Dear Members,

We realize how busy you are, growing your business, training new employees, increasing your inventory, and so much more. We want to take this opportunity to share with you the reason why the Chamber exists. YOU are the reason why we exist. Every single endeavor we undertake must comply with our mission and vision. It must benefit you, our members. Below is a synopsis of who we are and what we do…

OUR MISSION: To promote economic development, enhance economic opportunities, and provide business and workforce education with an emphasis on the Hispanic and small business communities in Albuquerque and New Mexico.

OUR VISION: To improve lives through commerce, community, and culture.

OUR TAGLINE: Join. Connect. Thrive.

OUR WHY: We believe in contributing to a greater cause.

OUR BEGINNING: Our amazing Chamber was born in 1975 by a group of 14 Hispanic businesspeople who felt their business needs were not being heard by the powers that be. Together with your fellow business owners, we now have approximately 1,200 members ranging from solopreneurs to corporations. We advocate for ALL businesses in New Mexico at the state and local levels, for our workforce, taxation, education, and our future.

OUR INCLUSIVITY: Our membership base includes 60% Hispanic and 40% non-Hispanic business owners. Eighty percent of our membership base has 30 employees or fewer and 60 percent have 10 employees or fewer.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS: We have 36 voting board members and 14 Ex-Officio board members. Our board committees include our Executive Committee, our Finance Committee, and our Nominating Committee. We have a Governmental Affairs Committee that includes both board and non-board members.

OUR TEAM: We have 20 professional team members, including a President/CEO (Ernie C’deBaca), a Chief Experience Officer (CXO – Roberta Ricci), and a Chief Financial Officer (CFO – Connie Lee). Our Convention and Tourism Director is Minerva Jurado-Perea, our Membership Director is Rocky Cruz, and our Marketing Director is Dee Minnick-Lujan.

OUR MEMBERSHIP DUES: Start at $300 and are based on the number of employees in our organization. We have several member-based committees, including Education, Women in Business, Health, and Wellness, La Hermandad (Spanish language), and Ambassadors.

OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS:  Include our Youth Summit and Futures Fair (April 16, 2024), Procurement Summit (May 1, 2024), Growing Small Business (June – August 2024), Procurement Series (October – November 2024), and a host of other ad hoc business education and workforce development opportunities taught in English and Spanish.

OUR TENANT PARTNERS: We are the Small Business Center of New Mexico. Located on our campus are the Minority Business Development Agency Business Center, the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration.

OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS: Include the largest annual fundraising gala in New Mexico, La Noche Encantada (February 22, 2025) the Hispano Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament (May 16, 2024 Santa Ana Golf Course) which provides funds for scholarships (over $2.4 million in scholarships have been provided to deserving students who want to secure their future and build a nationally competitive workforce in New Mexico), and includes small business featured at each tee, the Education Scholarship Awards Ceremony (June 2024), the Buen Vecinos Golf Tournament (Fall 2024) and the Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards Banquet (October 10, 2024).

Our Conventions & Tourism Department: Brings Hispanic and Native American regional and national conferences to Albuquerque, showcasing our beautiful city and positively impacting our economy. In October we will host the World Indigenous Business Forum bringing in delegates from 20 countries and a forecasted direct spend by visitors of over $3M.

Our International Trade Committee: This is part of our Conventions and Tourism department and consists of members who want to collaborate with chambers and businesses in Mexico, Canada, and other countries. We have agreements with the Guadalajara and Mexico City chambers of commerce.

Education Committee: To engage in the optimization of support efforts for New Mexico’s education system by leveraging the Committee’s collective talent and resources to bridge the education gap and improve the landscape of education with an emphasis on the Hispano Chamber’s Scholarship Program.

Ambassador Program: To serve as goodwill representatives for the Hispano Chamber by welcoming new members and existing members at various chamber events and supporting new member recruitment and member retention. 

Women in Business Program: To support and promote women business owners and women professionals, to develop their potential leadership skills, and facilitate a healthy work-life balance for them and their employees.

Health and Wellness Program: To serve as a leader in the community to promote, educate, and provide resources to local businesses by advocating economic prosperity, stimulating healthy work environments, and improving quality of life for success.