The 10 Year Anniversary Tour of the LATINA Style Business Series made its final stop in one of the most important business epicenters of the United States—the city of Miami—on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Miami. With an estimated population of 409,719 in 2007, Miami is the largest city within the Miami metropolitan area. According to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau, of the 18 million people in the state of Florida, 12 million are Hispanic or Latino, a staggering 65 percent. The event included exhibits and expert presenters such as Maritza Rabinowitz, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, IRS Representative, Maria M. Yip, CPA, President and Founder, YIPCPA, Mayda Prego, Attorney, Sr. Counsel, Chevron Corp. Global Downstream Latin America, Lesley Keenan, District Sales Coordinator, Aflac and Ileana Cabrera-Rodriguez, State Farm Agent; who interacted with the audience on different topics. The conference began with the financial topic, “Access to Capital� moderated by Nery Torrent, VP & CRA Lender, Ocean Bank and integrated by Christina Lopez, Senior Loan Officer, Accion USA and Ilene P. Rubio, Assistant District Director, SBA 8(a) Business Development Division. “I have participated in the LATINA Style Business Series events for the last 10 years. Each event brings a new level of opportunities, and with it, new levels of knowledge and information-sharing,� said Rubio.

Thanks to our event co-chairs Liliam Lopez, President & Founder of SFLHCC and Nery Torrent, VP & CRA Lender, Ocean Bank and, board member of SFLHCC. These leaders epitomize the entrepreneurial drive and spirit of Latina business-owners. “The LATINA Style Business Series that I had the pleasure of co-chairing for the City of Miami was fantastic. The panelists were energetic, straightforward and down to earth professional women that wholeheartedly opened up in a frank discussion that enabled them to communicate easily with the public. I congratulate everyone who worked in this conference to make it the great success it was,� said Lopez.

Thanks to our Sponsors for their continued support!

Title sponsor: Macy’s Inc. National sponsors: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, Sam’s Club, State Farm Insurance, Aflac and UnitedHealthcare. City Sponsors: Verizon Communications and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. Official Business Series Airline: American Airlines. Beverage sponsor: PepsiCo. Media Partners: HITN, El Paracaidista, NAHP, GenTVChannel8 and PR Newswire. Local Partners: South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, NSHMBA, Accion USA, Dress for Success, FIU, Latin Business Club of America, Women of ALPFA and WBDC. By Tania G. Davila Photos by Julio Martinez