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AAACC Mission & Vision:
The mission of the Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce is to act as a catalyst for creating local and international alliances in support of business growth through advocacy, education and cultural diversity.

The vision of the Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce is to be the leading resource for the growth of our diverse business community.

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A Message from the Alamo AACC President

All of Asia in One Place, Together Towards Tomorrow

Our chamber of commerce, in existence since 1996, has now become one of the fastest growing chambers of commerce in San Antonio. Many think it is because Asia and the opportunities international business and trade promise, have taken a more prominent place on everyone’s mind.

Our chamber has grown into a vibrant community of dynamic global-minded business professionals from an array of small, medium and large companies that include first and second generation Asian business-owners, as well as those executives working in San Antonio’s growth industries including biomed and research, engineering, healthcare and technology, and free trade, business and immigration law as well as those who promote Asian culture and serve in higher education. Our mission is to support and advocate for you, our members, provide you with beneficial informative programs, and serve as a connector for creating local and international alliances in support of job creation and business growth here in the Alamo City and South Texas. We achieve our mission in various ways. We have expanded our collaboration with organizations, many represented here tonite. We have opened more lines of communication with the City of San Antonio and its departments focused on international relations with Asia and economic development. We also serve our mission through our informative programs and events, business matching, our recently launched education foundation and our continued support of economic development. 2010 was an exciting and most importantly, a transformative year for our chamber of commerce. It has been equally so for San Antonio as our city successfully made its presence on the international stage at Shanghai World EXPO, co-chaired by our Advisory Board Members, Councilwoman Elisa Chan and Former Mayor of San Antonio, Dr. Henry Cisneros.

Beginning in 2010, we set a course to achieve five objectives centered on delivering more resources and benefits to you, our members.

Our first objective was to deliver more informative programs and networking opportunities We launched five signature programs. They include: Small Business Solutions presented this year by Operational Technologies (OpTech) a series on Executive Leadership presented by Nationwide Insurance Business Tours of companies and organizations that are connected with Asia either directly or indirectly through their products, services or talent. Asian Business Etiquette Training for Executives. We thank our advisory board members, Dr. Don Lien of UTSA East Asia and Confucius Institutes and Kyle Burns of Free Trade Alliance for their support and team work to make this chamber objective a reality. And of course, our networking mixers which take place at member locations.

Our second objective was to coordinate and connect more often with the nearly 70 Asian organizations that call San Antonio home:

Earlier this year, we launched the Alliance of Asian Organizations where we gather to share news, opportunities and discuss business initiatives. Some of those nearly 70 organizations are represented here this evening.

In 2011, our board has approved an update of this group, to serve as a new chamber advisory committee known as the Asia American Business Cabinet, exclusively comprised of the presidents of San Antonio’s established Asian-related organizations. This group will share news, discuss initiatives and ways in which we can support the city of San Antonio in its economic and cultural goals.

Our third objective was to launch our education foundation: We officially launched that Education Foundation at our Asia Pacific Heritage Month event earlier this May. The chamber has always emphasized the importance of combining a classic education in business with an appreciation for the critical role culture plays in business relations. We look forward to doing our part to support local students who are pursuing their dreams in our very connected, global community. Our fourth objective is to support our city’s relations with Asia friendship and sister-cities that would eventually lead to more businesses coming here to San Antonio. Aside from our Asia Business Etiquette Training For Executives and our general efforts to provide hospitality, we will begin hosting delegations to these respective Asian cities.

October 7-17 our chamber plans to collaborate with the City of San Antonio including the Department of International Relations, International Economic Development, Free Trade Alliance and other chambers of commerce to host an official delegation to our sister city, Gwangjou, South Korea led by our board member and Korean Relations specialist for our chamber, Katherine Kimm. We are also working with Jackie Meyer, a resident of San Antonio who also serves as the official sister city liaison representing Gwangjou. This trip will serve as a response to the generous gift and visit, the Mayor of Gwangjou and his delegation made to San Antonio to officially mark the grand opening of the exquisite Korean Pavilion located at Denman Estates Park, they gave the city and our citizens to enjoy.

Our Fifth and Final Objective was to expand our Advocacy: As a member of the Texas Federation of Asian Chambers of Commerce, we will join in the state capital in late January with the Asian American chambers of commerce of Austin, Dallas, and Houston for our legislative day. We will also continue to expand our focus on local city initiatives that support small businesses and minority business owners as well as issues at the state and federal level that could expand our city’s connection with Asian markets and consumers, and attract businesses from Asia to set up shop here.

Sincerely,

Melinda Rodriguez, PT, DPT
Alamo AACC President