2025 Recap and Looking Forward to 2026

As we close out 2025 and prepare for 2026, I would like to thank all our Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce members, APACC Foundation supporters, strategic partners, sponsors, and friends for being part of our wide network. This year marked 25 years of APACC facilitating business relationships, promoting economic advancement, and removing barriers by fostering strong business partnerships across communities, including, without limitations, those with roots in Asian heritage.

Businesses owned by Asian Americans with heritage from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, India, among other countries; Fortune 500 corporations; entrepreneurs; business  professionals; cultural organizations and associations; and political and government dignitaries have supported APACC throughout the years and are the reason for our success. Thank you for all you do in support of APACC and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) business community.

Throughout 2025, APACC continued to create spaces where relationships turn into opportunities. From our Lunar New Year Networking event and membership orientations, to APACC's 25th Anniversary Annual Gala featuring Ambassador Chris Lu, and the East-West Business Connection, we brought together buyers, suppliers, and community leaders to strengthen Michigan's economic landscape. Our work also included small business roundtables, peer networking through programs like InnovAPACC and the Small business Action Committee (SBAC), and ongoing advocacy on issues that affect our members and partners.

This year, we continued to grow the impact of the APACC Foundation and advanced the Navigating Michigan: Multilingual Resource Guide for New Businesses in Michigan in English, Simplified Chinses 🇨🇳 中文, Korean 🇰🇷 한국어, and Vietnamese 🇻🇳 Tiếng Việt. With support from sponsors and partners, this initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs better understand Michigan's business environment, access trusted resources, and make informed decisions as they start and grow their businesses.

We also deepened our relationships with key partners, including the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to support greater access to captial, education, and procurement-related opportunities for AAPI entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state.

The guidance, support, and encouragement of the APACC Board of Directors have been instrumental during this time of change and opportunity. Their leadership helps APACC and the APACC Foundation move forward with clarity, strategy, and a continued focus on providing value to our members and community.

Thank you to our dedicated team for making sure APACC continues to function and deliver programs, events, and resources to our network. Operating as a lean team requires flexibility, creativity, and commitment, and I am deeply grateful for their efforts and resilience.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2026. We look ahead to the 23rd Annual East-West Business Connection in partnership with National ACE, and APACC's Annual Gala at MGM Grand Detroit, where we will welcome Sheena Yap Chan as our keynote speaker. We will also continue to roll out small business programming, networking opportunities, and resources that support supply chain resiliency and long-term business growth for our members.

The Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce wishes you a very meaningful holiday season, and may your new year be prosperous, healthy, and bright.

Best wishes,
Duc Nguyen Abrahamson
Executive Director