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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
The face of Utah is changing and in a good way. Currently 14 percent of the population is Hispanic, and that number continues to grow. We're also one of the largest growth states for Spanish in-migration. Along the same lines, Mexico has become a key trading partner for Utah and the U.S. In 2012 alone, Utah imported $4.4 billion from Mexico and exported just under $500 million.
The American Hispanic business community is on the rise, which is one of the reasons the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention is coming to Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City represents the smallest city in the history of the convention. It's estimated that around 7,000 people will be attending the convention, held from September 21 to the 23.
The convention includes workshops on business, technology and financial service tracks. The business track will include topics like diversity, medical travel, energy and sustainability and a healthy work force. The technology series topics teach utilizing innovative technology solutions and using Google tools to grow your business. The financial services track covers information related to financial protection and planning, policy and creating business solutions with available financial tools.
To give you a scope of this organization and how it's significant to be chosen to host the convention, 3.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses are represented in the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It's the world's largest Hispanic organization and is adding $465 billion to the American economy every year.
Other impactful programs operated through the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce include the Somos Foundation, a scholarship program for Hispanic youth. Over the years they've given out $2 million. They award up to 40 scholarships a year, and the need is great with over 700 applications.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce convention begins with a welcome reception on Sept. 21 and will be followed by two days of workshops, panel discussions and business matchmaking. In past, 2,300 business partnerships have been formed during the convention. For more information or to register, visit u-s-h-c-c-convention.com.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention Sept. 21-23, 2014 in Salt Lake City, UT www.ushccconvention.com
