About 40 vendors participated in the Chicago LGBT travel expo produced by Steven Levenberg Productions at the Center on Halsted May 4.
Additional photos at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Travel-expo-showcases-LGBT-friendly-destinations/47326.html .
"I've been producing special events for the LGBT community for about 20 years and have produced these travel expos for a number of years," CEO Steven Levenberg told Windy City Times. "The travel industry has been in the forefront of reaching out to LGBT community and I want to help bring that information to the public. We concentrate on three cities: New York City, Chicago and Fort Lauderdale ,and what we do with these expos is connect LGBT travelers with companies that have destinations that are friendly to our community."
Among the vendors participating were Celebrity Cruises, Peninsula Chicago, the US Department of State, Sisters Tours, Next Vacations, Pride Fest Milwaukee, Espana, Medieval Times, air Berlin, Zipcar, Reeling Film Festival, Pride 5K, Days Inn Chicago, Aries Charter Transportation, CTM Media Group, Out Unique Travel, Barbara's Bookstore, Hiltons of Chicago, Broadway in Chicago, Best Western, Kozy's Bike Shop, Hotel Lincoln, AAA, Fun Maps, Chicago North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau, Northside Toyota Scion, Black Alphabet Film Festival, and the Family Equality Council.
Next Vacations had information about its Cinema Diverse at Sea LGBT film festival cruise, the Spanish government tourist board Espana ( has an office here in Chicago ) promoted tourism to Spain, Out Unique Travel promoted tourism to Latin America, Sisters Tours showcased their custom tours focusing on South East Asia, and Hotel Lincoln shared information about their same-sex wedding package deals.
A number of the vendors held raffle drawings as well as a general raffle featuring an Amtrak gift certificate, tickets to Buyer and Celler, tickets to the gay film weekend at the Center on Halsted, and a one-night stay at Days Inn Chicago.
See www.glbttravelexpo.com/happiness for more information.