AAPI Virtual Business Summit Brings Together Asian American and Pacific Islander Business Community on November 14, with vFairs as Event Technology Partner

The summit will focus on strengthening the AAPI small businesses that have been affected by the pandemic, civil unrest, and violence against Asian Americans.

Minnesota – The Chinese American Chamber of Commerce, Asian Media Access, and Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce will host the AAPI Virtual Business Summit on November 14, 2022. The free event features educational opportunities for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as networking opportunities and keynote addresses from successful AAPI business leaders. Interested AAPI community members and business owners are invited to sign up for the summit here. 

The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing civil unrest in the United States have contributed to an air of uncertainty. The most affected have often been small businesses in the service industry, including those owned by members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

“AAPI-owned businesses generate more than $700 billion in annual GDP and employ about 3.5 million people, according to a 2021 McKinsey report,” said Ange Hwang, Executive Director, Asian Media Access. “Despite this, businesses owned by AAPIs received only $7.7 billion from the federal government’s 2021 $277 billion Paycheck Protection Program aimed at helping small businesses through the pandemic. We hope this AAPI summit can be the starting point to nurture more AAPI small businesses.”

The goal of the summit is to bring together business owners, civil society members, community leaders, nonprofits, and state and government officials in support of the small business owners of the AAPI community. It will focus on presenting ideas for the growth and development of the affected communities.

“The summit will provide valuable training, information, and resources to our underserved communities. It is open to the public,” said John B. Yang, Chair of the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce. “We are here to serve all, and our goal is to help businesses and entrepreneurs sustain and grow. We are stronger together.”

The event will empower the AAPI business community with the right tools, resources, and knowledge to help them flourish. It will also provide opportunities for connection and collaboration among small business owners. The event will focus on these 4 tracks:

• Business Communication and Marketing
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• The Government Contract and Business Certification Process
• Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trends

The summit is also encouraging sponsors and other community members to take part and support the cause. They can do this by arranging opportunities of work for the AAPI community or offering business-related gifts in-kind, and leading workshops.

“We are thrilled to be hosting our first virtual AAPI business summit,” said Jin Chen, Executive Director, Chinese Chamber of Commerce – Minnesota. “We are also excited to try out a brand-new two-day format that features many of the same workshops repeated in heritage languages on the second day. This will be a great opportunity for limited English speakers to gain access to the same knowledge and information that is so often only presented in English.”

“Small businesses of Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander communities have been affected due to the pandemic and the consequent economic crisis. I am glad that the summit will help them rebuild their losses and that vFairs is a part of that journey,” said Muhammad Younas, CEO of vFairs.

The summit is free to attend and you can register here.

About the Minnesota Chinese and Hmong Chambers of Commerce

The Minnesota Chinese and Hmong Chambers of Commerce are collaborating to help businesses grow and sustain through engagement, advocacy, and resources. Learn more at https://mncbc.org and https://mnhmongchamber.org/ 

Media Contact: Poh Lin Khoo

Phone: 612-414-6993

Email: [email protected]

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