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History/Historia

 
2000
  • The VAHCC is born in La Siesta, one of Virginia's first Latino restaurants
  • The VAHCC begins its Region-to-Region program for international business.
 
2001
  • The headquarters is established in Richmond with the help of Bank of America.
  • The VAHCC Foundation and VAHCC Job Fair are founded.

2002
  • VAHCC commences the ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Virginia.
  • VAHCC membership doubles.
 
2003
  • VAHCC opens the first Bilingual Information Center  (BIC) in the United States.
  • VAHCC named among the top 3 Hispanic Chambers in the United States by the USHCC.

 
2004
 
  • Establishment of the First Annual Hispanic Gala Awards Night.  
  • VAHCC opens a new branch in Northern Virginia, in close coordination with the National Capital Minority Business Development Organization
  •  VAHCC becomes the only Virginian organization (and of only four in the US) to administer a grant from the US Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency

 
2005
 
  • Partnership with the GSA for the Hispanic Small Business Procurement Conference
  • Over 2,400 walk-in clients were served
  • Free legal assistance is offered with Williams & Mullen and Hunton & Williams.
  • Provides over 1,800 people with technical assistance and information.

 
2006
 
  • VAHCC helps secure Goya Foods opening a distribution plant in Virginia.  
  • VAHCC is honored with SBA VA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year.
  • The Federal Procurement Committee is formed.

 
2007
 
  • VAHCC is featured in the nationally-syndicated The Hispanic Today Show.
  • VAHCC is featured at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce National Convention.
  • Leadership programs and Education Initiatives are added.

 
2008
  • Vincente Fox, former President of Mexico, is awarded the Bridge Builder award at the Annual Hispanic Gala.

 
2009
  • VAHCC founds nation's first Latino Complete Count Committee in preparation for the 2010 Census.
  • The ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Virginia becomes free to the public.
  • VAHCC is awarded the Best Practices award by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 
Long before the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (VAHCC) formed in May 2000, its roots were growing in Richmond, VA. The Zajur family's La Siesta Restaurant was an informal meeting place for Hispanics who were new to the area.

La Siesta helped to form the Hispanic Cultural Institute and Siesta Town, a program designed to help school aged children experience Latino culture and the Spanish language.

The Hispanic Cultural Institute's work led to the creation of a sister-city relationship with Mexico City in early 2000. Michel Zajur and other Commonwealth leaders helped to forge the this relationship.

It was then decided there was a need to establish organization on a statewide basis. Business and corporate leaders came together and formed the organization now known as the VAHCC.

Today the VAHCC is a strong statewide organization to which hundreds of businesses and individuals  belong.
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