As the Hispanicize 2011 conference fast approaches April 6-8 in Hollywood, CA we’ve been fielding lots of questions from Latino bloggers about how to get the most out of it. Today, we’re going to talk about some of the basic things you should know if you want to plan a happy, healthy and productive Hispanicize 2011.
See our list of tips below and feel free to contact us with any questions.
HOTEL & TRAVEL
Hispanicize 2011 is taking place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa next door to the world famous Kodak Theater where the Oscars are held annually and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
If you haven’t already reserved your room, get that first because last week we officially sold out of our room block and the additional ones we were granted will sell out very soon at $159/night.
In terms of air travel, for the second year in a row Southwest Airlines is our conference’s official airline partner so check for great rates with them first. The sooner you get your airfare the more likely you are to secure the best airfare rates.
PREPARE TO MEET BRANDS & AGENCIES
Because Hispanicize 2011 is the nation’s ONLY conference devoted to Hispanic public relations, Latino bloggers and social media, you should expect to be surrounded by literally hundreds of people focused on marketing to Hispanics. Hispanicize will give you DIRECT access to these invaluable, often hard to get contacts.
Nearly every single brand and agency listed as a sponsor of Hispanicize 2011 is either launching a major Latino blogger initiative this year or is interested in recruiting bloggers to work with them on a per project basis.
Among the many brands and agencies eager to engage bloggers this year are: The Walt Disney Company, Disney Parks, Buick, Southwest Airlines, Sprint, McDonald’s, Walmart, Que Rica Vida (General Mills), Ford, Clorox, Lowe’s, Kolcraft, UnitedHealthcare, the Sensis Agency, Fleishman Hillard, VPE Public Relations, TeleNoticias, Business Wire, The Axis Agency, PR Newswire, The Zocalo Group, Super Boleteria, RL Public Relations and Stone Crossing Solutions.
COME READY TO IMPRESS
If you haven’t already spruced up your web site, prepared your press kit or printed your business cards, this is the time to do it. These tools are critical to having brands and agencies take you seriously so don’t wait.
This year Kolcraft is also generously sponsoring a Latino Blogger Booth in the exhibit hall specifically so bloggers have a place to put all their press kits for marketers.
SOME DON’T MISS SESSIONS
As you may know, Hispanicize has a comprehensive blogger agenda that aims to provide you with the networking, blog training, opportunities to win quality prizes and fun that you would expect from the national conference home for Latino and Latina bloggers.
Here are some of the Can’t Miss Highlights for Bloggers:
Blog Ambassador Training (Wednesday, April 6): This four-hour, in-depth session, sponsored by Sprint, will provide you with some of the most practical case study training of the conference with insights on how to become a blog ambassador, lessons from last year’s PapiBlogger Family Road Trip, a roundtable with brands and agencies and more!
Blogger-Brand Speeding Dating (Thursday, April 7): This special two-hour session will bring bloggers intimately together in groups of two and three with brands and agencies that want to work with them. Tons of incredibly cool prizes and gadgets will also be given away.
After Party (Thursday, April 7): If you made it to last year’s conference you KNOW we had a most memorable party. This year’s after party will be much bigger and better so come ready to dance or just have fun as you network!
USE HISPANICIZE TOOLS
First, be sure to pick up your Program Book when you pick up your conference badge. These printed materials are invaluable resources during the event.
The social media agency partner of the conference is Fleishman so as you prepare to come to the event, we invite you to follow all of the latest news on Hispanicize.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/hispanicize and through our conference hashtag on Twitter #HISPZ11. Our Twitter handle is @hispanicize.
REMEMBER: EVERYTHING RUNS ON TIME
Our conference is well staffed and highly organized so that means you should plan to arrive early or on time to all of the sessions. Sessions will start and end on the time so plan accordingly.
If you are confused or need help, we’ll also have an information crew available to answer your questions throughout the conference.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Hispanicize 2011 is THE greatest place to network with marketers and other bloggers, so don’t be shy!  Want to start another network of Latino bloggers? Want to know the faces behind the agencies and brands that work or want to work with you? This is the place! Break the ice and talk to the person sitting next to you — some of the more remarkable connections are made that way.
DRESS ATTIRE
Comfort is king! Choose comfort over fashion — think relaxed business casual. Love your feet: you’ll be doing a good amount of walking so comfortable shoes are key. No matter how comfortable, change them once or twice a day to relieve stress points.
TYPES OF SESSIONS
The conference generally features a mix bag of sessions relating to every facet of social media, blogging and PR. This year’s conference has expanded by 50% so there’s now more than 32 sessions and 80 presenters combined! All registrants and speakers of the conference are allowed to attend ALL sessions of the conference so feel free to walk and in out of any kind of presentation that draws your attention. Generally speaking there are three types of sessions:
Panels: Typically include 4-5 speakers led by a moderator
Workshop: One or more speakers, in-depth training
Case Study: Always includes a brand alone or with an agency representative.