VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
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JUNE 18, 2012 / YOUR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS WEEKLY MINORITY BUSINESS SPECIAL FOCUS This month, VEGAS INC looks at workplace diversity in the valley. Q&A: THE URBAN CHAMBER By Rob Langrell J errie Merritt, vice president of the Urban Chamber of Commerce, is a busy lady. Besides her chamber duties, she works as senior vice president and community development manager for Bank of Ne- vada. She has earned a Woman of Dis- tinction award from the Las Vegas chap- ter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and was featured in the inaugural edition of Who's Who in Black Las Vegas. SPECIALTY GROCER: Cardenas Market on Meadows Lane in Las Vegas caters to the Hispanic population and is thriving in this down economy. The U.S. Hispanic population is approximately 50 million, and members spend upwards of $1 trillion a year. STEVE MARCUS (2011) FORGOTTEN CONSUMERS Savvy companies are looking to the surging Hispanic market for growth By Tovin Lapan A year ago, it was rare to see or hear Spanish-language ads in Las Vegas' mainstream media. Finding authentic Latino garb was nearly impossible in the valley. The Hispanic cuisine that grocery stores carried amounted to canned refried beans and packaged taco shells. ¶ "There's a lack of understanding here of the size and depth of the Latino market," Miguel Barrientos, a Hispanic marketing specialist who hosts a show on KRLV 1340-AM, told VEGAS INC in June 2011. "They often view us as $8.50-an-hour laborers with no purchasing power. The Anglo market has seen Mexicans as the workforce but not the consumers." Merritt recently sat down with VEGAS INC to discuss how the Urban Chamber helps businesses and the community in Southern Nevada. What does the Urban Chamber of Commerce do? T he chamber advocates for the cre- ation, growth and general welfare of African-American businesses in the Las Vegas community. Our focus areas in- clude development, education, tourism and special projects. SEE MERRITT, PAGE 16 INSIDE TODAY LEGAL OPINION | P. 7 At issue is $100 million leſt over from Fontainebleau bankruptcy NEW ROUTES | P. 19 Columnist Richard N. Velotta on air travel to Central and South America SEE HISPANIC CONSUMERS, PAGE 14 THE LIST | P. 20 Highest-paid executives Our Property Managers guarantee ultimate customer ser vice to you and your tenants. Call us. 3065 S. Jones Blvd. Ste. 201 • Las Vegas, NV 89146-6780 • 702.388.1800 • info@mdlgroup.com Brokerage • ProPerty ManageMent