Tony Tiberini joined the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce at its inception nearly 10 years ago because he considered connections between people an important aspect of doing business.
"It's clear businesses should be cognizant of the Latin American community because they drive a lot of business to people who do cater to their needs," explained Tiberini, a broker-owner at Century 21 Alliance, a realty company in Bradenton.
Though Tiberini speaks both English and Spanish, the chamber's meetings are ordinarily conducted in English, he said.
The Latin chamber, with about 120 members, has a networking event once a month at various locations and is involved in many community-oriented projects, according to Executive Director Cesar Gomez. People interested in joining should visit the chamber's Internet Web site, info@latinchamber.orgwww.latinchamber.org.
The Gulf Coast Latin Chamber holds fundraisers, social events and participates in a scholarship program. The chamber also supports educational programs in schools, and members offer free consulting services for members, Tiberini said.
He joined because in business knowing a wide range of people is crucial.
"It's just a matter of meeting people. It's so very vital," explained Tiberini. "I just wrote an article about what the agent should be doing, the Realtors who come here from out of town. I immediately joined all these different organizations to get to know people - 120 people you see, month after month."
Doris Alexander, district manager for H&R Block in Bradenton, is a new member of the chamber who has not yet attended her first meeting.
"We need to get out there to help the Latin community," she explained. "H&R Block has a lot of programs for Spanish-speaking people - there's a program to help them to file tax returns."
Eileen Ayala, a branch manager for First Priority Bank, has been a member for five years.
"I wanted to make a difference in the Latin community here in Bradenton and Manatee County when I moved down here from New York City in 1998," she said.
"With me being in banking or dealing with the community, I wanted basically (to join) the only Latin chamber in the area. I noticed they also focus on the Latin children, the youth and with me being a single mom, I found that to be very important."
Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce
President: Manuel Chepote
Executive Director: Cesar Gomez
Web site: www.latinchamber.org; e-mail contact, info@latinchamber.org
Membership fees: Individuals, $175 per year; sliding scale up to $1,000 annually for the biggest corporations
Meeting date: Third Wednesday of each month at 6-8 p.m. in various locations
