The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) celebrated its 35th anniversary last Friday, June 10 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington. More than 450 leaders from Latin American embassies, local government, nonprofits, corporations, Chamber members and small businesses owners attended the Gala.
Important local political leaders honored the Chamber with their presence at the event. District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray expressed his support to the Hispanic business leaders gathered and presented a letter of congratulations to the Chamber for its anniversary. D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown also presented a resolution from the Council of the District of Columbia congratulating the GWHCC for 35 years of sustained work in the District. D.C. Councilmember Muriel Bowser (Ward 4) and Arlington County Board Member Walter Tejada also attended the Gala, greeting Chamber members and friends.
Gala Chair Ivan Gaviria, business development manager at Keystone Construction opened the program, which was emceed by radio and television personalities Alejandro Negron and Silvana Quiroz. The evening also featured tenor Jesus Daniel Hernandez singing the national anthem and the honorable Bob Garcia gave the invocation for the night. A heartfelt homage was paid to Will Soza, a Hispanic philanthropist and successful business owner, who passed away last April and was GWHCC chairman and president from 1989 to 1992. A letter from Virginia Senator Mark Warner was read aloud to Mrs. Susan Soza and her daughter Stephanie, highlighting Mr. Soza’s multiple contributions and legacy to the community.
The 35th Annual Gala was only possible with the support and collaboration of organizations that invest in the Chamber initiatives that benefit Hispanic entrepreneurs and the community at large. Sponsors for the 35th Annual Gala include: Platinum – Lanigan, Ryan Malcolm & Doyle and Verizon. Silver – American Airlines and Walmart. Bronze – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Eagle Bank, Erie Insurance, Eventos VIP Pass, FedEx, Giant Food, I Run Your Ad, Keystone Plus Construction, La Nueva 87.7, M Luis Construction, M&T Bank, PNC Bank, Romantica 900AM, SunTrust Bank, Telemundo, Washington Convention and Sports Authority, Washington Gas and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Table – Building Hope, Condortech, CENTECH Group, D.C. United, John Marshall Bank, National Council of La Raza and Pepco. Friend – Capital Construction Enterprises, Destination DC, Fiesta DC, Priority One Services, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, Signal Financial and Wachovia, a Wells Fargo company.