Introduction
The virtual Asian American Pacific Islander Business Summit was held for its second year on September 18, 2023. The summit was hosted by the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce – MN and moderated by Poh Lin Khoo of Khoo Consulting. Other partners included Asian Media Access, the Asian American Business Resiliency Network, and the Small Business Administration.
The summit was led by emcee Poh Lin Khoo, CEO of Khoo Consulting. Introductory remarks were given by Jin Chen, Executive Director of the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce – MN, John Yang, Founder & CEO of Digital Synergy, LLC and Executive Director of the Asian American Business Resilience Network , Yao Yaj, Executive Director Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce, Tri Thoung Tang, President of the Vietnamese Community of Minnesota, and Brian McDonald, District Director of the Minnesota Small Business Administration (SBA). Featured keynote speakers included Geri Sanchez Aglipay, Great Lakes Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Doug Nguyen, Regional Communications Director of the Social Security Administration and Great Lakes Region Lead – White House Initiative on WHIAANHPI.
Attendees chose from nearly 20 different special addresses, panel discussions, and skills-focused business workshops to attend throughout the day. Topics included the impact of artificial intelligence on small businesses, overcoming obstacles and entrepreneurship, mastering social media, growing your business through relationship building, credit preparation to qualify for bank loans, and more.
The unique platform used to host the virtual Summit allowed for real-time, simultaneous closed captioning in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong.
Attendees gained access to:
🚀 Incredible Insights: Learn from AAPI leaders and industry experts sharing their invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation.
🌐 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and mentors from the comfort of your home.
🌍 Diverse Perspectives: Gain a deeper understanding of the diverse AAPI community’s experiences and contributions to the business world.
🔥 Inspiration: Get inspired by success stories, emerging trends, and the limitless potential of AAPI businesses.
💼 Business Growth: Discover strategies and tools to elevate your business to new heights.
Recordings of each individual workshop will be available for the next 90 days at https://aapibusinesssummit.vfairs.com/en/hall#topics-tab
Summit Schedule and Panel Plan (September 13th, 2022)
| Time | Event | Track | Recording Links |
|---|---|---|---|
|
9:15 – 9:55 |
Welcome Address – Poh Lin Khoo, John B Yang, Jin Chen, Yao Yaj, Brian McDonald, Geri Sanchez Aglipay, and Doug Nguyen, |
Introduction |
|
|
10:00 – 10:50 |
Keynote Presentation and Panel – Siva Balasubramaniam, George Chunkau Mui, and John B Yang
Artificial Intelligence Impact on Small Business |
Technology |
|
|
11:00 – 11:45 |
Panel – Business Success & Overcoming Obstacles Stories – Poh Lin Khoo, Mo Chang, and Jin Chen
|
Marketing and Communications |
|
|
Credit Preparation to Qualify for Bank Loans – Fu Hang |
Financial |
||
|
Access to Small Business Administration’s Programs (SBA) – Natt Lee and Don Mike Jackson
|
Government Contracting & Resources |
||
|
Like, Subscribe, Follow: Next Level Strategy for Social Media Mastery – Ceci Dadisman |
Marketing and Communications |
||
|
12:00 – 12:45 |
Lunch Break & Lounge
Join Us! Lunch & Multicultural Networking Lounge |
||
|
13:00 – 13:45 |
Grow Your Business Through Relationship Building: Overcoming Cultural Barriers – Poh Lin Khoo and George Chunkau Mui |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion |
|
|
Evolution of Culture and Service – Bill Imada |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
||
|
Grow your Business with Government Certifications and Contracts – Alvetina Zhaivoronok |
Government Contracting & Resources |
||
|
Steps to Take to Avoid Scams – Kim Sin |
Technology |
||
|
14:00 – 14:45 |
A Holistic Approach to Start Your Small Business – Marshall Horgenson |
Financial |
|
|
Social Selling and Mindset – Elizabeth Yang |
Marketing and Communications |
||
|
Maximize Your Tax Savings with Tax Planning Strategies – Ying Sa |
Financial |
||
|
AI’s Impact on Digital Marketing – John B Yang and Jonathan Mast |
Marketing and Communications |
||
|
15:00 – 15:45 |
Cultural Sound Healing Experience – Nancy Xiong |
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion |
|
|
15:45 – 16:00 |
Closing Remarks – Susan Pha, Cindy Nguyen, Poh Lin Khoo |
||
Focused Business Tracks during Summit
| Track | Sessions |
|---|---|
|
Marketing and Communications |
Panel – Business Success & Overcoming Obstacles Stories |
|
Social Selling and Mindset |
|
|
Social Media Management for Small Businesses |
|
|
AI’s Impact on Digital Marketing |
|
|
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
|
|
Grow Your Business Through Relationship Building: Overcoming Cultural Barriers |
|
|
Evolution of Culture and Service |
|
|
Cultural Sound Healing Experience |
|
|
Government Contracting & Resources |
Access to Small Business Administration’s Programs (SBA) |
|
Grow your Business with Government Certifications and Contracts |
|
|
Technology |
|
|
Keynote Presentation and Panel: Artificial Intelligence Impact on Small Business |
|
|
Steps to Take to Avoid Scams |
|
|
Financial |
|
|
Credit Preparation to Qualify for Bank Loans |
|
|
A Holistic Approach to Start Your Small Business |
|
|
Maximize Your Tax Savings with Tax Planning Strategies |