Connecting Markets, Creating Opportunities with SFLHCC’s International Trade Mission | | The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently completed a successful international trade mission that began in Argentina in collaboration with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and concluded in Peru, with the Chamber’s trade mission focused on expanding business opportunities and strengthening international partnerships. | | |
During the visit, the delegation participated in business meetings and networking opportunities aimed at promoting trade, tourism, and economic development. In Peru, the delegation was warmly welcomed by U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro at his residence, marking a special highlight of the mission.
The Chamber also met with the Association of Exporters (ADEX) to explore opportunities connecting Peruvian exporters with businesses, importers, and distributors in South Florida. The delegation included representatives from Miami-Dade County, the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from various business sectors.
SFLHCC extends its sincere appreciation to Ambassador Navarro, GMCVB, and all participating organizations and delegates for their support in making this mission a success. These international initiatives reaffirm the Chamber’s commitment to fostering global partnerships, opening doors for its members, and promoting South Florida as a thriving hub for international business and investment.
| | SFLHCC President Liliam M. Lopez Connects with TD Bank | | |
SFLHCC President & CEO Liliam M. Lopez recently attended a special gathering hosted by Felipe Basulto, SFLHCC Board Member and Former Chairman of the Board. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to meet Raymond Chun, Group President and CEO of TD Bank Group, and connect with distinguished business leaders.
Lily thanked Felipe Basulto for the invitation and the opportunity to strengthen valuable relationships. The gathering highlighted the importance of networking, collaboration, and building meaningful connections that foster new business opportunities.
| | Celebrating Business Excellence at the 2026 Beacon Awards | | |
SFLHCC President & CEO Liliam M. Lopez recently attended the prestigious 2026 Beacon Awards, hosted by the Miami-Dade Beacon Council Foundation on October 26 at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. The annual celebration brought together more than 600 business, civic, and community leaders to recognize outstanding achievements in leadership, innovation, economic development, and community impact.
The event honored exceptional businesses and individuals contributing to Miami-Dade County’s economic growth across key industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, aviation, and international trade.
Lily, who also serves on the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, was proud to join fellow leaders in celebrating the organizations and individuals shaping South Florida’s economic future. Her participation reflects SFLHCC’s continued commitment to supporting business excellence, fostering strategic partnerships, and strengthening economic opportunities throughout our community.
| |
Why Cybersecurity Is a Shared Responsibility for Small Businesses
| |
|
Many small business owners think about cybersecurity as an IT department responsibility or a one-and-done task. Comcast Business's newly released 2026 Cybersecurity Threat Report makes it clear that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and a risk for small businesses in South Florida.
The report analyzed 79.3 billion cybersecurity events over the past year, which is roughly 2,514 per second. In Small Business Month 2026 (May) alone, Comcast Business blocked threats targeting small businesses at an average rate of more than 230 per second. Cybercriminals are moving away from breaking into accounts, devices and networks, and instead using legitimate logins or taking over everyday devices that are not immediately thought of as a cyber risk. Building devices like security cameras outside a storefront, routers in the back office, TVs providing entertainment for customers and point-of-sale (POS) systems are often unprotected and are becoming low-lift tools for hackers to exploit in attacks.
Phishing emails and drive-by compromise attacks are some of the most common routes for attackers to gain entry, with 25.4 billion and 21.9 billion attempts over the past year, respectively. The report also found 5.8 million attempts to gain control of employee browsers, underscoring that the cyberattack surface has grown to include everyday tools and devices.
Fortunately, there are simple ways that small businesses can protect themselves without the budget or IT team of a large enterprise. Practical steps, including securing every device, implementing stronger password mandates, and training employees to spot attacks like phishing, can keep small businesses from becoming victims. Additionally, choosing a network provider that offers built-in protection against threats and consistent monitoring ensures business owners can stay on top of their security.
It’s more important than ever for small businesses in the South Florida area to use this Cybersecurity Awareness Month as a reminder that cybersecurity is a shared, year-round responsibility. Through protective measures and a trusted connectivity partner, small business owners can stay focused on running their business.
For more information, visit https://business.comcast.com/.
| | | | |
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Announces Sabores de las Américas Latin Food & Wine Festival
Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
| | |
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will celebrate the flavors and culinary traditions of Latin America with Sabores de las Américas, taking place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, starting at 7:30 at the Hollywood Tower Pool. Inspired by the vibrant food cultures that define the region, Sabores de las Américas invites guests on a journey where every dish tells a story, and every flavor reflects the heritage and passion of its people.
Tickets are $100 and include unlimited food, drinks, and live entertainment. Guests must be 21+ to attend. For tickets and additional information, visit https://www.ticketweb.com/event/sabor-de-las-amricas-latin-hard-rock-hotel-pool-tickets/15032653. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to a local charity.
| |
|
Contact Cathy@sflhcc.com for your renewal information.
| | | | Liliam M. Lopez Named Among the Top 50 Hispanics of 2026 | | |
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates its President & CEO, Liliam M. Lopez, on being named one of the Top 50 Hispanics of 2026 by Latin Business Magazine.
This prestigious recognition celebrates outstanding Hispanic leaders who have made significant contributions to business, leadership, and their communities. Throughout her career, Lily has been a dedicated advocate for Hispanic entrepreneurship, economic development, and empowering businesses throughout South Florida.
Lily officially received the recognition on October 27, 2026.
The SFLHCC Board of Directors, members, and staff proudly celebrate this well-deserved achievement and congratulate Lily on her continued leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing the Hispanic business community.
| | SFLHCC is Hosting a Career Fair on November 6 | |
SFLHCC President Liliam M. Lopez to Receive a Maestro Award | | |
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that President & CEO Liliam M. Lopez will be honored with a prestigious Maestro Award presented by Latino Leaders Magazine. Considered the publication's highest recognition for lifetime achievers, the Maestro Awards celebrate distinguished Latino leaders whose professional accomplishments, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on their communities.
This distinguished recognition reflects Lily's decades of commitment to advancing Hispanic businesses, fostering leadership, and creating opportunities throughout South Florida and beyond.
| |
About the Maestro Awards
The Maestro Awards, now also known as The Maestros, are presented by Latino Leaders Magazine to recognize accomplished Latino leaders whose careers and service have made a meaningful impact on their professions and communities. Latino Leaders describes the Maestro recognition as its highest recognition for lifetime achievers.
The program recognizes leaders from a wide range of fields, including business, education, civil service, medicine, entrepreneurship, and community service. Honorees are selected through a nomination and committee-selection process, rather than the award simply being an open participation recognition
Click here for more information
| | | Tomorrow, October 29, 2026 | |
| | |
Dariel Fernandez
Miami-Dade Tax Collector
| | | | November Impact Collaborative: Going Missing: The Services, Stories, and Data We Can’t Afford to Lose |
Date & Location: Thursday, November 5 @ 9 a.m.-10 a.m. via Zoom
Description: Join Your Women's Fund for an eye-opening conversation about the losses reshaping our community; some are loud, most are quiet. Anchored in our Leadership Pillar, this Impact Collaborative will explore how people, data, services, stories, and institutional knowledge disappear from Miami-Dade, Florida, and the nation, and what it takes for leaders to see these losses and respond together to prevent them &/or recuperate what we have already lost.
Keynote: Jocelyn Bissonnette (Director, Funders Census Initiative).
Speakers: Mitchell Kaplan (Founder & President at Books & Books), and Stratton Pulitzer (CEO & Executive Director at Equality Florida).
Some suppression of information and defunded work make headlines. Others are missed in a flurry of changes, news, and activity: a grant isn't renewed, a clinic closes its doors, a family loses health coverage over a missed form, a book leaves a library shelf, a dataset stops being updated. Each isolated disappearance can appear small alone. Together, they reshape our communities. During this conversation, we will discuss what's disappearing around us, from missing persons who don't receive equal attention or coverage, to a shrinking safety net under new Medicaid and SNAP requirements, to gaps in women's health data and research, to the stories, histories, and institutional knowledge quietly leaving our school libraries, census, workplaces, and archives.
Whether you are a nonprofit leader, policymaker, researcher, healthcare provider, journalist, educator, advocate, student, or community member, this conversation will deepen your understanding of what we stand to lose and highlight what it takes to become aware of and respond to these disappearances together.
Link to get registered: Free RSVP: https://womensfundmiami.org/event/october-impact-collaborative2026-2/
Donations are always welcome: https://womensfundmiami.org/donate/
| | Career Source available benefits | | |
Do you have an Ad or content you want to display in the SFLHCC Newsletter?
Email info@sflhcc.com for the requirements and availability
| | |
Aranto Productions proudly presents the Miami debut of Barcelona Guitar Trio & Dance on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
This internationally acclaimed ensemble unites the extraordinary artistry of guitarists Alí Arango, Xavier Coll, and Luis Robisco, alongside acclaimed flamenco dancers José Manuel Álvarez and Carolina Morgado, with percussionist Lucas Balbo, in a breathtaking tribute to the legendary Paco de Lucía. Audiences will also experience inspired works by Chick Corea, Manuel de Falla, and Federico García Lorca in an unforgettable celebration of Spanish music, flamenco, and culture.
Presented by Aranto Productions, this special performance marks the company’s continued commitment to bringing world-class international artists to American audiences.
Learn more and purchase tickets:
https://www.arshtcenter.org/tickets/2026-2027/barcelona-guitar-trio-dance/barcelona-guitar-trio-dance/#buyTickets
| | |
A "Business Minute with Lily Lopez" Featuring Steven Meiner, Mayor of Miami Beach
| | |
A "Business Minute with Lily Lopez" Featuring US Senator Rick Scott (FL)
| | Click below to access "A Business Minute with Lily Lopez" on YouTube | | | | |
