The
30th anniversary Annual Global Convention of the International Gay
and Lesbian Travel Association in
Chicago (2-4 May) is
not only the LGBT tourism industry's premier networking and
educational event, but also an opportunity to honor individuals and
companies that have
improved the landscape of gay and lesbian travel.
The
annual awards are selected by the IGLTA board of directors from the
association’s membership of
tourismbusinesses in
more than 80 countries. “These distinguished professionals have
raised the bar in our industry in so many ways, from travel marketing
and media to supporting Chicago’s gay community to placing LGBT
visibility at the forefront of Montreal’s tourism outreach,” said
IGLTA Chair Tanya Churchmuch.
“As we celebrate a milestone anniversary as an association, it’s
especially fitting to recognize these individuals, who each have
dedicated more than 20 years to making the world more welcoming for
LGBT people.”
•
The
Hanns Ebensten Hall
of Fame Award:
Charles Lapointe, President/CEO of Tourisme Montreal, a longstanding
advocate for gay tourism in Canada’s second-largest city. He has
led the tourism bureau since 1989.
•
The
Chair Award: Thomas Roth, President/Founder of Community Marketing,
Inc., for helping businessesbetter understand the LGBT market
since 1992.
•
Community
(based in the IGLTA convention host city/country): Center on Halsted,
which provides public programs and social services to more than 1,000
LGBTQ people a day. It was founded in 1973 as Gay Horizons, a
volunteer-run telephone helpline and meeting
place for
gays and lesbians.
•
Pioneer:
Dee Farrell, co-director of Rainbow Tourism
International, publisher of multiple gay travel
sites in
Sydney, Australia. She was one of the 25 delegates to attend the 1983
inaugural meeting of IGLTA (then IGTA) in Hollywood, Fla.
•
Travel
Writer: Manuela Kay, CEO of Special Media SDL, Germany’s biggest
LGBT publishing
house,
and chief editor of its lesbian title, L-MAG. She has covered LGBT
issues since 1986.
