On Wednesday, March 8 our Hispanic Business Council held their annual Business Under the Stars event. 40 business vendors lined Ruby Plaza at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. Four food & beverage vendors, plus dozens of hungry attendees, gathered under the Heron Pavilion to snack on empanadas, Brazilian cheese bread, guava pastries, wine, beer, coffee, and much more while networking with fellow members of the Osceola business community. Atmospheric music, the setting sun, and perfect breezy weather completed the perfect atmosphere for this popular event.
The title sponsor for the evening was Travel & Leisure Co., who gave away their two booth spaces to members of the Latino Referral Group, one of the Chamber’s five Leads groups that meet weekly to share business. Jose Nido with Travel & Leisure was on hand to help kick off the evening with an event ribbon cutting, and at the end of the night he presented a lucky raffle winner with a 7-night stay at a choice of many hotel properties worldwide. HBC Chairwoman Bethzaida Garcia made the night of several other attendees with more fun raffle prizes provided by our sponsors.
HBC Chair Garcia recognized longtime HBC Board member Guillermo Hansen with El Osceola Star as well as the Business Under the Stars events committee members, with thank yous and awards at the start of the evening. This is the 12th year the HBC has hosted this event and the first year back at Kissimmee Lakefront Park since the City completed Lakefront improvement projects and installed atmospheric lighting after the event was moved inside the Civic Center last year.
Supporting sponsors for the evening were HCA Florida Healthcare, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Total Industrial Supplies, El Osceola Star, and Adjuster Groups. Food and beverage was provided by Tomato Express, Mr. Cappuccino, Florida Technical College, and Melao Bakery. Contributing sponsors were Experience Kissimmee, Florida Blue, the Orlando Magic, SouthState Bank, Gavasha Inc., Sustainable Workplace Alliance, and Century 21 Homs Realty.
Check out the gallery below for photos of our business vendors.
Christina was raised in St. Cloud and holds degrees from the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida. She joined the Chamber in April 2015. As Director of Administration, she manages the Area Council’s events, sub-committee meetings, projects, and board engagements.
