Indiana Latino Expo 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 2024 Indiana Latino Expo Kicks off Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in Indiana by Celebrating and Empowering the Latino Community
Indianapolis, IN — September 10, 2024 —The Indiana Latino Expo (ILE) 2024 was an unforgettable celebration, held in honor of Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month and filled with exciting opportunities, services, and entertainment for the Latino community. This year's event was a vibrant mix of culture, education, health, and empowerment, creating an inclusive space for Latinos to come together and access vital resources.
The Expo featured an array of services and activities, including:
Consular Services: Representatives from the Consulates of Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, and Argentina made the trip from Chicago to provide appointments for essential services, while the local Mexican Consulate of Indianapolis was available to assist with inquiries about future appointments.
Health Fair: Attendees received free health services, including vaccines, STD testing, exams and screenings by organizations like IDOH, HealthNet, MCPHD, and Community Health Network, making the fair a crucial hub for community well-being.
Education Fair: Students of all ages had access to information and resources from several top-tier institutions, including Indiana University, Purdue University, Ball State University, Vincennes University, Wabash College, and Ivy Tech Community College. These institutions provided valuable insights on higher education and career opportunities.
Employment and Local Government: A wide variety of community partners and government organizations were present to talk about what they had to offer and even help register citizens to vote.
Live Entertainment: The celebration was electrified by performances from local musical acts like Los Bravos del Sierreno and Skaaholics, alongside captivating dance performances from groups Sones Latinos and Grupo Macehuani. The event also featured a live taping of VIVA Show, filmed by Telemundo, bringing a new level of excitement to the audience.
Food Trucks: From tacos to cachapas to tostones and more, attendees of the Expo had the opportunity to savor food from various countries with vendors representing cuisine from Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
Throughout the day, audience members enjoyed educational panels, remarks from ILE sponsors and board members, and plenty of opportunities to engage with community leaders and organizations dedicated to supporting Latino advancement.
ILE Board President Andy Nino, Executive Director Zicri Williams, and Director of Operations and Programming Carolina Castoreno were very proud of the work that went into making the Expo a success.  The team jointly expressed the importance of this year's event:
"The Indiana Latino Expo 2024 was a true celebration of our culture, while also providing essential resources and services to empower the Latino community. This Expo showcased the strength and vibrancy of the Latino presence in Indiana, and we're honored to continue creating these meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.  We look forward to bringing the community even more quality resources and entertainment in 2025"
The Indiana Latino Expo is looking forward to hosting their annual Awards Gala, taking place on Friday, December 6th at the Biltwell Event Center from 6:00 PM-11:00 PM.  Information about nominations and tickets is available on the website at https://www.indianalatinoexpo.org/awardsgala.
 
We also want to make sure we recognize our Gold and Silver Sponsors. Without their support, none of our work would be possible: Community Health Network, Eli Lilly, Indiana Civil Rights Commission, The Indianapolis Foundation, My Healthy Baby, Indiana University, and AES Indiana.
 
For media inquiries, please contact:
 Carolina Castoreno
 Director of Operations and Programming
 Indiana Latino Expo
 Email: carolina@indianalatinoexpo.org
 Phone: (317) 455-3317
Learn more about the Indiana Latino Expo by visiting www.indianalatinoexpo.org.
 Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: facebook.com/IndianaLatinoExpo
 Instagram: instagram.com/indianalatinoexpo

About Indiana Latino Expo:
The Indiana Latino Expo “ILE” is a nonprofit statewide organization that presents a platform of opportunities to the Latino community. ILE supports various communities in creating awareness of their businesses, promoting economic development, cultural advancement, and educational opportunities. ILE also provides support for health and wellness with the purpose of improving the quality of life for Latinos and other communities in Indiana.
Note to Editors: For high-resolution images and further information, please contact Carolina Castoreno at carolina@indianalatinoexpo.org