Goshen’s first Latino Business Expo, coordinated by the Center for Healing & Hope, is scheduled for Saturday, June 9, at Everence, 1110 North Main Street in Goshen, Ind.

At this Expo, Latino business owners and entrepreneurs will showcase their products and services with opportunities to network with each other and the wider community. The first session of the event, 3 pm to 5:30 pm, is devoted to Latino business people only, focusing on encouragement and counsel presented in Spanish. At 5:30 pm the event is open to everyone with the goal of providing opportunities for exploring how Latino businesses are contributing to the community. There is no charge to attend the Expo.

The keynote speaker will be Isaac Torres, owner of InterCambio Express. During the first session, he will tell his story of challenge and success in establishing a thriving business. Born in Mexico, Torres came to the US as an international student. A project in his MBA program led to the 1999 creation of the business that now encompasses more than 1,600 locations in 32 states and handles millions of dollars of transferred funds each year.

Other features of the Expo’s first session include a panel discussion with speakers from the Goshen Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, including Lippert Components. In addition, two special guests from the Mexican Consulate in Chicago will be present.

During the second session, beginning at 5:30 pm, everyone in the Elkhart and Goshen area is invited to join the Expo. Participants can browse exhibits, talk with businesses owners, explore opportunities for collaboration, and enjoy snacks from local Latino restaurants.

Bryan Mierau, executive director of the Center for Healing & Hope, said, “The Center for Healing & Hope has had the privilege of not only serving many in the Latino community, but more recently building

significant relationships with Elkhart County Latino businesses. As we work together we can increase our capacity to ensure access to community health for all. This business expo is being offered with that in mind.”

Sponsors of the event are the Goshen Chamber of Commerce, Goshen College, Everence and InterCambio Express. The planning committee for the event includes people in the Goshen and Elkhart area who are leaders in a variety of manufacturing, technology and education fields.