by Russell Schaffer | Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Lincoln, Neb. —The Latino Small Business Conference is set to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit and empower Latino business owners across Nebraska during its second annual run, beginning Sept. 16. The conference, held entirely in Spanish, will take place over four weekends in four cities, from Omaha to Scottsbluff. Speakers will share invaluable insights and strategies focused on strengthening businesses, and attendees will gather to learn, network and grow their businesses.
The conference addresses the unique challenges and opportunities Nebraska’s Latino entrepreneurs face while also providing tools and knowledge for sustainable success. Various sessions cover a range of topics by experts in their respective fields, from marketing to social media trends to loan applications.
“We are thrilled to hold the Latino Small Business Conference again, and this time across the entire state,” said Sandra Barrera, Rural Prosperity Nebraska’s Latino engagement coordinator and the director of the conference. “Yes, we want to give business owners and entrepreneurs the tools to be successful in marketing, using technology, doing their bookkeeping, and so on. But we also want to inspire them to take their businesses to the next level of success.”
A lineup of dynamic keynote speakers, industry experts, and successful Latino entrepreneurs will share their experiences and expertise. Attendees can look forward to engaging panel discussions and networking opportunities that will facilitate collaboration and learning.
“It’s very important for the Latino business community because they have the opportunity to learn about what is new in administration and finance,” said Marta Sonia Londoño Mejia, CEO of Midwest Businesses and Projects. “But on the other hand, they can connect with other businesses and resources that can assist them.”
Londoño Mejia spoke at last year’s conference and returns this year as a keynote speaker discussing understanding and managing debt capacity.
Between the educational sessions, the attendees at the conference can visit an exhibitor hall and explore products and services from local businesses and organizations that cater to entrepreneurs.
“It’s a well-organized event where everybody gets exposed to business to talk about it and learn, and also learn about different programs that are available to the community,” said Edwin Garcia, a broker with Midwest Health Insurance, who attended last year. “A lot of networking. It benefits everybody.”
The conference is organized through the Latino Small Business Program, which provides business development guidance to immigrant entrepreneurs interested in creating their own businesses in Nebraska. Through educational courses and trainings, the program equips entrepreneurs and business owners with knowledge to successfully take each step of the business-creation process, from accounting to location scouting.
This year the conference will take place in four locations:
Grand Island
Hall County Extension Office
3180 US Highway 34
Sept. 16, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. CT
Omaha
Nebraska Extension Office
8015 West Center Rd.
Sept. 23, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. CT
Norfolk
Northeast Community College
801 E Benjamin Ave.
Sept. 30, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. CT
Scottsbluff
Panhandle Research and Extension Center
4502 Avenue I
Oct. 14, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. MT
Registration is free and open on the Hall County Nebraska Extension website.
For more information about the Latino Small Business Program, the organization that organizes the conference, visit the Rural Prosperity Nebraska website.