National ACE and ACE NextGen to Host National Event for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian Small Business Owners in Las Vegas
September 11, 2023
Press Contact:
efuder@nationalace.org
National ACE and ACE NextGen to Host National Event for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian Small Business Owners in Las Vegas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 2023 AAPISTRONG Annual Conference is one of the largest gatherings of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs and small business leaders in the country. This year’s conference will take place in person on October 12-13, 2023 at the Westgate Resorts in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This two-day business conference will bring together Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) entrepreneurs, small business owners, local AAPI Chambers of Commerce from around the country, corporate partners, and community leaders to engage in leadership programming and network building. The AAPISTRONG Annual Conference celebrates the AAPI small business community and entrepreneurship across generations. Participants will discover innovative opportunities for capital building, receive legislative updates, and hear inspiring stories from entrepreneurs in the community.
Media: Media outlets will be invited to attend. For media inquiries, please contact Emily Fuder at efuder@nationalace.org
Attendance: Entrepreneurs, small business owners, government officials, non-profit and community-based organizations, and National ACE strategic partners.
Agenda:
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Opening Workshop: 3-5 pm PT
Westgate Las Vegas Resort 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Join the National ACE Executive Team to explain how you can write a winning grant application to fund your small business.
Emily Fuder, Vice President of Programs and Marketing, National ACE
Networking Cocktail Reception: 6-8 pm PT
Xiao Long Dumplings 4275 Spring Mountain Road, #D101, Las Vegas, NV 89102
All National ACE and ACE NextGen partners, affiliates, and AAPI small business owners are invited to gather and recognize the important work being done locally and nationally on behalf of the AAPI community. Dress code: cocktail business attire.
Krystal Ka'ai, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Victoria Seaman, Councilwoman, Ward 2, City of Las Vegas
Ian So, Co-Founder, ACE NextGen
Bill Imada, Co-Founder, National ACE
Friday, October 13, 2023
Westgate Las Vegas Resort
3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Breakfast Plenary:
Sean Reyes, Attorney General, State of Utah
Kimberly Yee, Arizona State Treasurer
Kendee Yamaguchi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field, Global Markets, U.S. Department of Commerce
Chiling Tong, President & CEO, National ACE
Thear Suzuki, Board Chair, National ACE
Kevin Chan, Executive Director, ACE NextGen
Chewy Jang, Board Member, National ACE Foundation
AAPI Women Executive Fireside Chat:
Gain insights from accomplished AAPI women executives as they share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in navigating the business world.
Angela Chang, Chief Strategy Officer, KCAL Insurance Agency
Sherry Singh, Senior Director of Supplier Diversity, Walmart
Thear Suzuki, Global Client Service Partner, EY
Linglong He, Chief Leadership Advisor, Rocket Central
Vanessa Dew, Co-founder, Health-Ade Kombucha
Breakout Session #1: Equity & Allyship:
Learn how diverse Chambers of Commerce and other organizations help create equity, opportunities, and allyship for their members and their communities.
Gigi Dixon, Vice President & Head, External Engagement, Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion, Wells Fargo
Chiling Tong, President & CEO, National ACE
Ron Busby, Sr., President & CEO, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
Lauren Schweppe, Director of Stakeholder Programs and Advocacy, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Brian Pang, Development Director, Electronic Arts
Tony Gladney, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, MGM Resorts International
Breakout Session #2: Navigating Men’s Mental Health, Parental Care, and Parenthood Challenges:
Discover the resources and support available for entrepreneurs who are running a business, caring for aging parents, and raising children at the same time.
Evan Louie Managing Partner, Asian Pacific Joint Venture, LLC.
Ky Eap, VP of International Sales, Lorde + Belle
Ray Cui, Financial Advisor, Strategic Financial Group, LLP.
Leo Wong, VP of Product Development, ZNEST
Breakout Session #3: The Power of Inner Work:
Dive into the world of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and mastery of our mindsets that enable entrepreneurial leaders to thrive as their authentic selves.
Ha Nguyen, Owner & Co-founder, 7 Leaves Cafe
Andrea Maeng, Founder, In Business and Life
Michelle Phan, CEO & Founder, Em Cosmetics
Dr. Clayton
McClintock PhD, MTS, Neuroscience Researcher and Clinical Psychologist
Breakout Session #4: Meta Presents: The Future of Technology and Our Workforce: AI and Automation:
Gain valuable insights into the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on the future of work, and explore opportunities and challenges that arise in this evolving landscape.
Maui Orozco, Public Policy Manager, Meta
Misa Chien, CEO & Co-founder, The Authentic Asian
Kerry Wang, CEO & Co-founder, Searchlight.ai
Breakout Session #5: Delegating & Elevating to Scale Your Business:
Create freedom and sustainable growth in your business by learning effective delegation strategies that bring out the best in your time, talents, and team.
Kevin Chan, Executive Director, ACE NextGen
Frances Luong, Chief Marketing Officer, Resibrands; Co-founder & Partner, Joieful
John Victoria, Founder & Owner, Polianna
Ian So, Co-founder, Chicken & Rice Guys; Co-founder, Momentum
Breakout Session #6: How Advocacy Impacts Your Business:
Discover pathways for business leaders to advocate for government policies that can shift the economic potential of their businesses and entire industries.
Susan Jin Davis, Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment, Inc.
Tom Gannon, Chief Government Relations Officer, H&R Block
Joon Kim, Associate Vice President of External Affairs, Comcast
Linh Hoang, Managing Partner, The Outpost
Breakout Session #7: Health & Wellness Circles:
Engage in discussions and interactive sessions focused on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, prioritizing self-care, and promoting overall well-being in the entrepreneurial journey.
Brandon Lee, Founder, Zone Genius Institute
Soo Jin Lee, Co-founder & President of Entwine Community
Linda Yoon, Therapist & Founder of Yellow Chair Collective
Zoey Gong, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Chef, Food Therapist, Registered Dietitian
Andrea Maeng, Founder, Coach, Facilitator, In Business & Life
Amy Chin, Founder, Calm Better Days
Charles Wu, CEO, Chi’Tiva
Breakout Session #8: Bridging Cultures: The Next Generation of AAPI Food and Beverage Brands:
Explore the rich diversity of AAPI food and beverage brands, their cultural significance, and how they navigate the market, sharing their stories of innovation and success.
Esther Lee, Founder, Asian Founded
Larry Wu, Founder & CEO, Wuju Foods
David Choi, Proprietor, Magna Carta
Danny Taing, Founder & CEO, Bokksu
Breakout Session #9: Access to Capital and Funding to Grow Your Business:
Learn strategies and best practices for accessing capital and securing funding to fuel the growth of your business, including navigating investment options and building strong financial partnerships.
Elmy Bermejo, Region IX Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
Carol Lee Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Small Business
Breakout Session #10: Entrepreneur Mentoring Circles:
Engage in intimate mentoring circles with experienced entrepreneurs, allowing for meaningful discussions, personalized guidance, and valuable insights to propel your entrepreneurial journey.
Bill Imada, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Connectivity Officer, IW Group
Dr. Karen Eng, President & CEO, CSMI
Susan Jin Davis, Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment, Inc.
Garrett Gin, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Bank of America
Priscilla Lim, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase
Jimmy Ferguson, Owner/Operator, McDonald’s
Breakout Session #11: You Are the Brand:
Showcase your unique expertise, amplify your leadership, and broaden your sphere of influence by leveraging the power of your personal brand. Learn from branding experts who have personally built and helped others build powerful and profitable personal brands.
Mike Kim, Consultant, Speaker, Coach, Author
Jerry Won, Founder & CEO, Just Like Media
Awards Dinner 6-9 pm PT
National ACE and ACE NextGen will recognize and honor AAPI advocates, trailblazers, and industry leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to uplifting the AAPI business communities. The 2023 AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund winners will also be announced. Dress code: Business / black tie optional.
Remarks By:
Derek Uehara, President, Uehara Financial Group, LLC.
Thear Suzuki, Board Chair, National ACE
Nathaniel Ru, Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer, sweetgreen
Award Recipients:
Distinguished Service Award
Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration, invited
Executive of the Year
Nathan Ru, Co-Founder and CBO, sweetgreen
Corporate Champion Award
Wells Fargo
To register for National ACE’s AAPISTRONG Annual Conference and for additional details, please visit www.aapistrong.com.
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About National ACE
National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and effect positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. With over 70 affiliate chambers of commerce and minority business organization partners throughout the country, National ACE strives to support and promote issues that impact the AAPI business community by improving economic development and impact, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally. Learn more at: www.nationalace.org
About ACE NextGen
ACE NextGen was founded to empower and connect the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and business owners to increase its presence in American leadership. ACE NextGen supports entrepreneurs by cultivating lifelong genuine relationships that can help build wealth, learning, network, and a community for AAPI entrepreneurs in the growth stage of their businesses. Its core activities include the Annual Conference, Leadership Retreat, National Retreat, Chapters in ten cities, Inner Circles program, Women’s Initiative, Health & Wellness Initiative, and more. Learn more at: www.acenextgen.org
