IGLTA Newsletter

IGLTA Update - December 17, 2008

2008-12-17T14:20:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays from IGLTA!

Update Your Directory Listing Now!!

IGLTA's new directory is going to print in a few weeks! Make sure your listing is updated so the correct information is printed in the 2009 Membership Directory. To update your listing, follow these instructions:

Visit the IGLTA Members Website
If you do not know your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link
Click on "Change Your Database Listing"
Make sure ALL information is correct. PLEASE NOTE: Whatever is listed here will be what is printed in the directory!!
Click "Submit"

There you go! Now your listing is updated. If you have any questions, contact IGLTA's Membership Directory coordinator at directory@iglta.org.

These changes must be made before 20 December 2008 for them to be included!

UPDATE: Please note, that the directory will only publish company descriptions of 50 words or less. If your listing is above 50 words, it will be truncated with three periods following it (e.g. IGLTA is the world's lead...). Please make sure your listing is an appropriate size.

IGLTA Further Develops "All Welcome" Program

IGLTA's Diversity Educational Program named "ALL WELCOME!" is a globally-acknowledged and respected, unique interactive course that educates the media, travel agent, meeting planner, travel industry supplier and destination representative in regards to the Gay & Lesbian Travel Market.

The objective of the course is to provide businesses, destinations and media outlets with a sincere appreciation for creating THE BEST "ALL WELCOME!" environment possible, thus ensuring a safe and friendly trip for the GLBT traveler and repeat business from this valuable market.

Fore more information on this product, click here.

Another IGLTA Brochure Distribution Opportunity

IGLTA is proud to announce that we will have a presence at SITC, a premiere travel event in Barcelona, for the second year in a row. As always, we are providing a brochure distribution opportunity for our members who are unable to attend the event themselves. For more information, please click here to download the form, or visit the IGLTA Events Page.

Toronto Early Convention Registration Ends December 31!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - December 10, 2008

2008-12-10T14:19:00.000-05:00

HX Wraps Up 2008 Gay Travel Expos in Fort Lauderdale

Last night, IGLTA partner HX Gay Travel Expo finished their annual trade shows with the final one in Fort Lauderdale. Many IGLTA members were on hand at all of the shows this year, bringing the world of GLBT tourism to consumers across the United States. IGLTA will again partner with HX Media for the 2009 calendar year to bring more of these shows to various cities in the USA. For more information, please visit the IGLTA Partners Page and scroll down to the HX Travel Expo link.

Visit the IGLTA Members Website
If you do not know your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link
Click on "Change Your Database Listing"
Make sure ALL information is correct. PLEASE NOTE: Whatever is listed here will be what is printed in the directory!!
Click "Submit"

There you go! Now your listing is updated. If you have any questions, contact IGLTA's Membership Directory coordinator at directory@iglta.org.

These changes must be made before 20 December 2008 for them to be included!

IGLTA Partners for Tourism Event in Argentina

For the 2nd consecutive year "Gallery G", Exhibition for the Gay & Lesbian Community, was held in Buenos Aires. The total people attending the event was estimated in 1000. An IGLTA presentation was given by MA. Alfredo H C Ferreyra offering an excellent opportunity to know the leading organization of international tourism for the GLBT public. During the conference, the benefits of membership, via marketing, education and networking, were emphasized to the attendees together with a formal introduction to the organization. Finally, once more in Buenos Aires, the offer of services for the GLBT community got in touch with entrepreneurs and with small and medium companies working in the market. Click here for pictures from the event.

IGLTA Update - December 3, 2008

2008-12-03T14:04:00.001-05:00

Book Travel to World Out Games in Copenhagen

Destination 2009: World Outgames Copenhagen Denmark will be held from 25 July - 2 August 2009. World Outgames is an international event for the body, the mind, and the spirit. We celebrate the talents and contributions of homosexual, bi-sexual and transgender men and women from every corner of the globe. We love to see you next year, go register for the event and book your travel today using one of many IGLTA Tour Operators. Just go to IGLTA's Member Search and look up Copenhagen and Out Games!

IGLTA Featured on New Turkish GLBT Travel Site

IGLTA Partners in Turkey have uneiled a new GLBT Travel Site called GayTravelTR. The site has a plethora of information regarding Turkish culture and sites, all relevant to gay and lesbian travelers. Be sure to visit the website, sign up for more information and learn all you can about the fascinating country of Turkey, home to a recent IGLTA Symposium / FAM Trip!

Toronto Convention Information - Registration Discount & Partnerships

Early Registration Almost Over
Please make sure you register for IGLTA's Annual Convention in Toronto by 31 December 2008 or the price goes up! Take advantage of the early discount by registering before the end of the year. Act now by visiting the Toronto Convention Website today!

Celebrate IGLTA's 26th Anniversary in Toronto as a Convention Partner.
Have your business be in the 'Global Spotlight' by selecting a sponsorship opportunity like:
*Sunrise Yoga Class
*Board Meeting Breakfast, Lunch & Break
*Your Logo on all of the attendees Hotel Room Keys
*Branded Backpacks, Bags and/or Water Bottles for all attendees
*The Media Trade Show
*Meals and Receptions are also available

Click here for a link to the 2009 Convention Sponsorship Opportunity Descriptions.

Contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org or +1-815-621-6464, ASAP to secure your place in the IGLTA Spotlight!!!!

Register for our Toronto Convention by 31 December to Win!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - November 19, 2008

2008-11-19T14:02:00.001-05:00

IGLTA to Have Huge Presence at ITB

It has been announced that IGLTA will be having a huge presence as the only GLBT tourism area at the event. We are offering our members an economical rate to be part of the IGLTA pavilion to represent our industry to the tourism leaders around the globe. At ITB this year, IGLTA plans on speaking out for our members and showing everybody there that we are our members - the gamut of GLBT tourism across the globe. Be a part of this phenomenal experience!For those of you who want to attend with us, you can access the form here. If you cannot attend but would like to participate in our brochure distribution program, you can also download the form. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact our European Ambassador, Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org.

IGLTA Featured in Skype Promo

IGLTA European Ambassador Carlos Kytka was recently featured in a YouTube promotional video showcasing how IGLTA uses Skype and how Skype can be utilized in business practices. The video is a great showcase of Skype and how we use the technology here at IGLTA!

New Ambassador Positions at IGLTA in Europe

The IGLTA is looking for visionary leaders to fill the position of National Ambassadors in Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Austria & Italy. Being an Ambassador is a voluntary position that allows you to be the face of Gay Tourism in your country. Working with the European Ambassador you would help to co-ordinate activities to raise the profile of this sector and the IGLTA. This involves working with the media, representing the IGLTA at local events and encouraging increased membership. Most importantly, you will give a national identity to the IGLTA in your country. This position is a great opportunity to raise your status within the GLBT travel industry and beyond. Please contact Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org for more details about this position

IGLTA Update - November 12, 2008

2008-11-12T17:10:00.003-05:00

Ideas Needed for May 7th Event

IGLTA's Annual Global Convention begins the evening of May 7th in Toronto, Canada. We are looking to have an event during the day and need your help deciding on what to do! Some ideas that were mentioned earlier in the office: golf tournament, charity event to give back to Toronto, and other events to help network and bring awareness to GLBT tourism. If you have ideas, please respond to this e-mail or just send an e-mail to Richard Brower. Keep reading your weekly IGLTA Update to see what event gets picked!

WTTC Holds Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Florianopolis, Brazil

In May 2009, the London-based WTTC will hold their summit in Florianopolis, the site of IGLTA's Symposium / FAM Trip in March. "In these challenging economic times," said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC, "when it is almost impossible to predict short-term trends - let alone make long-term forecasts - it is more critical than ever for the public and private sectors to forge close partnerships so they can work together to ensure the longer-term prosperity of Travel & Tourism. Our partnership with the Government of Brazil and the Government of Santa Catarina will provide a much needed platform for dialogue among leaders of industry and government, shaping the future of Travel & Tourism worldwide". IGLTA is proud to work closely with the governments and businesses of Santa Catarina. To learn more about the Symposium / FAM Trip or to register, visit the Event's Web Site.

New Brochure Distribution Opportunity

The IGLTA World Tour is happy to announce a new brochure distribution opportunity. We will be on hand at the HX Gay & Lesbian Travel Expo in Fort Lauderdale on 9 December. If you are unable to attend this event but would like IGLTA to represent you with your brochures, please click here to download and fill out the form. Please note: it is due with payment by 30 November 2008. If you have any questions, please contact Yukari Takeshita.

IGLTA Partners with French TV Channel to Highlight Hotels

IGLTA office in Europe has teamed up with the French photographer Odette Pelletier and Guillaume Calvarese from French TV Channel 3 to produce a book and pilot TV series about Gay and Gay Friendly hotels in France. The project will start early in 2009 and if successful will spread initially to cover other European countries and then the Americas. The main criteria to be part of that production are for the hotels to be members of the IGLTA.

IGLTA Update - November 5, 2008

2008-11-05T17:13:00.001-05:00

Brazil Symposium / FAM Trip Pre & Post Options Now Available!

We are proud to announce that our Symposium / FAM Trip to Florianopolis in March now has details Pre and Post trip options! After you register for the Symposium, do not hesitate to sign up for one of the trips which include the destinations: Rio de Janeiro, Balneario Camboriu, Buenos Aires and others. To learn more about the event, to register and to sign up for these tours, please visit the IGLTA Brazil Symposium website.

IGLTA Holds Board Meeting in Puerto Rico

The IGLTA Board of Directors and several staff just returned from a weekend Board Meeting in the beautiful Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. 1985 was the last time IGLTA was there, when the island played host to our Annual Convention. The Board Meeting agenda items included a review of the IGLTA website, development of committees and leadership programs for the membership, the Mentor Program, organizational strategic planning, brainstorming for the upcoming Annual Convention in Toronto, and alliances with other global associations. The weekend also included a Regional Reception at the LXR Condado Plaza in San Juan. IGLTA members on the island came together to network and socialize. IGLTA thanks the following sponsors in hosting the weekend events: American Airlines, Wyndham Rio Mar Hotel, Gran Melia Resort, Caribe Hilton, LXR Condado Plaza, Dragonfly Adventures, and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. Stay tuned for more pictures of the event, and be sure to keep checking out IGLTA's Facebook page for up-to-date information regarding this and other events.

IGLTA Congratulates London - Home of World Pride 2012!

Last week, at the InterPride convention in Vancouver, London was awarded to be the host of World Pride 2012. Visit London, a strong IGLTA member and GLBT tourism partner, was at the event to share with everybody why London was the best choice. London is abuzz in 2012 with the next Olympic Summer Games and the Queen's 60th Jubilee. London will be the place to be that summer - even more so than it already is. The other city bidding was Stockholm - the site of this year's EuroPride. Congratulations London!

IGLTA Update - October 29, 2008

2008-10-29T16:37:00.002-04:00

Toronto Convention Registration Now Open!

IGLTA is happy to announce that registration for our 26th Annual Global Convention in Toronto is now open! Be one of the first to register for this amazing, chic convention that will knock your socks off! An invitation was sent yesterday to all of our global members and there are two changes to note:

1) The attire is Business Casual, not Business
2) The Hilton Toronto - our host hotel - has a special rate of CAD $189. The Convention Website is now updated with hotel registration information.

Also, if you register and pay for the convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA's World Tour continues in the "City by the Bay"

San Francisco's Etiquette Lounge was the venue for IGLTA's most recent regional reception. Ninety leaders in the travel industry, including some Bay Area ghosts and goblins, we're also welcomed by the San Francisco CVB and the GGBA with plenty of treats (no tricks).

Travelocity, HX Media and long time IGLTA member, the Renoir Hotel, were event sponsors.

This networking cocktail reception, one of the largest IGLTA has ever hosted, featured spectacular Halloween-themed decor' at one of San Franciaco's premier lounges.

"The huge success of IGLTA's regional receptions reflects the quality, loyalty and energy of our worldwide membership." comments Tom Nibbio, IGLTA's Manager of Partnership Development. "These great events also introduce us to many new prospective members' who really see a value in becoming a part of the IGLTA family. "

The San Franciso event comes on the heels of a historical reception following IGLTA's All Welcome! Seminar held in Poland just two weeks ago. The Eastern European seminar and party in Poznan drew 55 guests who were very hungry for gay tourism infomation and networking capabilities.

IGLTA will be hosting another reception on 1 November (this Saturday) in San Juan, Puerto Rico at LXR's Condado Plaza Hotel, 999 Ashford, San Juan 00907. It will take place from 6:00 - 8:00pm. We look forward to welcoming you there!

IGLTA Newsletter Correction

In last week's newsletter, there was an article about our recent Symposium / FAM Trip to the nation of Turkey. We regret that we neglected to mention that ATB Tours was also a sponsor of that trip. We thank them and all of our sponsors that made that trip amazing!

IGLTA Board to Meet in Puerto Rico

Starting tomorrow, 30 October 2009, IGLTA Staff and Board will be on the island of Puerto Rico for one of the annual board meetings. IGLTA Strategy Direction, updates, Toronto convention planning and membership involvement will be just some of the topics discussed. Stay tuned for upcoming IGLTA Newsletters for information about the happenings of IGLTA and the Board. We would also like to thank the following sponsors for making this trip a success: American Airlines, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LXR Resorts & Hotels, Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. IGLTA's next Board Meeting will be held in late January 2009 in Dallas, Texas, USA.

IGLTA Update - October 22, 2008

2008-10-22T16:18:00.002-04:00

IGLTA Turkey Symposium / FAM a Huge Success!

Recently, IGLTA held a Symposium / FAM Trip in Turkey. The event was attended by IGLTA Member Roy Heale and he has written the following story. The pictures were taken by both Roy and IGLTA Manager - Partnerships, Tom Nibbio. To contact Roy, please e-mail him at adanddesign@shaw.ca. Also, keep checking our IGLTA Events Page for upcoming pictures of the trip from our members.

A group of IGLTA members from Canada, Mexico, The United States and Israel were treated to six intense October days touring around Turkey experiencing the GLBT travel options in this surprisingly gay-friendly country. The visit included the coastal resort towns of Bodrum and Kusadasi ending with the mystique of Istanbul. The local GLBT travel industry hosts and their business associates created a comprehensive itinerary which included first class accommodations, local guided tours, gourmet dining, boat tours, visits to ancient archaeological sights, resort tours, a Turkish Bath, and of course the local gay nightlife. This symposium proved to be highly educational and informative with the bonus of warm October weather and sunshine for most of the trip.

Although there were too many highlights to mention them all in this short report, the visit to the ancient Roman City of Ephesus---near Kusadasi---seemed to be the most outstanding memory for most attendees. Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean,and perhaps the best place in the world to get the feeling for what life was like in Roman times. It was even more impressive to learn that the twenty-thousand seat Roman amphitheater.eatre had even hosted Elton John in concert!

In Bodrum the group discovered Turkey's very own entertainment legend Zeki Muren whose home in this town is now a museum dedicated to his singing, composing and acting career. The similarities to Liberace were astounding and the museum contains examples of his outrageous costumes and memorabilia.

The tour ended with two full days exploring the highlights of Istanbul from historic mosques, to traditional Turkish markets and a delightful two-hour cruise along the Bosphorus which is the river separating the two continents of Europe and Asia and dividing the city of Istanbul into two distinct communities. Again the gourmet dining was fantastic and the gay night life amazing. Our final Bon Voyage party was held at Love Dance Point and we were treated royally by the staff and management, affording the perfect end to a perfect symposium.

Everyone who was fortunate enough to attend this symposium made many new gay friends and headed to the airport feeling slightly sad at departing, and vowing to return to Turkey again soon.

Thanks again to all of the sponsors of the Turkey FAM Trip / Symposium including Czech Airlines, Attache Tours, BluEge Tours and DER-TUR Tours. Without them and the host hotels and venues, this event would not have been so successful!

IGLTA Welcome Sheila Bryant!

Starting last week, the IGLTA family welcomed a new employee. Sheila Bryant will take the role of Manager - Membership Development beginning immediately. Sheila will be based in Dallas, Texas, and has an enormous amount of expertise in the world of fundraising for nonprofits. She will help IGLTA grow our membership around the world and assist you, the member, with how to get the most out of IGLTA. With the addition of Sheila to the team, Tom Nibbio will now be focusing his role on increasing IGLTA's Partnership Program. His new title will be Manager - Partnerships. Please welcome Sheila to our team by e-mailing her at sheila@iglta.org!

IGLTA Reception During World Travel Market in London

Staged annually in London, World Travel Market is a vibrant must attend four day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and international travel professionals. To celebrate London's WTM, IGLTA will be hosting a cocktail reception for all IGLTA members and those interested in learning more about IGLTA and the global LGBT travel market. Hosted by the Fort Lauderdale Tourist Board at Gaydar's stunning three floor venue Profile in the heart of gay London in Soho we look forward to welcoming the world's travel professionals for a friendly and informative evening from 6.30 on Wednesday November 12. Click here to see the event invitation. Please RSVP to europe@iglta.org.

Next Trip Radio Launches GLBT Travel Show

Next Trip Radio, the 24 hour a day, seven day a week destination for travel enthusiasts, is proud to announce the debut of Here's The Thing, an hour-long, daily travel show dedicated to the interests of the gay and lesbian community, hosted by Duane Wells.

Each day from 2:00 PM - 3:00PM at Next Trip Radio.com, Duane, an editor and writer whose work covers everything from politics and entertainment to travel and style, can be heard discussing the world of travel from the inside OUT.

IGLTA is proud to help pioneer this endeavor and will regularly contribute to the show and content. Be sure to tune in to hear the GLBT side of travel!

IGLTA Update - October 15, 2008

2008-10-15T16:43:00.003-04:00

Brazil Symposium / FAM Trip Registration Open!

More information about IGLTA's Symposium / FAM Trip to Florianopolis, Brazil is now available! The event will take place 26 - 30 March 2009 and will include a city tour, beach tours and hotel visits. The event is open to all IGLTA members. For more information, please look at our advertising flyer in Portuguese and in English / Spanish. To register and to see the detailed itinerary for the event, please visit the Florianopolis Symposium Website.

IGLTA Feedback Survey

In order to better understand the needs of our members, we have created an ongoing feebdack survey. The purpose of the survey is to let us know all the good things we do and help us with suggesting areas we need improvement. The survey will be consistently reviewed and always accessible for our members. When you log into the IGLTA Members Only Page you will see a link to the survey under 'Feedback.' You can also directly link to the survey by clicking here.

Don't Forget Upcoming IGLTA Receptions!

San Francisco, USA
Monday 27 October 2008
Etiquette Lounge from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The event is open to all IGLTA members and anybody in the tourism industry.
Please RSVP to Yukari Takeshita at yukari@iglta.org.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Saturday 1 November 2008
LXR Property Condado Beach Hotel from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
All IGLTA members and friends in the tourism inudstry are invited.
Please RSVP to Yukari Takeshita at yukari@iglta.org.

IGLTA Members Attend FAM Trip to Buenos Aires and Iguazu

South American Experts, leading representative company in the US for gay and lesbian travel to South America in conjuction with Quimbaya Tours in Argentina just returned from a wonderful familiarization trip to Buenos Aires and Iguacu Falls, Argentina.

Tour operators and Travel agents had the opportunity to stay for 3 days at the only gay hotel in South America, the HOTEL AXEL in Buenos Aires and enjoy the chic venues this amazing city offers...then the group traveled to the Iguazu Grand Hotel (A member of The Leading Hotels of the World) in the falls and enjoyed one of the most spectacular natural wonders on earth as well as the luxurious accommodations of the resort and spa.

For further information on gay travel to South America please contact IGLTA's Latin American Ambassador Ylan Chrem at latinamerica@iglta.org.

IGLTA Update - October 8, 2008

2008-10-08T14:11:00.002-04:00

IGLTA Toronto Convention Website Almost Complete!
The moment you've all been waiting for is almost here! IGLTA's 26th Annual Global Convention is about to have a completed, brand-new website! During the next week, early registration will be opening with great discounts and perks. Stay tuned to next week's newsletter for details about the benefits to registering before 31 December 2008. In the meantime, please visit the Convention Website to get a little taste of the chic convention that we will be having in Toronto! If you have questions or comments about the site, please direct them to Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org.

IGLTA Staff Around the World This Week
This week IGLTA staff members are around the globe representing the members of our association. Our Executive Director, John Tanzella, is on site in Vancouver for Community Marketing Inc's annual conference. The buzz coming from the Southwest corner of Canada is remarkable and I think everybody is taking away some valuable education from their event. Keep reading our newsletter for an account of what's happening there.

Our Global Ambassador Tom Nibbio and our European Ambassador Carlos Kytka are in Turkey for IGLTA's Symposium / FAM Trip to Bodrum, Kusadasi and Istanbul. Led by IGLTA's amazing Turkish members, the event has promised to be an amazing trip into the world of Western Turkey and the GLBT peoples of the region. For more information about this trip, and to see pictures, stay tuned to next week's newsletter.

IGLTA Ambassador Position Open in Germany

We are proud to announce that there is an opening for a National Ambassador in Germany. We are looking for an IGLTA member to help increase membership in the country on a part-time, commission based schedule. This position would work closely with Carlos Kytka, our European Ambassador and Tom Nibbio, our Global Ambassador. If you are interested in the position or have questions please contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org and Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org.

Weekly GLBT Tourism News Highlight

10 Years Since Matthew Shepard
Yesterday marked the 10-year anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard in a small town in Wyoming, USA. Today, the town hopes to shed its image of being a homophobic place. This article from the Rocky Mountain News shows how the town has made some strides in becoming more accepting. The article also shows how parts of the town have become some sort of a pilgrimage to pay respect to the horrible event that took place here.

IGLTA Update - October 1, 2008

2008-10-01T16:23:00.001-04:00

IGLTA Regional Networking Receptions

San Francisco, USA
In three weeks, on Monday 27 October 2008, we will be holding a Regional Networking Reception in San Francisco, California. We will be having this at Etiquette Lounge from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. An invitation was sent out earlier today. The event is open to all IGLTA members and anybody in the tourism industry. We also would like to thank the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Golden Gate Business Association, Travelocity and the Renoir Hotel for sponsoring this event. Please note, the invitation sent out forgot to include a line to please RSVP to Yukari Takeshita at yukari@iglta.org.

San Juan, Puerto Rico
On Saturday, 1 November 2008, IGLTA Staff and Board of Directors will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a Regional Networking Reception following our October Board Meeting. The event will be held at the LXR Property Condado Beach Hotel from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Of course, all IGLTA members and friends in the tourism inudstry are invited. A formal invitation will be sent out this week, so keep checking your inbox!

IGLTA Offers New Opportunities with Gay Comfort

Out Now and IGLTA announced that from today, IGLTA members will gain significant market advantages as a result of the launch of the 'IGLTA Two-for-One GayComfort Advantage'. The IGLTA Two-for-One GayComfort Advantage means that after purchasing GayComfort trainings online at GayComfort - IGLTA members receive two trainings for each training purchased.

"IGLTA is pleased to be partnering with Out Now to bring better lesbian and gay travel market staff training to the global travel industry, thanks to the innovative GayComfort program," said Tom Nibbio, IGLTA Global Ambassador.

For more information, please read our Press Release.

IGLTA Welcomes Our Newest Media Partner

Bleu Magazine is a celebration of the urban gay man and his experiences, as expressed through fashion, entertainment, culture and music. We are a conduit for self expression and change for our readers who are trying to define and love who they are and what they aspire to be. IGLTA is proud to partner with this wonderful publication. For more information and to see IGLTA's other Partners, please visit our Partners Page. For more information on the magazine, visit their website.

Weekly GLBT Tourism News Highlight

October is GLBT History Month
GLBT History Month, a project of the Equality Forum (a partner of IGLTA) is happening this October, starting today. Each day of the month highlights another person (or couple) who have helped shape the world of GLBT peoples. Make sure you check out their website daily to watch videos and learn about the history and culture of GLBT people. Click here to watch today's video.

IGLTA Update - September 17, 2008

2008-09-17T16:22:00.001-04:00

IGLTA in Poland

IGLTA is proud to announce that it will present its "All Welcome!" educational seminar and panel discussion exploring GLBT tourism during Tour Salon 2008 in Poznan, the largest business-to-business travel conference and tradeshow in Poland, as well as one of the largest in Europe. Scheduled for 17 October 2008 from 11:00-15:30, the theme for the groundbreaking day is "Gay Tourism: The Fastest Growing Sector in the Travel Industry." IGLTA's presence at Tour Salon 2008 is being coordinated by Piotr Wójcik, IGLTA's national ambassador to Poland. Ten years ago, Wójcik founded Strawberry Travel, Poland's first-ever GLBT travel agency. To learn more about this event, please view our press release by clicking here.

IGLTA Brazil Symposium / FAM Trip and Seminar

Next Spring, IGLTA is proud to announce that there will be a Symposium / FAM Trip to Florianópolis, Brazil. The event will be one-of-a-kind and feature an educational seminar as well as a tour of the area and insight into the local gay culture. The event will bring together GLBT tourism professionals all over South America and it is something you definitely do not want to miss! More details will be released soon, in the meantime please continue to check the IGLTA Events Page for more information on this trip and other upcoming IGLTA events.

Toronto Convention Registration Coming Soon!

Coming in the next couple weeks, our Brand new 2009 Convention Website and Registration will be live! Be sure to take advantage of the early registration prior to 31 December 2008. The site will also include a detailed agenda, hotel and transportation information and more. To whet your appetitie, click here to see our offiical convention postcard. This year's Convention Theme is "Seek Chic" and the event promises to be nothing less. Stay tuned to your weekly newsletter and our website for updates. We're getting very excited here at IGLTA as we dive into preparations and can't wait for all of us to be together again in Toronto!

IGLTA Will Make History at ITB Berlin 2009!

Participate with IGLTA at the world's largest travel fair...ITB-Berlin! IGLTA will represent our worldwide membership via booth sharing and brochure distribution opportunities.

Click here for information and to register now.
Let's make history together!!!

Contact Tom Nibbio at mailto:carlos@iglta.org, Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org or your local IGLTA Ambassador for more information.

Weekly GLBT Tourism News Highlight

Cambodian Business Target GLBT Travelers
An article today in The Phnom Penh Post has detailed the country's increase in GLBT tourists. Cambodia, a neighbor of Thailand, is seeing more bars and boutique hotels opening their doors to GLBT travelers. In turn, an increasing number of tourists are visiting the Southeast Asian nation. For more information and to see the article, please click here.

IGLTA Update - September 10, 2008

2008-09-10T16:20:00.001-04:00

IGLTA Picks Convention Hotel for 2010

After careful consideration, IGLTA and the Antwerp Convention Host Committee has selected the site for our host hotel. The Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp will be home to our 27th Annual Convention. Make sure you save the date for the event which will be held 23 - 26 June, 2010. Also, be sure to attend our 26th Annual Convention next year in Toronto - which is going to be an amazing event. For more information on the Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp, please visit their website.

IGLTA at Various Conventions

Recently, IGLTA Staff members have been attending various GLBT conferences to be on the forefront of GLBT business worldwide. At the end of August, Project Manager Richard Brower was in Washington, DC to attend the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists' Association (NLGJA) Conference. It was a great time and it was wonderful catching up with so many of our media partners including travel writer Michael Luongo and Bob Witeck. Last weekend, Global Sales Ambassador Tom Nibbio and our Intern Yukari Takeshita were on hand in Orlando for THETRADESHOW, put on by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). They represented IGLTA and our membership with brochure distributions and networking. To see where IGLTA Staff Members are headed and to learn about Official IGLTA Events, please visit the IGLTA Events Page.

Get Your Friends & Family to Sign Up for Our Travel Deals

Did you IGLTA had a consumer listserv that we let you - our members - use to market your specials and deals? The database is consistently growing, but we could always use more people! Just direct them to our Listserv Signup Page. Also, if you're interested in marketing to this list, please contact Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org. You can point your browser to the IGLTA Member Benefits page to find out more about this and other Marketing Opportunities.

Have a Great Website? Submit it for a Webby!

Starting next Tuesday, September 16, the Webby Awards are accepting entries and nominations for the world's best travel sites. Previous winners have been Expedia.com, Wikitravel and Flightmaker. "The travel industry continuously raises the bar every year with ground-breaking work," said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of the Webby Awards. "The Webby Awards is an exciting opportunity for travel industry leaders to showcase their work to some of the world's leading Internet luminaries and innovators under an international spotlight." To enter a website for the 13th Annual Awards, please visit the Webby Awards website.

IGLTA Update - September 3, 2008

2008-09-03T16:19:00.001-04:00

IGLTA NYC Reception

IGLTA recently had a reception for members and potential members in New York City. It was held at the Novotel Times Square at the end of August. The event was attended by many members of the GLBT tourism world in New York. It was a great way to network, meet new people and experience IGLTA in the area. To see photos from the event, please click here. IGLTA has regional receptions all year all over the world. Stay tuned to e-mails for upcoming events, or be sure to check out the IGLTA Events Page.

Kimpton Hotels Teams up with IGLTA

IGLTA is proud to announce that ALL Kimpton Hotels are members of IGLTA. And now Kimpton and IGLTA have teamed up to create a special gay travel program that benefits all IGLTA members and travelers. Just mention or include the rate code: GLT when you make a reservation on Kimpton's Website or 1-800-KIMPTON. You will receive 10% off of the best available rate Kimpton has to offer you. Everybody wins with Kimpton Hotels!

Accor Becomes IGLTA's Newest Partner

Accor Hotels has recently announced a new partnership with IGLTA. Accor will be IGLTA's "Chairman of the Board" partner and include the hotel chains Sofitel, Novotel and Mercure. IGLTA is proud to consider Accor a partner and knows their committment to the GLBT tourism world will be a strong one. For more information, please visit Accor's Website or the IGLTA Partnership Page.

IGLTA Announces New Membership Premium Add-On

The added enhancements to IGLTA's website are complete! Now, IGLTA members will be eligible to purchase a 'Premium Add-On' in addition to the yearly membership fee. For USD$295 a member will have three very valuable added benefits:

On the Main IGLTA Page, on the right-hand side, there is a 'Member Showcase' that showcases these members, including a picture and a description.
In the IGLTA Member Search, members with a 'Premium Add-On' will appear at the top of searches they are included in.
Members with this add-on will be able to upload photo albums to showcase thier properties, destinations, trips, etc.

For more information or to sign up for one of these add-ons, please visit the Member Benefits Page or e-mail Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org.

South America FAM Trip Opportunity from Lima Tours

FAM TRIP to Buenos Aires and Iguaçu Falls! - One spot left....
Join us for a wonderful educational trip in Argentina from September 25th to 30th.

Round trip C class air from Miami with TAM
Axel and Iguaçu Grand Hotels
This is for IGLTA members Only
Travel agents or Tour operators may only apply

For further details please contact:
Ylan Chrem - South American Experts
ylan@saexperts.com
+1.305.792.0085

IGLTA Update - August 27, 2008

2008-08-27T11:41:00.003-04:00

IGLTA, Northwest Airlines and Meet Minneapolis at ASAE

IGLTA teamed up last week with members Meet Minneapolis (Minneapolis CVB) and Northwest Airlines to host a GLBT Reception at this year's ASAE Annual Convention. The convention, held in San Diego, California, attracted meeting planners from various North American associations as well as suppliers that include CVB's, Hoteliers, etc.
The joint reception was attended by 300 travel industry professionals. A big thank you to Rick Jacobs of Northwest Airlines and Elissa Hernandez of the Minneapolis CVB for partnering with IGLTA on this great networking event!

American Way Magazine's Vantage Point Highlights Toronto

In the August 15 issue of American Way Magazine (the magazine of IGLTA Partner American Airlines), the Vantage Point article features Toronto, Canada. Toronto is hosting our 26th Annual Convention in 2009 from 07 - 10 May. Gerard J. Arpey, the Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, writes this article and showcases why Toronto is one of the most premiere destinations in the world. Some of the highlights include Toronto's art scene, architecture, film industry and international flair. To read this article, pick up a copy on your next American Airlines flight or click here to view it online.

IGLTA Partner is Leader in GLBT Tourism

The leaders in the global GLBT Tourism industry are always on the forefront of new and exciting developments. Harrah's Rincon San Diego has again stepped up as one of the leaders in GLBT Tourism by offering same-sex wedding packages. According to their press release, "Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort San Diego North announces the availability of wedding and commitment ceremony opportunities for same-sex partners. Titled Love Has No Limits, Harrah's Rincon has designed wedding options that offer couples everything from a formal ceremony to a Las Vegas-style event complete with celebrity impersonators. As an added feature, Harrah's is also offering couples the opportunity to "Marry in San Diego, Honeymoon in Paris," where couples can have their wedding ceremony and reception at Harrah's Rincon and spend their honeymoon at the luxurious Paris Las Vegas."

Premier Conference & Events Joins Toronto Convention

IGLTA has chosen Premier Conference & Events to help the planning of the 26th Annual Convention. To help make this convention the best one IGLTA has ever thrown, Premier will help aid IGLTA staff in the logistics and planning of the conference. Since 1974, they have specialized in corporate travel planning, conference and convention planning, incentive travel and group tours. We are extremely proud to be working with Premier and very excited about our upcoming convention in Toronto!

IGLTA Update - August 20, 2007

2008-08-20T11:40:00.001-04:00

RSVP Now for Tuesday's NYC Reception

This Tuesday, August 26, there will be an IGLTA reception in New York City for current and potential members. It will be a great place to network with other professionals in the GLBT tourism world. Bring your colleagues who may not be members of IGLTA so they can learn more about the organization. The event will take place from 5pm - 7:30pm at the Novotel Times Square. In order to attend, please RSVP to Tom Nibbio now.

Click here for information and to register now.
Let's make history together!!!

Contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org, Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org or your local IGLTA Ambassador for more information.

IGLTA Chicago Reception

IGLTA would like to thank our 52 guests who joined us in Chicago at minibar/winebar for a fabulous reception on Friday August 8th. Our Sponsors for the evening were Travelocity and minibar/winebar. And Hotel Sax provided a great giveaway to a lucky IGLTA member. Thanks to all!

Last Chance to Register for Turkey Symposium / FAM Trip

This is the ultimate last chance to register for IGLTA's upcoming Symposium / FAM Trip to Bodrum, Kusadasi and Istanbul. This is an amazing trip that has been put together by IGLTA members in Turkey and it promises to be an amazing time. Visit the IGLTA Events Page to download ther itinerary and registration form. Hurry, though, there are very few spaces left!

IGLTA Update - August 13, 2008

2008-08-13T11:39:00.001-04:00

IGLTA Partner Community Marketing, Inc. Annual Convention

Community Marketing's 9th International Conference on Gay and Lesbian Tourism will be October 5-8, 2008 at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver BC. Every year, this educational intensive conference brings together 200 sales and marketing staff of tourism bureaus, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators, and media to learn from each other through case studies and educational sessions. The conference is all about sales and marketing to help travel companies better serve the LGBT market. For more information, click here.

IGLTA World Tour Brochure Distribution Opportunity

IGLTA is going to Poland! Representatives will be on hand for the Tour Salon - International Fair from the 16 -18 October 2008. As a member, you have the ability to participate in our brochure distribution program. You may download the registration form by clicking here. Also, for other World Tour opportunities and IGLTA Events, please visit our Events Page.

Website Calendar Guidelines

As a member of IGLTA, you have the ability to upload your events to our Calendar. Some people have inquired about certain upload guidelines that we have put into place to make sure the calendar is a valuable resource to the thousands of consumers that visit our site each month. Posts on the page must be actual events, not advertisements for an ongoing part of your business. The calendar will not display any "event" that lasts longer than 30 days in order to make sure the calendar is not just full of generic advertisements. Also, please note that if any calendar submission violates IGLTA's By-Laws and we feel that members are not conducting business in a professional manner, any calendar posting may be removed. If you have any questions about these or other IGLTA policies, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. Thanks for helping make IGLTA's website a valuable resource for GLBT tourism!

IGLTA Update - August 6, 2008

2008-08-06T11:37:00.002-04:00

Last Chance to Register for IGLTA Symposium / FAM to Turkey!

There are still a few spots left to register for our Symposium / FAM trip to Turkey this 06 - 11 of October. The trip has an amazing itinerary planned and will visit Bodrum, Kusadasi and Istanbul. There are also Post Trip options to give you the option to explore this region even further. The official airline for this tip is Czech Airlines and there are discounts available. Register ASAP as the trip is almost filled up! For more information about all of these options, please visit the IGLTA Events Page.

IGLTA NYC Reception Approaching

On Tuesday 26 August, 2008, IGLTA will be holding a reception in New York City from 5:00pm - 7:30pm. Held at the Novotel Times Square, the reception is open to all members and potential members in the New York City metropolitan area. If you live in the area, you should have (or will) receive an invitation shortly. To RSVP for the event, please e-mail Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org. See you in the Big Apple!

Click here for information and to register now.
Let's make history together!!!

Contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org, Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org or your local IGLTA Ambassador for more information.

Gay-Friendly Buenos Aires Receives Recognition

Buenos Aires was chosen as the best touristic destination in Latin America. Travel & leisure has given Buenos Aires the award based on cultural activity, price-quality relationship and its touristic attractions. The award was given in New York to the Argentinean secretary of tourism. According to the American embassy in Buenos Aires last year (2007) more than 400,000 US citizens have visited Argentina. During last may 2008, according to official statistics, 177,000 tourists arrived to Argentina. Congratulations Argentina!

IGLTA Update - July 30, 2008

2008-07-30T11:36:00.001-04:00

IGLTA Partner IGLCC's 2nd Annual Summit in London

The International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is holding their second annual summit in London, England from 19 - 21 September. For its second Summit, the IGLCC chose to focus on its two major initiatives: the International LGBT Business Data Base and the International Business Equality Index. These two projects will be addressed in the workshops that the IGLCC will present during the Summit. In fact, along with its partners and major international business leaders, the IGLTA will be in attendance to learn about their content and their impact on diversity in the business world. The Summit will also be a unique opportunity to profit from the expertise of all the participants who will present the latest news regarding the LGBT market. For more information, click here to visit their website.

Click here for information and to register now.
Let's make history together!!!

Contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org, Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org or your local IGLTA Ambassador for more information.

Friendly Reminder to All Members From IGLTA'S Global Ambassador:

If you are planning to create new print advertising, media, website pages, etc. Or if your ad agency is preparing new material for you, please remember to use our new logo designs. Click here for a link to a page with all of our logos (NOTE: You must be logged in to view this page.)

And if you are also a TAG APPROVED accommodation, please remember to utilize that logo.

Remember that "Better Branding means Better Business!"

Thanks,
Tom Nibbio

IGLTA Update - July 22, 2008

2008-07-22T11:33:00.001-04:00

Czech Airlines - Official Airline of IGLTA Symposium / FAM

IGLTA Partner Czech Airlines has become the Official Airline of our Symposium / FAM Trip to Turkey this October. The airline is offering great discounts of 10 - 15% on all flights to Turkey for the event. Our trip to Bodrum, Kusadasi and Istanbul is going to be an IGLTA event that will show you what an amazing country Turkey is. The itinerary and registration information is located on the IGLTA Events Page. See you in Turkey!

New Member Profile Capabilities

IGLTA is proud to announce a new member benefit on our website. Thanks to IGLTA Partner Pink Banana Media, we have new capabilities to make your IGLTA profile more interactive. You can now upload your company's logo, link to your Facebook, Plaxo and LinkedIn profiles and upload photos. Log into our Member Admin page to upload photos.

PLEASE NOTE: Adding photos to a photo album will be a premium member feature starting soon which means they will only appear upon payment of a fee. More details about pricing and payment will come soon.

Also, while you're playing around with your profile, don't hesitate to update it! Make sure your address, website and e-mail are all up to date. Be sure to add in descriptions and key words so that consumers can find your listings easily.

If you have any website questions, do not hesitate to contact Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org.

IGLTA in Scandinavia

This week IGLTA Global Ambassador Tom Nibbio and IGLTA Project Manager Richard Brower will be in Scandinavia for the FAM Trip "Take a Liking to a Viking." The trip is sponsored by VisitDenmark and VisitSweden and will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark and Ystad and Stockholm, Sweden. Stay tuned to the IGLTA Blog for pictures and updates from this amazing region!

IGLTA Update - July 16, 2008

2008-07-16T13:40:00.002-04:00

IGLTA Europe July Newsletter

The July 2008 edition of OutSpoken is available for download. This month's newsletter features articles on France, Lebanon, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the UK. To download the newsletter, please click here. You can also access our European Newsletters and our weekly IGLTA Updates at our Blog Site. Many thanks to all who made this month's newsletter a great success!

New Website Updates

IGLTA has made some new website updates to better serve you, the members. On our main page, on the left-hand side of the page, you will now notice a new "Find a Travel Agent" box. This is so consumer visitors to our website can easily search our database of travel agents.

You may also have noticed the changes to our sponsorship page. IGLTA has decided to refer to all sponsors and partners simply as "Partners." This change is due to the nature of IGLTA's relationships with key organizations. As an association we partner with other businesses and groups to help grow the world of GLBT travel. To take a look at IGLTA's Partners, please visit our Partner Page.

In the coming week or two, members will also have access to upload photos to their business listings. For a small fee, members can upload multiple photos and position their listing at the top of the search page to stand out. Stay tuned for details on when this will be launched!

If you have any website questions, do not hesitate to contact Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org.

New Marketing Opportunity

There is a new online marketing opportunity that you, as a member, can partake in! Paying to sponsor a search is a new way to make your company visible. For US$200/month you can sponsor a certain search term that will make your ad pop up whenever that field is searched. For example, if you go to the IGLTA Search Page and type 'Provincetown' in the City field, your results will feature an advertisement from ptown.org. If you are interested in participating in this opportunity, please contact Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org. You can view this and other marketing opportunities on our Member Benefits page.

Toronto Pride Huge Success

A few weeks ago, Toronto Canada hosted one of the largest pride festivals in North America and the world! Over a million people participated in the event, again showcasing Toronto as a leading GLBT destination with a strong community. This spectacular Canadian city will be host to IGLTA's 26th Anniversary convention to be held 07 - 10 May 2009. Keep reading your IGLTA Updates for more information about this and other events!
(Photo thanks to Matt Skallerud)

IGLTA Update - July 9, 2008

2008-07-09T13:33:00.001-04:00

Turkey Post Trips Announced!

The registrations for our October Symposium / FAM Trip are coming in! Don't wait until the last minute to reserve your spot on this amazing experience through the nation of Turkey. IGLTA recently announced details on Post Trips that will be available, and you can find out about them by clicking here. Click here to download the main itinerary which now includes Registration & Payment information. As always, these forms can be found on the IGLTA Events Page. Act quickly, though, because registrations will only be accepted through 31 July 2008. This is one event you are not going to want to miss! If you have any questions, comments or problems, please contact Mr. Gürkan Tuncay at gtuncay@dertur.com.tr.

Toronto Board Meeting & Reception Huge Success

A couple weeks ago, at the end of June, IGLTA's Staff and Board of Directors met in Toronto, host of IGLTA's 26th Anniversary Convention. The Board Meeting was held over two days at the wonderful Hilton Toronto. Prior to the meeting, a Regional Reception was held at the beautiful Gloucester Square Inn. To see pictures from this event, please click here for a web album by IGLTA European Ambassador, Carlos Kytka. Don't forget to save the date of IGLTA's next annual convention in Toronto, Canada - 07-10 May, 2009!

EuroPride in Stockholm, Sweden Coming Soon

IGLTA Staff will be on hand in Stockholm, Sweden at the end of July for the annual Stockholm Pride - this year home to EuroPride. The event is sure to be a huge success drawing people from all over the world to this beautiful Scandinavian city. Recently, EDGE Los Angeles featured a story about the city. Click here to view that story and click here for the website of Visit Sweden - a proud member of IGLTA.

IGLTA Announces new Brochure Distribution Opportunities

The IGLTA World Tour is not stopping anytime soon! You have the ability to use our travel schedule to send your brochures to places you are not able to attend. Coming up soon we have opportunities at the DMAI Conference in Las Vegas (29 July - Click Here), ASTA's THETRADESHOW in Orlando (07-09 September - Click Here) and HX's Gay and Lesbian Travel Expos in San Francisco and San Diego (28 & 30 October - Click Here). If you are interested in sending brochures at EuroPride in Stockholm, a limited number of spaces are available - please e-mail Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org for more information.

IGLTA's New Intern!

IGLTA recently welcomed the addition of Yukari Takeshita to our Headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. She is a tourism student at Florida International University and is studying here from her home nation of Japan. Yukari will be helping us grow our membership around the world, specifically in Asia. She will also help around the office and work with you all to make IGLTA the best association it can be. Welcome her to the IGLTA family by e-mailing intern@iglta.org!

New Open Ambassador Positions

IGLTA is pleased to announce that there are currently open positions for our team of Global Ambassadors. We are currently looking for people in Asia, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the Eastern United States. If you are an IGLTA member in one of these areas and would like to work with IGLTA - apply now! These positions are commission-based and part time to help us grow our membership internationally. For more information, contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org.

IGLTA Update - June 25, 2008

2008-06-25T16:06:00.002-04:00

URGENT: TORONTO CONVENTION DATE CHANGE!!

It has come to our attention that the weekend chosen for the IGLTA 26th Annual Convention coincides with TIA's International POW WOW. We want as many of our members and tourism industry professionals to attend our event as possible, so we are moving our convention back one week. So now, IGLTA's Convention in Toronto, Canada will be from 07 - 10 May 2009. We hope that this does not inconvenience you and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

IGLTA Symposium / FAM Trip to Turkey - Registration Now Open!

The third week is the charm! Registration is now open for IGLTA's Symposium / FAM Trip to Bodrum and Istanbul, Turkey! Click here to download the itinerary which now includes Registration & Payment information. Act quickly, though, because registrations will only be accepted through 31 July 2008. This is one event you are not going to want to miss! If you have any questions, comments or problems, please contact Mr. Gürkan Tuncay at gtuncay@dertur.com.tr.

Save the Date for IGLTA's Next Symposoim / FAM Trip

It's official - IGLTA's next Symposium / FAM Trip will take place 26 - 30 March 2009 in Florianopolis, Brazil. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks regarding the itinerary, registration and more. Also, please be sure to keep checking out the IGLTA Events Page for updates on this event and other IGLTA Happenings around the world!

Would You Like to Reach IGLTA's Travel Agent Community?

In order to provide more member benefits for our members, IGLTA is offering a new product for suppliers to reach IGLTA's database of travel agents. For a fee of US$500, you can send an e-mail blast to our travel agent members around the world. This e-mail blast may include special booking processes for travel agents, deals, FAM trips and more. For information or to schedule a blast, please e-mail Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org.

IGLTA Update - June 18, 2008

2008-06-18T17:09:00.001-04:00

IGLTA World Tour Symposium / FAM Trip in Turkey

We told you last week about our newest Symposium / FAM Trip to the beautiful nation of Turkey. This week we are whetting your appetite a little more with an itinerary! Please click here to access the Turkey itinerary and look for more information coming up soon. In the next week we will be adding this information to the IGLTA Events Page and providing sign-up information. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitat to contact IGLTA's World Headquarters.

IGLTA World Tour Brochure Distribution

Yet again, IGLTA has an amazing opportunity for you to distribute your organization's brochures during the Destination Marketing Association International's annual conference in Las Vegas at the end of July. To download the application form, please click here or visit the IGLTA Events Page. If you have any questions, please contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org.

IGLTA Reception in Toronto Tomorrow

Tomorrow night, the IGLTA Board of Directors and Staff are having a reception in Toronto to welcome members and potential members to the organization. This event will officially kick off the year of planning for IGLTA's 26th Anniversary Convention which will be held in Toronto the 14 - 17 May, 2009. During the next few days the Board of Directors will be having their annual summer meeting. If you would like to attend this reception, please RSVP to one of our sponsors, Travel Gay Canada, at office@travelgaycanada.com.

This Day in History...

2008 is IGLTA's 25th Anniversary, and it gives us great pleasure to relive many moments with you throughout the year. Some of you may remember that eight years ago today, June 18, 2000, we were in the middle of our Annual Convention in San Francisco, USA. We had the distinct pleasure of Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. proclaiming that day "International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Day" in the city of San Francisco. We were welcomed with open arms much in the same way we were in Las Vegas this year by their current wonderful mayor.

IGLTA Update - June 11, 2008

2008-06-11T17:09:00.001-04:00

Fall Symposium/Fram Trip to Turkey

From 6 to 11 October, fabulous Turkey will be the host of our Fall Symposium/Fam Trip. Mustafa Kartopu, our Ambassador to Turkey and all our Turkish members invite you to come and join the culture, history, warmth of Turkey.
Starting our trip in the southern resort of Bodrum, we will make our way up to Kusadasi/Ephesus and finishing our week in Istanbul. The details of the Symposium will be published soon, but for the time being pencil down those dates in your diary for a trip of a lifetime!

Antwerp, Belgium Hosts NaviGAYtion Party

Saturday, 28 June, 2008 will host NaviGAYtion 2008 in Antwerp, Belgium. This internationally acclaimed event is being held with collaboration from the City of Antwerp, the Port Authority, Flandria, Antverpia and many others. Antwerp recently won the bid to host IGLTA's 27th Annual Convention in May 2010. Keep looking for more information about Antwerp in the coming months! For more information, visit NaviGAYtion's website by clicking here.

IGLTA World Tour Continues in Orlando!

Over 30,000 GLBT travelers converged on Orlando from all around the world this past weekend, June 5-9. They were there to celebrate One Mighty Weekend. In addition to the music, dancing, celebrity appearances, and enjoying the Disney and Universal theme parks, they were treated to the first-ever One Mighty Weekend Expo held at LXR's beautiful Buena Vista Palace.

Tom Nibbio, IGLTA's Global Ambassador was present along with IGLTA Corporate Sponsors Fun Maps, LXR and 12 other IGLTA members who also exhibited along with over 50 other retail and media exhibitors.

One Mighty Weekend is created and produced by Johnny Chisholm Productions. And the expo is managed by HX Media.

Advertise Your Events on IGLTA's Free Calendar

Many of our members have utilized the power of our Online Free Calendar. Located on our website (click here to access), the calendar is one of our most popular pages. Consumers and members of the industry alike utilize the Calendar of Events to see what's happening in the world of gay and lesbian travel and events. To post an event, just login and click "Add Your Event" at the bottom of the Calendar page. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Richard Brower at richard@iglta.org.