World Indigenous Business Forum coming to Albuquerque in October

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An event giving Indigenous business owners a chance to share their products outside of their own communities, is coming to Albuquerque and organizers say, the city is the perfect place to host it. “We’re tremendously excited, very proud,” said Paul Mondragon, chair of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

The World Indigenous Business Forum is set to make its way to Albuquerque this October. The event will bring in more than 1,000 visitors and 20 guest speakers from around the world, to promote and learn about businesses from across the United States, and more than 20 different countries.

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“Albuquerque, I think can end up being that gateway for all of these Indigenous groups to come and bring product to market and likewise take product from here home as well,” said Ivan Makil, board member of the Indigenous Leader Institute.

The businesses that take part sell food products, handmade crafts, and other products, often representing their traditional cultures. Organizers said that without an event like this, many vendors would be limited to selling within their own communities.

In recent years, the three-day conference has been held in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Guatemala, and Canada to name a few countries.

Last year, representatives from the city of Albuquerque and the Hispano Chamber of Commerce went to the conference in Papua New Guinea to convince them to bring the conference here. “These different cultures coming together is one of the major draws that brought them here to Albuquerque,” said Mondragon.

The Hispano Chamber of Commerce said this is also a great opportunity for Albuquerque to connect with people from around the world. The city is looking to give 60 artisans in New Mexico the chance to participate for free. “It puts Albuquerque on the international map as a great cultural city for hosting conferences like this,” said Ernie C’deBaca, President and CEO, Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

The World Indigenous Business Forum runs October 28-30 at the Clyde Hotel.

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