous senior executives from the public and private sectors are expected to attend and discuss business and career opportunities with exhibitors and visitors. The opening reception will be followed by a Corporate Luncheon at noon at which Governor Corzine and New Jersey Secretary of Economic Growth, Commerce & Tourism Virginia Bauer will highlight the "Shakers and Movers" leading New Jersey's small business boom to attendees from governments and businesses around the world, including a substantial representation from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Convention and Expo will take place from 10 am to 5 pm and will feature workshops on Business Development, SBA-EDA loans, Home Ownership and Financial Literacy, International Trade, Information Technology, Franchising and other issues of importance to the state's burgeoning Hispanic business community and population. A closing reception will be held from 5 to 9 pm, featuring notables from around the state and around the world.

"We are thrilled that Governor Corzine and other highly distinguished representatives are taking such an active role in this year's annual Convention and Expo," said Daniel H. Jara, the Founding President & CEO of The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "Events like this are the reason why we have become the largest chamber in New Jersey and a flagship of our state's small business community. We look forward to an exciting program that will provide ample opportunities to discuss harnessing the formidable purchasing power and entrepreneurial spirit of New Jersey's Latino community." Registration for the event can be completed by visiting the Chamber's website at http://www.shccnj.org or by calling (201) 451-9512.

About The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCC), had its beginnings in 1989 with modest volunteer efforts from five local leaders of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to unite in order to help each other. Since mid 1998, SHCC has become the largest chamber in New Jersey. SHCC is the flagship of the Small Business Community and its non-Hispanic membership has grown by thirty-five percent. SHCC is the vehicle to access the Latino community and its formidable purchasing power. SHCC has been actively involved with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It is a voluntary membership network of individuals, businesses, Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and professional business associations across New Jersey and the Philadelphia area, seeking to represent over fifty two thousand businesses and working to expand business opportunities, encourage mutually beneficial ties with the public and private sectors, serve as an active and visible advocate in the political process and to actively promote trade between the business community of New Jersey, and its national and international counterparts. Visit the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey on the web at http://www.shccnj.org.