IGLTA: Countdown to Convention – Part Three of a Six-Part Series
By Cliff Dunn
Although he might not be consciously aware of it, Reece Darham is an exponent of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s admonition that “there are no second acts” in life. This can be witnessed in the almost monomaniacal way the chairman of the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale is overseeing preparations for the Consumer Trade Show and Expo his group is sponsoring as part of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) upcoming convention in Broward County.
Darham and his band of gay business and community leaders have focused on the IGLTA event as a means of promoting both immediate and long term growth in Greater Fort Lauderdale’s still-struggling economy. When IGLTA selected Fort Lauderdale as the host city for their 28th Annual Global Convention, dubbed “Unleashed,” the RBC saw the opportunity to highlight the area’s thriving LGBT community, the nation’s second largest.
RBC was formed almost two years ago (under its original, informal working name, “Think Tank”) by a small group of LGBT business owners and community leaders who realized an opportunity to join together to promote unity, leadership, and common goals.
As Peter Clark, Publisher of Hotspots magazine and a founder of RBC, pointed out at a recent board meeting, the group “is not a Chamber of Commerce, but a business league,” in which members “share information and best practices “ to grow their businesses and “generate awareness that will elevate Greater Fort Lauderdale as a top LGBT community and destination.” The organization soon had a new name, and a substantial and enthusiastic member base of over 90 LGBT businesses.
These businesses and their owners have staked much of their hopes on the upcoming convention of IGLTA delegates, which starts on Tuesday, May 10, and continues through Sunday, May 15. At that time, around 800 travel professionals from more than 80 countries will descend on the Hilton at 17th Street Causeway for what organizers and locals alike hope will be the first of many such interactions and trips.
“The goal is for the IGLTA delegates to leave craving for more of Fort Lauderdale,” Darham says. “For them to tell their clients, friends, and family about our hidden gem, and to send many tourists into our businesses.”
A major element of that strategy will be held in Wilton Manors on Friday, May 13. Each year, the IGLTA convention conducts a Consumer Trade Show that allows attendees – including tour operators, hoteliers, media, destination resorts and communities, airlines, and travel agents, among others, to promote their businesses to the host city’s LGBT community.
According to John Tanzella, President of IGLTA, “this year’s travel-themed Consumer Trade Show is particularly dynamic thanks to the support of the RBC, which joined forces with IGLTA to produce the free expo. Guests at the expo can visit travel vendors from around the globe.”
The event, “Celebrate Fort Lauderdale,” which runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., will open with a Parade of Flags on Wilton Drive featuring the global delegates.
The parade, which will be led by Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick, will culminate in Hagen Park, next to City Hall, followed by a free concert from international recording artist Kristine W. That performance has been underwritten by Jackson Paget and Mark Negrette, owners of Wilton Manors-based Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s. Decorations for the park itself have been provided by Wilton Manors’ Boom nightclub. Local businesses wishing to purchase tables in the consumer show should contact the IGLTA offices (www.IGLTA.org).
The RBC’s Darham, whose time is split between his RBC chair duties and his full-time job as owner of Wilton Manors-based Island City Health & Fitness, knows that the benefits of the convention and trade show are likely to accrue in waves.
“I would love to see the community and local cities embrace this opportunity wholeheartedly, as this convention is infusing our local economy and benefiting everyone,” he notes. While he may sell some temporary guest memberships to delegates and t
heir friends, the true payoff is likely to be felt later.
“Our whole purpose is to create sustainable economic growth for Greater Fort Lauderdale and the LGBT community,” agrees Greg Hardy, Vice President at Oakland Park-based Solutions Insurance Services and an RBC member.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity to showcase why we all choose to call this our home,” he adds.
More information on “Celebrate Fort Lauderdale” and “Unleashed” can be found at www.IGLTA.org and www.RainbowBusinessCoalition.com.