Elgin expo helps local Hispanics make right connections
Although the 11th annual Hablamos Espa単ol Expo offered a celebration of Hispanic culture on Saturday in Elgin, it also provided a one-stop shop with information and services in the community.
Hundreds of attendees enjoyed cultural dancers and food while gathering brochures, booklets and even a few freebies, such as water bottles, key chains, pens and candy, from about 30 local vendors, hospitals and services.
“I brought my nephew and daughter to show them how many things are here,” said Ramon Valtierrez, 43 of Aurora. “The event is good, and you can learn a lot of things here.”
The free annual expo was held at The Centre in downtown Elgin and hosted by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. Besides local businesses, hospitals, job services and others, financial and educational seminars were conducted in various rooms. Even a prom and quincea単era fashion show were highlighted.
Every year, the event attracts more participants and attendees, said chamber President Carol Gieske.
“This is a distinctive event,” said Gieske. “It offers educational opportunity about different aspects of our community and the services that are available through our organizations.”
Some seminars discussed immigration, health care, personal finance and more, and two panel discussions were lead by city officials about Elgin's 311 telephone system. All seminars and discussions had English and Spanish representatives.
In addition, TV anchor and author Angelica Atondo was the keynote speaker and she signed copies of her book “Superate Mujer.”
The expo is one of the largest held at The Centre, said The Centre's customer service manager Amy Spooner.
“We get a lot of business and other events here and this is, by far, one of the largest by attendance,” said Spooner.
Isabel Rivera, 37, of Aurora said through an interpreter that she came to the expo because of all the information in one room.
“It is all here to help, and you don't have to go searching online to find it. It's right here,” Rivera said.
Jose Ares, 53, of Carpentersville, is community outreach coordinator for Centro de Informacion, an exhibitor that helps provide community connections for local people, including for jobs or health information.
“We help people so they know how they can integrate into the community,” Ares said.
Claudia Franco, 26, of Elgin said her son Mario, 8, brought home a flyer about the expo from Hilltop Elementary School in Elgin that caught her attention.
“I thought I was already familiar with everything in Elgin, but this shows us that there is always so much more,” said Franco.