USPAACC Co-Sponsors 2004 Opportunity Conference
with U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

National Conference Addressed Needs of Two of the Workforce’s
Fastest Growing Communities

WASHINGTON, DC — For the second time in two years, the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) was selected by the U.S. Department of Labor to co-sponsor the 2004 Opportunity Conference with  the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The full-day national conference, held on October 12, 2004 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC, was designed to serve the Asian Pacific and Hispanic Americans—two of the fastest-growing segments of the 21st century workforce, and inform small business owners, non-profit and faith-based organizations and community leaders about the many opportunities available to them.

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao delivered the keynote address. She highlighted the Department of Labor's initiatives that have been implemented to better serve the Asian Pacific and Hispanic American communities.

“This nationwide conference—the second one in two years—will help Asian Pacific and Hispanic American entrepreneurs and community organizations develop new contacts, new opportunities, new information and tools to grow and prosper,” said U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

USPAACC National President & CEO Susan Au Allen, a speaker at the conference, discussed the role of small business as the laboratory of innovation and the backbone of the U.S. economy.  

“As last year, USPAACC is honored to co-sponsor this national event that would help Asian Pacific and Hispanic Americans to effectively compete and succeed in today’s marketplace—a step toward achieving their American dream,” Allen said. 

USPAACC was responsible for bringing in the corporate sponsors—Jaguar Land Rover, The Coca-Cola Company, Savantage Solutions and MCI. Around 1,200 participated in the Opportunity Conference which presented programs and workshops such as access to capital, basic grant writing, business planning, Small Business Administration matchmaking program, federal procurement requirements, and marketing advice.