LatinCouver Business and Cultural Society

Strengthening ties between the Latin and local culture

The Executive TeamPaola Murrillo, MBA, Founder LatinCouver President, Mirrai International Marketing Services

Francisco Perello, President. Board of Directors Environmental Ph.D. P.Eng, Associate, Keystone Environmental

Cory Herman, Vice President, Board of DirectorsVP Sales and Marketing, Apex Sustainable FoundationsTann Forest Products , orestry FSC Sales Manager

Sherese Johnson, Secretary, Board of DirectorsConsultant, Environmental EducationMA – Sponsored thesis on the consultation process to develop LatinCouver as an organization that supports sustainability.

Pilar Roman, Treasurer, Board of DirectorsMetroVancouver Corporate Relations

Advisory Board includes:Consul of Costa Rica, Antonio Arreaga Boyd Cohen, President, Visible StrategiesPaul Lorillo, Regional Director of Aboriginal Affairs, Heritage Canada

LatinCouver • We are a “plaza” a multicultural non-profit organization

which brings together all Latin Americans from all countries and Latin enthusiasts living in Canada, through business and cultural events.

• We also help new business to adapting better to Vancouver and t is at the forefront of serving the needs of new immigrants, long-time residents, and all Latin American enthusiasts.

• We are the largest Latin American organization in Vancouver.

La Plaza/ OUR LATIN PLAZA IN BC

Awards and Accolades

Paola Murrillo is the proud recipient of the award program "10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians 2011", a title given in honor of the outstanding achievement made in the Latin American community.

LatinCouver recognized at theforefront of Multi-culturalsocial media.

Our Story LatinCouver was founded with a mission to strengthen and unify the Lower

Mainland’s diverse Latin communities. In doing so, we raise the profile of the Latin community in BC.

Social capital is an important element to the wellbeing of new immigrants. A recent

federal report on Social Capital supports a body of research that points to the importance of developing strong networks.**

New immigrants have difficulty obtaining Canadian experience and retaining skills.**

LatinCouver’s operations are modeled after ‘La Plaza’, a popular convening spot central to most villages, towns and neighbourhoods in Latin America. La Plaza is the hub of activity for a community and is the nucleus of the city.

With the hard work of LatinCouver’s over 300 volunteers, we have been successful in leveraging both on-line and off-line events to strengthen business networks, foster the growth of cultural activities, and provide educational opportunities for adapting to Vancouver.

** McDonald, T., E. Ruddick, A. Sweetman, and C. Worswick, eds. 2010. Canadian Immigration: Economic Evidence for a Dynamic Policy Environment. Montreal and Kingston: Queen’s Policy Studies Series, McGill-Queen’s University Press.

** Hansen, D. (2010, September 14). Adult new comers more likely to Canada more likely to be jobless. The Vancouver Sun, Retrieved http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Adult+newcomers+Canada+more+likely+jobless/3525549/story.html.

Our VisionTo be the premier organization in BC where Latins and locals

come together in a plaza to do business, celebrate culture, engage with Latin affairs, and advance sustainability.

ProgramsLatinCouver’s activities provide the interface for Vancouver’s vibrant and diverse Latin communities, local interests, and emerging trends. ~ Francisco Perello

Programs

Highlights:

Business Directory for Latin businessAdvertisement options on the website (banners, advertorials, social media etc.)Volunteer operated. Structure in place for sales commission.

Social Enterprise, Marketing Services: The LatinCouver website offers advertisement opportunities to the community.

Programs

Highlights:

Provide marketing and educational benefits to business members.Support the Corporate Climate Leaders program. BE PART OF OUR – AMIGO CARD BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP

Latin American Professional Network A formal network to develop local/ Latin owned business ventures in the Lower Mainland.

A formal program to network and develop Latin owned and related business ventures in the Lower Mainland.

LEARN SPANISH WITH OUR WORKSHOPS A space for dialogue and culture! This is your space for socializing and practicing your communication skills, meet friends and get the inside scoop on LatinCouver activities.

New Commers Program (NAP)

Facilitating the settlement process for highly educated professionals from Latin American who are planning to move to B.C. to help them with their transition to B.C.

ProgramsNew Arrivals Program: Outreach to newcomers before and after arrival to Canada. Highlights: On-line resources linking to Metro Van GuidesWebinars to offer legal immigrationConnect new comers with a mentor in their fieldSports and recreational activities

ProgramsCarnaval Del Sol: Annual celebration to kick-off the summer festivities of Vancouver. Latin communities unite and foster multicultural interactions.Highlights:Multi-culturalMini-world cup soccer tournamentPerforming arts and entertainmentInternational cuisineBusiness promotionsFamily activitiesSustainability awareness

Carnaval Del SolThe day we all Shine together!

Annual celebration to kick-off the summer festivities of Vancouver. Latin communities unite and foster multicultural interactions.

Sports and Somos Amigos Club

ProgramsExpo Plaza Latin America: An international business conference that is open to all enterprises and government representatives from North America, Central America, and South America.Highlights:Facilitate the exchange of information on the regions’ latest products and technologiesExplore prospective business ventures and various investments options through interactive seminars Feature discussions and workshops to address investment outlook and sustainability issues inLatin America.

INSPIRING LATINO AWARD CEREMONY

A regional award to recognize the contributions of distinguished members in the Latin American communities.

AMIGO LATINCOUVER DISCOUNTMEMBERSHIP CARD

Discount Membership card to help raise funds for our programs and events

http://www.latincouver.ca/amigo/

Halloween

Latin American Green Initiatives and Technologies Seminars:In celebration of Earth Day, this workshop will present the various green initiatives in Latin America that are currently taking place or will be in the near future.

How we have been growing

OutcomesIn the process of creating and maintaining the networking hub and organizing events, we have created an innovative model for community outreach that supports our Vision:To be the premier organization in BC working for the enrichment

of the Latin community, the environment and the lives of everyone.

Synergy with the City

As the interface between the Latin and local communities, we endeavor to collaborate with City initiatives:Economic Development:Attracting and retaining talent in Vancouver.Promoting and facilitating green business growth.Assisting entrepreneurs through networking and professional development.Facilitating Latin American tradeopportunities.

Synergy with the City2020 Greenest City Initiative: Greening our festivals and events (measuring our carbon footprint, promoting green business).Supporting the work of a LatinCouver Sustainability Committee with a mission to foster eco-literacy and model strategies for reducing our individual and collective footprint. Organizing outdoor recreation and educational events (no fun-city).Hosting events to promote sustainable development (Green Technologies and Initiatives in Latin America). Leveraging on-line media and communications topromote green programs.Walking the talk, strong desire to lead from where we stand and initiate dialogue with other organizations regarding the tougher questions around moving towardssustainability: Sponsorship, exhibitors, and vendors.

Synergy with the CityCreative City Initiative: Create an environment of collaboration, to create opportunities for continuing dialogue among cultural partners and to invite citizens to engage and participate in cultural activities.Supporting the development of Latin arts and culture within Vancouver.Providing innovative forums for cross cultural learning.Stamp out the no fun-city stigma.