HispanicBusiness

The fourth annual Southwest Detroit Hispanic Business Conference, presented by the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) and sponsored by PNC Bank, will be held 8:30 a.m.-noon on Sept. 8.

The event will be held at the Mexicantown Mercado, 2826 E. Bagley Ave., in Detroit. Technical assistance providers for the event include Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED), U.S. Small Business Administration Office- Michigan District Office, Internal Revenue Service, MI Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI SBTDC), and Detroit SCORE.

Launched in 2009, the conference targets both current and prospective small business owners whose first language is Spanish. It provides essential business information to participants that include developing entrepreneurial skills and building a strong business foundation. Keynote speakers will explore challenges, provide recommendations based on proven strategies, and share best practices.

"It's a great opportunity to really think about your business in a fresh way and from a different perspective," said Kathy Wendler, president of the SDBA. "Because this conference is bilingual, and because the speakers will present in both Spanish and English, you can dream about your business in your own language."

The event opens with keynote speakers, Dante Villarreal (Spanish) and Patricia Salo (English), from MI SBTDC. Villarreal and Salo will present "Success for Your Business," an overview for starting a business that is designed to help small business owners and startups keep their business on track, while assisting entrepreneurs who need further direction.

"CEED continues to be a proud partner of the Hispanic Business Conference, which incorporates all the necessary tools needed to become a successful entrepreneur and build up businesses in the community," said Vanessa Rucker, program director for CEED.

Following the main presentation, attendees will participate in bilingual roundtable discussions to further help them in their businesses. Roundtables will include presentations by local resource providers covering business related topics such as financing, procurement, accounting and obtaining taxcredits.

The event is free to registered participants. To register, visit www.miceed.org.