AAPISTRONG Annual Conference Celebrates Success with Insightful Discussions and Prestigious Awards

[September 4, 2024, Santa Clara, California] The National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce (National ACE) hosted the 2024 AAPISTRONG Annual Conference at the heart of Silicon Valley, in Santa Clara, California, from September 3-4, 2024. The event was a resounding success, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and participants for a series of impactful sessions and inspiring discussions.

The Conference hosted nearly 800 attendees, over 70 speakers, 9 breakout sessions and workshops, and a bustling marketplace expo highlighting the vibrancy of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurship. Experts and pundits from various industries shared riveting presentations and deep insights that captivated the audience, making every breakout session—from supplier diversity and AI-driven workforce transformation to mental health—an enlightening experience. 

[Left to Right] Ying McGuire (National Minority Supplier Development Council), Patrick Kirkwood (Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce), Norman Chen (The Asian American Foundation), Mark Herbert (CAMEO Network), and Susi Feltch-Malohifo`ou (Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources) share their expertise on enhancing equity and opportunity through supplier diversity on a breakout panel. 

The memorable event was also a celebration of the success of National ACE’s Capital Readiness Program. In the first year alone, National ACE has outperformed initial goals by 134%, raising $38 million in capital and hosting 27 economic roundtables nationwide. The Capital Readiness Program is dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges faced by AAPI entrepreneurs and is the largest-ever direct federal investment in nascent and budding small businesses. National ACE’s efforts have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs secure sufficient capital and build capacity, in order to most effectively launch, operate, and scale their businesses. Get connected to our small business accelerator with the next virtual class on September 17, 2024.

National ACE, in collaboration with San Francisco-based affiliate partner ASIAN, Inc., hosted a roundtable during the conference with Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Eric Morrissette to discuss barriers to capital for AAPI entrepreneurs as well as National ACE’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce on the Capital Readiness Program. 

The conference kicked off with an electrifying Morning Plenary featuring a warm welcome from National ACE Incoming Board Chair Garrett Gin and AAPISTRONG Annual Conference Host Committee Chair CY Chen. We were honored by greetings from Deputy Assistant to the President & AA and NHPI Senior Liaison Liaison Erika L. Moritsugu, California Government Operations Agency Secretary Amy Tong, and Assemblymember Evan Low, with a powerful keynote delivered by Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28). The excitement continued with an engaging AI Fireside Chat with Dr. Sailesh Chittipeddi, Executive Vice President of Operations at Renesas Electronics, and Dr. Karen Eng, President & CEO of CSMI and National ACE Foundation Board Chair. 

Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) delivers a powerful keynote address during the Annual Conference Morning Plenary. 

Dr. Sailesh Chittipeddi and Dr. Karen Eng discuss the latest advancements in AI technology, ethical considerations, and the impact of AI on various industries during the AI Fireside Chat.

Our Lunch Program featured keynote remarks from Donald “Don” R. Cravins, Jr., Former Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development and current Head of Government Affairs at Williams Companies, Inc. We also heard from Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Jeanette Quick and Bank of America’s Carol Lee Mitchell. On behalf of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, DAS Quick shared: “The road ahead may have challenges, but this community has proven its ability to be important drivers of employment and economic growth in this country. I also want to thank you all for the energy and dedication demonstrated by everyone here. Treasury continues to support access to capital for small businesses and looks forward to hearing more about how we can continue to meet the needs of this community. As we move forward, let’s continue to work together to strengthen small businesses and support each other.”

The Afternoon Plenary brought us an inspiring Lasting Legacies Fireside Chat with The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Lily Chou, Producer and Program Host at KTSF Channel 26. Secretary Chao discussed her new book and shared the story of her journey, the influence of her hardworking parents on her life, and how she continues to uphold her familial values throughout her ventures. 

KTSF Channel 26 Producer and Program Host Lily Chou moderates a Lasting Legacies Fireside Chat with The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

Secretary Elaine L. Chao with the National ACE Board of Directors and Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President & AA and NHPI Senior Liaison at The White House. 

The grand finale, our Awards Dinner, was nothing short of spectacular. We celebrated the achievements of AAPI trailblazers and legends with heartfelt tributes and exciting announcements. Erika L. Moritsugu delivered President Biden’s greetings, Secretary Amy Tong shared a warm welcome from the Governor of California Gavin Newsom, and Deputy Under Secretary (DUS) Eric Morrissette and White House Senior Advisor Kota Mizutani spoke passionately. 

Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President & AA and NHPI Senior Liaison at The White House, delivers President Biden’s remarks.

Amy Tong, Secretary of California Government Operations Agency, welcomes the audience to Santa Clara on behalf of the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom.

DUS Morrissette emphasized: “MBDA is here to continue collaborating with National ACE to create equity where it is needed, and to act as a key resource to help everyone reach their economic goals. Our agency is dedicated to creating equal opportunity and building equitable access to capital and resources for MBEs, and we are proud to work with National ACE to further this important mission.” 

We were also honored to share virtual remarks by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, who stated:  “I’m thrilled to join you for the National ACE 2024 AAPI STRONG Conference. As the Secretary of Commerce, my focus is advancing U.S. innovation and competitiveness. But to achieve these goals, we need to tap into the talents and potential of our community of minority business enterprises. AA and NHPI entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses are vital to our economy's dynamism and to America's ability to compete.”

The evening was highlighted by a thrilling Lasting Legacies Fireside Chat with Lawrence Chu (Founder & Chef, Chef Chu’s), Jon M. Chu (Director, Crazy Rich Asians & Wicked), and Bing Chen (Executive Chairman, CEO, Co-Founder, Gold House). This discussion highlighted generational bonds, complex identities, and the growing influence of AAPIs as leaders in popular culture and entertainment. 

[Left to Right] Bing Chen moderates an inspiring Lasting Legacies Fireside Chat with the 2024 National ACE Trailblazer Award recipients: Lawrence Chu and Jon M. Chu.  

Congratulations to our National ACE Legend Award recipients, Dr. James S. C. Chao, Founder & Chairman of Foremost Group, and The Honorable Secretary Elaine L. Chao. Lawrence Chu and Jon M. Chu received the Trailblazer Award, while Grubhub, represented by De'Vonte Cruz and presented by Wells Fargo’s Andrew Moy, was honored with the Corporate Champion Award. We also celebrated the grand prize winners of the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund: Cathleen “Cat” Castaneda of Native Fields, Zhiyu Lai of Nom Wah Nolita, and Loan Nguyen of Pho Loan.

The evening concludes as the National ACE Board of Directors and De'Vonte Cruz (Grubhub) present the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund grand prizes cheques to three AAPI restaurateurs: Cathleen “Cat” Castaneda, Zhiyu Lai, and Loan Nguyen.

The conference photo gallery, capturing these memorable moments, is available for viewing and download HERE.

Thank you to all our supporters, once again, for your incredible participation and collaboration. We are truly grateful to partner with such talented and dedicated individuals and look forward to more successful ventures together.