HABLA to Award $5,000 Youth Scholarship!

Program Highlights Orlando's Continued Rise in Hispanic Leadership in Business, Civic, Community and Education

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Orlando is among the top four cities in the nation with the fastest-growing Hispanic population, a business haven for entrepreneurs, executives, civic officials, community leaders and budding students. The second annual Hispanic Achievement and Business Leadership Awards (HABLA) program nominations are now open through September 16^th, to recognize top performers from a talented pool of local Hispanic business and civic leaders who have made meaningful contributions to the Central Florida community. 

The 2013 HABLA program, the leading Hispanic business to business (B2B) event in Orlando, and Verizon will recognize the accomplishments of Hispanics as nominated by the community at large in the following four categories: corporate executive, civic leader, entrepreneur, and unsung hero. In addition to recognizing Hispanic professionals and community leaders, the program is an opportunity for budding Hispanic students to be acknowledged for their contributions as they evolve into tomorrow's leaders. Verizon, the presenting sponsor for HABLA, has established a $5,000 scholarship for rising Hispanic students. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving high school senior entering college in the fall of 2014 or currently attending college as a freshman.

"The number of Hispanics is increasing in Orlando, and we are seeing incredible results from a business and community perspective," explains Mariano Legaz, Florida region president of Verizon. "We're excited to present HABLA 2013 and honor the city's business and civic leaders as well as dedicated students who are contributing to the future of the city, state, and country."

As a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, the award winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 1 during the HABLA luncheon, produced by Lanza Group, LLC, at the Citrus Club. To nominate a corporate, civic, entrepreneur, unsung hero or student, please visit HABLAawards.com. All entries must be received by must be received prior to 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 16^th 2013. For tickets to attend the HABLA luncheon please visit HABLAawards.com or HABLA Awards on Facebook.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 98.9 million retail customers, including 93.2 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit VerizonWireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at News.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/VZWNews. 

About Lanza Group, LLC
Founded in 2003, Atlanta-based Lanza Group, LLC is a Hispanic marketing, PR and events firm that provides integrated bilingual and bicultural Hispanic marketing solutions and experiences – connecting marketers to Latinos throughout the United States. Our goal is to identify opportunities, create programs, and deliver turnkey execution for our clients that will generate brand awareness and incremental revenue growth from the fastest-growing consumer market segment in the country. Lanza Group's signature events include Atlanta's annual official Cinco de Mayo celebration, Fiesta Atlanta; Georgia's Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off celebration, Fiesta Georgia; and the Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards (HABLA) program in the Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston and Orlando markets.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Chuck Hamby
Verizon Wireless
813-615-4803
Chuck.Hamby@verizonwireless.com

Roselyn A. Castillo
Lanza Group
404.350.0200
RCastillo@LanzaGroup.com

SOURCE Lanza Group