Chicago Games, Inc. will host a public town hall meeting Thursday, Dec. 11 at Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont, 6-8 p.m. Chicago had bid to host the Gay Games in 2006 and was not initially selected. The selection process has now been re-opened and a re-bid from Chicago is being requested. Members of the community are invited to provide input into the feasibility of Chicago hosting Gay Games VII in the summer of 2006. Representatives from Chicago Games, Inc. and the community leaders who prepared the original bid will help lead the discussion.
Representatives of sports and culture groups, as well as business owners, promoters and fundraisers, are especially invited to attend. No RSVP is necessary and the event is free of charge. If you are unable to attend but are interested in receiving information about a Chicago bid for the 2006 Gay Games, send your email address to volunteer@chicagogamesinc.org with subject line 'Place Me on Chicago 2006 Email List.'
More than 400 people participated in Chicago's original bid to the Federation of Gay Games (FGG). Since negotiations with the original host organization were declared at an impasse last month, the Federation has invited the other 2006 Finalists (Alternative Bidding Organizations—or ABOs) to participate in a shortened re-bid process to determine the host of the 2006 Gay Games. Atlanta has bowed out, leaving just Chicago and LA.
Those who prepared the original Chicago 2006 bid have been meeting with city officials to find out what role government might play in a re-bid. However, organizers emphasize that they will be first and foremost looking to do what is best for the Chicago GLBT community. The Gay Games generates millions in tourism dollars, and this moment in history provides a unique opportunity for Chicago's community to be center stage in the worldwide GLBT movement.
While preparation time would be shortened, organizers are exploring a Gay Games focused on the sports and culture components of the event, scaling back unrelated activities and leaving promoters and non-profit groups to run licensed ancillary events during the Gay Games. Organizers believe that such a plan for a streamlined Gay Games VII could avoid the financial difficulties of past Gay Games, return the event to its core mission, avoid taking significant funds from existing Chicago GLBT community priorities, and yield significant tourism revenue to the city and its GLBT and hospitality businesses.
'We look forward to hearing from sports, culture and business leaders about their feelings for a Gay Games in Chicago,' said Dennis Sneyers, Co-Chair of Chicago Games, Inc. 'The Games will likely move away from North America in 2010, leaving a long gap for the next opportunity for Chicago to make such a significant contribution to the GLBT sports and culture movement.'
'Before making a decision, the responsible thing to do is receive input from the sports and cultural organizations, plus tourism-related businesses,' said Kevin Boyer, lead organizer of the recent Federation of Gay Games annual meeting in Chicago.
See ChicagoGamesInc.org .