Introduction
The summit focused on strengthening the AAPI small businesses that have been affected by the pandemic, civil unrest, and violence against Asian Americans. More than 350 attendees participated in the AAPI Virtual Business Summit on November 14, 2022. The Chinese American Chamber of Commerce, Asian Media Access, and Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce hosted the summit. The free event featured educational opportunities for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as networking opportunities and keynote addresses from successful AAPI business leaders.
The AAPI Virtual Business Summit was hosted in a welcoming 3D virtual lobby with designs and animations that reflected a multicultural community. The realistic 3D designs were customized with avatars that represented the Asian culture and community. The interactive platform included a live help desk that guided attendees along the way and offered them an experience that simulates an in-person event. All attendees were also invited to network in the virtual environment in the designated Multicultural Networking Lounge. The lounge was hosted by three members of the Asian community who spoke Hmong, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.
Many community members and leaders collaborated to empower the AAPI business community with the right tools, resources, and knowledge to help them flourish. The summit also provided opportunities for connection and collaboration among small business owners.
Summit Schedule and Panel Plan (November 14th, 2022)
| Time | Event | Track | Recording Links |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9:30 – 9:35 |
Emcee and Program Director Welcome Address – Poh Lin, Khoo |
Introduction |
|
|
9:35 – 9:40 |
Emcee and Program Director Welcome Address – Jin Chen |
||
|
9:45 – 9:50 |
Emcee and Program Director Welcome Address – John B. Yang |
||
|
9:50 – 9:55 |
Emcee and Program Director Welcome Address – Brian McDonald |
||
|
10:00 – 10:45 |
AAPI Economic Impact in Minnesota – Dr. Bruce Corrie |
Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trend |
|
|
11:00 – 11:45 |
Digital Marketing and SEO – John B. Yang
Learn how to generate sales, leads, and traffic to your website using SEO research techniques, tools, strategic planning and implementation, and ways to measure results. |
Marketing and Communications |
|
|
Small Business and Federal Government Contract – Maribel Reigstad
To help provide a level playing field for small businesses, the federal government uses special programs to help small businesses win at least 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars each year. In this session we will present an overview of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) contracting assistance programs, the requirements, and how to assess your small business to see if it has what it takes to become a federal contractor. |
Government Contract and Minority Business Certification Process |
||
|
Defining Your Communications Strategy – Cali Torell
In this session, learn about strategies and tools for building a successful communications platform for your business and reaching the audiences who matter most to you. From foundational messaging and internal communications to social media and advertising, learn how impactful storytelling can help your business communicate in an authentic and effective way. |
Marketing and Communications |
||
|
AAPI Women Moving Forward – Shenna Yap Chen and Elizabeth Yang |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
||
|
12:00 – 12:20 |
Keynote Speaker #1 – Chieh Huang |
Keynote Speaker |
|
|
12:20 – 12:50 |
Keynote Speaker #2 – Jimmy Ferguson |
||
|
13:00 – 13:45 |
Types of Capital and More – Matthew Lessard
This workshop will explore to deepen small business owners’ understanding about the types of capital, preparations to raise capital, process of raising capital, opportunity valuation and techniques to close a deal |
Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trend |
|
|
Diversity in Commercial Real Estate – J. Kou Vang and Marshall Nguyen |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
||
|
Recession Proofing – Ying Sa
There is an old Chinese saying: “prepare your raincoat before the rain.” This workshop is intended to prepare you for recession before it hits your front door. This anticipated recession is nothing like 2008. It is going to reshape small businesses’ landscape. As a small business owner, you will make it by revamping yourself to new ways of conducting businesses. |
Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trends |
||
|
Certification and the Benefits of Certification – Alevtina Zhaivoronok and Mark Cooper |
Government Contract and Minority Business Certification Process |
||
|
14:00 – 14:45 |
Social Media Management for Small Businesses – Celine Chieu
This workshop covers why small businesses should choose to market on social media, how to develop a social strategy, and managing your social media calendar. |
Marketing and Communications |
|
|
Young Adults Entrepreneurship – Vivek Pandit, Steve Thao, Elizabeth Yang, and Liam Cher Yang |
Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trends |
||
|
What are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Why Do They Matter? – Chang Wang |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
||
|
Journey to Recover Asian American Restaurants’ Panel – Dennis OuYang, Michelle Kwan and Jin Chen |
Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trends |
||
|
Finding Contract Opportunities – Pat Dotter |
Government Contract and Minority Business Certification Process |
||
|
15:00 – 15:45 |
Technology Adoption | Improve Your Small Business Success – Dao Her and May Yang-Her
This workshop shows you how to assess which technology is right for your small business and how to adopt it for growth without breaking the bank. |
Marketing and Communications |
|
|
SBA’s Loans Programs – Kathleen “Katy” Sly
Join the SBA Minnesota District Office to learn more about SBA’s programs to access capital for your business. You will learn: 7(a) Loan Guarantee; 504 Loans; Microloans; Disaster Loans; Exporting Loans; Free Business Consulting and Mentorship |
Government Contract and Minority Business Certification Process |
||
|
Inside the Head of a Lender – Lance Walter
This workshop learns how to Get “Bankable” and Understand What Bankers Look For When Making Lending Decisions |
Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trends |
||
|
Five Ways to Increase Your Confidence in Business and in Life – Sheena Yap Chan
This workshop discusses five ways to increase self-confidence in life and in work. Sheena defines self-confidence with three major points: Learning to trust in your skills and abilities; Accepting your strengths and weaknesses in a positive way; Having the courage to take action to live the life that you want |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
||
|
15:45 – 16:00 |
Closing Remarks – Poh Lin, Khoo |
Closing |
Focused Business Tracks during Summit
| Track | Sessions |
|---|---|
|
Business Communications and Marketing |
Defining Your Communications Strategy |
|
Digital Marketing and SEO |
|
|
Social Media Management for Small Businesses |
|
|
Technology Adoption | Improve Your Small Business Success |
|
|
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
|
|
AAPI Women Moving Forward |
|
|
Diversity in Commercial Real Estate |
|
|
Five Ways to Increase Your Confidence in Business and in Life |
|
|
What is Meant by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Why Does It Matter? |
|
|
Entrepreneurship for Young Adults |
|
|
The Government Contract and Business Certification Process |
|
|
Small Business and Federal Government Contracting |
|
|
Certification and the Benefits of Certification |
|
|
Finding Contracting Opportunities |
|
|
SBA Loan Programs |
|
|
Small Business Financial Management and Investment Trends |
|
|
AAPI Economic Impact in Minnesota |
|
|
Types of Capital and More |
|
|
Inside the Head of a Lender: How to Get Bankable and Understand What Bankers
Look for When Making Lending Decisions |
|
|
Journey to Recovery: Asian American Restaurants Panel |
|
|
Recession Proofing |