MIAMI (AP) _ More than 1,000 bloggers, journalists, filmmakers and corporate PR execs will gather this week at the annual Hispanicize Conference in Miami.

Founder Manny Ruiz calls his event the Hispanic version of South By Southwest because it brings together filmmakers, musicians, journalists, corporate executives and tech entrepreneurs.

Ruiz started the week long event five years ago as a way to help connect major companies with the Hispanic consumer market. But Hispanicize has taken on a life of its own, expanding across genres to include a range of Latin trendsetters and newsmakers.

This year, scheduled speakers and honorees include Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez, NPR’s Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa and singer Carlos Vives. The event at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Miami kicks off Monday and runs through Friday.