SAMA 25th ANNIVERSARY

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On Saturday evening October 4, 2008, the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Gala and Banquet dedicated to “Honoring Women’s Achievements”

This years event was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and attracted over 350 guests from all over the state of Connecticut. In attendance were many members of the SAMA Board of Directors led by Board President Angel Sierra, SAMA staff led by Executive Director Julio Mendoza and many merchant members of SAMA from Hartford, New Britain, New Haven and Willimantic. Among our honored guest for the evening were Congressman John Larson, State Senator John Fonfara, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, State Comptroller Nancy Wyman and State Representatives Minnie Gonzalez and Kelvin Roldan.  

In keeping with the evenings theme SAMA presented several awards to women in business, government and the community. Among the women who were presented with awards were Merchant of the Year, Brenda Torres, the owner of Criollisimo Restaurant in New Britain. This years Leadership Award was presented Governor M. Jodi Rell for her leadership of the complex business called the State of Connecticut. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Doña Hilda Gandara, who had operated together with her husband for over 25 years New York Fashions Inc, a retail establishment on Park Street. In addition Dona Hida chaired the SAMA Board of Directors for three years.

Also being honored at the Gala were the Allstate Foundation, which received the Corporate Award for the Foundation’s work in providing over $20 Million Dollars annually in U.S. community initiatives to promote “safe and vital communities”.

Receiving the President’s Award this year was Thomas Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Workforce Partners. Mr. Phillips is very active in the Hartford Community and has been recognized for his commitment and contributions to the community.

 In addition to the awards presented to each honoree by SAMA, each honoree also received a citation from the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the State Comptroller.

The evenings events started with a cocktail hour and later moved to the Main Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza were the evening was emceed, by Ms. Luz Alexander Ramos a Puerto Rican actress and broadcaster, who did an outstanding job in handling the evening.

This years Keynote Speaker was Dr. Elsa M. Nuñez, the President of Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic. Since opening our Willimantic Office in December 2007, Dr, Nuñez has been a active supporter of SAMA and has been very helpful in success that SAMA has had in Willimantic in a very short period of time.

The evening certainly could not have been a success without the generous support and contributions from our sponsors for the evening: Presenting Sponsor Aetna, Crystal Sponsor Hartford Hospital and SAMA Friend Sponsors, The Taco Maker, Connecticut Light and Power, State Farm Insurance, Bank of America, Goya,  Hispanic Federation and CT Business Development Team.

Thank you also to all of you who advertised in our program book this year.