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Published: March 16 2012

Hollywood, FL - Entrepreneur Summit 2012 is a day-long learning and networking event which celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishments of business leaders. Presented by Hispanic Unity of Florida, the second annual event will provide emerging entrepreneurs and established business owners with access to seasoned experts, and resources available to help their businesses grow.
 
The day will offer a variety of informative workshops and honor outstanding South Floridians with the American Dreamer Award.
                       
Hispanic Unity hosted the inaugural Entrepreneur Summit last spring. It was a resounding success, well attended by more than 450 guests. This year’s Entrepreneur Summit will be held on Friday, April 20th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood from 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. www.hufevents.com
 
Attendees are a mix of business-owners, entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies, economic development specialists, government staffers, small business experts, procurement officers, educational institutions, media and corporate partners and others interested in entrepreneurship.
“The Entrepreneur Summit is extremely timely as South Florida continues to be a leader in new business startups and second stage expansions. As more South Floridians venture out on their own with dreams of starting their own business, we provide resources and tools to help them succeed,” said Josie Bacallao, President and CEO of Hispanic Unity of Florida. “Our goal is to inform, connect and inspire new and emerging business owners while encouraging attendees to learn and network within a stimulating and engaging environment. We are all looking forward to another exciting event.”

The Entrepreneur Summit will kick-off with a morning Plenary Session entitled Dream the Future followed by four enlightening workshops delving into important topics including:
 
Financing: The “New” Reality: How to finance your dream – from micro loans to SBA and bank loans. Participants will learn how to ensure their business will be financed.   Panel speakers will be Rafael Cruz, Regional Director of the Florida Small Business
Development Center in Broward County and Althea A. Harris, Assistant District Director for Marketing and Outreach, SBA office in Miami.

Digital Marketing – Dr. Carmen Ortiz will present the workshop in both English and Spanish (two workshop sessions). Dr. Ortiz holds a PhD in adult education and is founder of Sabia Partners, Inc. a business consulting practice which works with entrepreneurs. She is an author, public speaker and host of Sabia Talk Radio

The Entrepreneurial World of Selling - Participants will gain a strong understanding of the selling process, including key selling skills and behaviors of successful entrepreneurs.  Presented by John F. Riggs, D.B.A from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.

Harry M. Jansen Kraemer 2012 keynote speakerOutstanding South Florida entrepreneurs will be recognized during the Awards Luncheon with the American Dreamer Awards. Keynote speaker will be Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr., an executive partner with Madison Dearborn, one of the largest private equity firms in the United States. He also is professor of management and strategy at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the former chairman and chief executive officer of Baxter International Inc., a $9 billion global healthcare company. He is the author of the book, From Values to Action. He will speak on the importance of values based leadership, a topic of great interest  to all entrepreneurs and business leaders.

“These American Dreamers being honored are individuals who stand out for their steadfast success, business acumen and community service,” Bacallao said. Honorees include:
 
ANF Group, Inc., Al Fernandez, Nelson Fernandez & Alberto Gil providing general contracting and construction management services within the South Florida area since 1981. They are considered an industry leader in the commercial and education construction arena and have played a vital role in the highly specialized niche of healthcare construction in South Florida. Their organization is deeply involved in philanthropic causes. www.anfgroup.com
 
Michelle Bernstein, a James Beard Award Winner and one of South Florida’s most well-respected and successful chefs/restaurateurs – and entrepreneurs. A Miami native and author of Cuisine á Latina has opened numerous restaurants, including her latest venture called Crumbs on Parchment. She is also a host of a weekly television series on PBS, a community activist and recently launched a cookware and cutlery set collection www.chefmichellebernstein.com.
 
Luis Enrique Capó, is the president of El Dorado Furniture. With 14 stores they are the largest Hispanic-owned furniture retailer in the United States. El Dorado is named after the small boat which carried Luis, his father and brother from Cuba, determined to create a new life for their family in the United States. www.eldoradofurniture.com

 Alberto Perlman, CEO and co-founder of Zumba Fitness, LLC, the largest dance-fitness company in the world. The global lifestyle brand fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into a dance-party experience that attracts more than 12 million weekly participants in 125 countries www.zumba.com.
 
L. George Yap, Chairman and CEO, LEASA Industries Co., Inc., a company he started 34 years ago in Liberty City. LEASA is now the largest tofu manufacturer and processor, distributor and logistics company of many different food products to more than 1,800 supermarkets throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. LEASA is the largest employer in Liberty City www.leasa.com.
 
Pricing
The morning Plenary Session, workshop and tradeshow are complimentary. Tickets for the entire event, including the VIP Networking Reception and the American Dreamers Awards Luncheon cost $75.  Early Bird registration ($65) is available through April 2..
To register visit www.hufevents.com or contact Wendy DeLucca at wdelucca@hispanicunity.org or 954-646-5403.
 
Entrepreneur Summit 2012 is made possible thanks to the committed support of our Sponsors: ANF Group, Inc., Ambit Advertising & Public Relations, Ana G. Méndez University System, BB&T; Bank of America; Baptist Medical Plaza; Chase; Citrix Systems; JM Family Enterprises, Inc.  and Southeast Toyota Distributors; J.P. Morgan; MasTec, Inc.; Montero Law Center; Maroone an AutoNation Company; Nova Southeastern University; NuPress; Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; State Farm,  Wells Fargo; and Zeno Office Solutions.
 
Media Partners: Comcast, Ciudad Weston, el Venezolano, Portada, Salud al día, el Sentinel, Univision 23, enUSA, WSVN Channel 7 News, Weston Lifestyle
 

Hispanic Unity was founded 30 years ago by community leaders to ease the acculturation transition for newcomers from other nations. Today this nonprofit provides assistance through 21 programs - in three languages - to Broward’s diverse community.  Hispanic Unity remains the county’s largest agency dedicated to the immigrant population, providing them with the tools they need to build a new life. In 2011, the agency served 20,000+ clients, from toddlers to adults. The agency offers assistance in six Broward County sites. Its mission is: Empowering Hispanics and other members of the community to become self-sufficient, civically engaged and lead productive lives.