From Shakira’s first showcase to an award created in Selena’s honor, from Karol G to Wisin, here are key moments in the history of the most important Latin music event in the world.

Latin music, the term assigned to music performed predominantly in Spanish, is the fastest growing “genre” of music both in the U.S. and worldwide, with Latin acts –- from Bad Bunny to Karol G to Anitta and Shakira — dominating both charts and headlines. But it wasn’t always like that: From its initial heyday in the 1950s, when Latin dances like mambo and cha-cha-cha were all the craze, Latin music’s popularity has ebbed and flowed. But for the last 35 years, at least, there have been two constants: the Billboard Latin charts and Billboard Latin Music Week.

What is now the single most important, and biggest, gathering of Latin artists and industry executives in the world, has been the one, steady foundation of Latin music in this country and for the world. Every single artist of note has spoken or performed at Latin Music Week through the years: Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Selena, Jenni Rivera, Marc Anthony, Chayanne, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Daddy Yankee, Shakira, Romeo Santos, Don Omar, Camilo, Bizarrap, Carin León, Grupo Firme, Peso Pluma, Luis Fonsi, Christina Aguilera, Wisin, J Quiles, Gloria Trevi… The list goes on and on.

This year’s Latin Music Week, taking place October 14-18 at the Fillmore Miami Beach, will feature superstar speakers J Balvin, Young Miko, Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Sanz, Peso Pluma, JOP (Fuerza Regida), Eden Muñoz, Bad Gyal, Mon Laferte,Thalia and Maria Becerra among many others. But Billboard’s history of stellar appearances is 35 years deep. Here are some outstanding moments in the Billboard’s Latin Music Week 35-year history.

Visit Billboard Latin Music Week to register to this year’s event.

1990

The generically named Latin Music Seminar, sponsored by Billboard, starts as a one-day event in Miami. It consists of five industry panels, two artist showcases and an awards show televised from the 4,000-seat James L. Knight Center. About 150 people attend the conference.

1992

The Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards take place in Las Vegas. Two then-unknown artists, Jon Secada and Selena, are introduced at the new-artist showcase.

1993

Music mogul Emilio Estefan is the conference’s first keynote speaker.

1994

Celia Cruz and Cachao López are inducted into the Billboard Hall of Fame.

1995

Songwriter/producer KC Porter delivers the conference’s keynote speech. Tito Puente receives the El Premio Billboard lifetime achievement award, and Selena is posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Spirit of Hope award is created in Selena’s honor, to be given annually to a Latin artist who participates in humanitarian and civic causes.

1996

Newcomer Shakira performs at a conference showcase in Miami. José Feliciano receives El Premio Billboard, and Juan Gabriel is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Gloria Estefan receives the Spirit of Hope award.