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Latino Interest Group for Qual Association
In the US, the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA) has formed a Latino Special Interest Group (SIG), dedicated to serving QRCA members who work with Latino and Spanish-speaking markets and a response to what it calls 'the growing global influence and buying power of Latinos'.
QRCA says the group will provide 'a supportive venue for inquiries and problem-solving related to Hispanic qualitative research', including information on related services like interpreters and transcribers.
'As more industries target Latino markets, companies are including Latinos in their research efforts, and we will be a resource for that effort,' says Chair Ricardo Lopez. Lopez says initial objectives will include the development of guidelines on how to conduct research in Latin America, the promotion of qualitative research as a career among Latino college students and development of a best-practices guideline.
Hispanic buying power in the United States is expected to exceed $800 billion in 2007, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. Furthermore, 2007 will mark the first year that Hispanics control more disposable personal income than any other US minority group.
QRCA President Joel Reish says the organization plans to develop other special interest groups in the future.
QRCA, online at www.qrca.com , is a not-for profit organization with nearly 1,000 members worldwide, including focus group moderators, facilitators, interviewers, and planners.
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