Top nine reasons to join OWASP Latam Tour 2014

With the fastest growing Internet population in the world, the world's eyes are on Latin America.

Reson # 1. Nine stops, nine conference and nine training days:

* April, 21-22: San Jose, Costa Rica

* April, 22-23: Santiago, Chile

* April, 23-25: Quito & Guayaquil, Ecuador

* April, 25-26: Lima, Peru

* April, 28-29: Guatemala, Guatemala

* April, 29-30: Montevideo, Uruguay

* May, 5-6: Caracas, Venezuela

* May, 6-7: Bogota, Colombia

* May, 8-9: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Reason # 2. A bright future.

Last year consumers in Latin America spent an average of 10 hours per month on social networking sites, and five of the world's top 10 most socially engaged online markets are now located in Latin America. Overall Internet usage is also exploding in the region, as well as the prevalence of smartphones — estimates from earlier this year gauge that there are 140 to 200 million smartphones in Latin America. And brands are sitting up and taking notice.

Reason # 3. Plenty of networking opportunities.

Through institutions such as Mercosur and Unasur, South American nations are now more than ever looking to work as an integrated union, lending and borrowing with each other and sharing technical expertise in an effort to form even closer links. This can only be a positive thing for the visitor looking to work across the continent.

Reason # 4. Affordable.

In South America, the dollar is still strong, and you can enjoy a relaxed tour without worrying about money. OWASP conference sessions are free. Training sessions only cost $250 USD. Register at the OWASP Latam Tour 2014 wiki page.

Reason # 5. Popular. Look who is already there.

Companies focused on tech and mobile know the value of the Latin American audience — or at least they should. As successful businesses look to expand, the rise of the Latin American digital consumer deserves strong consideration. Huge tech companies, social networking sites and mobile apps, such as Pinterest, Shazam, Waze and Airbnb, have announced expansion efforts, targeted ad campaigns, Spanish-language services and more, specifically appealing to the Latin American market.

Reason # 6.  1,300+ attendees from around the world; one common language.

This is the case for OWASP Latam Tour. A common language makes working on a transnational basis immensely more straightforward, reducing the need for myriad translators as in other areas of the world.

Reason #7. Connectivity growth. AppSec is needed.

The development and growth of Latin America has come a long way in the past decade. This rapid expansion of information and communications technology in Latin America caught many of the industry leaders and commentators off-guard.

Reason # 8. Discount on OWASP membership fee.

As part of the OWASP Latam Tour, you can become an OWASP Member by only paying $20 USD. Show your support and become an OWASP member online today.

Reason #9. All in one.

Exotic, mysterious, enormous and diverse, the Latin America region has always held a certain charm for visitors from everywhere in the world. Sights such as Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest and the glaciers of Patagonia have ensured that, for many years, travelers and tourists have been flocking to the region.

In the 21st century, however, a different type of movement is being spotted. Businesses and investors from overseas have identified South America as an increasingly important economic region, and as a result are more willing than ever to get involved with local ventures, teaming up with companies from Costa Rica to Argentina in the hopes of a fruitful partnership.