The organization is forging a new professional association standard by introducing and expanding a variety of programs and initiatives led by a new leadership board.

One such example of this growth is the Association's partnership with The Hispanic PR Blog to hold the first Hispanic Public Relations & Social Media Marketing Conference in Dallas, TX, May 10 -12, 2010. The conference will provide attendees with case studies, professional development, and career and networking opportunities that are focused on Hispanic PR and social marketing. Detailed information and registration is available at the conference website, www.HispanicPRConference.com.

An additional component to the conference is the recent announcement of a national Hispanic PR Census. The census, sponsored by RL Public Relations, is an effort to measure the size and strength of the growing Hispanic public relations industry and is available at HPRA's website.

Other key initiatives include a more powerful and integrated website (www.hpra-usa.org) developed and maintained by Conexion (www.conex360.com) that's user-friendly and provides social media integration, as well as increased funding amounts for HPRA scholarship recipients. Applications are currently being accepted through Friday, May 7, 2010. The application and more information are available at HPRA website's scholarship's section.

The new programs and initiatives are being spearheaded by the incoming 2010-2011 executive board: President Lourdes Rodriguez, VPE Public Relations; Vice President Delia Lopez, PR Consultant; Secretary Sara Rubalcava-Beck, MSB Ideas; Treasurer Mario Flores, Sportivo; and Senior Advisor John Echeveste, VPE Public Relations.

  The 2010 HPRA Board Committee Chairs include:
  Programs - Ivette Zurita, Accent Marketing
  Marketing - Mariluz Gonzalez, Vesper Public Relations
  Social Media Marketing - Jose Xicohtencatl, Edelman Multicultural,
   and Martin Canchola, Social Media Consultant
  Membership -Edgar Mejia, Conexion, and Veronica Potes, LAGRANT
   COMMUNICATIONS
  National Chapters - Stephen Chavez, Ketchum
  Scholarship/College Outreach: Anai Ibarra, PR Consultant; Susan
   Bringas, Hill and Knowlton; and Denisse Montalvan, Ketchum

About Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA):

HPRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization to establish a network of Hispanics employed in the public relations profession. HPRA has more than 250 members representing public relations, marketing and advertising professionals from agencies, government, non-profit and corporate companies. HPRA is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic professionals and provides educational seminars and workshops throughout the year. The organization has awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships to Latino students pursuing a career in communications. HPRA strives to be a resource for communications professionals and for those seeking insights into the Hispanic market. For more information please visit www.hpra-usa.org.