First ever Hispanic Public Relations & Social Marketing industry conference set for 2010 in Dallas, May 10-12

Hispanic Public Relations Association and the Hispanic PR Blog unite to make history with first ever Hispanic Public Relations and Social Marketing Conference May 10-12, 2010 in Dallas, TX

DALLAS, TX – The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) and the Hispanic PR Blog are joining forces to make history by presenting the first ever Hispanic Public Relations & Social Marketing Conference in Dallas, TX, May 10-12, 2010.

“This conference will provide attendees with case studies, professional development, career and networking opportunities that are razor-focused on Hispanic PR and social marketing,” said conference co-creator Manny Ruiz, the nation’s leading blogger on Hispanic public relations and the founder of Hispanic PR Wire, a division of PR Newswire.  “We believe this best practices-driven event will be the premier annual showcase for all that our Hispanic PR/social marketing industry has to offer.”

“This conference comes at a critically important time for both HPRA and the Hispanic market,” said John Echeveste, HPRA co-founder and senior adviser.  “This year, HPRA celebrated its 25th anniversary and, in 2010, we will expand its national presence, while the upcoming U.S. Census and the continued growth of social media will underscore the importance of the national Hispanic market.  As the leading organization for Hispanic public relations professionals, HPRA is pleased to co-present this conference to demonstrate the effective role that PR plays in Hispanic marketing and the creativity and innovation that our members are providing in leading the social media revolution,” added Echeveste.

The conference will feature nearly two dozen sessions on a wide range of topics covering everything from how to generate coverage with the top Hispanic bloggers to best practices in Hispanic youth marketing to how to effectively manage corporate partnerships with Hispanic organizations.  All of the professional development programs are being defined by a senior executive advisory board consisting of some of the most seasoned Hispanic PR pros in the corporate communications, agency, media and non-profit worlds.

The conference advisory board consists of: Cristina Alfaro (McDonald’s); Jorge Diaz de Villegas (Fleishman); Aymee Zubizarreta (State Farm); Armando Azarloza (The Axis Agency); Alfredo Padilla (Comerica Bank), Ivette Zurita and Lourdes Rodriguez (Hispanic Public Relations Association); Stephen Chavez (Ketchum); Lorenzo Lopez (Walmart); John Echeveste (VPE Public Relations), Romina Bongiovanni (Edelman); Audrey Ponzio (Edelman); Rosa Alonso (My Latino Voice); Mario Flores (Sportivo/RL Public Relations) and Deborah Charnes Vallejo (Bromley).

In addition to quality professional development programs and networking opportunities, the conference will feature an exhibition area to connect Hispanic marketers with industry communications providers as well as key Hispanic organization exhibitors.  Parallel to the main exhibition hall will be a first of its kind Hispanic Market Career Fair for companies, organizations and government agencies seeking talented Latinos in PR and advertising.

The full, detailed conference agenda/speakers will be released in early January but sponsorships and early bird registration are already available at the conference web site, www.HispanicPRConference.com or by contacting show director Ray Bianchi at 708-620-9738 or by emailing hispanicprblog@gmail.com.  The conference will be held at the Sheraton Dallas.

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