Fort Lauderdale Welcomes the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Convention.
Right now, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGTLA) is holding their annual convention in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area including Wilton Manors. Fort Lauderdale beat out Philadelphia, Chicago and New York for the right to hold the convention in this area this year.
“I want to welcome all the IGLTA delegates to South Florida and Wilton Manors and we’re thrilled to have them here,” said Gary Resnick, Mayor of Wilton Manors. “It’s a very important convention for our community and it should do wonders for our local economy. We’re thrilled our area was chosen and it’s a wonderful opportunity for us.”
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler added by saying, “I feel that everyone should feel welcome to Fort Lauderdale and that’s the message I’ve been spreading since I became mayor — that all segments of tourism should feel welcome. I think we’ve come a long way and I think we’ve shown that gay and lesbian tourism is a very healthy segment of our market and I hope they have a great stay while they’re here and I hope they continue to come back.”
The same sentiments were expressed by Oakland Park Mayor Suzanne Boisvenue, whose city will be the home of the new G-Resort, just one of a national chain of gay hotel resorts. “I think it’s great that they’re coming and Oakland Park will do everything they can to make them feel happy and welcome.”
Richard Gray, of the Royal Palms Resort, approached Nicki Grossman, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, in 2009. (Gray also sits on the CVB.) The convention was previously held in Fort Lauderdale in 2001 and Gray felt that much has changed since then. Grossman and then Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl went to the IGTLA board meeting in Dallas to make their presentation. Fort Lauderdale won the bid.
“I think it’s extremely important to have the convention here,” said Gray.
“It showcases the destination internationally. This year, IGTLA has representation from about 35 countries and I think that international representation is very important. It’s also important that you are getting the ‘Who’s-Who’ of gay and lesbian travel to attend the IGTLA convention.”
The business owners are also thrilled to have the convention in Fort Lauderdale this year.
“I think it’s a positive for Fort Lauderdale, as well as Wilton Manors,” said Roger Handevidt, owner of Orton Terrace guest house on Fort Lauderdale beach. “The travel agents and tour operators that are coming are going to see the number one gay and lesbian vacation destination in all of North America. When you talk to travel agents and you talk to travel writers, they will tell you they believe this is the number one destination in all of North America. It’s a
positive thing for all of us.”
“I think that it is paramount that Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale be recognized around the world as one of the leading cities when it comes to a united gay and lesbian community that shows compassion and welcomes every international body to enjoy that special gift that we here enjoy on a day-to-day basis,” said Jackson Padgett, who, along with his partner, Mark Negrette, own Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s on Wilton Drive. “We have wonderful community, restaurants and bars; we have wonderful beaches and culture and everything they can get in any larger metropolitan city and I think it’s wonderful that we have now been recognized on an international level by bringing the convention to this town.”
Padgett and Negrette sponsored the Kristine W. concert. She will be performing for the delegates and area residents this Friday evening, May 13th, at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Earlier in the day, Hagen Park will host a trade show for the delegates and locals featuring tour operators, airlines, hotels and other facets of the travel and tourism industry. Much of the other events are being sponsored by the CVB.
The Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC), a group of local gay-owned businesses, has volunteered their time, businesses and staff to work alongside the IGLTA with tasks such as registration, organizing and hosting parties for the delegates.
Tour operators and travel agents have been shown around the city and they also have time on their own so they can do their own exploring of the area.
“I believe they are really working toward making things proper. These people come because they want to learn, not that they want to party. They are more interested in business itself,” said Handevidt.
Of course, each mayor is particularly proud of their own city.
“Everybody should feel welcome to the City of Fort Lauderdale,” said Seiler. “Every group is appreciated in the City of Fort Lauderdale. We are a tourist-based town, we have a very successful tourist-based system and I, for one, am very grateful that an organization such as this desired to come to Fort Lauderdale.”
“Wilton Manors offers everything for the LGBT community: Shops and restaurants, recreational amenities, nightlife, close proximity to the beaches and a lot of cultural events,” said Resnick. “It’s really the perfect spot for any LGBT person looking for a vacation destination. In Wilton Manors, we are a very open and accepting society where no one thinks twice about two men or two women walking hand-in-hand down the street. Wilton Manors is a place where LGBT people can be themselves, enjoy themselves and feel comfortable doing so.”
All three mayors thanked the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau for assisting in luring the IGLTA convention to the area.
But have the delegates been impressed with the Greater Fort Lauderdale area thus far?
“From what I’ve seen so far, people are impressed,” said Gray. “I think people are always surprised at Fort Lauderdale and that it’s not [as] crazy as Miami. They are surprised that the ocean and beach are so close to the road. Everyone I’ve been showing around has just loved it and is so surprised on how gay Fort Lauderdale really is. I think that’s always one of the biggest surprises.”
