The Fresno State Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA) will be hosting the first Northern United Latino Students Business Leadership Conference on Saturday, Nov. 5.

This regional conference is a newly developed conference.­ In the past, a single conference was held in Southern California but this year a Northern conference was created and Fresno State was selected as the host.

Approximately 400 students from 20 schools across Northern and Southern California are expected to attend the conference.­ All attendees are required to be HBSA members at Fresno State or another school with an active chapter.­ The conference will feature workshops about career success, personal development and networking opportunities.

The HBSA has been an active student chapter at Fresno State for 39 years.­ It was established in 1972 with the objective of providing students with tools for success in life after college by emphasizing leadership, professionalism, education, family and community values.

“The organization provides a connect from the academic classroom experience to the real world of work,” HBSA advisor Victor Olivares said.

Fresno State students of any ethnicity or major are welcome to be a part of the club.

“Any student can come, it’s not just for Hispanic students. It’s the name we have, but any student or any major can come,” Olivares said.

HBSA offers students opportunities to connect with the corporate world through a strong network of supporting businesses.­ Meetings and events often incorporate speakers and sessions that help students develop skills to help them succeed in a job, understand the aspects of business and provide contacts with future employers.

“We have many companies that are highly interested in students because the market is shifting in California,” Olivares said. “It’s not just a matter of bilingualism. It’s really a matter of the understanding the market habits and the purchasing power and also the habits of the Latino community.”

HBSA has opportunities for members to develop interests in areas they previously had not pursued.

“I joined my second semester of my freshman year,” said Jessica Jacobo, director of community relations and a pre-business major.­ “I became a part of the fundraising committee and learned that I love fundraising.”

The active members of the club form a network that lets them navigate through their educational challenges and into the corporate world.­ There are approximately 60 club members this semester.

“We focus on being professionals but we’re also very family oriented,” current HBSA president and marketing major Anadelia Rodriguez said.

The group meets weekly on Monday evenings and actively holds events at least twice a month on weekends.­ These events range from workshops to community service activities.

“Our events draw all the students in, also the campus community, legislators and elected officials,” Olivares said.