The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will ring in the New Year with a newly appointed "transformational" leadership team that will direct the organization's ongoing initiative to expand its services, membership and community profile. On Dec. 17, the AZHCC will announce the appointment of Tony M. Astorga as the AZHCC board's new chairman. Astorga currently serves as senior vice president and chief business development officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also will announce the permanent appointment of new president and CEO, Gonzalo de la Melena, who has filled that position in an interim capacity since June. Mr. de la Melena is the managing partner of Emerging Restaurants Group LLC, the exclusive Phoenix Valley developer and franchisee for Pollo Campero - the leading Latin America chicken restaurant chain.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will ring in the New Year with a newly appointed "transformational" leadership team that will direct the organization's ongoing initiative to expand its services, membership and community profile. On Dec. 17, the AZHCC will announce the appointment of Tony M. Astorga as the AZHCC board's new chairman. Astorga currently serves as senior vice president and chief business development officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also will announce the permanent appointment of new president and CEO, Gonzalo de la Melena, who has filled that position in an interim capacity since June. Mr. de la Melena is the managing partner of Emerging Restaurants Group LLC, the exclusive Phoenix Valley developer and franchisee for Pollo Campero - the leading Latin America chicken restaurant chain.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will ring in the New Year with a newly appointed "transformational" leadership team that will direct the organization's ongoing initiative to expand its services, membership and community profile. On Dec. 17, the AZHCC will announce the appointment of Tony M. Astorga as the AZHCC board's new chairman. Astorga currently serves as senior vice president and chief business development officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also will announce the permanent appointment of new president and CEO, Gonzalo de la Melena, who has filled that position in an interim capacity since June. Mr. de la Melena is the managing partner of Emerging Restaurants Group LLC, the exclusive Phoenix Valley developer and franchisee for Pollo Campero - the leading Latin America chicken restaurant chain.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Tempe Chamber of Commerce will co-host a forum Aug. 1 on business and the economy featuring the candidates for the newly created Congressional District 9.

Supporters hope to create the first Hispanic chamber of commerce in the East Valley, but the president of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce says he'd prefer the group simply join his effort.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has named Fry’s Food Stores corporation of the year and presented sports mogul Jerry Colangelo with its Arizona Legacy Award.

A two-day symposium focusing on the future of Arizona’s economy, and specifically how the Latino community will impact that future, is scheduled for May 4-5 at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Spotlighting the skyrocketing growth of the state’s Latino consumer base, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host “Transforming Arizona’s Economy,” a ground-breaking business symposium, at the Phoenix Convention Center May 4-5.

The East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Hispanic Business Media/Marketing Report breakfast June 6 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Minority Enterprise Development Week awards breakfast and business expo Nov. 18 at the Arizona Biltmore. Breakfast and awards presentation starts at 7:30 a.m., immediately followed by the business expo.

The Tempe and Arizona Hispanic chambers of commerce will host a forum in Tempe on Wednesday, Aug. 1 featuring candidates for Congressional District 9. Each candidate has been asked to present an opening statement on the economy, Arizona and the nation’s fast-growing Hispanic market, and audience members will have a chance to ask questions as well.

Manny Garcia, 53, is chief cook-and-bottle washer of the Spanish weekly newspaper, Prensa Hispana. He’s not only the founder, president and chief editor of the 50-plus page newspaper, but he also is a reporter, designer, circulation manager, press operator and advertising director.

At least 6,000 Hispanic professionals will be heading to the Valley this fall for the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 24th annual National Convention and Business Expo.

The East Valley Chambers of Commerce (EVCCA) released its 2012 Voters Guide with a message from the business community: permanently raising taxes on Arizona’s families is bad for our local economy.

Hispanic women account for nearly 40 percent of businesses owned by minority women in Arizona and the Valley — and the number is growing.

The largest gathering of Hispanic women in the country is set for the Valley next month, featuring political, business and community leaders who will focus on everything from entrepreneurship to salsa dancing.

Mesa is wooing Canadians. Tempe is trying to attract gay travelers. Scottsdale is still seeking the well-heeled resort lovers the city has been courting for half a century. In the Valley, only the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau is targeting the fastest growing minority travel market — U.S. Hispanics.

The rapidly growing Hispanic community in Arizona is playing an increasing role in the economic and cultural life of the state, according to a study released Wednesday by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The company producing Dex Yellow Pages wants to capture part of the Valley’s 1.2 million Spanish-speaking market with a new telephone directory.

This year the Arizona Holistic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC) launched a new multicultural initiative to recruit business owners from the Latino, Native American, Asian, and African American cultures.

An upstart electronics retailer from California is expanding its presence in the Valley with an eye toward capturing Arizona’s 1.6 million Hispanic inhabitants.

By 2050 the Hispanic labor force is expected to more than double in the United States to 31 percent and the population of the group will make up 29 percent of the total population.