Connecticut Expo 2026
Advancing Latino Entrepreneurship
September 1, 2026 | Hartford, CT
Thank you for supporting a celebration of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the Latino business community! Your event guide is here – access the day’s agenda, panelist bios, details to your favorite La Marqueta vendors, and more!
CRECER CT Expo 2026
Agenda-at-a-Glance
11:30 AM | Doors open
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Event Registration & Lunch
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Small Business Resource Tables Open
12:00 PM – 6:45 PM | La Marqueta is Open
Explore a small business market, where products and services from 20 local entrepreneurs will be showcased and available for purchase.
1:05 PM – 1:25 PM | Opening Remarks
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Keynote Speaker: Richard L. Zayas, Zayas Law
Beyond Success: Leadership, Growth and Legacy
2:05 PM – 3:00 PM | Panel 1: Funding Your Business
Access to Capital & Growth Opportunities
3:05 PM – 3:25 PM | Special Presentation: The AI Upgrade
Transform How Your Business Works
3:25 PM – 4:00 PM | Panel 2: The New Business Formula
AI + Marketing + Strategy = Growth
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Break & Opportunity to Visit La Marqueta
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM | Panel 3: The Journey Behind Success
Real Entrepreneurs. Real Lessons. Real Growth
5:20 PM – 5:30 PM | Wrap-Up, Giveaways, and Raffle Drawings
5:30 PM – 6:45 PM | Networking Reception
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM | Closing Remarks
La Marqueta Vendors
| Business | Location | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tidy and Clean Services | Hartford, CT | Promoting cleaning service offerings | Service Providers |
| HAT Force | Wallingford, CT | Books, turning stories into published books | Service Providers |
| G & C Asesoria y Servicios Integrales LLC | Plantsville, CT | Crafts and jewelry | Jewelry, Art, and Apparel |
| Artesanias y Accesorios Mar & Sol | Wallingford, CT | Hand-made accessories and clothing | Jewelry, Art, and Apparel |
| Torrealba inc. | Long Island City, NY | Live caricatures, art, and t-shirts | Jewelry, Art, and Apparel |
| Santy’s Accessories and More | East Haven, CT | Jewelry | Jewelry, Art, and Apparel |
| CM Creations | Bridgeport, CT | T-shirts, glass cups, keyrings, and pencils | Custom Gifts |
| Be Mari Gifts | Fairfield, CT | Themed gift baskets, including self-care, skincare, kitchen, and office | Custom Gifts |
| BroSam Essence LlC | Stamford, CT | Air fresheners for home and cars | Health, Wellness, and Beauty |
| Dany Velasquez Studio | Monroe, CT | Skin care services | Health, Wellness, and Beauty |
| Colores de Carol LLC | Hamden, CT | Nail polish and nail art supplies | Health, Wellness, and Beauty |
| Emilia Soy Aromas | Newington, CT | Candles | Health, Wellness, and Beauty |
| Splendor | Hartford, CT | Handcrafted botanical skincare, organic body oils, natural perfumery, aromatherapy sprays, and sacred alignment gift sets | Health, Wellness, and Beauty |
| Zen JuJu Perfume Bar | Newtown, CT | Perfume bars / create your aroma | Health, Wellness, and Beauty |
Small Business Resource Tables
| Business | Location | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Explorando con Hijos LLC/Conexion Cafecito LLC | Orange, CT | Business Advising |
| 50can dba LEAD | East Hartford, CT | Workforce Development |
| Connecticut Small Business Development Center | East Hartford, CT | Technical Assistance |
| Community Economic Development Fund | Meriden, CT | Business Advising |
| SC - Sabrina Cordal | Patterson, NY | Business Training |
| Expo Comercio Latino | Stamford, CT | Business Support Organization |
| Catholic Charities | Hartford, CT | Business Training |
| Spanish American Merchants Association, Inc./SAMA | Hartford, CT | Technical Assistance |
| The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven | New Haven, CT | Grants & Funding Opportunities |
| HAT Force DBA Write To Rise | New Britain, CT | Marketing & Branding |
| Liberty Bank | Connecticut | Financial Institution |
| Reset | Hartford, CT | Business Advising |
| Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | Business Training |
| CitySeed | New Haven, CT | Business Training |
| Woman's Business Development Council | Connecticut | Grants & Funding Opportunities |
| Latinaspoderosas llc | Meriden, CT | Technical Assistance |
| CT Paid Leave | Hartford, CT | Technical Assistance |
About CRECER
Learn more about how Hispanic Federation support entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Feedback Survey
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