Fort Lauderdale is primed and ready to welcome more than 400 attendees to the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) 28th Annual Global Convention. This year, marks the first time in nearly a decade the conference has returned to the area’s sun-kissed shores.
The convention is the premier gay tourism industry event, drawing hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents, destinations, airlines, meeting planners and media from around the globe. This year’s convention reflects the global expansion of the GLBT travel market, with more than 30 countries represented among the attendees, the most in conference history. This year’s conference will showcase new emerging GLBT destinations, marketing trends, a consumer trade show and educational seminars including the evolution of travel media and tourism, global research trends and forecast in GLBT tourism. Speakers include Roger Dow, president of United States Travel Association, and top executives from LOGO Network and TripAdvisor.
Several events throughout the 5-day convention are open to the public and tickets are available, including the Consumer Trade Show & Festival, located in Wilton Manors, 6-10 pm on Friday, May 13, followed by a concert in Hagen Park by Kristine W; as well as a Gala Dinner with special guest performer Crystal Waters, beginning at off 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 14.
“From the welcome reception at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina to the consumer trade show in Wilton Manors to the closing gala at the Broward County Convention Centre, we are rolling out the rainbow carpet and a warm welcome with outstretched arms here in Greater Fort Lauderdale,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
“We are thrilled to be the stage for this important tourism conference,” said Richard Gray, ambassador of the new Royal Palms Resort & Spa, a 62-room full-service, luxury gay resort, and gay liaison to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It provides the opportunity to showcase how much we have changed in the last 10 years with vibrant ‘gayborhoods’ including Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors, and our new sleek and sexier look.”
Known as the “Venice of America” for its extensive, yacht-filled inland canal system, Fort Lauderdale is one of the top gay beach resort towns in the US. With its Riviera feel and more than 150 gay-owned businesses –including top-notch nightlife and numerous beachside gay guesthouses – the city has become an undeniable hub within a region that has been long popular among gay and lesbian travellers.
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