NAHP 18th Annual Convention In Las Vegas.

Compelling seminars, certified circulation audits and Internet solutions for Hispanic publications that do not have web presence will be some of the topics of the 18th Annual National Convention of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), to be held March 19-22 in Las Vegas.

“At this year’s convention we will announce major membership benefits and offer workshops, which will significantly strengthen the power and integrity of Hispanic publishing,” said Ivonne Cunarro, executive director of the NAHP. “The high quality of convention programs is going to draw more publishers than ever, which will result in greater networking opportunities for our members, corporations, ad agencies, public relations executives and industry vendors.”

Some of the key announcements impacting NAHP member publications include:

A Verizon Foundation grant that will provide a first-time circulation audit for eligible NAHP member publications that have never been audited before. A new program that will provide all interested NAHP publications with 100 percent free, high quality, news web sites enabled for advertising, classified sections and other robust features. The release of the “2003 NAHP Media Kit & Resource Book,” a directory of NAHP member publications, including advertising information and readership demographics.

“Our objective is to provide every Hispanic publisher with a tangible and compelling return on their investment with respect to their NAHP membership. I trust that those that attend this convention will admit that we have succeeded and hopefully over-delivered,” said Zeke Montes, NAHP president.

Among other convention highlights will be keynote speeches by national Hispanic leaders such as Hector Barreto, administrator of the Small Business Administration. The convention will feature two tracks of in-depth seminars presented by the National Hispanic Press Foundation: editorial and design, and sales and marketing. Among these: “60 Keys for Marketing to Hispanics,” “Selling Hispanic Print to Major Retail Accounts,” “Establishing Major Retail Partnerships,” “How Coupons & Sampling Programs Increase Readership,” “Syndicated Columns & Features” and “Effective Writing to Attract Readership.”

This year the NAHP and its Foundation will start a new tradition with the First Annual “Enchilada Open” Golf Tourney. The NAHP will continue with the tradition of announcing the winners of the 2003 Publishing Awards. The convention will also feature an expanded exhibit area comprised of leading industry vendors and corporations interested in doing business with the more than 200 NAHP member publications. All attendees will receive a free copy of the 2003 NAHP Media Kit & Resource Book valued at $100.

For more information at http://www.nahponline.org