[View the story "NCLR 2012 Conference in Las Vegas Day 1 Wrap-Up" on Storify ]NCLR 2012 Conference in Las Vegas Day 1 Wrap-Up Read on for the conference's biggest events, surprises, trends and comments from our hosts and attendees. The opening ceremonies were spectacular with lots of special appearances, cool giveaways, and meaningful awards. Storified by NCLR · Sat, Jul 07 2012 18:17:53
The first event of the day was the opening ceremony of the family expo with a ribbon-cutting by NCLR, President and CEO, Janet Murguia.
The #NCLR12 Family Expo is about to open! http://instagr.am/p/MydbdozdHg/NCLR
#NCLR12 is now on @Instagram. Follow the excitement of the event through @NCLRLeadtheWay! #LeadtheWayNCLR
@jmurguia_NCLR welcomes you all to #NCLR12 http://instagr.am/p/Mydoj6TdHx/NCLR
The National Latino Family Expo ribbon cutting was so muc @ NCLR National Latino Family Expo @ Mandalay Bay http://instagr.am/p/MyjkO2zdL0/NCLR
Over 100 businesses, corporations, service providers displayed their products to the Hispanic consumer and families at the Expo.
RT @NCLR: At our title sponsor @Walmart booth at #NCLR12 with @JMurguia_NCLR and @mmespy. Thank you!! http://pic.twitter.com/VRa3YpzMMark Espinoza
. @PepsiCo's Richard Montañez speaks about its support and the title sponsorship to the 2012 @NCLR Alma Awards #nclr12 http://pic.twitter.com/ztSlbicDPromesaPepsiCo
NCLR President and CEO, Janet Murguia, and Board Chair, Jorge Plasencia, announced the 2012 Alma Awards Nominees joined by the show's major sponsors.
NCLR's Janet Murguia announcing the nominees for the @NCLR Alma Awards 2012 #nclr12 http://pic.twitter.com/Dcl4XiycPromesaPepsiCo
Back at the Expo @JMurguia_NCLR n @jorgeplasencia named the nominees for the #NCLR12 Alma Awards! http://yfrog.com/od9ievljNCLR
Important causes had a space to present at the Expo.
RT @healthykara: Stop by the @NCLR Advocacy Central booth and take a photo! #nclr12 #leadtheway #latinohealth http://twitpic.com/a51wa8NCLR
The LIDERES town hall, inspired by national hero Cesar Chavez, brought to live his quote: "We have seen the future, and the future is ours."
The #Lideres12 town hall panelists are offering up some sage advice to young folks. #NCLR12 http://instagr.am/p/MylpPKTdMq/NCLR
An accomplished leader, Sen. Reid, showed his support!
Glad to welcome the #nclr12 conference in Las Vegas. I hope they inspire a lot of #lideres12Senator Harry Reid
It's Q&A time at the #Lideres12 Town Hall! #NCLR12NCLR
Yzaguirre: We need to make sure that people don't fear our leadership, but instead rejoice in it. #NCLR12 #Lideres12NCLR
Rodriguez: Voter engagement MUST be part of a long term strategy for our community. #NCLR12 #Lideres12NCLR
@NCLR why are people wearing PRESS badges lobbying against @BarackObama !!!!v??!!! #NCLR12 #LetsPlayFairAstrid Silva
@Astrid_NV: There are going to be days when it feels like you're not making headway. Just keep going & don't read the comments on blogs.NCLR
During #nclr12 @astrid_NV said that I inspired her to become a#DREAMAct activist, but she also inspires me to keep fighting to pass itSenator Harry Reid
The NCLR Affiliate Luncheon kicked-off with some words from emcee Gina Rodriguez, actress.
You're a rockstar!! ►RT @LAURASTYLEZ: Words at the @NCLR luncheon! #NCLR12 #Vegas http://pic.twitter.com/VKx7OLAmJen F. Kennedy
NCLR affiliates met face-to-face with their peers from across the country, NCLR leadership, and political personalities of the caliber of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and House Rep. Shelley Moore.
Felicitaciones @jorgeplasencia! "@VoxxiNews: "I'm proud and humbled to be addressing you as chair of @NCLR" #NCLR12 http://pic.twitter.com/dgW9vlCK"Estuardo Rodriguez
Eric Holder: In fighting for the civil rights of Hispanos, @NCLR won't have a bigger partner then the US Dept of Justice. #NCLR12NCLR
RT @voxxinews: Eric Holder woos crowd in Spanish "Junto podemos conseguir un futuro mejor." #NCLR12NCLR
Meanwhile, at the Expo, the public was dancing to the songs of urban Latino singer PeeWee.
¡Bailemos! No te pierdas mi concierto a las 2 p.m. en la Expo Nacional de la Familia Latina de @NCLR #NCLR12 #SPONPeeWee
@PeeWeeMusic @nclr @meencanta Aw meda mcha alegría pw' felicidades se que estuviste maravilloso Clapclap!! http://pic.twitter.com/AJzzkJ4DBris Angeles':3
RT @PeeWeeMusic: ¡Qué publico más electrizante! Me la pase súper en la Expo Nacional de la Familia Latina de @NCLR ¡Gracias @MeEncanta! #NCLR12 #SPONAudrina
The Latino Electorate Town Hall From Voz to Voto tempered true excitement among attendees and across social media.
Alrighty, folks. the #Latino Electorate Town Hall is starting. #NCLR12 #LatinoVoteNCLR
Approximately 12 million Latinos are expected to vote this year. #NCLR12NCLR
@GabyPacheco1: You've got to meet hate with love. #NCLR12NCLR
@GabyPecheco1 and @JMurguia_NCLR #nclr12 #lideres12 #uwd http://instagr.am/p/My_XqlwHyH/Fredy Valencia
@jdbalart moderating the "From Vote to Voz" Town Hall at the @NCLR conference #votaportufuturo #NCLR12http://lockerz.com/s/223141062Elizabeth Vazquez
@JMurguia_NCLR: We have to educate the community about what they can do and what they shouldn't do. #NCLR12NCLR
@jmurguia_nclr: We're more powerful as a Latino community when we're united. #NCLR12NCLR
RT @NCLR: @jmurguia_nclr: We're more powerful as a Latino community when we're united. #NCLR12HP LatinoVoices
RT @amartinez_LA: Team @ALPFANational & @ALPFAlasvegas representing at #NCLR http://instagr.am/p/My9vRoBac5/ALPFA Las Vegas
Public at the Expo were still buzzing with excitement late on Friday.
Family photo fun thanks to @cliquesphoto #NCLR #2012 #cambiar http://pic.twitter.com/mgUM8XsiHyundaiDiverse
@gustavo_galindo rockin it @NCLR #NCLR2012 #Vegas #Latism #LatinoHealth #Latino http://pic.twitter.com/fBvtuissAnnette Raveneau
"@CaritozWay: @JMurguia_NCLR look who I found taking the AT&T txtn&driving simulator 4 a spin #NCLR2012 http://pic.twitter.com/Rf519kQ2" Murguía Fam!Norelie Garcia
Some reactions from participants, attendees, and the online community.
I have really enjoyed working at the at&t booth for #nclr12.Deneen L. Garrett
Gracias a todos que vinieron a nuestro cabina ahora!#NCLR12Nielsen Community
#nclr12: Great first day at NCLR's 2012 convention. http://huff.to/N5tGpOHP LatinoVoices
More to come...
RT @jorgeplasencia: Don't miss #Enfoque tomorrow at Noon ET/PT @JMurguia_NCLR & I will be on w/ @jdbalart on @Telemundo re #NCLR12 @NCLR http://pic.twitter.com/VmJ6O8yGLuis A. Gazitua
RT @NCLR: The #LatinasBrunch is tomorrow at #NCLR12! Special Host Suze Orman will talk personal finances & take questions from the audience.Midy Aponte
RT @NCLR: To join the convo use #LatinasBrunch and talk to @suzeormanshow. http://ow.ly/c5mX7 #NCLR12Suze Orman