IGLTA Update - December 17, 2008

Happy Holidays from IGLTA! 

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Update Your Directory Listing Now!!

IGLTA's new directory is going to print in a few weeks! Make sure your listing is updated so the correct information is printed in the 2009 Membership Directory. To update your listing, follow these instructions:

1. Visit the IGLTA Members Website
2. If you do not know your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link
3. Click on "Change Your Database Listing"
4. Make sure ALL information is correct. PLEASE NOTE: Whatever is listed here will be what is printed in the directory!!
5. Click "Submit"

There you go! Now your listing is updated. If you have any questions, contact IGLTA's Membership Directory coordinator at directory@iglta.org.

These changes must be made before 20 December 2008 for them to be included!

UPDATE: Please note, that the directory will only publish company descriptions of 50 words or less. If your listing is above 50 words, it will be truncated with three periods following it (e.g. IGLTA is the world's lead...). Please make sure your listing is an appropriate size.

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IGLTA Further Develops "All Welcome" Program

IGLTA's Diversity Educational Program named "ALL WELCOME!" is a globally-acknowledged and respected, unique interactive course that educates the media, travel agent, meeting planner, travel industry supplier and destination representative in regards to the Gay & Lesbian Travel Market.

The objective of the course is to provide businesses, destinations and media outlets with a sincere appreciation for creating THE BEST "ALL WELCOME!" environment possible, thus ensuring a safe and friendly trip for the GLBT traveler and repeat business from this valuable market.

Fore more information on this product, click here.

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Another IGLTA Brochure Distribution Opportunity

IGLTA is proud to announce that we will have a presence at SITC, a premiere travel event in Barcelona, for the second year in a row. As always, we are providing a brochure distribution opportunity for our members who are unable to attend the event themselves. For more information, please click here to download the form, or visit the IGLTA Events Page.

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Toronto Early Convention Registration Ends December 31!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - December 10, 2008

HX Wraps Up 2008 Gay Travel Expos in Fort Lauderdale

Last night, IGLTA partner HX Gay Travel Expo finished their annual trade shows with the final one in Fort Lauderdale. Many IGLTA members were on hand at all of the shows this year, bringing the world of GLBT tourism to consumers across the United States. IGLTA will again partner with HX Media for the 2009 calendar year to bring more of these shows to various cities in the USA. For more information, please visit the IGLTA Partners Page and scroll down to the HX Travel Expo link.

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Update Your Directory Listing Now!!

IGLTA's new directory is going to print in a few weeks! Make sure your listing is updated so the correct information is printed in the 2009 Membership Directory. To update your listing, follow these instructions:

1. Visit the IGLTA Members Website
2. If you do not know your password, click on the "Forgot Password" link
3. Click on "Change Your Database Listing"
4. Make sure ALL information is correct. PLEASE NOTE: Whatever is listed here will be what is printed in the directory!!
5. Click "Submit"

There you go! Now your listing is updated. If you have any questions, contact IGLTA's Membership Directory coordinator at directory@iglta.org.

These changes must be made before 20 December 2008 for them to be included!

UPDATE: Please note, that the directory will only publish company descriptions of 50 words or less. If your listing is above 50 words, it will be truncated with three periods following it (e.g. IGLTA is the world's lead...). Please make sure your listing is an appropriate size.

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IGLTA Partners for Tourism Event in Argentina

For the 2nd consecutive year "Gallery G", Exhibition for the Gay & Lesbian Community, was held in Buenos Aires. The total people attending the event was estimated in 1000. An IGLTA presentation was given by MA. Alfredo H C Ferreyra offering an excellent opportunity to know the leading organization of international tourism for the GLBT public. During the conference, the benefits of membership, via marketing, education and networking, were emphasized to the attendees together with a formal introduction to the organization. Finally, once more in Buenos Aires, the offer of services for the GLBT community got in touch with entrepreneurs and with small and medium companies working in the market. Click here for pictures from the event.

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Toronto Early Convention Registration Ends December 31!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - December 3, 2008

Book Travel to World Out Games in Copenhagen

Destination 2009: World Outgames Copenhagen Denmark will be held from 25 July - 2 August 2009. World Outgames is an international event for the body, the mind, and the spirit. We celebrate the talents and contributions of homosexual, bi-sexual and transgender men and women from every corner of the globe. We love to see you next year, go register for the event and book your travel today using one of many IGLTA Tour Operators. Just go to IGLTA's Member Search and look up Copenhagen and Out Games!

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IGLTA Featured on New Turkish GLBT Travel Site

IGLTA Partners in Turkey have uneiled a new GLBT Travel Site called GayTravelTR. The site has a plethora of information regarding Turkish culture and sites, all relevant to gay and lesbian travelers. Be sure to visit the website, sign up for more information and learn all you can about the fascinating country of Turkey, home to a recent IGLTA Symposium / FAM Trip!

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Toronto Convention Information - Registration Discount & Partnerships

Early Registration Almost Over
Please make sure you register for IGLTA's Annual Convention in Toronto by 31 December 2008 or the price goes up! Take advantage of the early discount by registering before the end of the year. Act now by visiting the Toronto Convention Website today!

Celebrate IGLTA's 26th Anniversary in Toronto as a Convention Partner.
Have your business be in the 'Global Spotlight' by selecting a sponsorship opportunity like:
*Sunrise Yoga Class
*Board Meeting Breakfast, Lunch & Break
*Your Logo on all of the attendees Hotel Room Keys
*Branded Backpacks, Bags and/or Water Bottles for all attendees
*The Media Trade Show
*Meals and Receptions are also available

Click here for a link to the 2009 Convention Sponsorship Opportunity Descriptions.

Contact Tom Nibbio at tom@iglta.org or +1-815-621-6464, ASAP to secure your place in the IGLTA Spotlight!!!!

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Register for our Toronto Convention by 31 December to Win!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - November 19, 2008

IGLTA to Have Huge Presence at ITB

It has been announced that IGLTA will be having a huge presence as the only GLBT tourism area at the event. We are offering our members an economical rate to be part of the IGLTA pavilion to represent our industry to the tourism leaders around the globe. At ITB this year, IGLTA plans on speaking out for our members and showing everybody there that we are our members - the gamut of GLBT tourism across the globe. Be a part of this phenomenal experience!For those of you who want to attend with us, you can access the form here. If you cannot attend but would like to participate in our brochure distribution program, you can also download the form. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact our European Ambassador, Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org.

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IGLTA Featured in Skype Promo

IGLTA European Ambassador Carlos Kytka was recently featured in a YouTube promotional video showcasing how IGLTA uses Skype and how Skype can be utilized in business practices. The video is a great showcase of Skype and how we use the technology here at IGLTA!

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New Ambassador Positions at IGLTA in Europe

The IGLTA is looking for visionary leaders to fill the position of National Ambassadors in Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Austria & Italy. Being an Ambassador is a voluntary position that allows you to be the face of Gay Tourism in your country. Working with the European Ambassador you would help to co-ordinate activities to raise the profile of this sector and the IGLTA. This involves working with the media, representing the IGLTA at local events and encouraging increased membership. Most importantly, you will give a national identity to the IGLTA in your country. This position is a great opportunity to raise your status within the GLBT travel industry and beyond. Please contact Carlos Kytka at carlos@iglta.org for more details about this position

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Register for our Toronto Convention by 31 December to Win!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - November 12, 2008

Ideas Needed for May 7th Event

IGLTA's Annual Global Convention begins the evening of May 7th in Toronto, Canada. We are looking to have an event during the day and need your help deciding on what to do! Some ideas that were mentioned earlier in the office: golf tournament, charity event to give back to Toronto, and other events to help network and bring awareness to GLBT tourism. If you have ideas, please respond to this e-mail or just send an e-mail to Richard Brower. Keep reading your weekly IGLTA Update to see what event gets picked!

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WTTC Holds Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Florianopolis, Brazil

In May 2009, the London-based WTTC will hold their summit in Florianopolis, the site of IGLTA's Symposium / FAM Trip in March. "In these challenging economic times," said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO of WTTC, "when it is almost impossible to predict short-term trends - let alone make long-term forecasts - it is more critical than ever for the public and private sectors to forge close partnerships so they can work together to ensure the longer-term prosperity of Travel & Tourism. Our partnership with the Government of Brazil and the Government of Santa Catarina will provide a much needed platform for dialogue among leaders of industry and government, shaping the future of Travel & Tourism worldwide". IGLTA is proud to work closely with the governments and businesses of Santa Catarina. To learn more about the Symposium / FAM Trip or to register, visit the Event's Web Site.

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New Brochure Distribution Opportunity

The IGLTA World Tour is happy to announce a new brochure distribution opportunity. We will be on hand at the HX Gay & Lesbian Travel Expo in Fort Lauderdale on 9 December. If you are unable to attend this event but would like IGLTA to represent you with your brochures, please click here to download and fill out the form. Please note: it is due with payment by 30 November 2008. If you have any questions, please contact Yukari Takeshita.

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IGLTA Partners with French TV Channel to Highlight Hotels

IGLTA office in Europe has teamed up with the French photographer Odette Pelletier and Guillaume Calvarese from French TV Channel 3 to produce a book and pilot TV series about Gay and Gay Friendly hotels in France. The project will start early in 2009 and if successful will spread initially to cover other European countries and then the Americas. The main criteria to be part of that production are for the hotels to be members of the IGLTA.

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Register for our Toronto Convention by 31 December to Win!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - November 5, 2008

Brazil Symposium / FAM Trip Pre & Post Options Now Available!

We are proud to announce that our Symposium / FAM Trip to Florianopolis in March now has details Pre and Post trip options! After you register for the Symposium, do not hesitate to sign up for one of the trips which include the destinations: Rio de Janeiro, Balneario Camboriu, Buenos Aires and others. To learn more about the event, to register and to sign up for these tours, please visit the IGLTA Brazil Symposium website.

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IGLTA Holds Board Meeting in Puerto Rico

The IGLTA Board of Directors and several staff just returned from a weekend Board Meeting in the beautiful Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. 1985 was the last time IGLTA was there, when the island played host to our Annual Convention. The Board Meeting agenda items included a review of the IGLTA website, development of committees and leadership programs for the membership, the Mentor Program, organizational strategic planning, brainstorming for the upcoming Annual Convention in Toronto, and alliances with other global associations. The weekend also included a Regional Reception at the LXR Condado Plaza in San Juan. IGLTA members on the island came together to network and socialize. IGLTA thanks the following sponsors in hosting the weekend events: American Airlines, Wyndham Rio Mar Hotel, Gran Melia Resort, Caribe Hilton, LXR Condado Plaza, Dragonfly Adventures, and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. Stay tuned for more pictures of the event, and be sure to keep checking out IGLTA's Facebook page for up-to-date information regarding this and other events.

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IGLTA Congratulates London - Home of World Pride 2012!

Last week, at the InterPride convention in Vancouver, London was awarded to be the host of World Pride 2012. Visit London, a strong IGLTA member and GLBT tourism partner, was at the event to share with everybody why London was the best choice. London is abuzz in 2012 with the next Olympic Summer Games and the Queen's 60th Jubilee. London will be the place to be that summer - even more so than it already is. The other city bidding was Stockholm - the site of this year's EuroPride. Congratulations London!

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Register for our Toronto Convention by 31 December to Win!

If you register and pay for our convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. This amazing hotel hosted the Board of Directors and IGLTA staff in early November and is a strong partner to GLBT tourism. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

IGLTA Update - October 29, 2008

Toronto Convention Registration Now Open!

IGLTA is happy to announce that registration for our 26th Annual Global Convention in Toronto is now open! Be one of the first to register for this amazing, chic convention that will knock your socks off! An invitation was sent yesterday to all of our global members and there are two changes to note:

1) The attire is Business Casual, not Business
2) The Hilton Toronto - our host hotel - has a special rate of CAD $189. The Convention Website is now updated with hotel registration information.

Also, if you register and pay for the convention before 31 December 2008, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a two-night, three-day stay for two adults at the Caribe Hilton San Juan in Puerto Rico. So visit the Toronto Convention Website to learn more about the event, to register and to solidify your spot in our convention!

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IGLTA's World Tour continues in the "City by the Bay"

San Francisco's Etiquette Lounge was the venue for IGLTA's most recent regional reception. Ninety leaders in the travel industry, including some Bay Area ghosts and goblins, we're also welcomed by the San Francisco CVB and the GGBA with plenty of treats (no tricks).

Travelocity, HX Media and long time IGLTA member, the Renoir Hotel, were event sponsors.

This networking cocktail reception, one of the largest IGLTA has ever hosted, featured spectacular Halloween-themed decor' at one of San Franciaco's premier lounges.

"The huge success of IGLTA's regional receptions reflects the quality, loyalty and energy of our worldwide membership." comments Tom Nibbio, IGLTA's Manager of Partnership Development. "These great events also introduce us to many new prospective members' who really see a value in becoming a part of the IGLTA family. "

The San Franciso event comes on the heels of a historical reception following IGLTA's All Welcome! Seminar held in Poland just two weeks ago. The Eastern European seminar and party in Poznan drew 55 guests who were very hungry for gay tourism infomation and networking capabilities.

IGLTA will be hosting another reception on 1 November (this Saturday) in San Juan, Puerto Rico at LXR's Condado Plaza Hotel, 999 Ashford, San Juan 00907. It will take place from 6:00 - 8:00pm. We look forward to welcoming you there!

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IGLTA Newsletter Correction

In last week's newsletter, there was an article about our recent Symposium / FAM Trip to the nation of Turkey. We regret that we neglected to mention that ATB Tours was also a sponsor of that trip. We thank them and all of our sponsors that made that trip amazing!

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IGLTA Board to Meet in Puerto Rico

Starting tomorrow, 30 October 2009, IGLTA Staff and Board will be on the island of Puerto Rico for one of the annual board meetings. IGLTA Strategy Direction, updates, Toronto convention planning and membership involvement will be just some of the topics discussed. Stay tuned for upcoming IGLTA Newsletters for information about the happenings of IGLTA and the Board. We would also like to thank the following sponsors for making this trip a success: American Airlines, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LXR Resorts & Hotels, Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. IGLTA's next Board Meeting will be held in late January 2009 in Dallas, Texas, USA.