International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association takes convention to NYC for the first time

The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) has opened registration for its 36th Annual Global Convention, to be held in New York City for the first time. The major educational and networking event for the global LGBTQ tourism industry will take place 24-27 April 2019 at the New York Hilton Midtown. The convention takes on greater significance as 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, widely considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The most recent (2018) IGLTA convention was in Toronto, in May. Last year’s edition was St Petersburg, Florida in 2017. Registration for the 2019 convention was officially opened on World Tourism Day and IGLTA president/CEO John Tanzella said: “On a day designed to raise awareness about the social, cultural, political and economic value of tourism, it’s essential that LGBTQ travel is well represented. We couldn’t be more proud to bring our premier event to New York City in the 50th anniversary year of Stonewall.” IGLTA convention includes three days of educational programming, networking lunches, evening receptions, the Small Business Entrepreneurship forums, and a Media Networking Event. In addition, the IGLTA Foundation will present its annual fundraising event, VOYAGE, which includes honours for those who have made significant contributions to LGBTQ travel. The convention also features a one-day appointment-driven Buyer/Supplier Marketplace and qualifying buyers can receive up to five nights’ accommodations in the convention host hotel. The association’s board tells CMW the decision to award the convention to NYC made “perfect sense as the city resonates with the LGBTQ+ audience, not least in light of the historic events taking place in 2019”. Next year for the first time ever, WorldPride will be held in the United States, with New York City hosting the month-long event 1–30 June, 2019 (the majority of events will be held 25–30 June).