LA rolls out the red carpet for LGBT tourism

LOS ANGELES, California – Los Angeles rolled out the red carpet for LGBT tourism professionals from 27 countries at the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s 32nd Annual Global Convention held from April 8-11.

The event united tourism professionals from 27 countries for education and networking designed to enhance the landscape of LGBT tourism. Highlights from the IGLTA conference include:

• A private gala reception hosted by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board at the Getty Center with performances by Leslie Jordan, Tig Notaro, and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, plus viewing access to the museum’s stunning collection of Impressionist paintings. With more than 600 attendees, it was IGLTA’s largest-ever conference networking event.

• The White House represented for the first time: LGBT liaison Aditi Hardikar served as one of the opening keynote speakers; her speech was delivered the same day that President Obama once again showed his LGBT support by calling for an end to gay conversion therapies.

• Participation more than doubled for the second annual appointment-driven Buyer/Supplier Marketplace, attracting buyers that represent more than $946 million in annual LGBT travel bookings worldwide.

• The second annual IGLTA Foundation fundraising event, held at the Montage Beverly Hills in partnership with The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, raised more than $14,000 – up from $6,000 last year.

“Los Angeles truly proved itself to be one of the most LGBT-welcoming destinations in the world, from the host venues to the local media to the support of our LGBT travel expo in West Hollywood Park,” IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella said. “The outpouring of positive feedback for this year’s convention program has surpassed any other in our 32-year history. The bar is set really high now and we’re ready to meet that challenge head on as we prepare for our first convention in Africa in 2016.”

The IGLTA Annual Global Convention would not be possible without the generous support of our convention sponsors. Host City Sponsor – Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board; Presenting Level – Delta Air Lines; South Africa Tourism; Visit West Hollywood; Official Level – Athens Development and Destination Management Agency; Embratur; GayCities; IBM; Tourist Office of Spain, Andalucía, Gran Canaria Tourist Board, and Madrid Region Tourism Board; Tourism Toronto and Ontario Tourism; Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater; VisitBritain; Conference Level – City of West Hollywood; Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Frontiers Media; Kinky Boots, The Musical; Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority; Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce; Out & Equal Workplace Advocates; Pink Banana Media; Preferred Hotel Group and Montage Beverly Hills; Silversea.

Convention photos are posted in albums at facebook.com/iglta