NEW ORLEANS – The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana (HCCL) announced that the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) honored the organization with the Chamber of the Year Award.
The award was presented at the USHCC’s National Convention that took place Oct. 1-3, in Dallas, Texas. Mayra Pineda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, accepted the award on behalf of the HCCL. This recognition was bestowed in the medium-sized category, which includes chambers that have between 250 and 499 members.
The award was received for the HCCL’s extraordinary contributions to its commercial ecosystems, reps said. HCCL’s signature events include the Annual Town Hall Roundtable and Luncheon featuring the Chair of the USHCC and an opportunity for business owners, resource partners and chamber leadership to share best practices and learn about opportunities to grow; and the Annual Women’s Business Symposium which consists of a day of empowerment for women business owners and individuals touching on a variety of topics in the professional and personal field featuring local and national speakers.
Local chambers from across the nation were evaluated for their outstanding accomplishments, leadership, service and commitment to the Hispanic business community.
Criteria to receive the award included:
• Major accomplishments in the areas of business, economic development, procurement and/or access to capital
• Leadership, partnerships and service to the Hispanic community and business community
• Measurable results and outcomes within the Hispanic business community
“Over the course of the past few years, we have set in motion a plan to become a Chamber that sets the bar for excellence for our members,” said Pineda. “I could not be more pleased with the results on what has been an effort by our brilliant team, board leadership and the outstanding members that are so committed to our success.”
The role of HCCL in Louisiana is critical due to the growth of the Hispanic population in the area, HCCL reps said. Foreign-born households contributed more than $7.6 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the Greater New Orleans metro area. Immigrant-owned businesses generated more than $174 million in business income, and two out of three businesses are owned by U.S.-born Latinos while one out of three are owned by immigrant Latinos, reps said.
The HCCL is a nonprofit organization committed to creating and facilitating a business climate within the Hispanic community which will result in economic development and progress for Louisiana. HCCL is also dedicated to the expansion of trade relations between the State of Louisiana and Latin America. Its mission is to foster the continued economic growth, development, and promotion of Hispanic businesses and their associations in the state of Louisiana, and to serve as the conduit between the Hispanic business community and the community at large.