From: ISGLMP@aol.com Date: Thu, 31 Jul 1997 12:52:56 -0400 (EDT) Subject: ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 1, no. 8 (Aug. 1, 1997) ISGLMP MONTHLY E-MAIL, vol. 1, no. 8 (Aug. 1, 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 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- 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 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. 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 “Harvey.h.p.d.Davidson@cngny02.x400.gc.ca.” 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.