Now in its 6th year, Hispanicize is the largest event in the U.S. for influential Latinos in media. The event consists of infulencers and tastmakers in blogging, journalism, social media, music, public relations and marketing from all over. We're thrilled to attend, celebrate and particpate!
In fact, Latina will be represented this year by our Executive Editor, Shirley Velasquez. We're excited to meet you and tell you what's new and improved for Latina magazine, Latina.com and The Latin Kitchen in 2014! Stay in touch and check back on this page as we update you on all of the panels we're speaking on and special meetups we're planning!
Taking place March 16-20th there are so many educational, cultural and festive events that we've highlighted what we can't wait for! Here are just some of the exciting events slated for Hispanicize 2015:
Starting off the week: The first annual TECLA Awards. Radio and TV personality Karli Henriquez will serve as master of ceremony for the TECLA Awards taking place on Monday March 16th at the JW Marriott rooftop in Downtown Miami. These Awards will showcase the impressive work that Latino digital influencers, bloggers, journalists, brands and agencies are executing in the digital multicultural space. The evening will include musical performances by Venezuelan star duo Chino y Nacho and Mr. Pauer.
Reigning Miss USA Nia Sanchez and actor Luis Guzman will serve as masters of ceremony for the Positive Impact Awards sponsored by 3M, on March 19th. The award recognize honorees for outstanding and selfless work with the Latino community in the United States. As a tribute to the winners of the prestigious award Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Luis Fonsi will perform to celebrate their achievements.
Also not to be missed: special Latinvator lunch sessions with celebs like Dulce Candy, Don Francisco and Luis Guzman! Plus the concerts and film screenings, parties, along with demos and product launches of product innovations from brands like Disney, P&G, Toyota and Scion just to name a few.
We caught up with Hispanicize's founder, Manny Ruiz, and got the the events not to be missed. We love Miami, so we're sharing some favorite places to stay, play and spa while you visit!
Meet Manny Ruiz, the brilliant mind behind Hispanicize. Now on its 6th year, Hispanicize has grown in major ways. The papi blogger, and founder of the Latina Mom Bloggers & Hispanic PR Blog has turned Hispanicize into one of top Hispanic events in the U.S. Latina asked got the mastermind behind Hispanicize to tell us what's new for 2015, what not to miss and what he is most excited about!
What is its about this event that is so important to there Latino community and who should attend?
Hispancize always pushes the envelope in order to remain the most relevant, inspiring and empowering event for Latino influencers in social media, journalism, marketing and entertainment. Even though the event is heavily dominated by Latinas and caters to them in many ways, Hispanicize is inclusive to men and literally anybody who embraces Latinos.
What is new for Hispanicize 2015?
The biggest update to the event this year is the massive expansion of our music platform and the fact we’re partially opening the event to the general public in a limited fashion. The other major update are of the Tecla Awards for excellence in digital content creation and marketing, a major event that we call the “Oscars of multicultural bloggers, vloggers and brands.”
What are the special events at Hispanicize not to be missed?
The event is packed with so many highlights it’s hard to pick. 3M’s Positive Impact Awards is one pick because it personifies the spirit of Latinos being recognized for giving and helping people. The music festival part of the event is arguably the one that has a lot of people buzzing with a weeklong line-up that includes Luis Fonsi, Gente de Zona, Chino y Nacho, Danay Suarez and more. The Latinovator lunches are huge because they feature terrific achievers and their stories such as Dulce Candy, Luis Guzman and Don Francisco.
Tell us more about a couple of the 2015 Latinovators?
Our Latinovators span various generations and industries. The most interesting Latinovator of 2015 is a toss up between YouTube star Dulce Candy and longtime Hollywood legend Luis Guzman. Dulce is in her 20s but personifies the Age of Digital Influencers with a remarkable story that stuns many because she’s a former Army mechanic, Iraq War veteran turned YouTube beauty superstar. Luis Guzman is arguably the best known Latino to play character actors in the history of Hollywood. We nicknamed him the Forrest Gump of film. Our third announced Latinovator, Don Francisco, is well, one of the biggest legends in the history of TV. It’s a very eclectic group and one more is still to come!I grow up.
WHERE TO STAY
The InterContinental Miami Hotel, is home to Hipsanicize 2015. Located on the Brickell side of town the hotel has amazing bay views. Staying at the hotel for Hispanicize? Make sure you get the offer code to get a discounted rate by visiting Hispanicize's site.
INTERCONTINENTAL MIAMI, 100 CHOPIN PLAZA, MIAMI, FL 33131; (305) 577-1000
Looking for a nearby hotel? Stay at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, is convientently situated in Miami's new Metropolitan Miami development. The hotel is home to this year's Tecla Awards event and walking distance from other Hispanicize events. Be sure to make reservations to Daniel Boulud's db Bistro Moderne.
JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS MIAMI 255 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD WAY MIAMI, FL 33131; (305) 421-8600
Looking for a taste of the fabulous life? Stay on the beach atRitz-Carlton South Beach. This historic 1950s DiLido Hotel is a popular choice for luxury lovers. The oceanfront resort, located in the heart of South Beach's Art Deco District, is a showcase for Art Moderne design.The hotel boasts a 13,000 square-foot spa and fitness center, an elevated central pool and an art collection valued at over $2 million. Make sure to book the ‘Taste Of The Tropics’ massage, a service exclusive to this property. Touted as a 50- minute sensory treatment designed to transcend guests to the warm tropical climate via fresh mango and guava body scrubs and oils. Sign us up!
THE RITZ-CARLTON SOUTH BEACH, 1 LINCOLN ROAD, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139 (786) 276-4000
The Viceroy Miami is another great place to stay and a short cab ride to the Intercontinental. This Brickell Avenue oasis offers travel necessities with scene-making dining at Eos, roof-raising lounging at Club 50 and rejuvenating spa treatments at the Spa at Viceroy Miami. Enjoy the view at 15th & Vine Kitchen and Bar. The menu offers small, flavorful portions designed to be shared, full of a blend of Latin, Asian and Italian flavors. Make time to visit the two-acre outdoor living room bedecked by a 300-foot long pool!
THE VICEROY MIAMI, 485 BRICKELL AVE., MIAMI, FL 33131; (305) 503-4400
WHERE TO PLAY
We can't wait to visit Little Havana. Saturated with Cuban culture, Little Havana's main thoroughfare, Calle Ocho is lined with comfort food restaurants featuring Latin specialties, such as Azucar Ice Cream -- an artisanal ice cream and sorbet boutique where you can wrap your taste buds around the comfort of familiar flavors such as Flan and Platanos Maduros. On Calle Ocho, it is common to seecafes where people sip cafecitos, play dominos and argue about politics all day.
Here, artisans still hand-roll cigars found in shops such asThe Little Havana Cigar factory, and tailors create custom Guayaberas (traditional linen shirts), while the sounds of salsa and merengue fill the air. For those who want to dive deeper into the flavors of the Latin Quarter, Miami Culinary Tours offers Little Havana Food Tours (and other neighborhoods such as South Beach). Although Little Havana remains Cuban to the core, the area reflects the neighborhood’s reputation as the “Ellis Island of Miami,” with many other immigrant groups from all over South and Central America.
Hungry? Check out more amazing Miami eats on The Latin Kitchen!
CONNECT WITH LATINA STAFFERS
We'll continue to update this page with info on Hispanicize panels and special events involving the Latina staff!
Friday, March 20 at 1:30pm: A Public Roundtable with the Nation’s Most Powerful Latina Journalists
In this fast paced session four of the nation’s most powerful women in journalism openly dish it out “The View”-style about everything from today’s fashion, next year’s presidential election and entertainment to Latinos in Hollywood. Audience participation will dictate many of the questions they’ll debate so come prepared for a special great time!
Panel Speaker: Shirley Velasquez, Executive Editor, Latina magazine
FOLLOW ALONG
Hispanicize's official hash tag is #Hispz15 and you call also follow along the Latina editors on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram with hash tag #LatinaHispz