DATOS Report Annual Event on Sept. 24. Don't Miss It!

Arizona’s estimated 67,500 Hispanic-owned businesses is nearly double the total it was in 2003, while a new survey shows most of them plan to expand in the coming years, according to this year’s edition of DATOS: The State of Arizona’s Hispanic Market.

  The findings will be published in the 2013 DATOS report, which this year includes a detailed survey of Hispanic-owned businesses, and will be released during the annual DATOS breakfast conference at the Downtown Phoenix Convention Center on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

 “What we know about Hispanic business owners, despite the tremendous hit they took in the recession, is that they’re incredibly optimistic about the role they will play in Arizona’s economic future,” said Gonzalo A. de la Melena, Jr., president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Given our growth trajectory, how well Hispanic-owned and other minority-owned businesses perform in the ongoing economic recovery is vital to the state’s future.”

 De la Melena added that the results of the Chamber’s survey of Hispanic business owners bode well for Arizona’s economy.

  “Our state is reestablishing its reputation as an ‘opportunity oasis’ for newcomers from across the country and around the globe. The Hispanic Chamber is proud to have helped lead Arizona in a new direction in the face of our state’s challenges around the economy and immigration and toward an era that we believe will bring greater opportunities for Latinos and non-Latinos across the state.”

According to this year’s DATOS report, the state’s Hispanic consumers purchase more than $43 billion a year in goods and services. Nationwide, Hispanic spend about $1.3 trillion, a figure roughly equivalent to the gross national product of Spain, the 13th largest economy in the world.

DATOS is one of the state’s largest annual gatherings of business and community leaders. Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend this year’s breakfast conference.

 The Hispanic Business Enterprises Study is a detailed survey of Hispanic-owned small businesses in the state, and part of a series of reports released by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber during the past year highlighting the state’s minority-, women- and Hispanic-owned small businesses. In November, a report about the state of family-owned businesses will be released. Publication of the Hispanic Business Enterprises Study was made possible with the generous support of Freeport McMoran.

 “The DATOS: The State of Arizona’s Hispanic Market report is an absolute must read for any major corporation and small business owner in the state,” said Mark Bonsall, General Manager & Chief Executive Officer of SRP, the presenting sponsor for this year’s DATOS breakfast panels and conference is SRP. “DATOS is clear, well organized and provides an indispensable wealth of market intelligence about Hispanic consumer and demographic trends in what has now undeniably become a driving force of Arizona’s economy.”

 Other highlights in the 2013 DATOS report include:

• The state’s Hispanic population has more than doubled in the past 20 years and is expected to double again by 2035.
• A higher percentage of U.S. Hispanics, 69 percent, than non-Hispanic Whites, 67 percent, entered college in 2013.
• Arizona’s foreign exports in 2012 totaled $18.4 billion. The state’s largest export market was Mexico, $6.3 billion, 34.2 percent of the state’s total.
• About one-third of Hispanic business owners in Arizona are immigrants. Nationally, one-third of Hispanic-owned businesses are owned by women, the fastest growing segment of the small businesses in the country.
• Between 2008 and 2012, the number of Phoenix Hispanics visiting casinos grew by 6 percent, while 1 percent fewer whites visited casinos during that period.

 This year’s keynote speakers are Monica Gil, Senior Vice President, Nielsen, who will deliver a talk on “Why Latinos Matter” (full bio below); and Luis Garcia, President & Partner, Marketvision, author of “Culture, The Way into Hearts and Carts” (full bio below).

ASU Professor Emeritus Dr. Loui Olivas will present this year’s DATOS findings. Univision Anchor Sergio Urquidi will emcee the event. Immediately after the DATOS breakfast, Verizon Wireless will present a free breakout session entitled “Technology for Business” featuring Michele Ruiz (“My Life as a Latina Entrepreneur”).

For information about how to purchase tickets or tables for the DATOS breakfast, contact Susette Coumides at (602) 279-1800 or susettec@azhcc.com.

Guest Speakers 

Monica Gil, Sr. VP of Government and Public Affairs

Gil has more than 20 years of experience in media relations, community outreach, and consumer businesses. She manages Nielsen’s national Hispanic/Latino Strategic Outreach and education, philanthropy, government and public affairs initiatives. Monica was named one of Hispanic Business Magazine’s “100 Influential” and one of “The Most Powerful and Influential Latinos in Entertainment” by The Image Foundation in 2011. She was also recognized as one of Los Angeles’ “Women Making a Difference” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

 Luis Garcia, President and Lead Strategist, MarketVision

 An integrated marketing specialist, Luis has over 20 years of experience with developing behavior-changing communication and marketing tactics aimed at the U.S. Hispanic population. He began his career in Account Planning for GSD&M, later moving into Account Management for Sosa & Associates (now Bromley Communications), a leading Hispanic advertising agency.

 In 1998, Luis founded his own integrated marketing firm, Garcia 360°, and in 2008 joined MarketVision as president. Luis has advised such companies as Coca-Cola, Audi of America, P&G, Kraft, Hershey, the CDC, Northwestern Mutual and MillerCoors, among others. Today Luis continues his focus on culture-inspired marketing designed to help brands connect and build relationships with today’s multicultural consumers.