Despite
lower attendance, members declare convention a success
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The
word on the Expo, attendees opinions and comments
HERE
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By
Tatiana Prophet
tprophet@atlantalatino.com
Atlanta, 22 sep.- Attendance at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce's 22nd annual convention was down by 35 percent, but
many of those who did attend said that, despite a more somber
tone, they accomplished what they came to do: business.
"Normally it's a more festive, hell-raising kind of time,
but there's been a somber tone," said Carlos de la Torre,
of TXU Electric & Natural Gas in Fort Worth, Texas.
But de la Torre and his friend Jay Long still thought the convention
was effective. In fact, they were still calling friends in Fort
Worth on Friday telling them to go ahead and come.
"There were good speakers, good info, good breakout sessions,
and the hospitality of the people of Atlanta has been great,"
Long said. "I've seen these attendees transform over the
last few days. We've said, let's do what we're here to do, and
that's match business with companies."
George Herrera, president and CEO of the USHCC, said it was an
agonizing decision to go forward with the convention.
"We decided that we would move forward and try to be one
of the organizations in the country that leads us to some way
of normalcy," Herrera said.
Herrera said he felt supported by the cadre of leaders who spoke
at convention events, including Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, Georgia
Governor Roy Barnes, HUD secretary Mel Martinez, former Treasury
secretary Robert Rubin, and Tommy Thompson, secretary of Health
and Human Services.
"Every one of them has stepped up to us and said we did the
right thing," Herrera said.
Chamber members who attended the convention for the first time
were impressed.
"I really enjoyed the convention, the forums, the set-up,"
said Kim Garcia, CEO of Garcia Construction in Detroit, Michigan.
"Very inspirational." (WWW.ATLANTALATINO.COM)
