A Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide

06/14/2004

MILWAUKEE --- June 11, 2004 --- The Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) has launched an innovative outreach to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) market with A Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide. Created by McDill Design of Milwaukee, this guide responds to the Genuine American City's growing image as a welcoming and ideal destination for hosting diverse meetings and conventions, as well as visitors. The full-color brochure includes information on arts, cultural and entertainment attractions for the LGBT community, reflecting the wide array of ethnic traditions in the city. 

The GMCVB's convention sales department will use the Guide as a marketing tool to attract LGBT meeting planners, association executives and convention delegates. The Guide will also be used to showcase Milwaukee's thriving LGBT attractions and entertainment to convention selection committees and be included in convention registration packets. Visitors and residents will be able to reference the Guide for information on the performing arts and cultural scene, dining and nightlife, special events and services. 

"The Guide demonstrates the GMCVB's commitment to recruiting LGBT conventions and events," said Laurie Nelson-Choice, GMCVB director of multicultural development. "Milwaukee has the spectacular resources to host these conventions and this Guide provides that information." 

"The LGBT market offers impressive potential for convention business," added Nelson-Choice. According to PlanetOutInc., Orbitz and Gay.com reported, "Gay and lesbian travelers represent a valued, lucrative market for travel and leisure companies. They are seven times more likely than the average consumer to take six or more flights in one year and are twice as likely to spend more than $5,000 on one trip." Furthermore, the website, gaytravel.com, described the LGBT community as, "Comprised of 16.5 million loyal customers with $450 billion in buying power." 

"A Gay and Lesbian Travel Guide is just one way for us to connect and extend a warm-welcome to the LGBT community, which thrives in Milwaukee," said Mary Denis, vice president of marketing, for the GMCVB. "The LGBT community is extremely valuable in our promotion of Milwaukee as a premier tourism destination. It is for this reason that the GMCVB will be working with an Advisory Committee to explore new opportunities for marketing to the gay community." 

Established in 1967, the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau is the premier marketer of Greater Milwaukee - the Genuine American City. The GMCVB reaches tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally with sales, marketing and public relations programs. Tourism generated $2.5 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2003, which is 21 percent of the state's total tourism impact. The GMCVB has more than 650 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Its main office is at 101 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 425, Milwaukee. It also has a sales office in Washington D.C. The Spirit of Milwaukee (SOM) and Potawatomi Bingo Casino are strategic partners with the GMCVB, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-231-0903 or visit http://www.milwaukee.org. 

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