The 2007 Chamber EXPO
With Trade Fair &
American Indian Chamber Golf Championship
 

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EXPO ’07 DELIVERS ON ITS PROMISE TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS
 

Jackie Johnson, NCAI (above) &
Bill Largent, SBA (right)
were tremendous keynote speakers

 

4^th Annual EXPO results in contracts, increased business knowledge, and economic development opportunities for American Indian-owned businesses.

Story by Christine Stricker, Stricker PR

  The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California (www.aicccal.org), an organization designed to provide opportunities for networking and support for American Indian business people in California, announced today the success of its 4^th Annual EXPO, held in Palm Springs, Calif., July 8^th – 10^th. This year’s EXPO featured a scholarship fundraising golf tournament, business-to-business roundtable, trade fair, welcome dinner, breakfast, and luncheon, and introduced “A Table-to-Table Interactive Exchange,” between businesses, corporate, government and tribal leaders.

        “Our mission for this year’s EXPO was to ‘Break New Ground and Achieve Success Through Partnership,’” said American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California Chairperson and President Tracy Stanhoff.      “This event not only delivered on this promise, but surpassed our previous events’ success in many areas, including the largest turnout for the scholarship fundraising golf tournament, trade fair and keynote sessions, which resulted in increased opportunities for networking and supporting American Indian-owned businesses in California.”

        EXPO ‘07, held at Agua Caliente’s Spa Resort & Casino, was sponsored by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, AT&T, SDG&E/So Cal Gas, Sempra Energy Utilities, the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, Southern California Edison, Verizon, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., PG&E, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Southwest Gas, the Walt Disney Company, the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, the Boeing Company, Macy’s West, MTA, MWD, 20^th Century Fox, AD-PRO, and Heritage Global Solutions.

The event’s featured keynote speakers were Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director for the National Congress of American Indians, and William “Bill” Largent, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Native American Affairs for the United States Small Business Administration. “This (EXPO) is my vision for protecting our sovereignty,” said Johnson. “We have become the investors of the future, and are changing the markets in America. We’re working to market Native America better, participate on a larger level, and focus on our ability to grow our business sector beyond where we are now.” Largent added, “We need to work all opportunities, be successful and come back year after year.”

Additional event highlights included speakers Richard Milanovich, Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and Arnice Lamb of the Walt Disney Company. The EXPO also featured many raffles and a silent auction, including a chance to win an Anaheim Angels Fantasy Batting Practice participation opportunity and team picnic, as fundraisers for the Chamber’s scholarship fund. The event also presented a Youth EXPO, which provided an opportunity for young American Indians to experience business endeavors. The event concluded with a roundtable consisting of EXPO ‘07 feedback and EXPO ‘08 ideas.