Subject: ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 1, no. 8 (Aug. 1, 1997)
From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 1997 12:52:56 -0400 (EDT)

ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 1, no. 8 (Aug. 1, 1997)
175 Fifth Avenue #2172, New York, N.Y.  U.S.A.  10010-7703
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TELEPHONE: 212-388-0588; FAX: 212-388-0681;
E-MAIL: [email-masked]
WEB-SITE: http://www.isglmp.org (under construction)

Int’l Society of Gay & Lesbian Meeting Planners - 477 strong!

INDEX
A.  Editorial: Unbelievable Us by Jim Luce, President
B.  Convention Receptions - MPI on Monday
C.  Another Possible Name Change? by H.P. Davidson, CMP
D.  Dialogue
E.  New Logo Competition Cont’d by David Riederman, CAE
F.  Know Your Representatives
G.  Web-Site Now Under Construction by Jeff Tendean
H.  ISGLMP Charter Membership Application Form
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A.  UNBELIEVABLE US!  by Jim Luce, President
Our reception at the Regal Knickerbocker in Chicago knocked my
socks off!  First, it was just great to connect faces to so many 
e-mail addresses!  Then, the crowd was just about as nice a 
group of people as you can imagine.  True, the hospitality 
industry is known for great people, but this reception seemed to 
draw the greatest.  And last, the Regal Knickerbocker Hotel in 
Chicago is really nice, and host Derek Stockton (312/867-7519) 
went out of his way to provide a truly classy spread in the perfect 
venue.  

And if all that weren’t enough, more people showed up than we 
expected!  And about a dozen more have joined ISGLMP as a 
result!  Also, we continue to become international; people at the 
party from Thailand, Belgium and Canada!  And, of course, local 
and active members Andre Valk, Brian Hile and R. Russ Ruston 
attended.  Finally, Rob Hampton from the Columbus CVB, a 
member of our Advisory Board, was able to be on hand for our 
Disney “Corporation of the Year” press conference...

So, we’re on to Baltimore.  And we need your help.  Because 
we (I) wasn’t able to spend enough time, we’re not on MPI’s map 
of events.  But if you all work with me, we can correct my blunder!
ZAP THE BOILER PLATE BELOW to anyone you think might 
want to join us!  Advisory Board members Kenneth Hemsley and 
Donna Jeanette have worked hard to get us space at the 
Baltimore Convention Center and hosting by the Netherlands 
Tourism Board.  Do we have other members in Baltimore that 
can help?  So far, about thirty people have RSVP’d - many from 
DC.  I’m really looking forward to seeing some Chicago faces - 
and many new ones as well.  See you in Baltimore!  

B.  ISGLMP RECEPTIONS - MPI ON MONDAY!
MPI: Our Welcoming Reception in Baltimore, will be this Monday, 
August 4, from 7 - 9 pm, in room 324 in the Convention Center, 
hosted by the Baltimore Convention Center and the Netherlands 
Convention Bureau.  Please RSVP to [email-masked], 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.  Advisory Board member Vincent 
Grandinetti, CHSE, Director of Sales, Philadelphia Convention, & 
Visitors Bureau, has volunteered, as has Jerry White, Director of 
Member Services, International Association of Conference 
Centers (D.C.).  Any other 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! 

IGLTA:  May 14-17, 1998 in Montréal.  Working with their president,
John Delasandro, in San Francisco, as well as our and their member, 
Vince Grandinetti (he serves on both boards!).  Vince reports that 
he shared our last newsletter with the IGLTA at their board 
meeting in Key West.  “The board was very impressed with the 
momentum ISGLMP has created for itself,” he reports.  So 
let’s put Montréal on our calendars and show them what kind of 
momentum we’re made of!  

Editor’s note: just back from a FAM to Montréal - it’s a city I 
actually considered - for a moment - leaving New York for.  You 
HAVE to visit this fantastic destination; all the rumors of anti-
English sentiment are pure fiction.  It’s gay section honestly rivals 
New York’s.  And it’s CVB among the best in the world.  GO!

C.  ANOTHER POSSIBLE NAME CHANGE? by H. P. Davidson, CMP
I realize that we have just changed our name once already.  
However, after careful consideration, I propose that ISGLMP 
change its official name once again, to “ISGLHP” -with the “H” 
standing for Hospitality.  

As we know, the various sections of the "industry" had been 
fragmented into airlines, hotels, transportation, etc. and to this 
extent, no one sub-group has had the ability to speak with clout 
and be heard.  Now that the various industry segments are being 
recognized, not as hotel people or meeting planners or travel 
representatives, but as one dynamic force, let the group include 
everyone that is connected to what is done professionally; and, 
this group is the hospitality industry.  

Identifying as such would open the membership to everyone 
involved in all aspects of what is done in the hospitality industry, 
including meeting planning, destination management, food and 
beverage, travel arrangements, tourism, special events, etc.  

Remember, there is strength in numbers.  Also, it will be easier to 
make the change now than after legal recognition with the IRS, 
banks etc. and the printing of stationery, letterheads, business 
cards and related items.

Editors’ Note:  Members?  Should this go to our Board of 
Directors?  Should we poll our Advisory Board?  Please respond!

Harvey P. Davidson is the Tourism Program Manager, 
Canadian Consulate General.  He may be reached at 
“[email-masked].”

D.  DIALOGUE
Note: we reserves the right to edit all submissions; these will 
be considered for attribution unless a specific request is made for 
non-consideration of publication and/or anonymity.

“WOW!!!  What a great reception in Chicago!  Thanks to Derek 
Stockton and the entire crew at the Knickerbocker Hotel for 
arranging such a terrific reception.  If this is the kind of treatment 
us fellow ISGLMP members & friends can look forward to, then 
all of us are in for a huge treat!  The Knickerbocker certainly 
made a statement and set an example by hosting our group and 
providing us with a festive, comfortable and generous setting.  I 
am sure those of us in attendance will think very favorably of this 
hotel, refer to it often... and refer it to clients as well!  Let’s plan 
some more of these high caliber events....”  - Andre Valk, CMP, 
Director of Sales, Hinton & Grusich

“Thanks for the very nice reception during ASAE at the Regal
Knickerbocker Hotel.  It was great to meet you and other ISGLMP 
members and guests.  Look forward to seeing you and others in 
Baltimore at MPI!”  - Lee Pomerance, CMP

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 super-
imposed 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 thru the summer.

F.  KNOW YOUR REPRESENTATIVES by Matthew Mueller
ISGLMP is represented by a Board of Directors, headed by Jim 
Luce, President, and Matt Mueller of the Capital Hilton (DC), Vice 
President.  The Board has appointed an interim National Advisory 
Board for 1997-98.  This Board will rotate with elected represent-
atives for 1998-99.

Current National Advisory Board members are listed below. 
Affiliations have been listed for identification purposes only; 
membership does not necessarily reflect an individuals sexual 
orientation.  

They are: Karen Armagost, Assistant Meeting 
Planner, American Association of University Women (D.C.); Brian 
Bigalke, Manager, Meetings & Conferences, American Society of 
Mechanical Engineers International (N.Y.); David Brockman, 
Meeting & Incentive Planner, American Express/Group Travel 
Management (Atlanta); Harriet Carter, Account Executive, 
Metropolitan Detroit Convention , & Visitors Bureau (MI); Steve 
Freeman, Conference Coordinator, Phoenix Civic Plaza (AZ); 
Marc Goldman, Meeting Planner, Damon Brooks Assoc. (L.A.); 
Sam Gonzalez, Events Planner, Invest. Banking, Smith Barney 
(N.Y.); Travis Goodyear, National Sales Manager, Gay & Lesbian 
Market, American Airlines (N.Y.); Rose Granaudo, Sales 
Manager, Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hilton (FL); Vincent Grandinetti, 
CHSE, Director of Sales, Philadelphia Convention, & Visitors 
Bureau (PA); Steven Hacker, CAE, President, International 
Association for Exposition Management (Dallas); Rob Hampton, 
National Sales Manager, Columbus Convention, & Visitors 
Bureau (OH); Kenneth M. Hemsley, Jr., Project Coordinator, 
Baltimore Convention Center (MD); Jason Hendrix, Special 
Projects Director, National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS 
Directors (D.C.); Jeff Hocker, National Sales & Development 
Director Travel America (S.F.); Donna Jeanette, Corp. Meeting & 
Incentive Planner , Netherlands Board of Tourism (NY); Cheryl 
Lawson, Meeting Planner, American Urological Association, 
(Baltimore); Lasse Leskinen, Account Executive, Retail Sales, 
United Airlines (N.Y.); Rodney Martins, Events Manager, 
Moscone Convention Center (S.F.); Ronald F. Olejko, Director, 
Conferences & Meetings, American College of Rheumatology 
(Atlanta); Rick Osmanski, Dir. of Conventions & Exhibitions, 
Radio-Television News Directors Association (D.C.); David 
Riederman, CAE, Program Director, Association for Computing 
Machinery (N.Y.); Paul Romero, Manager, Sales & Service, 
Mexicana Airlines (N.Y.); Charlie Rounds, President, RSVP 
Travel (Minneapolis); Russ Ruston, Meeting Planner, American 
College of Osteopathic, Family Physicians (Chicago); Sheri 
Scavo, Meeting Planner, Association of Legal , Administrators 
(Chicago); Gregory Sgroi, Meeting Planner, NYCE Corporation 
(N.Y.); Michael C. Smith, Vice President of Sales, Portland, 
Oregon Visitors Association (OR); Stephan J. Smith, Manager,
Association Operations, Association on Higher Education & 
Disability (Columbus); Karen Susnitzky, Associate Director, 
Modern Language Association, Convention Programs (N.Y.); 
Mark Theis, Director, Eastern Region Sales, Los Angeles 
Convention & Visitors Bureau (N.Y.); Jeffrey B. Wahl, Sales 
Manager, El San Juan Hotel & Casino (S.J.); Steve Waugh, 
Corporate Tradeshow Manager, Lotus Development Corporation 
(Boston); Jerry White, Director of Member Services, International 
Association of Conference Centers (D.C.); and Shannon Wolff, 
Conference Coordinator, UCLA Conference Services (L.A.).

Editors’ Note: Individuals serve on our Advisory Board, not 
corporations.  Therefore, all identifications will be updated as the 
individual’s position or employers changes.

G.  WEB-SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION by Jeff Tendean
Our web-site is now under construction that will allow us - gay 
and lesbian meeting planners and suppliers - to interact with 
ISGLMP, each other, and other gay-friendly individuals in the 
industry.  We are delighted to announce that we have 
successfully reserved the name “http://www.isglmp.org!”

The web-site will compliment our International Directory of 
ISGLMP-Approved Destinations & Facilities.  This hard-copy 
directory will list members, as well as highlight CVBs, meeting 
facilities and other suppliers that the organization has deemed 
gay-friendly and has awarded its Seal of Approval.  It will also 
accept advertising.  Unfortunately, talks have recently collapsed 
with the industry publisher we had thought best suited to partner 
with, so we are now seeking alternatives and expect a delay in 
publication.

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 comp-
limentary.  As of July 1, 1998 - the start of our corporate second 
year - annual dues will be invoiced at U.S. $110 per annum.