What to watch for the week of March 19

Even amid the economic downturn, Hispanic business is thriving.

According to the U. S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce , Latino-led firms represent the fastest-growing segment of all small business. Moreover, from 2007 to today, Latino business has grown by more than 114 percent.

From Wednesday to Friday, the chamber is holding its 22nd annual legislative summit to discuss public policy issues impacting commerce. Speakers include John Ploumitsakos, director of small business engagement and advocacy at Google, who plans to discuss job creation; Jose Rubayo, global source director at Johnson & Johnson MD&D Global Supply, who will discuss manufacturing; Veronica Cool, a vice president at Wells Fargo, who will discuss capital; and Lonnie Johnson, senior director of federal relations at Exxon Mobil, who will discuss energy.

The session is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the Washington Marriott, Metro Center, 775 12th St. NW in Washington.

Another bright spot in the economy has been credit unions, which have seen their membership and earnings soar in the wake of an anti-bank backlash that erupted in the fall amid efforts by the for-profit financial institutions to raise fees.

From Monday to Thursday, participants from around the country will gather at the Credit Union National Association ’s conference to meet lawmakers and discuss state and federal legislative issues affecting their operations. Topics include reducing regulatory burden, what the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau means for credit unions and an update on Bank Transfer Day, which spurred the exodus of business from banks to credit unions.

The conference will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Pl. NW in Washington.

Other events of note

Tuesday, March 20

Christian S. Johansson , Maryland’s economic development secretary, is to speak at the BWI Business Partnership breakfast, 7:45 a.m. at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve, 7795 Arundel Mills Blvd. in Hanover.

Thursday, March 22

Interested in learning about opportunities in commercial real estate? The D.C. Building Industry Association is hosting Ernest D. Jarvis, president of the DCBIA and senior vice president of First Potomac Realty, and a panel of other experts who will discuss their outlook for the local sector. The session is to begin at 7:30 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW.

Friday, March 23

For those who want to get a preview of hot technology of the future, Northern Virginia Technology Council is hosting an exhibition of projects under development in university labs in the region. The program is to start at 7:30 a.m. at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Dr. in McLean.

— V. Dion Haynes