Sunday, September 21, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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12:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Registration We look forward to welcoming you to the 46th Annual USHCC National Conference! Be sure to stop by the registration desk to check in, receive your event credentials, and ensure you're all set for the event! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 46th Annual USHCC National Conference Welcome Reception Join us as we kick off this year's National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia! This evening event will feature a welcome address from our President and CEO, Ramiro A. Cavazos offering a preview of what to expect during the Conference. Enjoy networking opportunities and light hors d'oeuvres as we begin this exciting event! ![]() ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday, September 22, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Registration We look forward to welcoming you to the 46th Annual USHCC National Conference! Be sure to stop by the registration desk to check in, receive your event credentials, and ensure you're all set for the event! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | General Session Breakfast: The CEO Playbook: Growth, Potential, and the Future of American Enterprise Hear directly from America’s most influential CEOs about how they are navigating market changes, capitalizing on rapid technology shifts, managing consumer expectations, and fueling business growth across sectors that are shaping the U.S. economy. Discover how to identify opportunities for growth, embrace innovation, and build adaptable organizations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Breakout Session: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Small Business Enterprise Growth Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for staying competitive. This session will demystify AI and provide practical insights on how your Small and Medium sized businesses can integrate AI into your operations. Learn how AI can streamline workflows, optimize customer engagement, marketing, sales, and decision-making. Experts will showcase real-world applications while addressing the challenges small businesses face. | Breakout Session: The E-commerce Evolution Online commerce is changing fast and it’s opening up incredible opportunities for small businesses to grow. This session will explore the latest digital shopping trends, online marketplaces, and social commerce strategies to drive your revenue. Learn how to increase your sales, optimize product listings, and create seamless digital shopping experiences for your customers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Plaza Mercado A vibrant mercado featuring small businesses and local vendors. This bustling community hub celebrates heritage and variety, creating a warm and welcoming space for connecting and supporting local vendors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM | General Session Lunch: Connecting Communities: How Transportation Fuels Small Business Success & Broadens Economic Growth Efficient and accessible transportation systems are the backbone of thriving communities and dynamic economies. This session explores how robust transit infrastructure creates opportunities for small businesses across the nation. Panelists will highlight how leveraging transportation investments unlock small business potential and drive economic prosperity. ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Breakout Session: Latinas in Leadership: Empowerment & Opportunity Latinas are rapidly rising as influential business leaders but still face unique challenges in scaling their companies. This session highlights inspiring Latina C-suite executives sharing their journeys, strategies, and successes. Learn how empowerment, mentorship, and access to resources—like the USHCC’s Latina Growth Accelerator (LGA) program—are opening new doors for Latina entrepreneurs to grow and lead with confidence. | Breakout Session: Winning Corporate Contracts: How Small Businesses Can Land Big Deals Breaking into corporate supply chains can be a game-changer for small businesses, but navigating the procurement process can be complex. This session will provide practical strategies for securing corporate contracts, from understanding procurement requirements to positioning your business as a competitive and reliable vendor. Attendees will hear from corporate procurement leaders and successful small business owners who have built strong relationships with large companies. | Breakout Session: Diversifying Revenue Streams: Innovative Funding Strategies for Business Growth Relying on just one source of income can hold back growth for both small businesses and chambers of commerce. This session will explore a wide range of creative ways to bring in more money and keep your organization thriving. For entrepreneurs, learn how to access capital beyond traditional bank loans, including microlending, CDFIs, SBA programs, grants – including programs facilitated by the USHCC’s Educational Fund - and new types of investors. Discover practical tips for making your funding applications stand out and choosing the right type of financing for your business stage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Supplier Marketplace Additional details about this breakout session will be shared soon. Stay tuned for more information! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Networking Reception Stay tuned for more information! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Registration We look forward to welcoming you to the 46th Annual USHCC National Conference! Be sure to stop by the registration desk to check in, receive your event credentials, and ensure you're all set for the event! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | General Session Breakfast: Unlocking Workforce Opportunities: Navigating the Great Talent Realignment Discover how forward-thinking companies are using flexible work, skills-based hiring, and powerful upskilling programs to build unstoppable teams. Get the inside scoop on leveraging remote work, tapping into the gig economy, and creating a workplace culture that keeps your best employees loyal and motivated. Learn how to avoid the costly pitfalls of quiet quitting and disengagement—and instead, unlock the full potential of your workforce. Whether you’re scaling a startup, leading a growing business, or building a future-ready team, you’ll walk away with proven strategies and fresh ideas to help your company thrive in the new world of work. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Breakout Session: Powering Puerto Rico: Energizing the Island’s Economic Future A reliable, resilient, and modern energy grid is essential for Puerto Rico’s economic growth and long-term competitiveness. This session will examine how modernizing Puerto Rico’s power grid is not just about keeping the lights on—it’s about attracting new industries, supporting small business expansion, and driving sustainable economic development. Learn from public and private sector leaders about the latest grid modernization efforts, innovative partnerships, and investment opportunities that are powering Puerto Rico’s future and strengthening its position in the global economy. | Breakout Session: Advocacy That Moves the Needle Small businesses are the voice of small businesses in every community. This session will show how chambers can lead the way in advocating for business-friendly policies and making sure lawmakers understand what small businesses need to succeed. Hear real examples from chambers, policy experts, and corporate leaders that have influenced important policies and navigated changes effectively. | Breakout Session: Unlocking Opportunity: International Trade, Tariffs, and the USMCA Expanding into international markets offers exciting opportunities for small businesses, but navigating tariffs, trade agreements, and supply chain challenges can be complex. This session will provide a clear overview of the current global trade environment, focusing on the impact of tariffs and how the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) can benefit your business. Corporate leaders will also share firsthand insights on how they are adapting to shifting trade policies, offering practical strategies for compliance, operational efficiency, and leveraging new opportunities in the North American market. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Plaza Mercado A vibrant mercado featuring small businesses and local vendors. This bustling community hub celebrates heritage and variety, creating a warm and welcoming space for connecting and supporting local vendors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM | General Session Lunch: The Streaming Surge: How Small Businesses are Profiting from the New Economics of Entertainment From Atlanta to L.A., Albuquerque, New Orleans, and New York, the streaming economy is driving a wave of studio expansion and infrastructure investment. As platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery scale production, cities are competing to attract these projects through tax incentives, real estate growth, and workforce development. However, this surge isn’t just a win for studios; it’s a major opportunity for small businesses. From caterers and set designers to security, logistics, and tech vendors, local entrepreneurs are now vital to the streaming supply chain. This panel will break down the economics behind the boom and how small businesses can stake their claim in the new content economy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Breakout Session: Spain250: Celebrating 250 Years of Shared Prosperity As the United States prepares to mark its 250th anniversary in 2026, Spain250 highlights the enduring economic and cultural partnership between Spain and the U.S.—a relationship that has shaped both nations for generations. This session will explore Spain’s pivotal contributions to America’s founding and economic development. Attendees will gain insights into how Spanish-American ties continue to drive innovation, trade, and investment, and how businesses and communities can leverage this historic connection for future growth. Join leaders and experts as they discuss new opportunities for transatlantic partnerships, celebrate shared heritage, and examine how cultural exchange and economic cooperation are fueling prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. | Breakout Session: Accelerating Small Business Growth in STEM & Aerospace Georgia is a national leader in STEM talent and aerospace, generating over $57 billion in economic impact annually as the sixth-largest U.S. exporter of aerospace products. This session will show small businesses how to tap into Georgia’s unique aerospace resources—including industry partnerships, workforce training, and business incubators—to access funding, scale operations, and enter the aerospace supply chain. Discover why Georgia is the launchpad for small business innovation and growth in this booming sector. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Supplier Marketplace Stay tuned for more information! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Closing Awards Gala Networking Reception More information coming soon! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Closing Awards Gala More information coming soon! ![]() |