SOLD-OUT INAUGURAL CARNAVAL PALM BEACHES CELEBRATES HISPANIC BUSINESS, CULTURE AND LEADERSHIP

More than 300 business and community leaders gather as Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches presents inaugural Avanza Business Awards

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 18, 2026) – More than 300 business leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs and community partners came together in lively celebration for the sold-out inaugural Carnaval Palm Beaches, a new signature event from the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Presented by The BrandX Company, Carnaval was created to celebrate Hispanic business excellence, cultural influence, and economic leadership across Palm Beach County.

Held Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, a highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Avanza Business Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations making an impact through business, service and community leadership.

The 2026 award recipients:

• Avanza Business of the Year: Designs To Go, Inc. – A family-owned Palm Beach County business that has spent more than 37 years helping organizations bring their brands to life through custom signage, vehicle wraps, printing, promotional products and branding solutions.
• Avanza Health & Human Services Organization of the Year: Hispanic Human Resources Center – Palm Beach County’s longest-serving Hispanic nonprofit, celebrating 50 years of educating young children and empowering families with resources, education and workforce support to build stability and independence.
• Avanza Community Impact Leader of the Year: Armando Fana – Recognized for decades of leadership and public service focused on strengthening communities, expanding opportunity and helping shape the future of West Palm Beach.

“We created Carnaval Palm Beaches because the contributions of our Hispanic business community deserved to be recognized on this scale,” said Michael Zeff, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. “The overwhelming response made one thing clear: Hispanic business leaders have a home in The Chamber and an important role in shaping the future of Palm Beach County. This was not only a sold-out celebration, it was the beginning of a new tradition for our entire business community.”

For more than a century, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches has connected businesses and leaders around a shared commitment to economic opportunity and a thriving Palm Beach County. Carnaval Palm Beaches builds upon the momentum of Avanza Palm Beaches, the Chamber’s initiative dedicated to connecting, supporting, and advancing the County’s Hispanic business community.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Chamber’s Innovation Hub, helping cultivate entrepreneurship and equip emerging business leaders with the education, connections, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.

For more information about the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and upcoming events, visit palmbeaches.org.