CMI’s International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism is a must for marketing professionals who work in the travel industry. It is an excellent opportunity to learn from and network with other
professionals who face the same challenges inherent in marketing to Gay, lesbian and transgendered travelers. From the substantial
market research insights to the varied topics offered in workshops, the Conference offers a unique learning environment that is friendly
and fun! I met some incredible people dedicated to helping marketing professionals navigate this market, and I was highly impressed by the
content and quality of the conference. Go to learn, network and meet some impressive and dedicated people. You are not alone!
- Lisa Palmarini, Senior Vice President Account Services, IMPAX
We attended CMI's 8th International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism in Fort Lauderdale, and we not only learned valuable lessons that will help us as we market the Baltimore destination to GLBT travelers, but we were able to network with industry leaders, media representatives and various CVB's who were willing to share their experiences. As an organization just starting in the GLBT market, the CMI conference was the perfect first step.
- Dionne Joyner, Marketing Manager - Advertising/Promotions, Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association
The 8th
International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism in Fort Lauderdale was
the best educational event I have ever attended. This was our first time and we
are already planning to attend next year’s Conference in Vancouver. The
seminars were incredibly informative and it was great to network with my CVB peers.
- John Cohen, Executive Director, Durango Area Tourism
Office
There is no better opportunity to learn and meet others in the travel industry with the same LGBT marketing goals. Community Marketing does a great job of providing new educational content in an ever-changing environment and providing access to representatives from the top companies in travel and hospitality.
- Scott S. Seed, Director, Resort Marketing, Hyatt Hotels
Corporation
Truth be told, I’m not much of a “joiner,” so when I say Community Marketing’s International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism is one of two “must attend” events in the world of gay travel, you know I mean it! The CMI team put on an incredibly well organized event, facilitating a flow of great information. They’re particularly good making new folks feel fully integrated. I’m already looking forward to the event in Vancouver in October.
- Ed Salvato, Editor
in Chief, The Out Traveler
Community Marketing's annual International Conference on Gay and Lesbian Tourism is a must for all travel professionals, even if you have been in the GLBT market for a long time their conference not only provides new data on spending and trends but offers a chance to meet and network with travel professionals from all over the world. I strongly recommend everyone interested in reaching this important market make it a priority in your marketing budgets.
- Bill Hynes, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing,
West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau
This conference is a must do for both the new and the experienced (not old) marketers in this fantastic community. It will guide you and help steer you away from marketing blunders with live case studies and examples of doing it right and not so right. Regardless if you are there for Marketing 101 or to learn the tools of the trade from knowledgeable experts sharing their experiences in the breakouts, this conference will help build your confidence, your ability and most important your rolodex! See you in Vancouver!
- George Carrancho, National Sales &
Marketing Manager for LGBT Community, American Airlines
We are so proud to have hosted Community Marketing's annual conference at the St. Regis Fort Lauderdale. The research, the media, the experts – all in a relaxed environment – make CMI’s International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism a must attend for everyone interested in gaining insight into this very important target market
- Nicki Grossman, President,
Greater Fort Lauderdale Conventions & Visitor’s Bureau
The International Conference of Gay & Lesbian Tourism that I attended in Fort Lauderdale helped me to understand some valuable opportunities, as we seek out those markets that will provide the critical "ROI" we all seek. What I learned from the presenters, as well as from other attending colleagues and organizations - smart and insightful LGBT tourism marketing has the ability to leverage visitor numbers in a very competitive marketplace. Savvy marketers will appreciate this intelligence and will find it a useful audience to cultivate - one that pays dividends quickly and efficiently.
- Paul Greenberg, VP Media Services, NYC & Company
CMI was very knowledgeable about the GLBT community. As a new hotel supplier interested in marketing to the global GLBT travel market, CMI continues to provide current data and effective business strategies that compliments our progressive business plan.
- Dennis Centorbi, Director of Global Sales, Accor Business
& Leisure North America
Community Marketing's International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism covers all you need to know about upcoming trends, meet the leaders in the industry, learn new marketing techniques, check out the competition and understand the tourism and hospitality business. It is a great opportunity to start in class 101 and graduate during one weekend.
- George Neary, AVP GLBT Marketing, Greater Miami Convention
& Visitors Bureau
My new business partner and I attended our first Community Marketing conference this past December. The speakers were very informative and varied, and we returned with lots of good ideas for marketing our company. We have received inquiries regarding the African safaris we offer that we can directly attribute to the information we gathered at the conference. The conference was very well organized, the networking opportunities were numerous, and we learned a lot. Also, since the conference was followed by an LGBT Travel Expo, we were able to add new potential clients using contact cards there.
- Alison Hawthorne, Co-Owner, Wild Rainbow African Safaris,
LLC
This past December was my 5th year to attend Community Marketing’s International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism I would recommend this conference to anyone wanting to grow a bigger, stronger GLBT presence in their city or anyone wanting to start a marketing campaign in their city to attract the GLBT leisure and business traveler. It is a first-time attendee’s ideal place to start and a returning attendees opportunity to keep up with the latest ideas and technologies in the LGBT tourism industry.
- Michael
Doughman, Executive Director, Dallas Tavern Guild
Attending
the annual International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism has advanced
Bloomington's gay marketing initiatives immeasurably. It has really made
the gay tourism world much smaller and accessible for assistance, advice,
collaboration, publicity, and ideas. Thanks to Tom and his talented staff
hosting this annual conference, Bloomington has been able to better and more
effectively establish a presence within the Midwest as a gay-friendly oasis in
a sea of red. A community or city of any size would
greatly
benefit from attending this conference and gain valuable insight towards the
success of their gay tourism marketing efforts.
- Rob DeCleene, Director of Tourism & Promotions,
Bloomington Indiana CVB
CMI’s International
Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism was a great opportunity for learning
not only the intricacies of the LGBT market, but also a good refresher in
travel marketing in general. I also enjoyed meeting other people working on
similar issues, and hearing how they are handling them. The networking and
chance to meet new people in the industry are invaluable.”
- Tim Zahner, Director of PR and Marketing, Sonoma County Tourism Bureau
In 2002, the Greater
Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation went to CMI’s International
Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism to explore the gay and lesbian travel
market. The conference was extraordinary in the quality of the
information presented as well as the attendees who freely shared their
knowledge and expertise. Tom and his staff create a quality experience that is
educational and collaborative. Philadelphia built our gay tourism campaign on
the research gleaned from CMI’s national and custom reports, which created a
solid foundation to launch a ground-breaking and award-winning campaign.
- Jeff Guaracino, Vice President, Communications,
Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
I always enjoy Community
Marketing’s International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism. I look
forward each year to reuniting with past participants as well as meeting the
attendees new to the gay & lesbian tourism community. The programs offered
are diverse, educational and appeal to each aspect of the tourism
industry. The variety of industry services and niches represented in the
attendees is quite in-depth and has allowed for unexpected partnerships to
form. Overall, attending each year has proven successful for EIS.
We look forward to continuing to represent Italy and the Mediterranean each
year.
- Katy Radoll, Business Development Manager, EIS - European Incoming Services
Community Marketing has
been a catalyst for the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. Participating
in CMI’s International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism has increased my
awareness and has allowed me to network, develop partnerships, and find new
business. This conference is one that we attend annually, and one that I refer
all my colleagues in the industry to attend and become engaged.
- Veronica Torres, Director of Diversity and Community
Relations, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau.
CMI’s
International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism is one of, if not the
only opportunity that CVBs, suppliers and media have to all come together to
dialog on trends surrounding gay and
lesbian consumers. This conference is exceptional in addressing the
buying patterns and changing media involved in the LGBT audience. If you
want to know about this specific audience’s approach to researching, planning
and booking travel, you should not miss this conference. The opportunity to
meet with colleagues focused on this category, and to hear first hand what they
are doing to address this niche, is priceless to us. We find the sessions
invaluable and the breakouts are not to be missed.
- Jim Walsh, Travelocity
Thanks to the CMI team for another outstanding International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism. We have attended the past three conferences, and we’re looking forward to 2008 in Vancouver. The conferences always live up to CMI’s high standards. This year’s conference covered a variety of interesting and timely topics which were facilitated by top industry professionals. The excellent sessions covered topics that are not addressed in other tourism marketing seminars. I found the sessions on marketing to lesbians, bears and transgender individuals to be especially helpful. I have always come away with truly useful information, not to mention the many friends and contacts I have met during the seminar sessions and numerous networking/social functions. The conference always opens doors for us. Thanks again for another great conference experience. I’ll see you in Vancouver!
- Nancy Black, Tourism Development Manager, Tempe Convention
& Visitors Bureau
CMI’s 8th International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism provided an unparalleled opportunity to meet and learn from leaders in the gay and lesbian travel and tourism industry. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of people from different geographic regions and industries. The conference's small size and focused set of activities made it feel much more collegial and friendly. I look forward to attending the 9th International Conference in Vancouver."
- Ben Finzel,, Founding Global Co-chair, FH Out Front and,
Senior Vice President, Fleishman-Hillard
Without a doubt, CMI’s 8th International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism in Fort Lauderdale (December 2007) was the most comprehensive and well-organized GLBT conference that I have ever attended. The information presented by CMI and their guest speakers was timely and useful; the networking opportunities were equally important. CMI’s market research has been invaluable in our local efforts to grow recognition of the GLBT travel sector and to provide a solid business model for developing North Texas as a destination welcoming to all people. If I could attend only one marketing conference in 2008, travel or otherwise, it would be CMI’s International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism.
- Tony Vedda, President, North Texas GLBT Chamber
Community
Marketing's International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism was extremely
informative and insightful on these powerful consumers. The networking
opportunities were phenomenal, allowing GLBT marketing leaders to talk to each
other one on one – which often proved just as beneficial as the educational
sessions!
- Kris Holt and Jena Atchison, Segment Marketing
Specialists, Southwest Airlines
CMI’s International
Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism is the must-attend conference of the
year, if you are interested in learning more about niche markets, diversity
strategizing, getting your message OUT and securing business. CMI
understands the importance of dialogue and networking with fellow colleagues
from around the world, and therefore creates networking opportunities to meet
contacts in a welcoming environment. The attendees are friendly, approachable,
and willing to share their insights, experiences and opportunities to secure
future business.
-
Dean Nelson, Community & Media Relations Director – GayWhistler
CMI’ s
International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism is a fantastic way to
learn, get inspired and get motivated. The broad spectrum of attendees, ranging
from destination representatives, tour operators, transportation companies, and
media, provided for some truly engaging and enlightening sessions. I found the
conference structure to be very adept, which allowed it to provide value and
insight to both the first timer with no familiarity in GLBT travel, all the way
to the much more seasoned.
- Daniel Berger, Consumer Marketing & Product
Development Associate, Tourism Vancouver