The Latino Entrepreneurial Network of SE WI is Awarded The Small Chamber of the Year Award by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Presented at the 31st Annual National Convention in Dallas, Texas
Milwaukee, WI – September 27, 2010 – The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) has selected Milwaukee’s Latino Entrepreneurial Network (LEN) as the Small Chamber of the Year on September 22 at the 31st Annual National Convention and Business Expo in Dallas, Texas.
In 2008 and 2009, LEN received Small Chamber of the Year for Region 4 (IL,IA,IN, MI, KY, MI, MN & WI) by the USHCC and in 2009, Nelson Soler was recognized as the Chamber Executive of the Year for Region 4 as well. This year’s award recognizes LEN on the national level for the first time since LEN was created in 2005.
LEN Founding Board members Nelson Soler, President of Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute (MEI), and Christopher M. Castillo, owner/CEO Aeutus Marketing and Castillo Consulting Services, where present to receive this prestigious award.
“Our focus on our mission and the underserved entrepreneurs has paid off. This award is strong evidence of what a passionate and committed group of volunteers can accomplish” stated Nelson Soler, LEN Founding Executive Director.
Christopher Castillo stated “We are honored and excited to receive this prestigious award” Castillo continued “We started LEN five years ago with nine entrepreneurs that recognized the need for minority businesses to have a structured networking group in the Milwaukee metro area. Today, we (LEN) have over 200 members within Southeastern Wisconsin and we are continuing to grow into a racially diverse group of entrepreneurs that are passionate about their businesses and success”.
The event was kicked off on Wednesday, September 22 by the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, and many others are present from senators, CEOs, major corporations, non-profits and others that recognize, and support, our growing Hispanic businesses across the United States. USHCC expected a record 4,500 attendees at this year’s USHCC conference and there are currently more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico. The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States is expected to grow 41.8 percent in the next six years to 4.3 million, with total revenues surging 39 percent to more than $539 billion, according to new estimates by HispanTelligence.
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Nelson Soler, 414-383-4633
About Latino Entrepreneurial Network of SE Wisconsin
LEN’s mission is to bridge individuals, entrepreneurs and microenterprises with resources through strategic alliance formation, networking and sharing of business and financial practices. All members take a pledge to uphold the organization’s values of acting with integrity, maintaining high ethics, sharing knowledge, investing in our community and fostering professionalism. The Latino Entrepreneurial Network of Southeastern Wisconsin, Incorporated is a 501c(3) nonprofit educational corporation.
