February 2024 Newsletter

AAPI CHAMBER AND FOUNDATION

FEBRUARY

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Year of the Dragon Celebration 2024 Night Market | Music | Food | Entertainment | Kids Corner | and a DRONE SHOW on the 18th!

February 17th 3-9 PM

February 18th 3-9 PM

6880 Helen Toland St, Las Vegas, NV 89113

4205 Spring Mountain Las Vegas, NV, 89102 Presented by:

Sponsored by:

Eric Roy Law Firm

www.AAPIChamber.com

Year of the Rabbit

2023 Video Recap

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Year of the Dragon Celebration 2024 Thank You To All Our Sponsors & Partners

Eric Roy Law Firm

www.AAPIChamber.com

President’s Message Dear Members and Friends of the AAPI Chamber of Commerce, As we usher in the month of February, a time marked by the celebration of love, unity, and cultural diversity, I am honored to extend warm greetings to each one of you.

February brings with it the joyous festivities of the Lunar New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. It is a time of renewal, prosperity, and good fortune. In the spirit of this auspicious occasion, I am thrilled to invite you all to our upcoming Year of The Dragon Celebration, where we will come together to embrace the traditions that bond us and welcome a year filled with endless possibilities.

Join us for the inaugural celebration in the Southwest at UnCommons on Saturday, February 17, 2023, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. This event holds special significance as the Southwest is home to 40% of the AA&NHPI community. The AAPI Chamber is delighted to extend this celebration to all, providing an opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy the festivities. A special thanks to MGM Resorts International for their steadfast support as the Presenting Sponsor.

On Sunday, February18, 2023, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., we will gather for festivities at the Historic Chinatown Plaza, the heart of our community and the birthplace of it all. Be sure not to miss the spectacular debut of an awe-inspiring DRONE SHOW, making this celebration truly unforgettable!

These two events promised to be vibrant and culturally enriching experiences, featuring traditional performances, delectable cuisine, and an opportunity for meaningful connections within our diverse business community. As a business owner, seize the opportunity to connect with thousands of potential customers and showcase your products and services. We extend an invitation for you to participate as a sponsor or a vendor. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect, celebrate, and set the tone for a prosperous year ahead.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year!

Catherine Francisco PRESIDENT OF AAPI CHAMBER

CHAMBER SPONSORS Thank you for supporting the AAPI Chamber.

First Inaugural State of the Chamber: Vision 2024 We hosted our first inaugural State of the Chamber in January at Ahern Hotel.

Catherine Fransisco presented the Chamber’s mission, vision, and founding story. Since its formation in August 2023, the Chamber has assisted 123 small businesses. Tony Gladney, Vice President of DEI at MGM Resorts, was the founding sponsor of the Chamber and made a special remark. Dr. Peter Keo, Founder & CEO of Rapid Research Evaluation, did a presentation on “Evidence-Based Business Solutions to Create Systems of Excellence in Southern Nevada“.

Special guests included: Former U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Assemblyman Duy Nguyen, Assemblywomen Tracy Brown May and Claire Thomas, City of Las Vegas Councilman Cedric Crear, City of North Las Vegas Councilman Issac Barron, Former Mayor of Henderson Debra March, and Former Councilwoman of Henderson Gerri Schroder.

Thank you to Las Vegas Chinese Daily News for the coverage!

Since August 2023:

123

$370,000

7

Advised 123 small business owners in various services such as marketing, legal, gov’t contracts, and funding.

Assisted in a total of $370,000 in funding resources for small business owners.

Assisted with 7 individuals in starting their own business.

AAPI Chamber Board of Directors

Joe Coe (Chair) Chief Diversity Officer, Clark County Department of Aviation

Jennifer Lanahan (Vice Chair) Director of Government Affairs, Strategies 360 Nevada Office

Jen Bambao COO of AAPI Chamber

Bernard Bermudez

Catherine Francisco

Peter Keo

Minjia Yan,

SVP, Relationship Manager,

CEO, AAPI Chamber

Founder & CEO of Rapid Research

Executive Director,

Evaluation

AAPI Chamber Foundation

Enterprise Bank & Trust

AAPI Chamber Advisory Board Members

Joseph Campos, Honorary Consul, Republic of Korea

Tony Gladney Vice President of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at MGM Resorts

Vida Lin, Founder and President of the Asian Community Development Council

Saul Ramos, U.S. Small Business

Paul Yoo, CFO & Managing Partner at

Administration (SBA) Director for the

500 Global

Nevada District Office

Keynote

Dr. Peter Keo Founder & CEO of Rapid Research Evaluation

Event recording coming soon!

Minjia Yan Like Ninja!

Executive Director, AAPI Chamber Foundation Position Southern Nevada as a leader in the innovation economy: creating talent for tomorrow; building neighborhoods as vibrant places to work, live, and play; and growing innovative sectors, focusing on equity.

Source: RTC

US!

Source: RTC

Milestones 01

02

03

RTC’s

RTC’s Southern

RTC’s 2050

Coordinated

Nevada Strong

Regional

Transportation

Regional Plan

Transportation

Stakeholder

Outreach

Plan Stakeholder

Advisory Group

Working Group

Group

Growing Emerging Industries; Focusing on Equity

Source: SRI International

AAPI Chamber Foundation Board of Directors

Edward Thompson (Chair) Workforce Development Specialist at City of Las Vegas

Jen Bambao COO of AAPI Chamber

Catherine Francisco (Vice Chair)

Myron Kwong Executive Director and Banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank

CEO, AAPI Chamber

Minjia Yan, Executive Director, AAPI Chamber Foundation

SBA & SBDC PANEL WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed joined AAPI Chamber for a panel and interaction event with small business owners during his visit in Las Vegas.

View Gallery

FULL FORCE 29TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE BUSINESS CONNECT EVENT

NEWS COVERAGE:

Channel 3 Catherine and Minjia got featured on Channel 3 about the upcoming Year of the Dragon celebration and food culture! Special thank you to Xiaolong Dumplings for providing the food and Patranya Bhoolsuwan for helping us with this interview opportunity!

CHAMBER SPONSORS Thank you for supporting the AAPI Chamber.

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