Business
USHCC Kicks Off 44th Annual National Conference in Orlando September 24-26
WASHINGTON, D.C., – The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) begins its descent on Orlando, Florida for its 44th Annual National Conference. Hosted at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort in Orlando, Florida, from September 24-26, 2023, in collaboration with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO), the Chamber’s National Conference is the largest meeting of Hispanic business leaders in the country. This year, more than 5,000 attendees will gather to serve as a catalyst for Hispanic businesses looking to grow and network around Florida and the nation.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in policy-driven discussions with America’s business leaders, members of Congress, and local Hispanic Chamber leaders, that will empower the country’s 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses, which contribute an impressive $2.8 trillion in annual economic input.
Orlando serves as an ideal host, as it’s a major hub for Hispanic commerce in the U.S. and Latin America. As a state, Florida has one of the richest Latino-dominated business environments, with about 600,000 Hispanic-owned companies found throughout the state, contributing more than $90 billion to the economy and employing more than 575,000 workers.
This year’s agenda includes workshops, educational panels, business matching sessions, and networking opportunities highlighting key content tracks related to innovation & technology, business & procurement, and leadership & capacity growing, along with access to exclusive speakers such as:
● The Honorable Buddy Dyer, Mayor of Metro Orlando
● Jamila Gilbert, Head of Communications at Virgin Galactic
● Gaby Ortigoni, President & CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando
USHCC President & CEO, Ramiro Cavazossays, “Hosting our National Conference in Florida this year makes sense. With the third largest Hispanic population in the country, it was a natural idea to bring our national network to the Sunshine State.
Together with the significant Hispanic entrepreneurial community in Orlando, we are championing the economic growth and interests of Hispanic-owned businesses.” He continues, “I’m proud of the network we have built, and together with Gaby Ortigoni, look forward to celebrating leaders from our community in the beautiful city of Orlando. We’re showing our commitment to Florida, and embracing Florida’s commitment to us.”
During the Conference, the Chamber will present esteemed awards from the following categories:
● Ohtli Award
● Hispanic Business Person of the Year
● Chamber of the Year (Large, Medium and Small)
● Employee Resource Group (ERG) of the Year
● Corporation of the Year
● Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
● 2023 Startup of the Year Award
● 2023 LGBTQ+ Advocate of the Year Award
Gaby Ortigoni, President & CEO of the HCCMO, shares, “Florida’s Hispanic businesses foster nearly a million jobs statewide, underscoring the vital role Hispanic businesses play in propelling our state’s economy. This year’s National Conference will serve as a powerful gathering, uniting thousands of leaders committed to bolstering the Hispanic business community and advancing our mission of driving economic growth in Central Florida. We’re honored to host this year’s Conference in Orlando and look forward to welcoming thousands to our world-class city.”
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grants, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health needs across Central Florida.
The grant program partners with community-based organizations to expand initiatives that improve quality of life and promote long-term sustainability. Eligible nonprofits serving residents in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and South Lake counties are encouraged to apply.
Applications are open from March 30 through April 16, with funding expected to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
The grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies key challenges impacting residents’ well-being.
“Our annual Community Impact Grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment to ensure we are investing meaningfully where our neighbors need us most,” said Tricia Edris, senior vice president of innovation and partnerships for AdventHealth Central Florida. “We are honored to align our resources and stand as partners to create measurable, lasting impact across the region.”
PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING
The 2026 grant cycle will focus on three key areas:
- Housing instability
- Transportation
- Food insecurity
These priorities reflect social determinants of health that can significantly influence a person’s ability to live a healthy and stable life. Community organizations often serve as the first line of support for residents facing these challenges.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Past grant recipients say the program has helped expand opportunities for residents. Crystal Davidson highlighted the impact of the initiative on workforce development.
“Schools and colleges often don’t have the funding to provide introductory workforce programs that expose students to new career opportunities,” Davidson said. “Through partnership grants like the one AdventHealth is providing, we’re able to give young people hands-on experiences that help them discover their potential and build a path toward a meaningful career.”
AdventHealth will also host an informational webinar to guide organizations through eligibility requirements, funding priorities and the application process. Interested applicants can learn more and apply through the AdventHealth website.
Business
Florida National News YouTube Channel Surpasses 1 Million Views, Matches Facebook’s 1M Milestone in 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News (FNN) has reached a major digital milestone, surpassing 1 million views on a 20-minute YouTube video, marking a significant moment in the network’s continued audience growth and online impact.
The video has shown renewed momentum over time, trending twice—first in August 2017 and again in April 2026, when it gained an additional 470,000 views.
Florida National News (FNN) continues to experience a strong and steady rise in digital viewership across its social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Audiences are increasingly engaging with FNN’s trusted news coverage, community storytelling, and original video content.
On February 12, 2025, FNN also surpassed 1 million views on Facebook, with a 30-second video reaching over 1.2 million views, further highlighting the network’s expanding digital footprint.
Today, both FNN’s YouTube and Facebook platforms have achieved million-viewer status, solidifying FNN’s position as a growing digital news leader.
This milestone reflects FNN’s expanding reach and impact, connecting with millions of viewers and delivering content that informs, engages, and empowers communities.
VIEWERSHIP MILESTONE SIGNALS EXPANDING DIGITAL REACH
FNN officials say the 1 million-view benchmark represents more than just a number — it signals growing trust and interest from audiences across Florida and the nation.
While individual FNN videos have consistently generated tens of thousands — and in some cases hundreds of thousands — of views, surpassing the 1 million mark underscores a broader trend of rising visibility and relevance in a competitive digital media landscape.
The network’s Instagram platform has also seen strong performance, recently exceeding 350,000 views, further reinforcing FNN’s multi-platform growth strategy.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR FNN?
Building on this momentum, FNN plans to:
- Expand original video programming and live coverage
- Increase audience engagement across all social platforms
- Strengthen partnerships and community-based storytelling
- Accelerate growth toward the next milestone beyond 1 million views
Network leaders say the goal is not just higher numbers, but deeper impact — connecting with audiences in meaningful ways while continuing to grow as a trusted digital news source.
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