integration

The luncheon will provide a comparative perspective on how two distinct cities (New Orleans and New York) can work toward greater Hispanic integration and workforce development and the link with economic competitiveness and investment. The experience of New York—as a traditional gateway city—offers many important lessons for how New Orleans and the state of Louisiana can maximize the potential of its new Hispanic workforce. Since hurricanes Katrina and Rita, estimates suggest that the New Orleans Hispanic population has doubled or even tripled as part of reconstruction and economic recovery efforts. At the same time, close to 40 percent of New York City residents are foreign born and approximately 45 percent of workers in the city are immigrants. The luncheon will offer business leaders an opportunity to learn about how the public and private sectors can best work with this important new population—a group whose nationwide collective purchasing power surpassed $800 billion in 2007.

Convened in partnership with the Americas Society and Council of the Americas (AS/COA) and the World Trade Center and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, this luncheon will take place at a critical time for the city and surrounding area. It is being organized as part of the AS/COA Hispanic Integration Initiative—a Rockefeller Foundation-funded project that is engaging the U.S. and international business communities and mobilizing a new generation of private sector leaders in integrating the Hispanic population both at the workplace and through outreach to an increasingly Hispanic consumer base. Corporate leaders of select participating companies will be in attendance at the luncheon. Findings of this initiative will detail the economic benefits of Hispanics to the U.S. economy (including Louisiana) and global competitiveness and best practices in facilitating integration and Hispanic workforce development.

America Society and Council of the Americas (AS/COA)

The Americas Society and Council of the Americas unite opinion leaders to exchange ideas and create solutions to the challenges of the Americas today. The Americas Society (AS) is the premier forum dedicated to education, debate and dialogue in the Americas. The Council of the Americas (COA) is the premier international business organization whose 187 corporate members share a common commitment to economic and social development, open markets, the rule of law, and democracy throughout the Western Hemisphere. Membership includes leading international companies representing a broad spectrum of sectors including banking and finance, consulting services, consumer products, manufacturing, media, technology, and transportation.

Guillermo Linares is Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Previously, he served in a national capacity as a member of the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. President William Clinton appointed him in 1999 as chair of this Initiative. In 1991, Commissioner Linares made history by becoming the first Dominican elected to public office in the United States when he won a New York City Council race. His advocacy on behalf of workers, immigrants and families started 30 years ago in Washington Heights, where he worked as a school teacher and ran for membership of the local school board. In the 1980s, Commissioner Linares and others were responsible for building public schools for the growing immigrant community in Washington Heights. He was also part of a movement to establish institutions that continue to serve Dominican and Latino populations.

Sponsoring Organizations

Americas Society and Council of the Americas (AS/COA)
City of New Orleans
Fowler Rodriguez Valdes-Fauli

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana

Louisiana Economic Development

Port of New Orleans
Rufino's Painting & Construction, Inc.
Whitney National Bank

World Trade Center of New Orleans

In Cooperation With

Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center
Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs
Consular Corps of New Orleans
French American Chamber of Commerce
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana
International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association
International Trade Council/Red River Region
Jefferson Chamber
Le Centre International de Lafayette
Louisiana District Export Council
Louisiana International Trade Center/SBDC
Louisiana Tax Free Shopping
Louisiana Technology Council
Loyola College of Business Administration
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center
Propeller Club, Port of New Orleans
World Affairs Council of New Orleans
World Trade Club of Greater New Orleans

Founded in 1943 as a not-for-profit membership organization, the World Trade Center of New Orleans was the first of what are today 309 WTCs in 88 countries that service more than one million businesses engaged in international commerce. WTC New Orleans' mission is to add wealth and jobs in New Orleans and Louisiana through international trade, port development, and allied activities.