From: ISGLMP@aol.com Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 17:23:05 -0400 (EDT) Subject: ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 1, no. 7b (July 20, 1997) ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 1, no. 7b (July 20, 1997) 175 Fifth Avenue #2172, New York, N.Y. U.S.A. 10010-7703 TELEPHONE: 212-388-0588; FAX: 212-388-0681; E-MAIL: ISGLMP@AOL.COM Int’l Society of Gay & Lesbian Meeting Planners - 457 members INDEX A. Editorial: On the Road by Jim Luce B. Convention Receptions - Around the Corner! C. Press Conference in Chicago: Disney Named ‘ISGLMP Corporation of the Year’ D. Dialogue E. New Logo Competition Cont’d by David Riederman, CAE F. “Straight-but-not-narrow” by Carol McHale G. Gay-Friendly Philly Lauded by Vincent Grandinetti, CHSE H. ISGLMP Charter Membership Application Form ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- A. EDITORIAL: ON THE ROAD! by Jim Luce, President It feels like the world has descended on New York for “Meeting World.” Suppliers from seemingly every property out there are here - and looking for business. The city is caught up in a meeting frenzy. As a meeting planner, I get quite a few calls with all these reps in town. And I’m embarrassed to admit that I feel satisfaction/ happiness/pride when a supplier calls me up and inquires about my partner and our children, who I do love to talk about. It feels like such progress to me... Other signs of progress: an Advisory Board member recently called to say he had taken a new job with greater responsibilities. “Like you,” he said, “I told my potential employers about who I am and said, in effect, ‘if that’s a problem, don’t hire me.’ They laughed and said ‘no problem,’ but I feel so much more honest having it out on the table...” More progress still: we’ll be at ASAE and MPI in the next weeks - never before a lesbian & gay group meeting so openly there - and with corporate sponsorship to boot. Yes, we’ve got far to travel until we reach the destination of gay- indifference. For truly it shouldn’t matter who we are - or who we sleep with. But until that glorious day, we will keep our banner unfurled. Join with us under that banner in Chicago and Baltimore! B. ISGLMP RECEPTIONS - AROUND THE CORNER! ASAE: As you probably know already, our Welcoming Reception in Chicago will be this Monday, July 28, from 9 pm until Midnight. It is being very generously hosted and sponsored by the Regal Knickerbocker Hotel, at 163 East Walton Place. Senior Sales Manager Derek Stockman (312-867-7519) has been instrumental in arranging this fine reception. On-the-scene Advisory Board member R. Russ Ruston of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians is assisting with local logistics (MeetinMan@aol.com). Other local members involved with ISGLMP include Brian Hile, of Fairmont Hotels, and Andre Valk, of Hinton & Grusich; both may be reached at avalk@hinton- grusich.com. MPI: And, again, our Welcoming Reception in Baltimore will be Monday, August 4, from 7 - 9 pm, hosted by the Baltimore Convention Center and the Netherlands Convention Bureau. Please RSVP to ISGLMP@aol.com, copy this invite to your friends - and bring a friend! IAEM: December 3-5 in Atlanta. IAEM is organizing a few Special Interest Group breakfast meetings which we could get in on if we provided a moderator. Any volunteers? Also, if there are enough (12) Advisory Board members planning on being in Atlanta for IAEM, we could have our first official face-to-face meeting. Advisory Board members please contact the National Office - and everyone: mark your calendars for Atlanta! C. PRESS CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO: DISNEY NAMES ‘ISGLMP CORPORATION OF YEAR’ Our National Advisory Board ratified the following resolution, which will be presented to the media at an informal press- conference in Chicago at the Regal Knickerbocker Hotel on Monday, 7/28, from 2:00 - 2:30 pm. “Resolved, that The Walt Disney Corporation is hereby deemed by the Board of Directors of the International Society of Gay & Lesbian Meeting Professionals, as the ‘Corporation of the Year’ for 1997 for their gay-friendly environment, their corporate policy of offering health benefits to partners of gay employees, “Gay Days” offered at their theme parks, and the non-judgmental content of their TV and film programming. Be it further resolved that, having grown up with the Magic Kingdom, we affirm that Walt Disney is the epitome of traditional family values.” Any Advisory Board members who have availability for the press- conference should contact Jim Luce immediately. D. DIALOGUE NOTES: ISGLMP reserves the right to edit all submissions. All submissions will be considered for attribution unless a specific request is made for non-consideration of publication and/or anonymity. “Thank you for seeing this new association to fruition. I have been serving on the board of my local chapter of MPI and have served on some international committees as well, and realize the value of "our" voices being heard in an arena of diversity and professionalism. You have created that! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!” - Rick Weaver, Associate Director of Sales & Marketing, Radisson Miyako Hotel E. LOGO COMPETITION CONT’D by David Riederman, CAE The search for ISGLMP’s new logo continues, with approximately ten entries received to date. With our new name, International Society of Gay & Lesbian Meeting Professionals, we need a new logo. The old logo, for ASGLMP, featured a lavender continental U.S. surrounded by 13 golden stars, with the initials superimposed in royal blue. In the spirit of visibility at industry meetings, the creator of the logo will receive a complimentary registration to the industry meeting of their choice. The contest is open through the summer. F. “STRAIGHT-BUT-NOT-NARROW” by Carol McHale Although I'm straight, I strongly wanted to join ISGLMP to show my support of gay and lesbians, and acknowledge the prejudice that they encounter daily. Through my work with the Minority Affairs group of the Law School Admission Council, I have come to understand a little better the difficulties that minority groups still face in today’s world (I grew up in a totally white neighborhood in Long Island, so I had a lot to learn). Although gays and lesbians may not outwardly look ‘different’ (so people don’t clutch their purses a little tighter or lock their car doors, as they might do if minorities pass by), they still must deal with prejudice, such as jokes about queers or incredulous looks when two women show affection in public. As a planner, I am very sensitive to the prejudice that I’ve seen exhibited by some hotels, whether it is a rack brochure that shows only whites enjoying the property (even worse is when the only minorities photographed are bellmen or maids); my minority guests being required to show a credit card upon check-in, even though all charges are being billed to the master; or being asked three times why I requested a king-sized bed for Mr. So-and-So and his friend Mr. So-and-So. I would be pleased to book events at hotels that have been identified as gay-friendly, so that I could be confident that some of the aforementioned prejudices might not be evident. And I support the efforts of gay and lesbian meeting planners, who are working towards creating a world in which an organization like ISGLMP would no longer be needed. G. GAY-FRIENDLY PHILLY LAUDED by V. Grandinetti, CHSE The "Out & About" travel publication has just published their Fourth Annual "Best Of" Editor's Choice Awards for 1997. We are very pleased to report that the Philadelphia CVB was selected as one of the winners under the category of "Marketing & Tourism Development," as follows: "While other CVB's have been supportive of the gay market, Philadelphia has taken the lead with a comprehensive approach to luring gay tourists. They have mounted an ad campaign in the gay press, hosted gay journalists, hosted the 1997 International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association Convention, and worked with local businesses to promote the gay attractions of Philadelphia, including the creation of gay tour packages." If you haven't seen the July "O&A" it's worth picking up! It tells you the best places to stay, who's gay friendly, and more importantly, who's not! We are publishing a Gay & Lesbian Visitors Guide and are actively working to bring Gay & Lesbian conventions to Philadelphia. If anyone within the ISGLMP would like a copy of the Visitors Guide, please e-mail me at VinceIGTA@aol.com — we should be ready to mail by late July/early August and would love to share it with you! The same with meetings! If we can assist you in anyway, please call me, 215/636-4400. If you need visitor information for a personal or business trip to our city, give me a call as well. I'd be more than happy to assist. As we are members of the IGLTA, many IGLTA agents are calling now with customers coming in on citywide conventions that want a Gay B&B or a list of clubs, etc. I'm also pleased to report that I am now on the board of the IGLTA.I really felt it was important to join the "Rick Cirillo's" of the world and be the first CVB ever on the board of the association.) We are very pleased at the success of our marketing efforts to date in Philadelphia. We have very strong support within the hospitality community and throughout the city to continue and our efforts! "The Place that Loves You Back" looks forward to your visit quite soon! H. ISGLMP CHARTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM Name: Title: Company: Address: Telephone: Fax: E-Mail: Do you wish to be listed publicly? Would you like to be considered for 1998 Advisory Board? Where did you hear about ASGLMP? Other professional membership? If meeting planner, how many room/nights do you coordinate annually? Date: Note: Charter Membership, open until June 30, 1998, is complimentary. As of July 1, 1998 - the start of our corporate second year - annual dues will be invoices at U.S. $110 per annum.