IGLTA: Countdown to Convention
Part Four of a Six-Part Series
By CLIFF DUNN
With just over two weeks remaining until the delegates and attendees to the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) 28th Annual Convention descend on Greater Fort Lauderdale, preparations are under way for the range of events, seminars, meetings and parties that will welcome the estimated 800 travel professionals from approximately 85 nations.
Within the local LGBT business community, much of the attention is focused on the Consumer Trade Show hosted by the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale. This event will take place on Friday, May 13, at Wilton Manors’ Hagen Park.
Planners are hoping that the highlight of a very successful expo will be the free live concert by Billboard recording artist Kristine W and guest performers, pop star Tony Cruz and Charlotte McKinnon,
former lead singer of Company B.
For those unfamiliar with the headlining act, Kristine W (born: Kristine Weitz) has 15 Number One Hits on the Billboard Hot Dance charts – more than Madonna – and was named by Billboard as one of the Dance/Club Play Artists of the Decade (2000 – 2009).
Needless to say, this kind of talent doesn’t come cheap. RBC chair Reece Darham and his fellow organizers of “Celebrate Fort Lauderdale” learned early on in the process to – in the words of the late Earl Nightingale – “mine their acres of diamonds” and turn to members of their own organization to make it rain. Says Darham: “Jackson Padgett and Mark Negrete, the owners of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s, have given over $7,000 towards Kristine W and her back-up dancers, including their accommodations, entertainment and transportation for the four nights they will be in town. Jackson coordinated all the negotiations for the talent, and personally signed her to this event. Without his influence, it would have been a challenge to get someone of her caliber.”
Other local bar and restaurant owners have likewise stepped up. “Ken and Lloyd from Scandals and The Stable have also been tremendous,” says Darham. “Not only will they be giving $3,500 in beer, but have also secured Barefoot Winery as the wine sponsor. They also have coordinated the alcohol permitting and insurances, which have taken considerable time and challenges to achieve. They will be the alcohol vendors for the event, giving the RBC 100% of all proceeds from sales. Impressive.”
Darham continues: “What has been so incredible to me is just how freely and willing all of them have been to give to this event to make sure it is a success. Jackson and Ken obviously don’t know the word ‘No,’ because whenever I go back to them and ask if they could – fill in the blank – they are there with check book and connections in hand to make it happen. Their commitment to the RBC has been phenomenal.”
“Boom’s General Manager, Chris, is donating his time and warehouse full of decorations to make Hagen Park sparkle,” Darham adds.
With an event and attendance the size Darham and his co-organizers are expecting – approximately 2,000 to 3,000 guests descending upon Hagen Park, located next to Wilton Manors City Hall – there are a large number of corporate, community, and individual sponsors, benefactors and volunteers who have committed time, staff or resources to ensure its success.
“Brown Forman [one of the largest American-owned spirits and wine companies and among the top 10 largest global spirits companies, with a strong corporate commitment to diversity] 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,” notes Darham.
Others who have contributed time and efforts to the expo: “Terry DeCarlo of Broward House has offered his time to produce the concert on the night of the event, and has secured Wendy Hunt as the DJ, who is donating her time as well, and two other magnificent artists to perform: Tony Cruz and Charlotte McKinnon.
Cash donations have come in from many RBC members, such as Orton Terrace and Northwest Savings Bank, and the eight bars who collaborated at this year’s Miami Beach Pride – Alibi, Bills, Boom, Johnny’s, Scandals, Sidelines, The Manor, and The Stable – donated 100% of their tips for the expo and concert.
As to the actual day of the expo – which falls on Friday the 13th for those who pay attention to such details – Darham is heaping in his praise of volunteers and their organizations whom, he says, “are coming out of the woodwork to help out on the day of the event: The Pride Center, Stonewall Street Festival, Wilton Manors Main Street, Volunteer Broward, Marc Hansen and Pride South Florida. And, of course, the countless businesses who participated in the Welcome Guide and Banner along Wilton Drive, who have helped promote Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, and Broward County as the LGBT destination of choice.”
ith the level and showing of
commitment he and his fellows are bringing to the table, Vincent Frato, general manager of Georgie’s Alibi can’t help but boast. “This year belongs to the world’s newest number one gay destination: Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors, Florida. Get used to it!”