Liliam López, President & CEO, South Florida Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

In an interview with Invest; Liliam L³pez, president & CEO of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, discussed recent growth, including a 30-40% membership increase driven by the revival of live events during the pandemic. The chamber fosters connections through monthly luncheons and networking events, supports small businesses with affordable membership and grant programs, and addresses the underrepresentation of Hispanic women in corporate leadership.

What are some of the most significant milestones and achievements for the chamber recently? 

We’ve been growing tremendously, starting way back during the pandemic. Many people didn’t appreciate being stuck in their houses — some did, but many didn’t. In late 2020, we began hosting live events again, and that was a very significant moment for our chamber because many other chambers still weren’t doing that. People need to network and can’t stay in their house all day in front of a computer, so those people who found out about our events joined the chamber and have stayed. In the last three years, we’ve grown by 30-40%, and I attribute that growth to that choice to host live events. We took a lot of precautions, so thankfully, nobody got sick, and we were able to provide a platform for our members, which really put us on the map.

How does the chamber foster meaningful connections? 

We hold monthly luncheons with 300 or more attendees. In between luncheons, we host free networking receptions that are free for members, while non-members can attend for a modest fee. Some members attend a few events, while others come to all so I always recommend that if you want to meet everyone and get introduced to our membership, you must be active and attend events because we are really trying to create as many opportunities as possible. We also hold committee meetings and recently held a joint meeting for all of the committees. That was a bit more intimate, with around 80-90 people. These gatherings allow everyone to meet and engage more closely.

How has the chamber continued to address the evolving needs of small businesses? 

As we all know, small businesses are the backbone of the community. If you don’t provide them access in terms of the cost of joining, they won’t join your chamber. We offer inexpensive membership rates to support them specifically so as to not close the door on them. Mid to large businesses can afford to pay for sponsorships, but small businesses need our support. Our membership is only $300 a year for small businesses, which is why we have so many small business members. 

What are some of the challenges in the current economic landscape? 

Miami is a large, glamorous city, but many people are still struggling with low incomes, many people are still seeking out mentorship, and businesses have had to close. In the last three years, we have partnered with Office Depot on a program where we provide small business grants of $5,000 or $10,000, along with a mentorship program they must complete before receiving the grant. We’re very happy to have supported 150 small businesses with these grants and glad owners have seen the benefits of mentorship. For example, one member who is a chef was able to expand their business to Orlando, thanks to the grant and the mentorship.

What industries or sectors have the greatest potential for growth in the region? 

Probably technology and AI. We hosted a conference in June on how AI is affecting healthcare, and the audience was captivated and has since been asking for more. It’s very important and good in most cases, but we must be cautious about AI’s impact, especially on children and students — you want them to learn, not to rely on AI. 

Hospitality is another critical area, especially with our economy in Florida and Miami, that will continue to grow. Last year, an author who was also a provost of Pittsburgh University spoke about Miami emerging as a global city like Dubai and Singapore. He said, for example, S£o Paulo wants to be a global city but doesn’t fit the criteria. Miami being a hub is a huge advantage for us when it comes to all of our sectors, including real estate, which I would say is the third biggest sector because of all the cranes you see when you look around.

It’s undeniable how recognizable the name Miami is becoming. I was in Morocco traveling with my husband, and he said something about Miami, and this local man got super excited. Miami is able to cause a physical reaction in people. 

What role does the chamber take in supporting minority-owned businesses? 

It is quite difficult for Hispanics because even though we are the largest minority in the United States, we are really in last place when you look at access to capital, serving on corporate boards, etc. Hispanic women, in particular, are underrepresented even here in Miami Dade County, where Hispanics are 70% of the population. There are so many women in business who could serve on corporate boards, but they are nowhere to be seen. I partially blame our own people — we are hardworking and grateful to live here, but we need to make sure everyone knows that we contribute and speak up. 

Hispanic women are the ones creating many small businesses at a higher rate than any other ethnic group, yet we aren’t represented in places like museums and foundations. I was featured in a Miami Herald article this January in a book about Cuban-American women making history, and it highlighted how Hispanic women aren’t serving on corporate boards. We need to speak up to ensure that we are appropriately represented where it matters, especially in areas where the population is so great. 

What are your top priorities for the chamber in the next 2-3 years? 

My vision is to maintain steady growth because it is at a point where we are one of the top five Hispanic chambers in the United States, and I want to keep growing. We support all businesses, even non-members, because we know that not everyone has the means, but of course, members receive more benefits. It’s important to keep bringing more people into the chamber and to create more awareness around the importance of Hispanic business in Miami. Miami International Airport is the gateway to the Americas, and we’ll continue working closely with the airport and the Port of Miami.