Next week, The Billboard Latin Music Conference will celebrate its 25th year anniversary in Miami.
Initially set up as a one-day event featuring five industry panels and two music showcases, it has evolved into a four-day premier Latin music extravaganza that draws hundreds of industry executives, artists, songwriters, sponsors and Latin music fans from all over the globe.
"For the past 25 years, the Billboard brand has been the leading advocate and the go-to name for Latin artists and the Latin music industry worldwide," said Leila Cobo, Billboard's Executive Director of Latin Content and Programming.
The conference runs from April 21-24 at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami, and will feature music business panels, presentations with key industry executives, networking and music showcases.
Leila Cobo is scheduled to lead the Billboard’s Icons Superstar Q&As featuring three of Latin music’s biggest stars. The first will be multi-platinum recording artists and producer Enrique Iglesias.
“Enrique has spent 19 years on our charts and has placed 24 tracks at No.1 on our Hot Latin Songs chart, more than any other artist,” said Cobo in Billboard magazine. “His chart history is unique and he is the perfect artist to celebrate our anniversary with.”
Coming off a very successful year with his latest hit album “3.0” and his philanthropic projects with his Maestro Cares foundation is Superstar Marc Anthony. His hit single “Vivir Mi Vida” spent 18 weeks as at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. “3.0” is Anthony’s first salsa studio album in a decade which debuted at No.1 and it was 2013’s top selling Latin album.
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“Marc Anthony is one of the top artists in the world-in any language and genre. It’s a privilege to celebrate his success as part of our 25th anniversary,” Cobo said.
Italian recording artist Laura Pausini who is in the midst of celebrating 20 years as a recording artist will also be featured in an exclusive Star Q&A.
“To have the possibility to talk and share my thoughts and opinions at the Billboard Conference with people who can still teach me a lot is an opportunity that I don't want to miss!” Pausini told Billboard Magazine.
The Iconic songwriter Q&A will feature Latin music’s most celebrated composers Omar Alfano who’s written 13 top 10s and five No. 1s, including “A Puro Dolor” sung by the group Son By Four-one of the longest running songs on the Hot Latin Songs chart.
Headlining this year’s Diva Panel is Mexican pop star Gloria Trevi, rapper Kat Dahlia, soulful singer La Marisoul and bachata sensation Leslie Grace, all four will appear on stage during an hour long Q&A moderated by Justino Aguila, Billboard’s Associate Editor of Latin/Special Features.
An exclusive World Cup panel will provide an in-depth discussion behind FIFA’s World Cup global anthem campaign. Colombian superstar Carlos Vives and World Cup recording artist David Correy will join a team of executives from RCA, Sony Brazil, EA Games and Coca-Cola.
The conference culminates with the Billboard Latin Music Awards. This multi-million dollar production will air live on Telemundo from the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables.
This year’s stellar lineup of performers includes, Ricky Martin, Laura Pausini, Juanes, Luis Fonsi, David Bisbal and many more.
The Billboard Latin Music Awards honor and showcase the most popular albums, songs and artists in Latin music narrowed down by Billboard’s weekly charts, track sales, radio, streaming and social charts of the past year.
You can catch the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday, April 24th starting at 7 p.m. on NBC 6's sister station Telemundo.
