The Chicago expo will be held in conjunction with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association's (IGLTA) 30th Annual Global Convention ( www.iglta.org ). More than 100 exhibitors are expected to be present from across the world in Chicago. Already, commitments have been made from exhibitors representing various regions in the U.S. as well as companies from Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, will be the site for a GLBT travel expo Friday, May 3, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The events are produced by Steven Levenberg Productions, LLC. The Chicago show will be the last of the four destinations on this year's tour. "People come to the shows to learn about the hottest new destinations which may now include trips to the Far East, South America or the Caribbean destinations. They also want to reacquaint themselves with older gay favorite destinations in the US that they may have traveled to in the past but have fallen off of their radar. " said Steve Levenberg, show producer. "Some come to get a great travel deal, book a vacation with a friend or just find out about those companies that are reaching out to the LGBT community. Years ago we had to practically hide who we were when we traveled. Now it is amazing how many destinations, cvb's and major corporations are making a concerted effort to attract the LGBT traveler."
There will be free raffles where attendees can win Broadway show tickets, vacations at participating hotels, free car rentals or you can even win select tickets to shows. Exhibitors include Made in 2010 (London Theatre Tickets), Broadway In Chicago, Radisson Bluu Aqua, Dignity Memorial, Avis, Tourisme Quebec, O'Hare Midway Limo Service, Broadway in Chicago, Marriot Resort Hawaii and Johnathan Gatz Fitness.
The IGLTA's 30th Annual Global Convention brings together GLBT travel professionals from across the world. More than 500 registrants are expected at the convention and will be visiting the expo. Consumers will be there from the local Chicago area. Before the show opens to the pubic, there will be an hour of B2B to allow conference participants to meet and greet each other in a business atmosphere.
2013 Sponsors: Amtrak, Delta Air Lines, Global Network of Black Pride, Grindr, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, h2Internet Services, IGLTA, MEGA Personalities and Vermont Gay Tourism Association.
Media Sponsors: Boi Magazine, Connextions Magazine, Edge Media, Elixher, FunMaps, Gaytravel.com, Gay City News, GBMNews, GO Magazine, Grab Magazine, Ikons Magazine, Mused Magazine, Next Magazine, The G-List Society, Windy City Media Group.
Community Partners: Art From The Heart, Big Brothas Network, BluntedMuse Production, Circle of Voices Inc, Harlem Pride, GMAD and GMAD's Youth Advisory Board, ImageNation Raw Space, Our Sista Voices, SAGE, Zenbiz Travel.