¡VIVA BROWARD! PRESENTS THE 2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Pompano Citi Centre will host the 19th annual signature
celebration Oct. 18th - 19th with Grammy
winner NESTOR TORRES

When Hispanic Heritage Month comes around this fall, Broward County will enjoy dozens of events during ¡VIVA BROWARD! the month-long celebration that salutes diversity and commemorates the traditions of Hispanic Heritage Month presented by the Nielsen Company and South Florida Ford Dealers.

Producers have announced that it will relocate the nationally promoted Free weekend signature Festival and Expo to the newly renovated Pompano Citi Centre on the corner of Copans Road and Federal Highway in Pompano Beach, Florida on October 18th and 19th.   The event runs from 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday, and Noon to 6 pm on Sunday. The City of Pompano Beach is celebrating its 100th Anniversary and will be included in the festivities all weekend long.

The 19th annual weekend celebration of Hispanic music, food, dance, art and culture enables the community an opportunity to shine a light on the cultural mosaic that makes Broward County so unique.

After completing an 18 year history in downtown Fort Lauderdale, producers decided to relocate to a new venue and city.   “A number of cities were interested in hosting VIVA BROWARD! this year. We chose the Citi Centre in Pompano for it’s visibility, easy access from major highways and free parking for families.  This is important for the success of any free event, and we are expecting a high turnout this year,” continues Elaine Vasquez.   

VIVA BROWARD! plans to  transform the Citi Centre into a Cultural Village, abuzz with non-stop outdoor  live entertainment featuring a free concert with Grammy winner, NESTOR TORRES on Sunday Oct. 19th at 4 pm,  typical Latin foods and drinks, Brazilian capoeria dancers, free salsa dance lessons,  folkloric shows, arts &  crafts, Free health screenings, educational displays, voter registration and lots of kids fun.   Beverage sales will benefit the Light of the World Clinic, the only free healthcare clinic for the indigent in the county.

What began as a one day event in Fort Lauderdale in 1989, has become a month-long Calendar of Events showcasing the diverse culture and traditions of 21 different countries.  “We are delighted to be in Pompano Beach this year and particularly at the Citi Centre to celebrate VIVA BROWARD!, said  Erwin M.Vasquez, M.D., founder of the popular event since 1989.   Vasquez, a philanthropic visionary, realized back then that it was important to make the residents in Broward aware of diversity.  “It bridges the gap between cultures to celebrate together our commonalities as well as our cultural differences.  With the participation of so many different and exciting organizations, we’re confident that the festival will fulfill its mission to promote appreciation and respect for the value and strength of a diverse community”, he said.

“The CITI CENTRE this fall will provide easier access for all our exhibitors, as well as convenient free parking for guests and a great operational support partnership by Faison Management, “said Elaine Vasquez.  “We look forward to working with VIVA BROWARD! on this fun and exciting event!” says, Ken McCoy of Faison Management.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Musical acts include Jazz flautist and Latin Grammy Award winner NESTOR TORRES who has been captivating audiences with his distinctive mix of Latin, Jazz and Pop sounds for more than two decades. By transforming the flute’s role in the contemporary musical landscape, this remarkable virtuoso has earned a devoted following, and has practically established a new genre of popular music.

Local  bands including one of Miami’s top  salsa bands, HAVANA SOUL, cumbia and bachata show with CORAZON COLOMBIANO,  MA’DURO band will keep the dance floor hot, strolling MARIACHI’s VOCES de AMERICA,  throughout the Citi Centre will entertain shoppers, while free dance lessons will prepare newcomers to the Latin rhythms.  Dance contests, prizes and children’s fun make it a great FREE family weekend.

A free Health & Wellness Village sponsored by the Light of the World Clinic, a non-profit organization that provides free healthcare for the needy in Broward County since 1989, will offer screenings, blood pressure, preventative programs and bilingual materials for festival-goers.  The Florida Blood Centers Mobile Unit will be seeking donors along with a Charity Expo where resources in the community are made known in both Spanish and English

Kids will enjoy rides, games and craft activities and take a “swing” at the Piñata during VIVA BROWARD!   Face painters, clowns, bounce house and other interactive activities will be available for children of all ages.  A beauty pageant finalist for MISS CARIBBEAN from Halavin Productions will also be selected on stage as well as children’s performances all weekend.  

VOTER REGISTRATION:
The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Mobile Unit will be on hand registering new voters.  Their goal is to generate information, solicit workers for the elections and Provide materials in both languages.   Local candidates, Latino Vote 2008 and other Campaigns will be setting up booths to encourage voters to support their candidates and sign up volunteers.

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES:
VIVA BROWARD! also presents a thriving opportunity for many corporations seeking to reach this dynamic consumer.  More than 25 sponsors help to promote and keep the festival at no cost to the public for more than 18 years.

This year, VIVA BROWARD! welcomes the Nielsen Company to its list of growing sponsors. The Nielsen Company is the world's leading provider of marketing information, audience measurement, and business media products and services.

Nielsen plans to launch the LOCAL PEOPLE METER (LPM) at Viva Broward!  The LPM is an advanced electronic device that records viewing behavior continuously in real time and it accurately records the viewing of who is watching programs while enabling the measurement of viewing on digital video recorders (DVR’s) .

The other presenting sponsor is the South Florida Ford Dealers who will showcase on a Red Carpet the many new cars and offer guests an opportunity to win great prizes.  Ford plays a major role in the Hispanic community and will have bilingual staffers to assist festival-goers in both languages. 

Event marketing is a great opportunity for brands to be presented to Hispanic consumers. It’s not the same to see a product on TV or a newspaper, than to touch it with your hand.   Ask the more than 75 vendors that participate year after year at VIVA BROWARD! from major banks and insurance companies, auto dealers to universities, as well as to a single business owner who set up booths and sample their products all weekend long.  Many participate just to begin a targeted mailing list or to conduct surveys.  It’s the most cost effective way to get your product or services to the consumer in this economy.

Broadcast by major television networks, internet, companies that include print and radio promotions, Viva Broward! boasts more than $2 million of media and a national component provided by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, promoting multicultural tourism.  The Calendar of Events that begins August 15th through October 19th generates a major interest in local, regional and national coverage.

Sponsorships begin at $1,000 through $10,000. Vendor booth prices vary on space and size of business. Charitable organizations receive free table exhibit space at Viva Broward!    For more information, visit  www.wedoevents.net and www.vivabroward.com.