From: ISGLMP@aol.com Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 21:03:01 EST Subject: ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 2, no. 2a (February 1, 1998) ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 2, no. 2a (February 1, 1998) 175 Fifth Avenue #2172, New York, N.Y. U.S.A. 10010-7703 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Tel.: 212-388-0588; Fax: 212-388-0681 E-Mail: ISGLMP@aol.com Website: http://www.isglmp.org Int'l Society of Gay & Lesbian Meeting Professionals - 528 strong! INDEX A. As ISGLMP Grows, So Must Leadership by Jim Luce B. Upcoming Events C. Nominating Committee Now Choosing Candidates D. Welcoming Reception Comm. Chairs Announced E. Bank Account Opens; Gifts Welcome! F. Members Dialogue G. ISGLMP Members Invited to SGMP Party by Rick Freda H. Report From The Program Comm. by Bob Dallmeyer I. Cayman Islands: "Isle of Shame" J. News From Down Under by Jo Terrans in Australia K. ISGLMP Seal of Approval Application L. ISGLMP Charter Membership Application Form ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- A. AS ISGLMP GROWS, SO MUST LEADERSHIP by Jim Luce As you know, ISGLMP has taken off like a rocket. And you don't need to be a rocket scientist to realize that we've created enough work for ourselves to keep all of Cape Canaveral busy! That's why we are continuing to develop a strong Board of Directors as well as active committees and local chapters. We have now promised to have an active presence - both social and educational - at all major industry events, host an increasingly complex web-site composed of membership, gay-friendly corporations and links to the industry and community, publish a bi-monthly electronic newsletter, recruit membership internationally, process and qualify corporations based on five specific criteria, maintain a presence in the industry press and create the same in the gay & lesbian community press, etc. That's a lot! As the Nominating Committee (see story below) begins to scrutinize our membership, looking for active leaders to lead us into the future, our activities will only continue to grow. Thanks to all of you who are helping write this amazing success story - on to the next chapter! - JL B. UPCOMING EVENTS Note: for a complete list of upcoming industry events, please check our website "Industry" page. Thanks! IACVB/Destination Showcase: Washington, DC, Feb. 26, 1998 ACME: Washington, DC, Washington, DC, Feb. 26-27, 1998 MPI-PEC/Europe: Copenhagen, April 19 - 21, 1998 Lee Pomerance, CMP, Doubletree Hotels National Sales, Chicago (LeeP Chgo@aol.com) Gay & Lesbian Bus. & Consumer Expo: New York, April 25-26, 1998 Jim Luce, Jeff Tendean & Michael Gallo (Marriott) will be staffing table; other volunteers are welcome! Last year's show was great - join us! IGLTA: Montreal, May 15 - 18, 1998 Jeff Wahl (JWahl@miamiair.com) POW WOW: Chicago, May 23 - 27, 1998 Jeff Wahl (JWahl@miamiair.com) IAEM Summer Mtg.: Reno, June, 1998 ISGLMP-sponsored educational event? SITE University: Palm Springs, June 17 - 21, 1998 Jeff Wahl (JWahl@miamiair.com) MPI Annual Mtg.: San Diego, July 12 - 14, 1998 Jeff Wahl (JWahl@miamiair.com) NBTA: Orlando, August 2 - 5, 1998 Jeff Wahl (JWahl@miamiair.com) ASAE Annual Mtg.: Nashville, August 16 - 18, 1998 C. NOMINATING COMMITTEE NOW CHOOSING CANDIDATES The Nominating Committee will announce it's choices for our 1998-99 Board of Directors, including President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, twenty-four Advisory Board positions and all committee and chapter chairs by April 1, 1998. The Nominating Committee, an offshoot of our Board of Directors, has been charged with creating a slate inclusive of international members with special emphasis on being receptive to women candidates. The mixture between supplier and planners is expected to be equal. "I believe that we will base most of our nominating decisions on the records of our members as reflected in the Monthly E-Mail. We are more interested in workers than stars, although we realize that star-quality is also important to our credibility in the industry," states Jeff Tendean, Co-Coordinator. Nominees will be queried as to acceptance of nominations in May. Specific requests to serve, or recommendations, should be sent to Jeff's attention. For a complete look at ISGLMP's committees and chapters, see our website (http://www.isglmp.org). Jim Luce will not serve a second term as president, as mandated by ISGLMP's Constitution. Committees in need of chairs or re-nomination of existing chairs include: Corporate Directory Committee, Editorial Committee, Membership Recruitment Committee, Memorial Committee (Alexander Lichtenstein, Chair), Outreach Education Committee (Bob Dallmeyer, Chair), Public Relations Committee (Jeff Wahl, Chair), and Welcoming Reception Committee (Russ Ruston, Co-Chair). Chapters in formation with local contacts include Metro Baltimore, Metro New York (Jim Luce), Metro Philadelphia (Vince Grandinetti) and Metro Washington (Matt Mueller) in the Northeast; Metro Atlanta, Metro Fort Lauderdale, and Metro Miami (Jeff Wahl) in the South; Metro Chicago (Andre Valk & Brian Hile), Metro Dallas (Garret Schwab) in the Mid-West and South-West and Metro Los Angeles, Metro San Diego, and Metro San Diego and San Francisco on the West Coast. Outside the U.S. we have Metro Montréal, Metro Toronto (Barry Birnberg), Metro Vancouver in Canada, Metro Amsterdam, Metro Berlin, Metro Ístanbul (Nevzat Yücel) and Metro Moscow in Europe; and Metro Hiroshima, Metro Hong Kong, and Metro Tokyo in Asia! Criteria for chapters includes the specification that each chapter in formation must have at least twenty members registered with ISGLMP by the end of the chapter's first year. Ideally, each chapter should strive to maintain an equal division between meeting planners and suppliers, as well as between lesbians and gays. The officers of each ISGLMP chapter shall include a president, vice-president and secretary. There shall not be a treasurer, as chapters are not authorized to collect nor distribute funds. The president of each chapter shall sit on the ISGLMP International Advisory Board Steering Committee. D. BANK ACCOUNT OPENS; GIFTS WELCOME! ISGLMP'S bank account will finally be in place this week, following New York State incorporation as a not-for-profit organization - and the Society will finally be able to accept contributions! ISGLMP is also in the process of applying for 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service. Currently, ISGLMP expenses run about $500 per month, including website, e-mail services, equipment usage and telephone lines. This does not include rent, salaries, or airfare/hotel accommodations for industry conferences and exhibitions. The Board of Directors encourages members and friends to contribute, to share the expenses of our Society - to date all expenses have been borne solely by two members. Upon receipt of our tax-exempt status, all contributions to ISGLMP will be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law retroactive to incorporation (2/5/98). E. WELCOMING RECEPTION COMM. CHAIRS ANNOUNCED The Board of Directors is delighted to announce the formation of our Welcoming Reception Committee, co-chaired by Russ Ruston (MeetinMan@aol.com) and, hopefully, Tamar Hosansky. Russ is with the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians in Chicago and Tamar writes for Adams Laux Publications. Both have attended previous receptions, including the Regal Knickerbocker Hotel's for ASAE in Chicago, the Dutch Tourist Board & Baltimore Convention Center's for MPI in Baltimore and the New Orleans Marriott's for ISGLMP at IAEM in Atlanta. One of the committee's objectives is to produce cloisonné pins for ISGLMP members to be able to spot each other at industry meetings in the future. Word has it that the Columbus CVB is considering hosting our upcoming ASAE reception. Future hosting opportunities include IGLTA (Montreal, May 15 - 18, 1998), IAEM Summer Mtg. (Reno, June, 1998), MPI Annual Mtg. (San Diego, July 12 - 14, 1998), and ASAE Annual Mtg. (Nashville, August 16 - 18, 1998). Please contact Russ (MeetinMan@aol.com) with cc's to isglmp@aol.com regarding any interest. E. MEMBERS DIALOGUE Note: ISGLMP reserves the right to edit all submissions. DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE CAYMAN ISLAND INCIDENT "I agree that the Cayman Islands are very outdated in their thinking but as a travel professional that has been in gay travel for over five years I should know that the standard rule of thumb in the travel industry is that British-ruled Caribbean Islands are not gay friendly and some of them can be very dangerous for the gay traveler who is even suspect, let alone caught. In the past there have been many incidents where gay people have been beaten and left for dead or thrown onto a plane. As a professional travel journalist as well, I'm very disappointed that the travel publication media, let alone general media, hasn't reported these points/facts before, let alone now. What was Atlantis or even NCL thinking when they even considered stopping on this island - potentially endangering their clients?? They are chartering this ship and can customize an itinerary! There are other islands in the Caribbean that are gay-friendly - especially the Netherland Antilles (I found Curacau welcoming), US & French ruled. As a travel "professional" I feel that I have an obligation to know as much as I can about a destination that my "specialty client" goes to." - Vicki Skinner, San Diego, CA (PVDoinIt@aol.com) NEW MEMBER "FIRED UP" FOR ISGLMP "It gave me sincere satisfaction to see the ISGLMP receive national attention in MeetingNews. This prompted me to become a member. I have always limited my memberships and affiliations, so I might be supportive and become an active member of the organizations in which I feel I might make some contribution. Additionally, reading Jim Luce as president prompted old memories of goals I wanted to achieve and "just let go." I knew Jim when I worked for Marriott, funny how old names resurface. My point, please let me know it there is a Los Angeles chapter so I might become more involved. I am a corporate "trouble shooter" hired to evaluate and bring in enhanced results. I work well in a team environment and I am not easily discouraged. If there is a local chapter and if you think I may be of some value please let me know and I will contact them direct. Thank you - it been a while since I was this "FIRED UP" about an organization. I hope my membership contributes in some small way." - Brenda Eschbach (beschbach@earthlink.net) MEMBERS 'DOWNSIZED' - LOOKING FOR LEADS "Due to a merger between my employer and another financial services firm, the department in which I worked was eliminated. Although I'm currently enjoying some much needed time off, I intend to remain on the planning side of the industry, preferably within the financial arena. I would very much appreciate any leads from ISGLMP members or friends for jobs within New York City. - Sam Gonzalez, ISGLMP Advisory Board Member (samgonzale@aol.com) REMEMBERING MARTIN LUTHER KING "I really appreciated the tribute to King, and Jim Luce's memories of his youth. I remember so clearly that time when, in seventh grade, I lived in New York City and we were going to be bussed into a school in predominantly black South Jamaica, Queens. All but two students, me and one other girl, were taken out of school by their parents to protest... I will never forget going on a civil rights march down Fifth Avenue when I was really young, and hearing King's voice booming thru the megaphones. I am so glad I had those experiences and was taught my parents not to be prejudiced from an early age." - Tamar Hosansky (thosansky@mail.aip.com) AUSTRALIA'S GAY MARDI GRAS "Could you please give me the e-mail address of Jo Terrans in Australia; I would like to make contact with her. Regarding Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, I am happy to report we will be handling 705 gay men and lesbians to this event in 1998. We are also taking care of the land arrangements for the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus who are performing during Mardi Gras 1998. I would be very happy to find a way of offering special land prices to other members of ISGLMP in 1999 for Mardi Gras. Unfortunately we are sold out for 1998! - Cheers, Lynne Hocking, Sydney (atssyd@s054.aone.net.au) Editor's Note: Jo may be reached as follows: Joanne Terrans Principal, Absolute Co.Ordination, Sydney, Australia, terrans@rainbow.net.au, tel.: 612 9922 6483; fax: 612 9922 6483 MIAMI MEMBER ASSISTS CREATING LOCAL CHAPTER "We have finally selected a location for Trim Your Meetings and Events! Coral Gables, Florida will be the new home for our headquarters. We continue to work with our customers via internet. So far, they have been responsive to our move and our communication ways. Our overhead cost has decreased over the month due to the internet usage. I have been in contact with Jeff Wahl of Miami Air and we are excited about setting up an ISGLMP chapter here in Miami. If you can give us assistance with steps that we need to take, your assistance is greatly appreciated. I am excited to be back in my home town and getting T.Y.M.E. to network with our ISGLMP members giving the meetings and destination planning they need. - Joseph Vella, President, T.Y.M.E. (tymes4u@aol.com) STRAW POLL PICK OF WORLDS BEST KEYNOTE SPEAKERS "I'd like to ask for suggestions from all ISGLMP members that worked with any type of conferences/events in 1997 for help in a quick survey, Its one that we do as an annual straw poll to speakers bureaus, agents, and that asks a simple question: who do you feel is the "top-best public speaker?" Would readers here take a minute and e-mail suggestions on who they feel are the best keynote speakers? Results should be useful and of interest to anyone who selects speakers into conventions and public conferences (as well as goes/ listens at these events!). A final tally will be sent to ISGLMP." - Phillip Knowlton, Co President, LectureAgent, Sausalito, CA (LectureAgent@lectureagent.com; http://www.LectureAgent.com) GAY & LESBIAN ONLINE MARKETING NEWSLETTER I am publishing a gay/lesbian friendly marketing e-zine, and believe it may be of interest to your readers. The mission of the Gay & Lesbian Online Marketing Newsletter is to provide a gay/lesbian friendly medium from which all present or future entrepreneurs of the on-line community may receive and share valuable marketing information, which will assist them in starting, and/or operating an exciting and extremely successful on-line business. I would like to have more articles submitted by gays and lesbians who are doing business on the Internet. You may view the G & L Online Marketing Newsletter homepage at http://www.autoknowledge.com/aa. - Bruce Rawls (brawls@writeme.com) F. ISGLMP MEMBERS INVITED TO SGMP PARTY by Rick Freda The National Capital Chapter of SGMP is proud to invite all planner members to our upcoming Meeting & Tradeshow in Washington, DC on February 11-12, 1998. This first annual event will take place at the Sheraton Washington Hotel on Thursday, 2/12/98 with an opening reception the night before on the Spirit of Washington cruise line. Admission is absolutely free for both events for all meeting planners. Lunch will also be served on Thursday at 12:00 noon in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Sheraton, featuring Willie Jolley, followed by the trade show of suppliers from around the country. There will be great door prizes and a chance to win a trip to Mardi Gras weekend in New Orleans on February 20-22, 1998. We will fly two people on American Airlines and have a luxury room waiting for you at the Le Pavilion Hotel, spending money included. If interested in registration, please call Laura Walker at 800.368.3097. Space is limited, so please contact Laura ASAP! SGMP is a national association designed to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of government meetings. Through monthly educational meetings, members are able to learn the latest trends in meeting planning and network with various types of meeting suppliers. Membership information is available from Carl Thompson on 703.549.09704. Note: ISGLMP member Rick Freda works for The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and serves as president of the National Capital Chapter/SGMP. Address: rick.freda@occ.treas.gov. G. REPORT FROM THE PROGRAM COMM. by Bob Dallmeyer ISGLMP will be on the agenda at IAEM in Reno - Joan Eisenstodt has volunteered to lead a Roundtable. We are now busily thinking of topics for an educational program at IAEM's December meeting. Any thoughts and comments are hereby solicited. I will do the work of lining up the speakers - we have already received e-mail from lots of candidates willing to speak. The working title is: "Diversity in the Workplace." The description is as follows: "A roundtable discussion on specialty markets, equal opportunity employment statements and domestic partnership benefits. Can tolerance and diversity exist in the workplace? Can the modern workplace exist without them? Join industry mentor, columnist and meeting planner Joan Eisenstodt for this lively luncheon chat!" Note: Program Committee chair Robert Dallmeyer may be reached at rdall@compuserve.com; Joan Eisenstodt at jeisen@aol.com. Please cc: the National Office at isglmp@aol.com. H. CAYMAN ISLANDS: "ISLE OF SHAME" We have known for years that Grand Cayman wasn't the friendliest place for gay and lesbian travelers. But now it is official. In an act of unabashed discrimination and homophobia, the Government of the Cayman Islands has denied landing rights to the Atlantis Events cruise aboard the M/S Leeward. The Minister himself wrote the following to Norwegian Cruise Line on December 8th: "After great deliberation, the joint ministries of the Government of the Cayman Islands have voted to deny landing rights to M/S Leeward Charter by NCL which is proposing to arrive in Grand Cayman on Sunday, 1st February, 1998. Careful research and prior experience has led us to conclude that we cannot count on this group to uphold the standards of appropriate behavior expected of visitors to the Cayman Islands, so we regrettably cannot offer our hospitality." Since 1992, Out & About has been guiding gay women and men to vacations destinations where they are most likely to feel comfortable, and steering them away from travel providers and experiences that are homophobic. It appears that no Caribbean island has actively encouraged gay visitors... yet. We welcome and will post messages here from Caribbean tourism officials who wish to extend a message assuring welcome to gay and lesbian travelers. And it is possible to experience incidents of homophobia even in the most gay-popular and friendly destinations. (Visit the Out & About website at www.outandabout.com.) For ISGLMP members wishing to express their outrage, we have been provided by ChltNCInfo@aol.com with the following addresses: Hon. Thomas C. Jefferson, Minister, Tourism, Commerce & Transport Cayman Islands Government, Government Administration Building Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, 011-345-949-7900 ext.: 2419 fax: 011-345-945-1746 Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1000 GT Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 011-345-949-8090, fax: 011-345-949-0220 Email: chamber@candw.ky Web page: http://cayman.com.ky/chamber/index.htm Cayman Islands Regional Sales Offices: Atlanta: Bill Howard, 404-521-6688 Miami: Peter Shields, 305-267-2932 Tampa: Winston Hendriks, 813-343-2563 Baltimore: Kathleen Mahoney, 301-767-8955 Boston: Judith Akerman, 617-431-7401 Chicago: Barbara Reimers, 847-678-6446 Dallas: Jackie Mitchell, 214-972-3540 Houston: Myrna Fair, 713-461-1317 Cayman Airways 6100 Blue Lagoon Dr., #130, Miami, FL 33126 800-422-9626, 305-266-6760, fax: 305-267-2925 CRUISE COMPANIES with frequent Cayman stops: Royal Caribbean International 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132 800-722-5650, fax 305-530-8397 web: www.royalcaribbean.com e-mail: wcomm@miamail01.rccl.com Chairman/CEO: Richard Fain Carnival Cruise Lines 3655 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33178 800-327-2058, 305-599-2200, fax: 305-406-4718 e-mail: grelations@carnival.com President & COO: Bob Dickinson Princess Cruises 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067 800-774-6237, 310-553-1770, fax: 310-284-2845 e-mail: rfder@princesscruises.com President: Peter Radcliffe I. NEWS FROM DOWN UNDER by Jo Terrans in Australia This year is the milestone celebration of the 20th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. It is testimony to the strength and will of Sydney's gay and lesbian community which has led political reform in New South Wales especially on issues of discrimination, vilification and human rights. Most well known for the annual Parade (Saturday Feb 28), the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is an organic organisation that grows and changes with the political, community and cultural environments. It is an unique organisation that gives gays and lesbians events of celebration and remembrance - traditions, funding, support, acclaimed performing and visual arts programmes and a tribal belonging that extends into other areas of our lives. Sunny Sydney is the place to be in February. For latest information and updates visit http:\\www.mardigras.com.au! ISGLMP member Jo Terrans can be reached at terrans@rainbow.net.au. J. CORPORATE SEAL OF APPROVAL APPLICATION Note: Please mail or fax back your response (212-388-0681) with a check for $475 to cover processing. Allow four weeks for approval and website listing. Invoice for purposes of billing are available on our website. Application is free to ISGLMP members through June 1998. Join American Express, the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, and many others for this honor and advertising opportunity! (Complete listing on our website) Does your company provide: 1) Outreach to lesbian & gay community as customers (incl. targeted advertising, guides, etc.); ___ yes ___ no (please provide xerox copy/ies of example/s) 2) Corporate Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) statement specifically including "sexual orientation;" ___ yes ___ no (provide xerox copy of statement) 3) Domestic Partnership (DP) health benefits; ___ yes ___ no (provide xerox copy of policy) 4) Sanctioned and supported lesbian & gay employee group; ___ yes ___ no (provide xeroxed correspondence, etc.) 5) Significant contributions to the lesbian & gay community (incl. AIDS service organizations). Includes gifts-in-kind. ___ yes ___ no (provide xeroxed correspondence, etc.) Company: Size of company: (big, medium or small) [Fortune 500, medium or less than 10 employees] Submitting Individual Name: Title: Address: Telephone (Voice): Fax: E-Mail: Date: K. CHARTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Name: Title: Company: Address: Telephone (Voice): Fax: E-Mail: Website: Do you wish to be listed publicly? Would you like to be considered for 1998-99 Advisory Board? Would your company like to be considered as "Gay-Friendly"? (please mail documentation on five criteria under separate cover) Where did you hear about ISGLMP? Other professional membership? If meeting planner, how many room/nights do you coordinate annually? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Note: Charter Membership, open until June 30, 1998, is gratis. Charter Members may apply to have their qualifying corporation approved with the ISGLMP "Seal of Approval" on a complimentary basis. As of July 1, 1998 annual dues will be invoiced at U.S. $110 per annum and all gay-friendly approval will require a $475 documentation processing fee.