Photo Gallery – Hispanic Business Association Honors Women at First Conference – Port Arthur News

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Raquel Ochoa, right, is translated as Port Arthur LNG community service user Brooklyn Samper speaks. (Monique Batson/The News)

Erica Banda Meza talks about women’s leadership. (Monique Batson/The News)

A large crowd filled the Women’s Church Friday for the inaugural Vision Conference. (Monique Batson/The News)

Zulema Escobedo talks about the importance of building relationships. (Monique Batson/The News)

Guests were treated to lunch, gifts and door prizes. (Monique Batson/The News)

From colorful decorations to twinkling candelabras, the interior of the church was a celebration of women Friday for the Southeast Texas Hispanic Business Association’s Visual Conference.

“The turnout was great,” HBA Executive Director Erica Banda Meza said before the event. “Many people came early. We’re having fun.”

The idea for the event came after HBA members attended the Better Business Professionals Women’s Conference last year. Designed to empower women in the Hispanic community, speakers addressed a range of topics including work-life balance, health, finances and immigration issues.

“I’m happy to be here to represent our group, and congratulate the Southeast Texas Hispanic Business Association on its successful first Vision Conference,” said Port Arthur LNG Community Service User Brooklyn Samper. “We appreciate your efforts to provide leadership opportunities for Hispanic women in our community with a focus on health and mental health, finances, work-life balance, public speaking, networking and…returning to the workforce.

Port Arthur LNG served as the main sponsor of the event. Each attendee received a packet containing information about job opportunities with the company at the LNG facility being built in Sabine Pass.

Ten community leaders spoke in Spanish to the packed room, each on a specific topic.

Anna Pereda talks about getting back into the workforce, offering advice on resumes. After taking some time off from work, she used herself as an example, telling the audience how to bridge the gap between employment at Remp. Unpaid activities such as community service or working with the school’s PTA can be used to justify unemployment.

As Zulema Escobedo spoke about the importance of building relationships, she took a minute to ask attendees to introduce themselves and, if necessary, exchange business cards with those sitting at the same table.

The event included lunch, vendors, giveaways and several door prizes.

The Hispanic Business Association of Southeast Texas was originally founded five years ago as part of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, and by the end of 2022 had grown to become a non-profit entity serving all of Southeast Texas. In less than a year, the group has gained more than 80 members.

For more information, call 409-293-6839 or email info@hbasetx.com.