As the largest minority in Southern Arizona, the Hispanic marketplace is one of the key drivers of the economy and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the voice of that business community.
"We’re celebrating our 20th year," says Maricela Solis de Kester, 36, president of the chamber. "The core of our mission is to help businesses make the right connections and grow as a result. Grassroots networking is fundamental to further a business mission. That’s what we do. That’s why we’re here."
Solis de Kester has been at the helm for a year now after graduating from the University of Arizona with a communications degree in 2001 and starting her career with Carondelet Health Network in government relations and community outreach. "I had planned to stay there until I heard about this job and my husband said: ‘Unless you can live with a what-if, never knowing what could have been, you’d better apply.’ And I’m glad I did."
 Maricela Solis de Kester (Daron Shade photo) |
The first few months on the job were devoted to in-house matters, inventorying the organization as it existed and deciding on a course for the future. "I know the chamber has had a tumultuous past, but history is history and I’m proud of the good work we accomplished in 2008. Like a gardener, you need to do some pruning to get new growth. Those efforts have left a staff of three and a board of 17 ready to soon unveil new plans and programs. This year we’ll be rolling out projects that will be drivers for growth in memberships and sponsorships, efforts that will enhance our presence in the community."
In addition to introduction of a Marketing to Hispanics series in early ’09, THCC also plans a certification program for women and minority-owned businesses so they can diversity their portfolio of clients. Also planned is a website modification to make things more interactive. "We want to join Internet networking opportunities and help our members tap into and benefit from cyberspace," Solis de Kester says.
Not daunted by current economic conditions, she notes: "Some business people are still doing OK, still making money in this economy and that might just as well be our chamber and our members who continue to be productive, holding steady, or even growing. I’m not buying into the drama that the sky is falling. I’m also not a Pollyanna or burying my head in the sand because there are real national issues to be dealt with. Locally, while we may have to tighten belts, we’ll weather the storm. I’m going to focus on the positive and one of my goals this year will be to double our membership despite the down market — increase from 600 currently to 1,200 by year-end. I have a positive perspective and my mantra is that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and we need to be ready for it to appear."
Noting that the chamber is in business to help connect the dots to move member businesses forward to represent or serve the Hispanic community, "There are a lot of us in Southern Arizona and reaching across the border in terms of our networking," she says. "We have a lot of purchasing power and make an incredible economic impact. As Hispanics, we have a lot of say over what can and will influence the future, so our time is now to really rise up and have our voice heard. It’s time for our chamber to step up and participate in the community in a different way than we’ve done in the past and we’re ready to start beating our drum."
Tucson Chinese Cultural Center lives by the mission of driving economic development while advancing and providing access to the Hispanic market. Its vision statement challenges it to be a gateway to business success and lists three values (diversity, success, leadership) to accomplish that challenge. "We live diversity through our membership and our outreach to other chambers like the Black, Chinese, or Metro Chambers of Commerce, working in collaboration on projects of mutual benefit," she says.
One such project is upcoming, the second annual Multi-Cultural Mixer Jan. 22 at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road. Celebrated this year as an exchange of gifts — language, culture, and food — and presented jointly by Tucson Chinese Cultural Center and the Pan Asian Community Alliance, mariachi music will mingle with dragon dances and tortillas will exist side-by-side with chow mien. The event will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $15. Information is online at www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org.
"Our 20-year history and current plans for continuity and growth are reality," Solis de Kester says. "This chamber will be a force to be reckoned with in the community, so stay tuned — good stuff is yet to come."
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
823 E. Speedway
www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org
(520) 620-0005
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