One year to go.
That's the attitude—and reality—in Copenhagen, as the capitol of Denmark prepares for what likely will be the largest LGBT sporting event of 2009.
Marc Northern. Photo courtesy of World Outgames 2009
The second-annual World Outgames will be held in Copenhagen July 25—Aug. 2, 2009, with 38 different sports disciplines, from aerobics to wrestling, for competitors of all skill levels. In addition, there will be a wide variety of cultural events, including performances, exhibitions and parties. World Outgames 2009 also will feature a human-rights conference addressing issues and concerns of the LGBT community.
The first World Outgames was held in Montreal during the summer of 2006, kicking off in Canada about two weeks after the close of Gay Games VII, held in Chicago.
'It does feel like a year away and we're now much more focused on what's going to be happening,' said Marc Northern, 49, the director for communications and marketing for World Outgames 2009, a position he's held since February. 'At this point, we are really focused on the task at hand, making sure that our plans are working, that we have structure, that we are financially sound, and just realizing what we have to do to make this the best event for the people who are coming.
'I think our plans are fairly good, particularly on the sporting side. We have secured all of the venues. We have partners who are helping us do the sports—in some cases, it's the local club; in a number of cases, it's the mainstream sport federation or clubs. And that's something we're very proud of, because we're really getting a lot of support among mainstream Danish sports associations. In a few cases, we're having people and organizations from abroad help us organize an event.
'On the cultural side of things, there are many things planned. The highlight will be something we're calling OutCities—and six cities so far have accepted. Each city will be given a square in the central part of Copenhagen, and each city is bringing at least 20 artists who will come and do performances, exhibits, etc. Some of the cities confirmed to participate include Melbourne, Tel Aviv, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City and Amsterdam. And we're still waiting on other [ cities ] to accept as well.'
The focus of OutCities will be LGBT culture and their influence on culture.
World Outgames 2009 also will include a human-rights conference, held in conjunction with Amnesty International. 'The planning for this event is shaping up very nicely. This is a very important event, a very serious side of the Outgames,' Northern said.
Registration for World Outgames 2009 started April 20 and the early registration period ends Sept. 30.
'We're pleased with the way things are shaping up, but we know that there's a lot of work to do,' Northern said. 'One of the biggest challenges we now have is, securing volunteers. Due to the size of the event, we need at least 2,500 volunteers. So, we're recruiting within the LGBT community, but also within the mainstream Denmark communities, because we want this event to showcase how integrated people are and what the possibilities are when people are well-integrated.'
Northern is originally from Kansas City. He lives overseas with his Danish partner: Carsten Poulsen, 39. Northern competed in swimming at the 2003 EuroGames and was part of the '03 organizing committee; the '03 event was held in Copenhagen.
Windy City Times: Let's start with the work still needed at this point. What is the most glaring area that, even though there's a year to go, you feel you need to address immediately?
MN: The communication. We haven't been very aggressive, especially in North America and Asia. We really have to get our message out [ about ] what this event is about, why people should spend the time and money to attend, and what they'll get out of it. We have to communicate to people how they can manage this [ trip ] because some people view Copenhagen as this outrageously-expensive city and, yes, it is an expensive city, but it certainly is worth the time and effort to come. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is well worth the time and money.
In terms of the logistics of the event, we're pretty pleased with the way things are shaping up. But getting the cultural program nailed down is a real challenge. We've said that we're not going to bear the economical or financial risk in developing these, so we're looking for partners who will help us do these. We're finding partners, but finding how these partners can provide a service and make money is turning out to be a real challenge.
On the sponsorship side of things, I think we have a lot more to do. It's been a tough [ road ] getting sponsors for the event because … we've had high demands for sponsors. They actually have to come up with some cash to be listed as a main sponsor, and most of the sponsors in other LGBT events in the area are more used to delivering products and not a lot of money. We think there's tremendous value [ to sponsors ] , based primarily on exposure.'
WCT: Since you bring up money, where are the Outgames financially?
MN: We have a budget of $64 million Danish crowns. We've received $25 million Crowns from the City of Copenhagen. We've received a grant from the Central Government [ of Copenhagen ] for the event for $6.1 million Crowns. We're expecting about $10 million crowns from participants—user fees, visitor passes, etc. The rest has to come through sponsors. We're also looking for sponsors to deliver some of the equipment and other things.
All of the facilities are being provided free of charge.
We're cooperating with the local Copenhagen tourist office and the Danish tourist board—Visit Denmark— [ to arrange ] journalist visits, promotional events. They're using their budget and the Outgames name to promote travel to Denmark.'
[ The current exchange rate for $10 in Danish kroner is about $2.10. So, the organization's $64 million Danish kroner budget is about $13.4 million. ]
WCT: Talk about the rumored millions of dollars in debt that the Outgames were after the 2006 event.
MN: I don't know that much about the end financial result [ from 2006 ] . I know that there was a debt in Montreal at the end of the event. I understand that they found a resolution for whatever that resolution was. However, that debt was [ to ] the Montreal Organizing Committee, and it did not accrue to GLISA, the Gay Lesbian International Sports Association, which owns the Outgames franchise. So [ the 2006 debt ] has not had an effect on us in Copenhagen financially. However, when we've approached [ potential ] sponsors, they've asked us about the [ 2006 ] situation, why did that debt come about and what we're doing to avoid that happening [ again ] . Our response to that is, we're working very hard on risk reduction.
Montreal was a fantastic event, but there were vendors who were left holding the bag until they found a resolution a few years later.
WCT: So, have those 2006 vendors been paid?
MN: I can't speak to that; I just don't know. The latest report that I heard was, a compromise was reached between the city, the organizers and the vendors. But I don't know what that meant or what they actually received for the outstanding debts.
WCT: Will any of the people from Montreal Organizing Committee be involved with 2009?
MN: No.
WCT: Do you foresee the 2009 World Outgames at least breaking even financially?
MN: Of the large [ past ] LGBT sports events, the EuroGames generally break even. In 2003, we broke even in Copenhagen. So, yes, we expect Copenhagen in 2009 to break even. We're not going to make a lot of money on this event, but I think with the structures that we have in place, yes, I believe we'll break even. The real challenge for these events is, liquidity. The models are all wonderful, but it's maintaining liquidity through the event that's really tough. I think we've done a very good job in Copenhagen controlling costs.
WCT: What do you foresee being the popular sports and what sports are struggling with registration?
MN: I'm expecting the biggest sport to be swimming. IGLA ( International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics, which is the LGBT governing body for swimming, diving and water polo ) will have its World Championships in Copenhagen at Outgames 2009, so we're expecting swimmers from all over the world to attend. That [ event ] probably will be off the charts. And there is a new swimming pool being built in Copenhagen [ that ] will be completed in time for the Outgames.
Another big event is going to be soccer—futbol [ as it's known ] to us. It's an extremely popular sport … well, everywhere else but in America. Volleyball and badminton are going to be big sports, too. And there will be a lot of rowers coming to Copenhagen.
Climbing may be a smaller event. There are a number of ice-related events, such as hockey, curling, figure skating and speed-skating; those [ events ] may struggle because it's the off-season for those events.
WCT: What is one unique sport that may surprise Americans [ with its ] popularity?
MN: Team handball. It's very popular in Copenhagen, though I don't expect very many Americans to compete in it.
WCT: Have any sports already been closed to registration?
MN: No. We expect the bulk of our registrations to come in after summer vacations.
WCT: What's the realistic number of participants you are expecting?
MN: We're looking to have a minimum of 8,000 registered participants for sports events. There are 5,000 registered participants for the EuroGames in July in Spain, so we're very confident that 8,000 is a very obtainable minimum number [ of participants ] .
WCT: Your projection for a minimum of 8,000 certainly is well below what Outgames claimed in 2006, which was 12,000 participants. Is 8,000 a more realistic amount, or what?
MN: It is a low-ball figure. I'd like to say 10,000 and I suspect we'll probably be around 10,000, but to our sponsors and the city in particular, that's the number that we've said to them. We've told them that 8,000 is a minimum number of participants we can get and will have. With the taxpayers of Copenhagen paying for more than a third of this event, we have an obligation to be very straight-forward and honest about what we know we can do.
WCT: What is your marketing campaign for North America—in particular, so Americans will come to Copenhagen?
MN: We're doing a number of things. We're participating in a number of events this summer to help raise our identity, including Pride events and various sporting events.'
[ Note: World Outgames 2009 will, or already has had, have a presence at various Gay Pride events, including New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and Austin. World Outgames 2009 did not have any presence at Chicago Pride. ]
WCT: Your take on the Gay Games?
MN: I think it's excellent that we're not going head to head [ in the same year ] in the sense that they're both very large events that a lot of people want to go to. The main sports club here in Copenhagen … there's no doubt that we're planning to go to Cologne in 2010, and we expect the [ sports ] clubs from Cologne to be coming to Copenhagen.
The division that was quite visible in the U.S. and Canada in 2006 [ between the Gay Games and Outgames ] is generally a non-issue in Europe. We don't have a sense that there is a competition, that one [ event ] should, 'win' over the other. Actually, what the real issue is is making sure that we coordinate with the EuroGames.
[ World Outgames will be offering space in their village the Gay Games to promote Gay Games 2010. ] From our perspective, that seems like the logical thing to do. I don't foresee any reason why they won't be in Copenhagen promoting their event.
As for the organizing committees of both events, we talk to each other; they're nice people. I think there are areas where we can promote LGBT sports, not just the Outgames or the Gay Games. If, for instance, there's something at the Outgames that we feel will benefit the Gay Games, you better believe we'll tell them.
And we certainly hope there is a follow-up to our human-rights conference in 2010 in Cologne.
The idea that the Outgames and the Gay Games are in competition is not healthy for gay and lesbian sports.
WCT: Explain briefly what EuroGames is, including what you've learned from that to implement in 2009.
MN: EuroGames is the European Gay & Lesbian Championships, an annual European sporting event governed by the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation ( EGLSF ) . It is the biggest athletic event for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Europe. Barcelona will host the 12th EGLSF EuroGames July 24-27, and Barcelona is going to be a very large event.
As a whole, EuroGames is a fantastic event, with a wonderful atmosphere.
We'll have a booth in their village and also our staff will be there, and more than 100 from our local sports club will participate in just about every [ sport. ] We want to be there to tell people what they'll see and experience in [ 2009 in ] Copenhagen.
Our most important, most valuable marketing tool in Europe is word of mouth.
WCT: Tell the world about Copenhagen, particularly about its LGBT community.
MN: A magazine recently listed Copenhagen as the best city in the world to live in. Our gay life is very well integrated into the rest of society. The fact that people are open and accepting is one of the most fantastic things about Copenhagen.
We really want people to come see how really good life can be.
WCT: Finally, one thing I found very interesting about the Outgames Web site is the fact that there is a section dedicated to sex. Why is that?
MN: One of our values is transparency. Denmark is No. 2 in the world, behind Finland, in terms of levels of corruption. We have very, very little—and one of the reasons for that is, transparency. Everything should be a matter of public record. We think it's important for people to know these facts.
We had no hesitation whatsoever about posting that information about sex [ on the site. ]
See www.copenhagen2009.org .
