Life Beyond Diagnosis | I'm Speaking at #LATISM13

I am really excited about this year's Latinos in Tech Innovation & Social Media (LATISM) conference. This year is going to be extra special. 

This year is LATISM's 5th year and they are returning to New York City! Which means it's only a subway ride way for. And it's at the Waldorf Astoria.

It's September 19 - 21. My birthday is on the 18th so I get to celebrate my first days of my 38th year with some of my favorite bloggers.

I'm SPEAKING! I am truly honored for the opportunity to speak at LATISM.

I am truly grateful for all the opportunities LATISM has given me. I was recognized as a Top Bloguera and invited to a White House press conference. I was awarded the Best Latina Health Blogger at the LATISM12 Conference.   

Last year I was excited to present on the Blogging 101 session. But this year, I'll be on a panel discussing a passion much closer to my heart.  

Beyond Chronic Illness and Special Needs: Life Beyond Your Diagnosis
Saturday, September 21 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm

I'll be with four amazing Latinas: Eileen Carter-Campos, Christina McGeough, Eliana Tardio and Laurita Tellado. To learn about them and more on the panel topic click HERE.

To view the full agenda visit - http://conference.latism.org/agenda/

I cannot thank LATISM enough for giving me the opportunity to share my journey, to tell my son's story and to inspire others to share theirs. It is important that we do this. In the world of mainstream bloggers, a Latina blogging specifically about autism is rare. Two years ago when I attended the BlogHer Healthminder (Special Needs) day - I realized I was the only Latina in the room. A room of maybe 80 women - all special needs bloggers. I was the only one. And it bothered me. Because I know there are many Latina moms walking in my shoes. We need our stories heard too. 

So if you're a Latina Blogger and you blog about autism or raising a child with special needs - let a sistah know in the comments okay. Leave a link to your blog. I'd love to see you representing at a blog conference. And if you're in the NYC area - I hope to hug you at LATISM.  

But until then...join us for the weekly #latism Twitter Party tonight (Thursday) at 9:00pm EST! We’re talking HEALTH at #latism13!

The New Generation Latino Consortium: Media, Marketing and Entertainment Conference

Tuesday April 2, is the New Generation Latino Consortium's (NGLC) Media, Marketing and Entertainment Conference and I am honored to be invited to attend. I'm eager to listen and learn from the experts in the industry. Attending this conference provides the opportunity to interact with Fortune 500 executives, top NGL media outlets, general and Latino market ad agency executives, celebrities and invited press outlets.

    

The NGLC is "the only organization dedicated to educating and informing the business and entertainment worlds about the importance of the New Generation Latino (NGL) market."

At a pivotal time where a new foundation is being set for our industry, the NGLC’s mission of embracing the Total Latino Market has never been more poignant.  We’ve been openly leading this conversation for over a decade with our signature events being a must-attend for those eager to participate in a fresh discussion about the tremendous Latino business opportunities that exist across media, marketing and entertainment. David Chitel, NGLC Chairman & Founder.

Past speakers include Soledad O'Brien, John Leguizamo and Rosie Perez. This year's conference promises to be exciting.  And I'll be tweeting throughout - so be sure to follow me @LaliQuin.

Just to give a little taste...panel discussions will feature (and be moderated by) executives from the Latino advertising, marketing and entertainment communities including: Sergio Alcocer (President & CCO, Latinworks) Tanzina Vega (Reporter, NY Times), Richard Pleplar (CEO, Home Box Office),  Peter Castro (Deputy Managing Editor, People), Rene Alegria  (CEO, Mamiverse Media), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Tony Winning Composer/Lyricist/Actor – In The Heights), and Lisa Garcia Quiroz (SVP, Corp. Responsibility & Chief Diversity Officer, Time Warner). And there will be a  celebrity sit-down that includes singer/songwriter Prince Royce and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas. You can see the full agenda/speaker/moderator list - HERE.   

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know I'm a secretary by day, grad student/writer by night and mami round the clock. Earlier this week, I posted my 500th blog post inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In. And if this isn't a Lean In opportunity, then I don't what is...

For more on NGLC check last year's event here. And be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter @NGLConsortium.

  

*Disclaimer: I am provided with a complimentary ticket to the event. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.   

I'm Going to Miami!! #Hispz12

How could I not? 

On Wednesday morning, I'll be on a plane heading to Miami.  I haven't been to Miami in more than a decade.  I haven't been on a plane solo since I became a mom.  I'm only going for three days, but it will the longest I've been away from The Husband and The Boy.  I'm sort of freaking out.  And like any other mom leaving her family, I am feeling the smallest twinge of guilt.

I'm not going to Miami to lounge on the beach or hang at Wet Willie's.  I'm going to Hispanicize.  My very first blog/media conference.     

Back in January when Chantilly asked if I would be interested in speaking on a panel she was moderating, I immediately accepted.  The panel is Blogging for a Cause and I'll be with 2 other amazing blog writers - Laura & Eliana.  I have spent the last year reading their blogs and I am so excited to meet them.

To be asked to speak at this conference is such an honor for me.  To be able to talk about autism during Autism Awareness Month to a prodominantly Latino audience.  To meet other Latino blog writers also writing about autism.  I still cannot believe it.  When I started this blog a year and a half ago as a class assignment I had no idea people would even read it.  I had no idea what kind of impact it would have.  Or the opportunities that would come out of this.  All I wanted was a place to share my thoughts and in return I've gotten so much more.  

I cannot wait to tell you all about it when I return!

And in my absence, I'll be featuring 3 guest posts.  So be sure to stop by :D 

~~~~~~
Meet the Moderator & Panelists of Blogging for a Cause: 

Moderator:
Chantilly Pantino is a blogger who wears many hats. You can learn more about her at www.BiculturalMom.com.      

Panelists:
Laura Tellado is a young woman with Spina Bifida.  Her blog is called Holdin' Out for a Hero.  But I believe she is a hero to many. 

Eliana Tardio is the mother of 2 beautiful children with Down Syndrome.  You can learn about this Warrior Mami at www.ElianaTardio.com 

Who else will be speaking at Hispanicize?  Click HERE & find out.