Avance Global: Latino Leadership Comes to Vegas

Thousands of business leaders, entrepreneurs and rising professionals filled the Bellagio in Las Vegas from September 14th to the 16th for Avance Global 2026, a conference organized around what its founders call the “intersection of capital, leadership, and Latino prosperity”. With over 7,000 attendees, Avance Global quickly became Bellagio’s largest conference of the year so far.

This event, presented by many well-known sponsors such as Wells Fargo, describes itself as a marketplace for funding, influence, and connection rather than a traditional conference. It combined keynote programming with structured networking meant to connect investors directly with entrepreneurs. 

“I think a lot of people come for this reason, which is there's value in being around other people... that are looking to be better at whatever skill they want to gain, whether they want to be better entrepreneurs or better business people," attendee Jason Rivero said. "I think these kinds of events are going to grow over the next few decades.” 

Programming was split across three main tracks. Industry leaders and influencers attended sessions on market intelligence and partnership building; founders and entrepreneurs focused on growing their companies and connecting with institutional investors through a curated networking track called the Deal Room; and a separate track, AVANCE Global Next, was built for students, rising professionals and the adult children of attendees, offering mentorship and early exposure to business leaders. 

“Most people in here are realtors, lenders, title attorneys," attendee Daisy Lopez-Sid said. "So the mindset that I want them to have when they get out of here is, I'm going back with information to grow my business.”

The conference’s headliner lineup combined entertainment with business leaders, including actor Esai Morales, KIND snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky, and actor and producer Roselyn Sanchez. The speaker list also included comedian George Lopez, actor Xolo Mariduena, Mexican national team goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Las Vegas Raiders president Sandra Douglass Morgan, and dozens of executives from finance, sports, and media. 

Beyond the main stage, the event included a gala presented in partnership with We Are All Human, a nonprofit organization with the mission to increase equity and inclusion. This gala was a Media and Sports Luncheon connecting executives and founders, and the Deal Room, where organizers pre-matched investors with vetted entrepreneurs for one-on-one meetings. 

Registration for the general conference was priced at $699 before a September 13th deadline, with VIP packages at $2,500. Students and adult children of registrants between the ages of 18 and 35 could attend through the Avance Global Next track for $199. 

Overall the conference was an absolute success, especially for attendees like Rivero and Lopez-Sid. The three days at the Bellagio offered a rare chance to sit in rooms with founders, athletes, and executives, who don’t often get to interact, and walk away with contacts and lessons that extend well past Las Vegas.

Hispanic Hustle// Bringing together thousands of founders, investors, and industry leaders Bellagio hosted a hub for deal-making, panels, and programming. Avance Global 2026 aimed to accelerate Latino wealth-building in America. (Photo by Milana Garza)