Story & Photographs by Diane Fleischman
It was a night of tuxedos and glamorous gowns as several hundred guests arrived at the Annual Hispanic Chamber Gala at ArtsQuest Friday night. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley is organized for the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial, and professional interests of their members and the Greater Lehigh Valley business community as a whole. They focus on three guiding principles: Advocacy, Business Development and Community Development.
The theme of the evening was centered on the Dominican Republic. In music, the 2-4 beat of the Merengue, and the culinary influences of this culture.
The Gala provided networking opportunities with some of Lehigh Valley’s most prestige guests and sponsors. There was a silent auction to benefit the Fe Foundation, responsible for delivering educational and community development programs, as well as a live auction for tickets and a meet and greet for the upcoming Marc Anthony concert were auctioned to a high bidder.
The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony. There were two Community Hero awards given to an individual who is making significant contributions through their community through their time, actions, talents, and dedication outside their work. This year’s award winners are: Paula Paredes, ATAX, and Dr. Leonardo Claros, MD, FACS, FASMBS, at St. Luke’s University Hospital.
Norma Nunez-Ruch of the Allentown Symphony Association was honored to receive the Leader of the Year award, and Pedro Cortes, Former PA Secretary of State was on hand to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
After the awards, the Lehigh Valley Urban Orquesta returned to the stage, the guests continued the celebration as they danced the night away.
About The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley:
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley is organized for the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial and professional interests of all our Members, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic, and the Greater Lehigh Valley Community as a whole. To accomplish our mission, we focus on three guiding principles:
Advocacy – To assist in developing an economic development agenda for the Hispanic and Greater Lehigh Valley Business Community as a whole and to promote that agenda both in the public as well as the private sectors.
Business Development – To provide access to networking opportunities, capability enhancing training and business enhancing resources to our members while assisting our Corporate Sponsors in reaching the Hispanic business community.
Community Development – To promote entrepreneurship and self-sustainability within the Hispanic community. To increase the levels of understanding between our Lehigh Valley Hispanic and non-Hispanic business communities through the arts and through cultural introductions and exchanges.
http://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/hispanic-chamber.html
