iPR Summit to Connect PR Perspectives Across Latin America and the US Hispanic Market

The first iPR Summit will take place on September 24, 2026 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, bringing together communications, marketing and public relations leaders from Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market. The event will explore how the communications industry is evolving at a time when reputation, trust, culture and business strategy are more interconnected than ever.

The event will bring together hundreds of professionals in Guayaquil, one of Ecuador’s leading commercial cities and a strategic hub for the region. Tickets are now available through the event’s official website: iprsummit.la.

iPR Summit will take place during the week commemorating the Inter-American Public Relations Day, observed every September 26, a date that recognizes the evolution and impact of the profession across the region.

Led by the public relations agencies Dimitrakis, based in Ecuador, and Santa Cruz Communications, based in the United States, iPR Summit was created to elevate the industry conversation and explore how communications is evolving in a more connected, fast-changing global environment.

“Public relations is no longer a standalone function. Today, it connects reputation, business, culture, media, communities and audiences in real time. As we mark Inter-American Public Relations Day, iPR Summit aims to bring industry leaders together to examine this new landscape and discuss how communications can create greater impact through a regional lens,” said Omar Dimitrakis, CEO of Dimitrakis.

The event comes at a pivotal moment for the industry. Recent studies such as the Latin American Communication Monitor 2022-2023 identify digital transformation, leadership evolution, reputation management and the impact of new technologies on strategic communications among the sector’s top challenges.

This is compounded by a challenging trust environment. The Edelman Trust Barometer 2025 points to growing distrust toward business, government, media and organizations, reinforcing the strategic role of public relations in building reputation, dialogue and credibility. The event will bring experts from Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market onto the same stage, a rare connection within professional industry forums. This approach will allow participants to compare perspectives, methodologies and market insights across regions facing similar challenges in reputation, audience engagement, digital transformation, media, and corporate communications.

“For many years, conversations about PR in Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market have evolved separately, despite many shared challenges and opportunities. iPR Summit was created to bring those perspectives together and encourage a more connected regional dialogue around the future of communications,” said Claudia Santa Cruz, President of Santa Cruz Communications.

The relevance of the U.S. Hispanic market is also driven by its growing economic influence. According to the U.S. Latino GDP Report, U.S. Latino gross domestic product reached USD 4.4 trillion in 2024, underscoring the strategic importance of understanding an audience with rising economic and cultural influence.

The initial list of confirmed industry leaders includes:

José Manuel Ospinal, co-founder of OS Latam, with operations in Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Argentina, a corporate communications and public relations strategist with experience in reputation, audience analysis and risk management in Latin America
Mayna Nevarez, CEO of Miami-based Nevarez Communications and one of the leading strategists in Latin music PR, recognized for advancing the global narratives of artists such as Daddy Yankee, Carlos Vives and Elvis Crespo
Esteban De Los Ríos, Marketing Manager of Bimbo Ecuador, based in Quito, with a professional track record defined by strategic leadership with a commercial focus and the management of high-performing teams in the highly competitive consumer goods industry.
Cristina Paez, CEO of IPSOS Ecuador; an expert in market research and strategic communications, recognized for transforming insights and trends into growth tools for brands and organizations
Mario Flores, CEO of Los Angeles-based Sportivo, a specialist in marketing and communications for the U.S. Hispanic market, with extensive experience connecting global brands with Latino audiences through sports
Priscilla Tandazo, CEO of MarketGate, based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, an expert in strategic in strategic communications and crisis management with more than 30 years leading campaigns for brands including McDonald’s, Grupo Bimbo, Cervecería Nacional, Novacero and Unilever, among others;
Clara María Reyes, co-founder of ONCE Comunicación, based in Quito, Ecuador, a recognized opinion leader and communicator with experience in media, sustainability and strategic communications
The agenda will also include participation from Belén Arregui (Springtime and Círculo de Creativas Ecuador), Diana Orbe (XL Grandes Ideas), Jorge Hurtado (France 24) and Augusto Ayesta (Trend PR), among other regional leaders.

Under the theme “Driving the Future of Public Relations”, the program will include panels and strategic conversations on key topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on communications; the development of relevant storytelling for culturally diverse audiences; the integration of PR and advertising; real-time reputation and crisis management; the evolution of the media ecosystem; measuring the value of PR; and why communications deserves a seat at the table.

Universidad Casa Grande (UCG) joins iPR Summit as its academic partner, reinforcing the connection between academia and the communications industry. Recognized for its focus on communications, arts, education, innovation and practical learning, UCG brings an educational and contemporary perspective to this gathering.

In addition to its strategic content, the Summit has been designed as a high-level networking space for leaders, brands and organizations connected to the communications industry.

iPR Summit is supported by key industry allies, including Grupo Bimbo as a sponsor; Media Partners Revista Vistazo, América Economía, PR Insight Podcast and PRODU; and Strategic Allies Artífice, Círculo de Creativas Ecuador, ROPRO and Universidad Casa Grande, strengthening the regional reach and strategic relevance of this inaugural edition.