LGBT Greater Fort Lauderdale:  The Future is in Your Hands

Part 6 of 6

By BOBBY BLAIR & CLIFF DUNN

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.”
– Abraham Lincoln

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers…”
– William Shakespeare, Henry V

One of the last century’s great economists said that good ideas have to be relearned anew by each successive generation. Those of us in LGBT media know (and often quote the stats) that most gay men and women prefer to buy products from, or do business with, businesses and companies that support LGBT causes and that do outreach through various LGBT-themed media forms.

But there is an inverse side to these numbers.

A now-infamous Web posting that went semi-viral last year concerned the owner of a short-lived Wilton Manors business who announced his store’s swansong on his business’ site with a posting that was more accusatory than informative [“We were here for you.”]. To further drive home the none-too-subtle point, the message states, with finality and a tone that is sweeping in its indictment: “Due to the lack of business and SUPPORT from ‘our community’ the [business] has no toher (sic) choice but to close!”

The haranguing tone of the post notwithstanding, it is hard not to sympathize with the sense of disappointment that was surely conveyed: part Jeremiad, part cry for help, part reminder that we are all of us to some degree or other in this thing together.

In Wilton Manors over the past 18 months, 17 businesses have closed their doors; as many as 10 more are projected to do likewise in the next few months. And many owners are facing the possibility of forced relocation for their businesses in response to what they perceive as egregious increases in their rent by landlords with unknown agendas.

And yet, business remains an exercise in cooperation. This involves, to a large degree, getting large numbers of strangers to trust one another.

It means persuading large numbers of people – bosses and employees, stockholders and suppliers, to say nothing of customers – to work together towards a common purpose.

The Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale began as a group of likeminded business owners and community leaders who wanted to pool their individual ideas and best practices (hence the original working name, the “Think Tank”) in cooperation to achieve mutual goals.

“The RBC endorses, sponsors, and promotes opportunities that benefit business,” offers Reece Darham, owner of Island City Health & Fitness in Wilton Manors and the current chair of RBC. “Sometimes an opportunity may be to promote a type of industry; sometimes an opportunity may be to promote across the business spectrum.”

In its sophomore year, the group has been granted such an opportunity The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) decision to hold its 28th Annual Global Convention in Greater Fort Lauderdale represents an important short term economic fix that could bestow the benefits of long term, sustainable business opportunities.

The Convention, which began on Tuesday, May 10, will include seminars and meetings for IGLTA members, as well as a number of events for delegates to interact with Greater Fort Lauder-dale’s gay locals and scene. The largest of these is expected to be Friday’s Consumer Trade Show in Hagen Park, next to Wilton Manors City Hall. The Trade Show, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m., will befollowed by a free live concert featuring Billboard recording artist Kristine W.

By Darham’s best guess, “the IGLTA convention is estimated to bring in $1.3 million in the short week they are here, and has the potential to generate millions more in the months and years to come.”

He recognizes, too, the long term impact to the entire area. “As a Travel and Tourism convention,” he notes, “this is even more salient for Fort Lauderdale in that we are a tourism destination and many, if not most, businesses rely on the additional influx of tourism dollars in season to carry those businesses in the off-season.”

Both the Trade Show and concert have been underwritten by the RBC, which translated means its member business owners, and in some instances sponsors who have donated cash, product, or both. Darham insists that the owner/members have given “each according to his or ability,” and cites as standouts Jackson Padgett and Mark Negrete, owners of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s in Wilton Manors, who absorbed the costs for the concert and entertainers, including travel expenses, as well as Ken Kelley and Lloyd Pagels, the owners of Scandals Saloon in Wilton Manors and The Stable in Oakland Park.

“I don’t think Jackson knows the meaning of ‘no’,” Darham laughs. “Ken and Lloyd have been tremendous: not only will they be donating $3,500 in beer, but they have also secured Barefoot Winery as the wine sponsor.” He adds: “They will be the alcohol vendors for the event, giving the RBC 100% of all proceeds from sales.”

Darham notes that Brown Forman Brands, makers of Chambord Vodka, “also gave a $3,000 cash donation and an additional $1,500 in-kind donation to the event and will be the sponsor of the VIP tent for the IGLTA delegates.”

The business and community leaders who are investing their time, energies, and a-not-inconsiderable amount of money in the enterprise are upbeat and optimistic.

“With so many nations represented at the convention, this event may very well secure Fort Lauderdale as a premier gay destination of choice for international traveler,” says Scandals’ Kelley. “We have a unique opportunity to let the world know that Florida is not just Miami. The potential economic impact will hopefully be realized, not just during this weekend, but for many years to come.”

The Alibi’s Padgett agrees. “I believe the community will begin seeing some immediate financial influx of international dollars being spent over the next several months, but more importantly over the years to come.”

In the end, how the community responds to this unique opportunity to meet new friends from exotic places and encourage them to make Fort Lauderdale a regular part of their – and their clients’ – travel plans will determine in large measure what the long-term payoffs will be.  As Dr. Seuss wrote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” Another good idea it’s time to relearn.