LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Hundreds of Latino business leaders from across the country are in Las Vegas for the National Convention of the Latin Chamber of Commerce. Their goal is to share ideas and help each other recover from the pandemic.
It is the first time in 48 years that the group has held its national convention in Las Vegas. They connect small businesses with tools and resources to help them recover.
Nevada has the sixth highest number of Latinos of any US state, according to the US Latin Chamber of Commerce. Their message this year: Latinos are ready to do business in the midst of the pandemic.
The Saldivar family has been living the American dream for six years and running their own company. But the Colombian restaurant near Spring Mountain and Jones, like so many other small businesses, was hit hard during the pandemic.
“We struggled at the beginning, but we managed to get above the surface,” said Daniel Saldivar, the owner of Aracely’s Sazon. “We’re still here and our loyal customers have helped us a lot.”
Like many others, the Saldivar family focused on social media.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president Ramiro Cavazos says Latino businesses are hardest hit by the pandemic because they have been on the front lines.
“They are more direct services within their business,” said Cavazos. “We’re one in five people in this country, 5 million Latinos and Latino-owned companies, and we have an impact of $ 2.2 trillion. The 65 million Latinos in this country alone are the seventh largest economy in the world. “
Cavazos said Latinos are a very resilient community as many small businesses were struggling to access capital and credit even before the pandemic. But he’s confident that companies will recover.
