GSBA hosts LGBT Tourism Conference this week.

It’s corny, but it’s true. Money IS power and the more money that LGBTQ citizens earn and spend the more our voices are heard. (Dear Socialist/Communist Friends: You might want to go read another article at this point…) And, when “Pink and Lavender” tinged money bumps up the local economy, the better it is for the LGBTQ community and the economic power of our entire region. With that in mind, the wise folks at the Greater Seattle Business Association (the GSBA) are hosting a mammoth West Coast LGBT Tourism Conference this week, starting today, and running through Saturday, January 8th. The event is not open to the public and is designed for LGBT Chambers of Commerce, convention and visitor bureaus, travel planners and chamber businesses with ties to LGBTQ travel to meet and discuss ways to improve the quality of services available for the Queer community traveler and how to market and brand their communities in a positive manner. Event sponsors include Alaska Airlines, Boeing, USBank and the Seattle Renaissance Hotel with Glenn Johnson, President of Horizon Airlines, delivering the keynote speech at a seminar luncheon on Friday, and experts from Nyhus Communications, Community Marketing, Inc. and Pink Banana Media hosting sessions on how communities can develop a successful LGBTQ based tourism initiative.

But, individuals interested in this conference and how it can affect your own business can attend tonight’s GSBA Prime Time Mixer which is being held in conjunction with the Tourism Conference. It’s happening Thursday evening, January 6 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Renaissance Hotel, 515 Madison Street (Madison and I-5). The event is $10 for Students/Members of GSBA and $15 for Non-Members. Featured at tonight’s event:

Hosted by Rene Neidhart and the Seattle Renaissance Hotel, this Prime Time will kick the year off in style. In addition to festive food, wine and networking you will also have the opportunity to meet your LGBT colleagues from Hawaii, Spokane, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and British Columbia who will be attending “Summit in Seattle, the first LGBT West Coast Tourism Summit. This Prime Time will be earlier in the Month than usual so register and mark your calendars today.

Register Online Now, or call (206) 363-9188. Please note that no parking will be available at the Renaissance Hotel garage. Parking is available at the Olympic garage, Bank of America or across the highway.

Smart local business owners might want to check this out. Everyone complains about tourists in the summer clogging the Pike Place Market, but smart people realize that all of our visitors spend a lot of money locally. LGBTQ Tourism is an $84 BILLION dollar industry and while Seattle is number two nationally when it comes to out LGBTQ residents, we are number nine when it comes to top LGBTQ travel destinations. And, more tourist money means more jobs locally. And, we ALL know plenty of people who need jobs.

Check it out.