The Hispanic Business Mercado 2008, co-sponsored by KTES Telemundo and SuddenLink Communications, and co-chaired by Joyce Sledge and Mike Hernandez, was a tremendous success! This first annual Business Mercado has to attribute its success to filling a void in our community that has yet to capitalize on the fastest growing segment of our population — the Hispanic consumer.

The Business Mercado was a showcase of local merchants wanting to interact with the buying power of the Hispanic consumer. If ever a doubt existed that Hispanics are a powerful buying market worth catering to, the tremendous turnout of Hispanic consumers Sept. 20 at the Abilene Civic Center was the proof in the pudding.

The Business Mercado was twofold: first, to focus on the local Hispanic buying power, and second, to attract local businesses, Hispanic and non-Hispanic, wanting to capitalize on the Hispanic buying power. This combination proved to be a winning formula that also added to the awesome success of Business Mercado 2008.

The Business Mercado and its awesome success is an event that not long ago was but a vision shared by two local business owners: Liz Nunez of KJTZ Radio and Joyce Sledge of DS Design. It was not that long ago that this Mercado concept was just that — a concept. Now, through continued efforts to diversify its membership, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce is creating new channels of business that have become a reality for any business wishing to expand their business opportunities and consequently reach a market that not long ago was only a concept.

This concept of reaching out is how the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, in its long history of adding value to its members, is embracing the Hispanic Business Council and enhancing the business environment in our community.

The Hispanic Business Council was formed in 2006 by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce in an effort to assist Hispanic owned businesses in Abilene and the surrounding areas through promoting education, training, advocacy and networking opportunities in order to grow their business while becoming members of the chamber and adding value to the entire Abilene business community.

In any major event such as this, many businesses and individuals give unselfishly of their time and resources. My thanks go out to our great leadership in the Hispanic Business Council executive board, the chamber president and staff, the excellent crew at the Civic Center, all of the exhibitors and most of all to our focus group — the Hispanic consumer and their families.

The lesson learned from Business Mercado 2008 will go a long way in expanding the consumer base for business in our community as well as recognizing that embracing diversity goes a long way in creating a positive business environment. There is strength in numbers, and power in diversity.

Bill Enriquez is the outgoing chair of the Hispanic Business Council.