City of Columbus to Host Hispanic Business Seminar Oct. 14.

City of Columbus, Huntington Bank and the United Way of Central Ohio join LaVERDAD Marketing and Media, PR Newswire, BRAVO Magazine, MidwestLatino.com and others for Business Seminar to Raise Hispanic Awareness

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to raise corporate and community awareness regarding the needs and business opportunities that exist within the Hispanic consumer market, the City of Columbus, along with Huntington Bank and the United Way of Central Ohio, announced today a partnership with Cincinnati-based LaVERDAD Marketing and Media - a nationally respected Hispanic marketing and research agency - media giant PR Newswire, BRAVO Magazine and MidwestLatino.com that will bring an Hispanic awareness campaign to Columbus on Friday, Oct. 14. The seminar will be held in the Huntington Room at Columbus Crew Stadium. Columbus Crew Stadium is located on 17th Ave. in the heart of downtown Columbus.

"Mayor Michael Coleman has stated many times that Columbus is America's 21st Century City," said Thomas Stephens, outreach coordinator for the City of Columbus' Equal Business Opportunity Commission Office. "Therefore, the City of Columbus must continue to strive to open doors of opportunity to all. We believe an increased understanding on how to reach out to the Hispanic business community, and letting them know how to participate in city contract opportunities, is a vital part of our future success. This event will help us achieve that goal. The City of Columbus is proud to partner with LaVERDAD Marketing and Media and others in bringing this worthwhile event to our community."

Understanding the Hispanic Market: Business Opportunity or Matter of Survival, now in its third year, explores insights into the Hispanic consumer and what every organization should know about the U.S. Hispanic market. It highlights the dynamic changes occurring in the Hispanic market at a local, regional and national level. Participants learn what best-in-class companies are doing right to win the hearts of Hispanic consumers, as well as potential employees, and how to deliver culturally and linguistically competent communications to the largest and fastest growing ethnic market segment in the U.S.

"We are proud to partner with LaVERDAD, the United Way of Central Ohio and others for the benefit of the Hispanic consumer and our community," said Daniel Ruggiero, community development specialist with Huntington Mortgage Group, a division of Huntington National Bank in Columbus. "Sponsorship of this seminar is an opportunity for corporations and nonprofit organizations to improve cultural competencies and communications with the fastest growing segment in the U.S. today. As a bank, we strive to better understand the growing needs of the Hispanic and Latino community, not only as customers, but as potential employees. This is a great opportunity for companies to come together to learn and share ideas on how we can improve the lives of fellow citizens."

Participants may register online at http://www.laverdadmarketing.com/, or by calling [phone]. The cost is $99 for corporations and $49 for nonprofits, and includes breakfast, lunch, and an abundance of knowledge and networking opportunities.

"The growing Hispanic community is a vital part of Columbus' cultural diversity and strategic growth," said Janet E. Jackson, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Ohio. "The very success of our community relies on its corporations and nonprofit organizations coming together to champion those efforts that celebrate and promote diversity, inclusion and understanding. This seminar allows us all an opportunity to improve our cultural competency and communication, while learning how to better serve this growing population. The United Way of Central Ohio is proud to join Huntington Bank, LaVERDAD Marketing, PR Newswire, BRAVO Magazine and others to bring this important workshop to the Columbus area."

The awareness campaign is a new paradigm model created by LaVERDAD that allows nonprofit, corporate, academia and community organizations to come together in a way that raises awareness of the needs and the opportunities that exist within the Hispanic community. In short, the campaign demonstrates the strength and values of diversity, understanding, and a model of acceptance and inclusion.

"We are very excited about this year's seminar tour," said Mike Robinson, President and CEO of LaVERDAD and a former Procter and Gamble manager. "We are working with a world-class team of partners and sponsors. Our collective goal is to raise awareness about the Latino consumer and market so business executives and community leaders can develop better products, brands, services and strategies that improve the lives of Hispanic consumers. These seminars have made a positive impact on the lives of Latino people, and offer participants a competitive advantage needed to compete and win in the growing Hispanic market."

CONTACT: Michael Ringering of LaVerdad Marketing and Media, [phone]

Web site: http://www.laverdadmarketing.com/