LATISM Unveils Powerful Lineup Of Local And Nationally Renowned Influencers For 8th Annual Conference - Latinos As Agents Of Change

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y., Oct. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a year where there is increased focus on the role of Latinos as change agents in this country, Latinos in Tech Innovation and Social Media (LATISM) is bringing together hundreds of influencers in Orlando, Florida for its 8th annual conference. This year, the program will focus on key issues including Education, Health, Civic Engagement, Policy, Technology, Business, and Diversity and Inclusion. In addition, LATISM is hosting its annual El Hackathon, and will host more than 2,000 students from 150 schools across the country in second annual LATISM S.T.E.A.M. Fair.

"We hosted our first conference in New York City eight years ago and since then have played a critical role in raising awareness on current issues impacting close to 60 million Latinos living in the United States," said LATISM founder Ana Roca. "This community comes together annually to have an authentic discussion about the issues and challenges facing our communities, something of even more importance in this election year. In addition, the conference offers  opportunities to learn from industry experts, connect with community leaders and influencers, and form key partnerships to empower social change agents to increase impact and positive change on issues affecting the Latino community."

Highlights of this year's conference can be found at: conference.latism.org.

• Top influencers awards. Voting is now open for the LATISM awards, given annually to Latino leaders, social media influencers and organizations in different sectors and industries. These individuals and companies have made strides in social media and tech innovation while advancing Latino issues. The awards were created in 2009 and have been presented every year during their annual conference. Visit conference.latism.org to vote.
• Conference sessions: Workshops and panels led by industry experts and thought leaders in seven different tracks: Education, Health, Civic Engagement, Policy, Technology, Business, and Diversity & Inclusion. 
• Hackathon event: 48-hour hackathon event to connect technologist with community experts to create innovative solutions that help solve critical issues in the Latino community.  Conference participants will get a chance to witness as the final winners of the Hackathon are selected and demo their products.
• 2nd annual S.T.E.A.M. Fair: The fair brings together students (grades 5th to 12th grade) from 150 high schools across the United States to showcase Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts and Math projects.  LATISM selects the top 40 students, 10 from each discipline, to showcase their award-winning contributions and one winner from each discipline will be awarded a scholarship prize from one of our participating sponsors.  LATISM also recognized that behind every rising star student there is a committed and influential adult role model that has stood for their student's success. During the STEAM Fair, the organization also awards top Champion Educators: teachers/parents/community volunteers that have paved the way in educating and inspiring our youth to be amazing contributors to the Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts and Math pipeline.  The 2016 Champion Educator nomination application form can be found by visiting the S.T.E.A.M section on the LATISM conference website or by following the conversation using the hashtag #LATISM16.

Registration spots are still open at conference.latism.org.
To learn more about LATISM, join LATISM's weekly Twitter chats on Thursdays at 9 pm ET. Chats can be followed via #LATISM hashtag. This year you can engage and follow the conference hashtag using #LATISM16 and following LATISM accounts on twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

More about LATISM: Latinos in Tech Innovation and Social Media (LATISM) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the social, civic and economic status of the Latino community through technology innovation and social media. Since its inception in 2009, it has grown organically to more than 190,000 members with 22 chapters around the country. LATISM has been hailed to be the most powerful and influential network of Latinos/as involved in social media. The #LATISM hashtag which generates millions of impressions daily is used by politicians, businesses and organizations to reach the latino community.

SOURCE Latinos in Social Media (LATISM)

Related Links

http://latism.org