2006 Annual Business Award Dinner

1. 2006 Annual Business Award Dinner Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley

2. Background • The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley, originally called the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, began its formation in 1955. The Hispanic Chamber was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1973, and it began offering services to the Latino small business community. The Hispanic Chamber founders sought to maximize Hispanic business and economic development to increase better understanding between Hispanic businesses, corporate America and the community at large. Over the years, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has provided assistance and support to numerous Latinos and other minority small businesses in the following areas: business education, economic assistance, international business, entrepreneurship, education, community development, loan program development, and procurement assistance, to name a few

3. Vision • The vision of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley is to be create a dynamic, self-reliant, innovative, proactive and influential organization that plays a vital role in the social, business, political, educational and economic development of Silicon Valley.

4. Goals • Provide on-going training and technical assistance that is culturally and linguistically sensitive to Hispanic businesses to further promote their growth and success. Become a powerful network for Hispanic businesses, corporations and government institutions to create greater access to contracts and capital. Educate corporate America about the viability of the Hispanic Market, so as to allow corporate America the opportunity to invest more resources in the Hispanic community. Strongly advocate on behalf of Hispanic businesses at the local, state and national level on issues and policy that affects Hispanic business.

5. Business Award Objective • Recognize efforts and achievements in support of the Hispanic community and the Hispanic markets. • - Promote actions at the national level that aim to alleviate luck of diversity and cultivate sustainable developments of such • - Stimulate awareness of diversity among the business community in the Silicon Valley. • - Promote a compelling 'business case' for engagement, particularly by sharing good practices and brokering new partnerships. • Foster links with the HCCSV and its members.

6. Business Award Selection Criteria • The Board of Directors of the HCCSV and its committee chair has agreed to the selection criteria • The selection committee will include representatives of prominent business and other leading non-governmental organizations and a few board members. • Nominations are sought from companies and other organizations in accordance with the economic, social and environmental principles of sustainable development.

7. Business Award Key Determination • A key determinant in the Awards selection will be the identification of enterprises that: 1. Demonstrate a partnership approach with other stakeholder(s) as a major element in their achievement. A 'partnership' should be interpreted as a formal or informal cooperative program between business enterprises and organizations (such as companies and/or representative associations and the community) and any combination of public and private sector institutions, government and non-governmental organizations, labor research, development, community, humanitarian and charitable agencies, etc. 2. All sizes of enterprise are eligible. The Awards will consider lesser known, smaller scale activities in all parts of the Bay Area.

8. Business Award Key Determination • 3. Nominations are sought that spotlight cases of what has been accomplished, the obstacles encountered and the lessons learned. • 4. Nominated partnerships should set an example for others, and thereby demonstrate where further efforts should be concentrated.

9. Nomination Procedure • When completing the nomination form, please include a brief general overview and description of the key characteristics of the company or person (s), and the manner in which the enterprise is contributing overall to the development of markets and business within the Hispanic business community. • Step 1: Email completed nomination form to Selection Panel at the following e-mail address: • Jose@solutionsforpower.com • Step 2: Send a copy to • P.O. Box 607 Los Gatos, CA 95031

10. Deadline for Nomination • May 5 2006

11. Award Presentation Recipients of the Latino Business Awards will be contacted by May 21st 2006 The presentation ceremony will take place in June 2006 at dinner award ceremony. A total of 3 awards will be presented an additional award will be presented to a governmental official within the different Silicon Valley agencies.

12. Nomination Form • Nomination details • -          Name of person submitting the nomination: • -          Name of project, initiative, partnership or department (if any): • -          Name of lead institution / company:  • -          Contact details: • Full address, telephone, fax, email, web site (if any). • Introduction • -          Provide an introductory summary – as an overall description of the nominated person: its main purpose, objectives, activities and outputs, along with other relevant information, such as the main participants involved, the initiator(s), motivations and milestones. Has the nominee set an example for others? • -          Has the nominated person led to develop new and innovated approaches for the Hispanic community and businesses? • -          How has the nominated person contributed to the growth of the Hispanic business in the Silicon Valley? • -          Are you aware of any criminal activities or pending indictments or illegal activities the nominee had or has?

13. 13% California 27% California 23% 8% 7% 3% 61% 7% 17% 20% 4% 10% Business Statistics Hispanic • California had 427,805 Hispanic-owned businesses in 2002, the highest number of any state in the U.S. • California represented 27% of Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. but only 13% of total business firms.

14. Growth of Hispanic business is slower in California than the U.S. • The nation’s Hispanic-owned businesses grew 31% from 1997 to 2002. • California grew by only 27%, the slowest of all states with large Hispanic populations.