ProXimo to Debut in San Diego, Tapping Growing Latino Influence in Business and Innovation

For the first time, ProXimo at AVANCE Global will take center stage in San Diego, from September 18–21, convening over 7,000 leaders from media, technology, finance, and entertainment. This inaugural conference marks a milestone in highlighting multicultural leadership and Latino economic influence in the United States.

Organized by Gary Acosta, CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and founder of the Hispanic Wealth Project, together with media executive and best-selling author Nely Galán, the event aims to amplify the voices, projects, and journeys of today's Latino creators and innovators.

"This is the type of event we envisioned to elevate multicultural leadership," Acosta has said. "ProXimo is about expanding opportunities, building wealth, and spotlighting the next wave of creators and innovators."

Spotlight on the Speakers

Expected attendees include heavyweight names like Oscar De La Hoya, champion boxer and founder of Golden Boy Promotions; Richard Blanco, the Presidential Inaugural Poet and National Humanities Medal recipient; Varun Krishna, CEO of Rocket Companies; and acclaimed author Sandra Cisneros, recipient of the National Medal of Arts and a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship.

Other notable panelists and speakers include Gabriel de Alba, chairman of Cirque du Soleil; Michelle Sobrino‑Stearns, CEO of Variety; Lavina Errico, founder of Equinox; pro skateboarder and entrepreneur Paul Rodriguez Jr.; and Ron Rivera, general manager of Cal Berkeley's Golden Bears and former NFL head coach.

The agenda unfolds with Blanco's keynote opening and includes galvanizing sessions like "Masters and Geniuses", featuring MacArthur Fellows, Rhodes Scholars, and other distinguished thinkers including Ruth Behar and Cristina Jiménez Moreta. Varun Krishna will delve into AI and robotics in finance, while astronaut José Hernández will deliver a powerful narrative in "From the Fields to the Stars."

Latino Community: An Economic and Demographic Force

This conference arrives at a pivotal moment shaped by Latino economic clout and demographic momentum.

• As of mid-2024, Hispanics comprised approximately 20% of the U.S. population, totaling over 68 million people, making them the country's largest non-white demographic group.
• Latino households accounted for 30.6% of U.S. GDP growth between 2019 and 2023, reaching a collective economic output of $4.1 trillion in 2023, larger than the economy of the United Kingdom.
• This growth, coupled with a median age around 31, positions Latinos as one of the youngest and fastest-expanding segments of the U.S. workforce.

Together, these figures underscore how Latinos increasingly shape not just cultural narratives but economic and business trajectories nationwide.

Why ProXimo Matters

ProXimo serves as a celebration and strategic platform for a community that commands real economic power and continues to grow in size and influence.

By combining voices from creative industries, high finance, sports, literature, and tech, ProXimo at AVANCE Global offers a unique intersectional space where leadership meets innovation , mirroring the trajectory of the communities it represents.