Gay Market News.

Economist Pride and Prejudice LGBT Conference

2018-02-12T14:37:00.000+01:00

February 12, 2018 - In May this year, The Economist and The Economist Events will present the third LGBT conference Pride and Prejudice on workplace diversity.

Out Now is a sponsor for this event. This article contains a 20% discount for those registering to attend before the event.

Out Now is delighted to offer you a 20% discount to attend The Economist Events' forthcoming Pride and Prejudice 2018. Please quote reference code 'OUTNOW/DC' when registering.

Join us at Pride and Prejudice on May 24th 2018 in Hong Kong, London and New York - a 24-hour global event focusing on the significance of LGBT inclusion in all aspects of business and politics.

The conference will debate how governments, companies and individuals can become advocates, and help to improve the legal rights of LGBT people worldwide.

The event will assess the status of LGBT rights in specific countries, map new battlegrounds and identify the scope for action.

Confirmed speakers include:

To obtain 20% discount, enter this code when registering: OUTNOW/DC.

When: May 24th, 2018
Where: Hong Kong, London, New York

Out Now is a Supporting Association sponsor of the 2018 Pride and Prejudice event, presented by The Economist and Economist Events.

© 2018 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

PROUD Experiences LGBTQ+ Travel Event

2018-02-08T11:40:00.004+01:00

February 8, 2018

Reed Travel Exhibitions launches new 3-day international event dedicated to the LGBTQ+ international travel industry

A new international B2B event dedicated to LGBTQ+ travel and leisure has been launched by Reed Travel Exhibitions and will take place in London from June 6-8 this year called PROUD Experiences.

International in flavor and curated to bring buyers and suppliers of travel experiences together through a pre-scheduled appointment system, this event is designed to put the spotlight on a market that deserves its own attention.

Recognizing the commercial and unique value of networking in such an intimate setting, some of the world’s top travel brands have been quick to sign up including: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, SLH, Belmond, Peninsula, Conrad, Waldorf Astoria, IHG, ME by Melia, Visit Malta, Valencia Region, SET Hotels, The Muse Collection, AVRA Tours, Soneva, One Fine Stay, Corinthia London, Nobu Shoreditch, The Curtain and Principal Hotels.

International buyers focused on booking travel for their LGBTQ+ clients will be attending from all over the world with agencies such as Zoom Vacations, Out of Office, Frosch, PHD Travel, Bon Vivant and Superviagem confirmed to attend.

The LGBTQ+ travel industry is both economically significant and resilient, with research from Out Now showing that even in times of downturns the gay community still spends money on their holidays and travel in general.

“As the world’s biggest creator of travel industry events and exhibitions we were not surprised when research confirmed that its time to pay attention to LGBTQ+ markets as they grow exponentially every year. Developing this first event which will take place in London, PROUD Experiences will bring out the issues, opportunities, solutions and debates that surround this demanding sector”, said Show Director Gareth Baguley.

Dealing with the attitudes, challenges, and opinions that face same sex couples and bisexual/transgender travellers will be at the heart of a Masterclass series of workshops, presentations and debates. Each session will be open to buyers and suppliers to participate in and contribute to throughout the event.

Some of themes being addressed this year include: a look at the contradiction that is the Asian LGBTQ+ market asking the question: how open for business is it - particularly now the Gay Games has been announced to be taking place in Hong Kong in 2020; the business case for Pride and the growing number of Circuit parties asking the question are they driving up the numbers of total LGTBQ travellers; servicing the LGTBQ customer with insights from some of the best travel brands who have excelled in this area; lessons on marketing to LGTBQ customers from brands outside of the travel industry; transgender travel issues - and a look at emerging markets and new travel products aimed at the sector.

The programme of speakers will soon be announced that will represent key sectors that operate in the LGBTQ+ sector including: destinations, cruise companies, media, travel buyers and marketing experts. These industry leaders will cover the key LGBTQ+ essentials, shining a light on the latest trends that are driving growth in the sector, which is now valued at more than $211 billion (Data source: Out Now Global LGBT2030 Study).

The Saatchi Gallery is the PROUD Experiences venue and provides an “innovative forum for contemporary art, presenting work by largely unseen young artists and those whose work has rarely or never exhibited in the UK”.

Show Director Gareth Baguley added: “PROUD Experiences will be both innovative and inspiring assisted by being hosted in the intimate and creative environment of The Saatchi Gallery – one of London’s top cultural attractions. Not only do we expect our exhibitors to do great business but we hope to highlight the important issues facing the LGBTQ+ traveller and travel provider alike.

“We hope this show will break down the barriers that sometimes make it difficult to ask those all important questions about LGBTQ+ travel. By bringing the world’s biggest tourism brands, destinations, products and services together with highly qualified buyers from the biggest source markets around the world – not only do we plan to provide an environment to do great business but to help this burgeoning industry mature even further”.

Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Out Now commented: “Out Now has worked with Reed Exhibitions for 15 years to advance the travel industry’s insights and success from the LGBT travel market. Our LGBT2030 research program shows the market is now valued at more than USD$211 billion in annual spend globally and this research also shows how important it is to deliver product in ways that understands and responds to quite unique LGBTQ+ travel needs. We are delighted our Out Now Business Class networking platform for the global travel industry is partnering with Reed Exhibitions as it brings PROUD Experiences to London this June."

More information? Visit: www.proudexperiences.com

Event: PROUD Experiences
Dates: June 6 - 8, 2018
Venue: Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, Chelsea, London, SW3 4RY, United Kingdom

© 2018 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Brazil - First Large Scale LGBT Research Released

2017-11-23T13:36:00.001+01:00

Download report LINK: click outnow.LGBT

NOVEMBER 23, 2017 - São Paulo, Brazil

LINK para texto em português.

The world's leading LGBT-focused consulting specialists, Out Now, today released findings from the largest analysis ever undertaken of people in Brazil who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

The research is part of Out Now's LGBT2030 research initiative - the largest global study into factors impacting on LGBT lives around the world.

Key findings released today include:

Brazil is home to an estimated 9.5 million LGBT people (sources: Out Now LGBT2030 / Yankelovich).
One in four respondents (25.0%) reported that they were at harassed at work in the past year due to being perceived to be LGBT.
While more than one in three respondents (36%) are able to be openly LGBT with work colleagues, almost one in five respondents (19%) reported they are not able to be openly 'out' as LGBT with anyone in their workplace. A further 20% said they only told a small number of trusted colleagues at work that they are LGBT.
More than 1 million (1.2 million) LGBT Brazilians are believed to have been refused goods or services in the past twelve months because of anti-LGBT prejudices on the part of the vendor.

Despite this, the research revealed some high levels of expenditure in a number of consumer categories.

In analysing what the report called the 'internet-reachable' portion of the Brazil market - being 5.7 million LGBT Brazilians with viable online access - various consumer outcomes have been analysed, including the following:

4.8 millions LGBT Brazilians have high-speed access to the internet.
1.3 million own an Apple iPhone and 743,000 want to buy one during the next year while 1.9 million LGBT Brazilians own a Samsung Galaxy.
Annual spending on mobile voice and data plans is R$ 4,5 billion (USD$1.4 billion).
54% of respondents say they are "very likely" to consider choosing a brand that directly targets them as LGBT consumers.
1.9 million LGBT Brazilians want to buy a new car in the next year.
458,000 LGBT Brazilians own an investment property.

The research does not contend that LGBT Brazilians earn more or less than other Brazilians and analysis concluded that all LGBT Brazilians account for a total of R$444,2 billion (USD$141 billion) income each year (sources: World Bank / Out Now).

Ian Johnson, Out Now

The study's researcher Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Out Now said his firm was delighted to release the new report on the lives of LGBT Brazilians.

"I am so pleased we commence the new 2017/18 round of global LGBT2030 research in Brazil - an important country in the region and the world," Johnson says. "The study findings reveal a great deal of new insights into the experiences lived every day by LGBT people in Brazil and I want to thank the more than 4,000 LGBT Brazilians who shared their information with us."

Ulrich Zachau, Director, World Bank, Bangkok said such survey work has a role to play in advancing LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex) inclusion from a global perspective.

"LGBTI people enjoy growing social acceptance and financial and market clout in some countries, even while anti-LGBTI discrimination and violence continue in others," says Mr Zachau. "Little is known about the diverse economic and social conditions, contributions and concerns of LGBTI people around the world. More and better data are essential to raise awareness, underpin tailored public policies and programs, and inform private investment and business practices, to promote equal opportunities and the full economic and social participation of LGBTI people in their communities. Out Now's LGBT2030 research initiative is innovative in combining commercial consumer and public opinion and attitude survey work. Along with academic, policy, and advocacy research, I believe, such work can help foster the inclusion and improve the lives of LGBTI people, and ultimately contribute to building better societies, for all people, everywhere."

Ricardo Gomes, President of the Brazilian LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism said the new research is important.

"We are experiencing a growing recognition that LGBT Brazilians contribute to the economy and culture at all levels," Mr Gomes says. "The Brazilian LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, an entity dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship, employability and economic development for the LGBT community and business in Brazil, recognizes the importance of the data revealed by the new Out Now survey. The LGBT2030 Global Report sheds new light on how the immense LGBT population consumes, thinks, decides and faces different problems. For the first time, a survey deals with the LGBT segment in Brazil in a reliable and realistic way, addressing issues such as discrimination in the workplace, formation of families and how this group earns and spends its money. We can all learn a lot from this report. It would not be overstating the situation to say that access to these new data can even accelerate our social and economic progress."

André Fischer, Hornet

André Fischer, Country Manager, Brazil for Hornet said his company was pleased to sponsor the new study.

"The growing interest in the LGBT segment did not find any counterpart in data that could corroborate the importance of these consumers in Brazil," Fischer says. "There was also a lack of consistent information about the experiences of these citizens. With access to reliable data, provided for the first time on a large scale in the country by the Out Now LGBT2030 Brazil Survey, we can finally know more precisely who we are, what are the demands and the best way to reach the Brazilian gay audience."

Urs Eberhard, Head of Markets, Switzerland Tourism said his organization chooses to welcome and support LGBT people from across the world.

"Switzerland Tourism has long been proud of our work to welcome our LGBT guests," Eberhard says. "It is our pleasure to be able to support this global LGBT2030 research initiative by Out Now, to help us all better understand how to meet the needs of LGBT people, wherever they live in the world. We know there is still so much work to be done in this important area to make all feel equally valued around the world, so we see our support of this project as one way we can help to advance respect for LGBT people, wherever they may live."

Copies of the new LGBT2030 study report on Brazil can be downloaded free-of-charge at this LINK (in both Portuguese and in English).

© 2017 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Australia Leads on LGBTI

2017-03-21T19:16:00.003+01:00

March 21, 2017

There are many different actions happening right across the world in relation to LGBTI rights - and one of the trailblazing regions has long been Australia.

This month saw an outstanding inaugural event - the Australian LGBTI Awards - held at one of Australia's greatest cultural icons - the Sydney Opera House.

Hundreds of people attended a gala dinner which included many of Australia's LGBTI leaders and heroes.

Forward thinking

Silke Bader

The event is the brainchild of an Australian lesbian business pioneer and innovator - Silke Bader.

From earlier beginnings as owner of her own LGBTI travel business, Bader's business interests now span the globe, including ownership of two of the most influential lesbian media titles in the world - Curve in the USA and LOTL in Australia.

In the middle of 2016, Bader decided to coordinate with contacts in the UK to bring to Australia a local version of the British LGBT Awards and as a result of that collaboration the 2017 Australian LGBTI Awards was born.

Bader - who is Co-Director of the Australian LGBTI Awards presided over an event which was very well-received, by local LGBTI and business communities. Her involvement was very much hands-on with Bader's decision-taking insights for the event being key to the outcomes achieved. Bader's strong business acumen and experience in serving the needs of LGBTI people in Australia for over two decades is an important part of what many believe was key to the event's overall success.

An extremely diverse group of people attended the event including members of Employee Resource Groups at some of Australia's leading companies as well as 'LGBTI icons' including Magda Szubanski (loved the world over for her roles in 'Babe' and 'Kath and Kim'), Matthew Mitcham (gold medal Olympian) and Ian 'Molly' Meldrum - an Australian star of the television and music industries who was openly gay decades before many other celebrities dared be so.

Better Business - What's Next for LGBTI Diversity?

Ian Johnson

The final event of the Australian LGBTI Awards was a business breakfast hosted by Bloomberg and presented by Out Now.

Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Out Now analysed the latest LGBTI inclusion data from Australian workplaces and from across the world.

Johnson also previewed a brand new LGBT inclusion resource being launched next month by Out Now called How.LGBT - providing a wealth of new resources to assist LGBT people, their workplace allies and supporting employers right across the world.

Johnson impressed on the group attending that key to LGBT inclusion in 2018 is 'LGBT Activation' - focusing on how to turn great policies into real results in the workplace which can be measured and - as a result - improve over time. He stressed the core belief of Out Now that 'LGBT spells people'.

Johnson concluded by showing how LGBT activation is a core component at the heart of the new How.LGBT online platform initiative developed by Out Now, one which builds a new paradigm to further advance LGBT inclusion outcomes in Australia - and across the world.

You can download global data reports presented at this breakfast at Bloomberg, Sydney by Out Now from this link.

The Australian LGBTI Awards returns in 2018 - details and contact information can be found at the event's website. For more information on the launch of How.LGBT, contact Out Now.

© 2017 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Better Business: LGBT Inclusion

2017-03-20T14:28:00.000+01:00

March 20, 2017

One of the facts Out Now has worked hard on for 25 years is uncovering the extent to which LGBT inclusion makes business sense.

We always tell clients that there are 'heart' reasons (it is the right thing/a good thing to be inclusive) and 'head' reasons (dollars and percentages) to focus on, when considering becoming more inclusive of LGBT people - both as customers and as employees.

This week in Hong Kong, London and New York these concepts will be debated and discussed by many leading opinion-formers from the worlds of business and government.

Pride and Prejudice

The Economist has a long history of supporting LGBT inclusion and it is therefore no great surprise that this august newspaper chooses to champion highlighting the business aspects of inclusion of LGBT people at work - and in society more broadly.

You can learn more about this week's Pride and Prejudice LGBT conference at this link.

If you want to attend, final delegate tickets are almost gone, however Out Now - which is a supporting organisation for the event - has a discount code OUTNOW15 which can be used to register with a 15% reduction on usual cost of attending.

The reasons to be there are many.

Who's who

Here are just some of the people you can hear from and network with at this premier LGBT inclusion global forum.

Thomas Buberl

Thomas Buberl, Chief Executive Officer, AXA

Penny Wong, her partner and child

Penny Wong, Leader of the Opposition, Australian Senate

Ronan Cassidy

Ronan Cassidy, Chief Human Resources & Corporate Officer, Shell

Xavier Bettel and husband

Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister, Luxembourg

Michelle Bachelet

Michelle Bachelet, President, Chile

Simon Stevens

Simon Stevens, Chief Executive, National Health Service, England

Zanny Minton Beddoes

Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-chief, The Economist

Ian Johnson

Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Out Now

The Pride and Prejudice event is live-streamed online from all three locations - Hong Kong, London and New York - and will include a range of discussions with opportunities for live participation using the hashtag #EconPride. Learn more here.

During the London lunch a networking event focusing on turning policies into outcomes will be held which will be facilitated by several LGBT business people, including Out Now's Chief Executive Officer, Ian Johnson.

To register with 15% reduction, use promo code OUTNOW15 when booking.

© 2017 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Economist Pride and Prejudice Summit

2017-02-21T21:26:00.002+01:00

London - 2016 Economist Pride and Prejudice
(LtoR) Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist
Baron Browne of Madingley
Sir Martin Sorrell

The Economist Events is about to host a global 24-hour event exploring LGBT diversity and inclusion as a business priority

On March 23, 2017, The Economist Events will host its second-annual Pride and Prejudice Summit, a 24-hour event spanning three cities, Hong Kong, London and New York, that will catalyse a fresh global discussion on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) diversity and inclusion, particularly by focusing on the economic and business costs of LGBT discrimination and the profitable opportunities that lie in overcoming it.

“The inaugural summit in 2016 made a powerful business case for LGBT inclusion and diversity,” says Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist. “This year, we aim to expand on that theme by exploring how companies can be catalysts for change—and why we need them to be.”

The Hong Kong summit will be held at the Hotel ICON; the London summit will be held at 155 Bishopsgate; and the New York summit will be at 10 on the Park at Time Warner Center.

Chaired by The Economist editors, Pride and Prejudice 2017 will link conversations between the three locations through live video sessions. Participants will include chief executives, politicians and activists, such as:
• Xavier Bettel, prime minister, Luxembourg
• Tony Fernandes, chief executive, AirAsia
• Schuyler Bailar, NCAA Division 1 Men’s Athlete
• Cyan Banister, partner, Founders Fund
• Jeff Bullwinkel, associate general counsel and director of corporate, external and legal affairs, Asia Pacific and Japan, Microsoft
• Alfred Cheung-ming Chan, chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission
• Michael Ebeid, chief executive and managing director, Special Broadcasting Service, Australia
• Robyn Exton, founder, HER
• Christina Gaw, managing principal and head of Capital Markets, Gaw Capital
• Nathan Law, member of legislative council, Hong Kong
• Matt Patsky, chief executive, Trillium Asset Management
• Rica Paras, solution architect manager, Accenture Philippines and chairwoman, Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines
• Art Peck, chief executive, GAP
• Deborah Sherry, chief commercial officer, GE Digital, Europe
• Amanda Simpson, former deputy assistant secretary of defence for operational energy, U.S. Department of Defense
• Serpil Timuray, regional chief executive, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, Vodafone

Mike Wilke, Out Now Senior Consultant
New York - Economist Pride and Prejudice 2016

In each city, policymakers and industry leaders will tackle the thorny questions pertinent to that region, but with common questions in mind. E.g., How will the rise of illiberal populism in the west impact the outlook for LGBT rights? How are new generations changing the meaning of diversity and forcing companies to rethink their inclusion policies? What can advocates for LGBT inclusion learn from other groups that have been marginalised? What can we learn from case studies of businesses operating in parts of the world where cultures or laws are hostile toward LGBT people?

In 2016, the business sector made some important strides in the fight against discrimination against LGBT people around the world. Eighty-seven percent of Fortune 500 companies now have non- discrimination policies based on sexual orientation, and for the first time ever, the issue made it to the agenda of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Millennials, who have great expectations for diversity and are pushing companies to embrace inclusion much more than previous generations did, are also contributing to a seismic shift in priorities.

Luxembourg PM
Xavier Bettel (with his husband)

Yet setbacks have shed light on how much still needs to change. LGBT communities continue to be targeted by authorities, with high-profile incidents taking place in Indonesia, Uganda, Turkey and Egypt. In the U.S., the Orlando nightclub shooting highlighted how far the country still has to come to close the equality gap, despite the Supreme Court’s decision to legalise same-sex marriage just one year before.

For more information and updates on Pride and Prejudice or to register for the summit, visit this link.

Pride and Prejudice is sponsored by Global Advocate, IBM; Global Supporters Alix Partners and AXA; Regional Advocates, Biogen and Goldman Sachs; Regional Supporters, ADP, Fidelity Investments, Nomura, TD Bank, T. Rowe Price and RBS; Regional Ally, ABN AMRO. Havas is the Public Relations Partner. UNDP is the regional host sponsor in Hong Kong.

To engage with Pride and Prejudice on social media, use #EconPride in your conversations and follow @EconomistEvents.

Out Now is pleased to help The Economist Events by assisting on both the successful 2016 and the next 2017 Pride & Prejudice LGBT business events — in Hong Kong, London and New York. Learn more about this event at this link. To register with a discount use this Promo Code OUTNOW15.

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Pink Island is Back

2017-01-16T23:41:00.000+01:00

The best LGBT travel exhibitor opportunity in the Nordics returns in January 2017 to the MATKA travel show in Helsinki.

The Pink Island is ready to welcome you - and here's how to get involved.

As a promoter of equal rights, MATKA provides you an opportunity to reach valuable and highly travel-oriented LGBT consumers.

LGBT2030 research reveals LGBT consumers account for USD$211 billion of purchasing power in the travel sector.

Your next great opportunity to interact with this valuable market is at the Pink Island this January 19th - 22nd.

The Pink Island area is located at MATKA Hall 7.

In addition to LGBT visitors, you get to meet with travel trade professionals - last year more than 20,000 trade professionals from over 90 countries attended MATKA.

This is the place to connect with LGBT travel at MATKA and do business - right across the Nordic region.

Be there!

If you are yet to discover the power of the MATKA trade show, don't miss out.

Final remaining spaces to showcase your business at the Pink Island are almost gone. To secure your spot act now by contacting Marco Simonen.

This is a valuable and cost-effective way to position your business into a powerful USD$211billion travel market.

Get set - and take part in Matka's Pink Island 2017.

LGBT Tourism Shines at World Travel Market

2016-12-07T09:39:00.001+01:00

Agenda.LGBT - December 6, 2016

The world's most influential travel trade show featured LGBT tourism strongly - thanks to a powerful collaboration between the world's largest LGBT travel trade network ONBC - Out Now Business Class and WTM - World Travel Market.

LGBT travel was well-represented in 2016 at the world's premier travel trade show for the tourism industry - WTM in London.

ONBC hosted the official LGBT Village presented in association with Madrid Destino and World Pride Madrid 2017 and this included industry leadership that was powerful and was very well-received by delegates attending the event.

LGBT Village participants included:

World Pride Madrid 2017
Madrid Destino
Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB
Gay Times
Two Bad Tourists
Purple, Ibiza
Outfluential
Millivres Prowler
World Rainbow Hotels
Out Now Global.

The official LGBT Village was presented by ONBC for the fifth year in succession at World Travel Market.

In addition, Out Now Chief Executive Officer, Ian Johnson, hosted an LGBT Masterclass entitled 'LGBT Travel at The Crossroads: Where to Next?'.

Johnson was joined during the LGBT Masterclass by 220 industry delegates and fellow-presenters by industry leaders including Miguel Sanz, Director General of Tourism, Madrid City Council; Auston Matta of Outfluential; Sophie Griffiths, Editor, TTG Media; Juan Carlos Alonso, Presidente, World Pride Madrid 2017.

You can view the Masterclass presentation by clicking on the video link below.

For more great photos from the event, scroll down.

For more information on LGBT travel, visit Out Now or ONBC.

Ian Johnson, Out Now; Kellie Maloney, leading Trans activist; Richard Gray, Fort Lauderdale CVB

Miguel Sanz, Director General of Tourism, Madrid City Council

Manuel Santiago + colleague, Madrid Destino

Auston Matta, Outfluential / Two Bad Tourists + RexyEdventures

Colleague + Susann Jerry, Out Now

Ian Johnson, Out Now; Dirk-Michael Sieper, Purple Ibiza; lucky prize winner

Meetings with GT GayTimes; Madrid Destino, World Pride Madrid 2017 at #LGBTvillage

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

ONBC - LGBT Marketing WTM Masterclass

2016-10-26T12:43:00.002+02:00

#LGBTvillage - ONBC - World Travel Market

October 26, 2016 -- The world's largest LGBT travel trade networking association is ONBC - Out Now Business Class - and at next month's World Travel Market in London ONBC is presenting a tour de force of industry experts to help delegates understand what's next in LGBT travel for 2017.

Don't miss hearing from the agenda-setting industry leaders presenting what's next for LGBT travel in 2017.

Join the people who track and leverage market trends in the ONBC LGBT Masterclass:

LGBT Travel at the Crossroads: Where to Next?

Industry leaders to help you make sense of the latest trends in LGBT travel - and work out what your business needs to do next, to take best advantage of this USD$202billion opportunity. ONBC Out Now Business Class will release latest LGBT travel spend data from the Out Now global LGBT2030 market research program, as well as premiering new industry initiatives for travel agents and hotels.

The valuable travel market of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people finds itself at an important crossroads.

More destinations, hotels, airlines, travel agents and others now want to target this market, which has increasingly become a 'need-to-have' inclusion for profitable industry members. But much of what worked previously is no longer effective.

The travel industry needs to rethink both its strategic and tactical approaches in ways that will increase revenues from LGBT tourism by better understanding and meeting the needs of LGBT travellers. Attend this information-rich workshop -- revealing latest LGBT2030 research, with valuable strategic insights from industry leaders about 'what's next' -- to learn how your business needs to position for growth in a market already worth more than USD$200 billion global spending annually.

Hosted by Out Now -- a member of the 'Top 10 Diversity Consultants' Global Diversity List supported by The Economist -- via its B2B travel industry network ONBC, this workshop teaches your business how to increase revenues by understanding current opportunities and positioning for 'what's next' in fast-evolving trends in LGBT tourism.

Presented by ONBC - Out Now Business Class http://OutNowBusinessClass.com and with an expert panel of specially invited LGBT travel industry leaders.

Speakers:

Ian Johnson, Out Now

Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Out Now
Ian Johnson is the founder of Out Now, and has for more than two decades been recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on marketing to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) customers.

Out Now has been named as one of the 'Top 10 Diversity Consultants' in the world by the Global Diversity List supported by The Economist. Established in 1992, Out Now in 2016 celebrates its 25th year of delivering leading-edge insights and business solutions to better understand and meet the needs of LGBT people right across the world. Out Now's corporate mantra is 'LGBT spells people' which recognises that what matters most to LGBT people is not marketing, research or PR, but actual understanding and solutions that help assist LGBT people to live better lives enjoying equal standing and respect - all over the world.

Employing dedicated travel brands http://OutNowBusinessClass.com for B2B and http://Welcome.LGBT for B2C, as well as dedicated http://Learn.LGBT training – delivered both online and in management workshops – Out Now http://outnowconsulting.com provides complete LGBT travel marketing solutions for clients. Out Now Global has been relied upon by many of the world's leading brands - including Hilton Hotels, TUI, German National Tourist Office, Lufthansa, VisitBritain, Turespaña, VisitMexico, IBM, Toyota, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, Citibank, Merck; and delivers a comprehensive range of tailored solutions focused on research, strategy, communications, networking and training. @outnowLGBT

Juan Alonso, World Pride

Juan Carlos Alonso, Presidente, World Pride Madrid 2017
Since 1996, Juan has been active in the LGBT association movements.

He is one of the founders and General Secretary of AEGAL (Association of Companies and Professionals for Gays and Lesbians in Madrid (AEGAL).

In 2004 he became General Coordinator of Madrid Pride and Chair of Europride Madrid 2007.

In 2009 he began working on and is the main backer of Madrid´s bid to host Worldpride 2017.

In 2012 he was appointed chair of World Pride Madrid 2017. He is also a member of the board of Interpride as Regional Director and of the board of EPOA as Conference Coordinator.

Sophie Griffiths, TTG

Sophie Griffiths, News Editor, TTG Media
Sophie Griffiths joined Travel Trade Gazette in March 2010 as a news reporter, before being promoted to deputy news editor and then news editor in March 2013, with a seven month sabbatical to travel the world in between.

She looks after the news team, which produces daily and weekly content for the magazine and website.

Sophie is the founder of TTG LGBT – a network for LGBT people and their allies in the travel industry - which was launched in March 2015, and comprises regular evening events and an annual conference.

Auston Matta, Outfluential

Auston Matta, Founder, Outfluential
Auston is the Founder & Director of Outfluential.

He uses his expertise in content creation, social media and influencer outreach to help brands, destinations and travel industry professionals promote their offering to the LGBT community.

He grew up in Arizona and in 2012 sold his belongings and embarked on a round-the-world trip with his husband.

Auston recently relocated to Europe and enjoys the long sunny days and nightlife of Madrid where he now calls home.

Miguel Sanz, Madrid Destino

Miguel Sanz, Director General of Tourism, Madrid City Council
Miguel Sanz Castedo graduated from business studies in the UK where he also completed a Masters in Latin American politics and economics at the London School of Economics.

He has lived and worked in various countries in Europe, north and south America.

His professional career in Spain has seen developed several projects in marketing and cultural communication as the first team MediaLab in Madrid.

He has been Director of Marketing and Promotion of Tourism Madrid Community of Madrid as well as Director of Marketing and Partnership Destino Madrid where he is currently the Director General of Tourism.

The ONBC hosted LGBT Masterclass - LGBT Travel at The Crossroads: Where to Next? is being presented at World Travel Market, London. 8 Nov 2016, 12:45 - 13:45 Platinum Suite 3.

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Madrid LGBT Travel Leadership 2017

2016-09-14T14:29:00.005+02:00

September 14, 2016 -- If have never been to Madrid, one thing is certain - you will never forget your first visit.

As one of the world's number one tourism destinations, Madrid has long attracted travellers of every kind for a multitude of great reasons.

For LGBT people the city is a beacon of acceptance and welcome.

Spain was one of the earlier countries to legislate for equal marriage rights for its lesbian and gay citizens.

And Madrid's annual Pride parade has become a 'must-see' pilgrimage among global LGBT travel highlights.

If you are yet to experience Pride in Madrid for yourself, then get planning now: in 2017 the city is hosting not one, but two of the world's premier LGBT tourism events.

World Pride Madrid 2017 is set to be the biggest LGBT travel event of the year and as it is being held in conjunction with Europe's annual Europride, meaning large numbers of people are expected to join in the many celebrations planned in Madrid for next year.

Premier Exhibitor - ONBC's Official LGBT Village at WTM

To celebrate, Destino Madrid in conjunction with World Pride Madrid 2017 has just been announced as the Premier Exhibitor at ONBC's official LGBT Village at London's World Travel Market this November.

The city of Madrid and World Pride 2017 will feature prominently at the LGBT Village exhibition space hosted by ONBC at the leading global event for the travel industry, WTM London (Monday 7 - Wednesday 9 November).

The WTM London LGBT Village - hosted by the leading global travel trade association Out Now Business Class - will take place for the sixth consecutive year in 2016.

ONBC connects almost 1,000 global tourism industry professionals to help them better service the needs of the LGBT community.

ONBC is a travel networking initiative of Out Now. Chief Executive Officer Ian Johnson - recently named one of the world's 'Top 10 Diversity Consultants' in the Global Diversity List, supported by The Economist - said he is delighted to welcome World Pride Madrid 2017 and Madrid Destino as important exhibitors in the WTM London LGBT Village.

"Madrid enjoys a well-earned reputation as a welcoming destination that embraces diversity - and the city's annual Madrid Pride has become a true 'must-see' event on the global LGBT tourism calendar," said Johnson. "We are pleased to welcome Madrid Destino with World Pride Madrid 2017 to ONBC's official LGBT Village at WTM London. Madrid is a destination that LGBT people fall in love with over and over again, so the World Pride event makes 2017 the ideal time to visit. The global travel industry is going to make many valuable business connections with the city of Madrid and World Pride Madrid 2017 through the LGBT Village at WTM London."

Madrid Pride is already one of the city's best-known festivals, open to the LGBT community and anyone who wants to hit the city's streets to celebrate diversity. Attendance has grown every year; and one and a half million people gathered in the capital for the 2016 celebration. Pride has now become a major event for the entire city.

The World Pride 2017 programme starts with an Opening Ceremony on June 22, 2017 and runs until July 2, 2017. Highlights will include an International Human Rights Conference (26-28 June 2017) and an International Culture Festival.

World Pride Madrid 2017's main event is the Pride Parade. This large international LGBT Pride celebration is projected to see more than two million people from all over the world marching through the city's main streets in an event celebrating diversity and equal rights. Coinciding with World Pride, next year Madrid also simultaneously hosts EuroPride 2017 - making the city the stage for two of the world's most important LGBT community celebration events.

Manuel Santiago, marketing and promotion coordinator World Pride Madrid 2017 from Madrid Destino, said he was pleased to be joining as an important member of the WTM London LGBT Village.

"Madrid is a place with many reasons to visit and we are pleased to be adding even more with next year's World Pride Madrid 2017 celebrations," said Santiago. "We think it is essential that we be part of ONBC's official LGBT Village at WTM London as this is a powerful opportunity for us to connect with key members of the global tourism industry to help them make sure they take full advantage of all we are doing. We are pleased to welcome as many LGBT people as possible to join us in Madrid to celebrate in our city for World Pride - and right through 2017. We are looking forward to sharing such exciting industry opportunities at WTM London."

WTM London, Senior Exhibition Director, Simon Press said: "The growth of the LGBT Village is something we are strongly committed to and by working with ONBC we continue to see new successes each year. LGBT travellers are a vital part of our global travel industry and WTM London is pleased to play our part in building successful business relationships that further great travel outcomes for LGBT people right across the world. We are very pleased this year to welcome World Pride Madrid 2017 to WTM as a Premier Exhibitor in ONBC's official LGBT Village at WTM. We are confident this will strongly benefit them, the travel industry and LGBT travellers as a result."

The LGBT Village at WTM London sells out every year and is now sold out for businesses wanting to exhibit. For remaining opportunities to participate in the official LGBT Village distributing brochures contact wtm@outnowconsulting.com -- space is limited.

Exhibitors in the LGBT Village to date include: Welcome.LGBT, Madrid Destino, Millivres, Gay Times GT, Outfluential, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, World Pride Madrid 2017 and Out Now.

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

2016 Helsinki LGBT Market Campaigns

2016-07-26T19:01:00.003+02:00

Tom of Finland article by Out Now on Village.LGBT consumer site

Agenda.LGBT Travel Market Report

July 26, 2016

Ian Johnson

CEO, Out Now

New LGBT market campaigns created by Out Now to promote travel to Helsinki have been released in 2016 by the official tourist board, Visit Helsinki.

Helsinki is a place that has worked effectively to gain awareness and further its share of the LGBT travel market by employing a consistent, strategic approach and tailoring its tactics to match the needs of the specific countries in which it ran campaigns.

Part 1 of the Agenda.LGBT Helsinki LGBT travel market report highlights some specifics about key ways the official tourism bureau CVB - VisitHelsinki - worked to successfully push their destination ahead in the Nordic region.

In this, the second part of Agenda.LGBT's report, we showcase some of the 2016 approaches Visit Helsinki has employed to continue their market success.

An abundance of relevant 2016 Helsinki events

Out Now targeted EuroGames e-blasts

It is always a consideration for destinations as to how much they should rely on LGBT events in developing a travel marketing campaign.

The answer as Out Now sees it is, usually, 'it depends'.

Effectively LGBT events provide a great targeted spotlight onto a destination, especially the 'roaming' international LGBT events like EuroPride, WorldPride, Gay Games and EuroGames.

These events attract a range of different kinds of people, many of whom would not otherwise have been as likely to visit the host destination.

There is though another factor to consider that can apply to events - namely, that not everyone is necessarily interested in one specific event.

In 2016 that became a 'pleasant' problem for Helsinki - as the destination involved all the usual annual Helsinki tourism event highlights as well as two stand-out global draws: the largest-ever retrospective of the gay male oriented art of hometown boy 'Tom of Finland' as well as the annual sporting festival EuroGames.

With its existing general events, as well as these two 'big ticket' LGBT-targeted events plus the overall appeal of a great destination, Helsinki was ideally positioned for this Out Now created LGBT-targeted 2016 travel marketing campaign.

Tom of Finland - local boy, made good

Gay men - and others - the world over have, for decades now, been struck by the intensity of the art of one Touko Valio Laaksonen. A name less well-known than this famous artist’s ‘working name’: Tom of Finland.

From the 1940s until the 1980s, Tom created groundbreaking, powerful same-sex male images.

From May to August 2016, the most comprehensive Tom of Finland exhibition to date covered six decades of the extraordinary life of this man – one of Finland’s most famous sons.

Visit Helsinki - official events page, screenshot July 25, 2016

Out Now created a range of promotional elements to reach gay men in key markets including Germany, Netherlands and the UK. The campaign enjoyed high levels of reach and cut-through as measured by consumer engagement metrics.

The 2016 Helsinki campaign concludes on August 7.

Local partnering - Klaus K

Boutique Helsinki hotel Klaus K is an OutNow.TravelCertified LGBT-welcoming hotel.

The hotel took part in a Tom of Finland and EuroGames prize giveaway promotion in 2016 working with Out Now and VisitHelsinki. They also completed a Learn.LGBT management training workshop and their customer-facing team took part in Learn.LGBT online training.

Klaus K also provided a special Tom of Finland accommodation package to visitors to the city up to August 7th.

EuroGames

Out Now created a multi-faceted approach to drive awareness and sales to the 2016 Helsinki LGBT tourism market campaign.

For example, we created targeted e-blast lists of target consumers interested in Helsinki, Finland and team sports to send tailored communications about the EuroGames event in June and July 2016.

These emails were well-targeted and enjoyed high levels of opens, clicks and engagements as a result.

Out Now also included prize incentivisation working with VisitHelsinki and Klaus K to promote the EuroGames event to an audience keen to take part in an event like EuroGames and highly motivated to visit Finland and Helsinki.

Campaigns were delivered in German and in English to UK, Netherlands and German markets.

Out Now e-blasting for Visit Helsinki, in German

Helsinki Targets LGBT Travel Market

2016-07-25T14:03:00.004+02:00

Agenda.LGBT Tourism Report

July 25, 2016

One of the most successful Nordic destinations in LGBT tourism development is Helsinki.

The fact that one of the most famous residents of the city 'Tom of Finland' was a gay artist of major renown - both during his lifetime and since - is just one of the many tourism assets available to the destination when working on LGBT travel marketing.

There are a number of key reasons why this great city destination in the North achieves so much in the field of LGBT tourism development.

Here are a few LGBT travel marketing success tips we can all learn from.

1. Consistency

As Out Now's CEO, Ian Johnson - recognised as one of the world's 'Top 10 Diversity Consultants' by the Global Diversity List, supported by The Economist - says:

"Commitment to the LGBT market, over years rather than months, is one necessary element to LGBT business development success."

Helsinki has been a leader in LGBT travel development, year-after-year, for almost a decade.

The official Helsinki tourist bureau CVB - Visit Helsinki - has worked closely with Out Now for years in various ways to make sure that it captures an above-average share of the powerful LGBT tourism market.

2. Research the market

This work has included fundamental market appraisals of the LGBT travel market and its existing perceptions and market preferences for travel.

Out Now has worked over many years now with Visit Helsinki to track consumer product and leisure preferences for travel to the destination.

Such understanding - through desk and original LGBT market research - has helped Out Now guide Visit Helsinki in quite specific directions in relation both to product and to tailored communications. By understanding that 'one-size' does not fit all LGBT travel consumers when it comes to product and communications, Visit Helsinki has been able to position strategically - and cost-effectively - to maximize the return-on-investment from their LGBT travel market spend.

3. Tailor to specific target markets

For example, Out Now's market research revealed that German LGBT travel preferences among those wanting to visit Helsinki are markedly different from the preferences of Dutch, British and North American LGBT travelers.

This insight was able to be utilized to inform the communications tactical messaging employed when targeting each of these specific national LGBT travel markets.

In addition, LGBT women travelers can often exhibit different tourism leisure activity preferences than LGBT men.

Out Now's research has been important in guiding both tactics and strategies as Visit Helsinki has expanded its targeted reach into LGBT travel markets across the world.

4. Train staff and get Certified

Out Now has built the world's largest LGBT-Welcome 'ecosystem' through the powerful interplay of its online training modules and management workshops - in its Learn.LGBT training system - along with its OutNow.TravelCertification program.

Out Now team training JW Marriott managers in Mexico.

Hotels across the world in places as far flung as Mexico to Finland are benefiting from management training workshops - to help update managers on latest trends in LGBT travel, and equip management with key tools to react with when any 'issue' that might involve LGBT people arises.

Such training is complemented with online training at Learn.LGBT for hotel customer-facing staff who train in French, German, Spanish or English languages on practical 'do's and don'ts', getting past stereotypes, things to say - or not say to a gay or lesbian or transgender guest - and much more.

The most recent hotel to become OutNow.TravelCertified in Finland is the boutique Klaus K hotel - which is also part of the new promotion campaign currently running in German, Netherlands and UK markets for Helsinki: focusing on Tom of Finland and gay men.

TOMORROW:
PART 2 - Agenda.LGBT highlights 2016 LGBT tourism marketing examples showing how Visit Helsinki continues to successfully expand its global LGBT travel market impacts.

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Why Anti-LGBT Laws Make Bad Business Sense

2016-05-26T13:05:00.003+02:00

May 26, 2016 -- There have been a few anti-LGBT laws happening in the USA recently.

Lawmakers might want to take a look at these two charts from Out Now's global LGBT2030 research initiative.

They show that when they travel, a key factor for LGBT people is how welcome they will feel in the places they stay - and that LGBT people are now choosing to not visit places with anti-LGBT laws on the books.

With the global value of the LGBT travel market now exceeding USD$200billion spending each year, these numbers show that US States passing anti-LGBT laws stand to lose many millions of dollars for their local tourism industry.

Data source: LGBT2030 global study.

For more information, contact Out Now.

LGBT #AlliesMatter - But How Much?

2016-05-19T14:05:00.003+02:00

#AlliesMatter

First ever global  LGBT Allies Study

May 19, 2016 -- Out Now - named in 'Top 10 Diversity Consultants' Global Diversity List, supported by The Economist - has announced it is currently working on the first ever global survey of LGBT Allies.

An LGBT Ally at work is largely understood to mean a person who chooses to support their LGBT work colleagues in some tangible manner. The Ally may themselves be LGBT but very often they are not.

Anyone who has experienced the fear of coming out as LGBT knows how hard it can be, especially when it involves coming out to people you work with. You can't always be certain how they might treat you - and what the career impacts might be if you do so.

Latest research leaves no doubt that when employees feel able to be themselves at work they become much more likely to stay in their current job. They also become, on average, 30% more likely to report feeling respected and valued as productive members of their workplace teams.

The Power of Friends

LGBT Allies at work can make a world of difference.

Whether it is standing up for a colleague or helping spread better understanding at work, Allies have a unique ability to amplify the power of LGBT inclusion, to change lives - with impacts that members of the LGBT community themselves experience.

The assured voice of an LGBT person's family member, colleague or friend - expressing their views to another person at work - can advance change for the better in sometimes simple yet powerful ways.

But right now, there currently exists no research looking into what kinds of issues are most often faced by LGBT Allies, which has motivated Out Now to launch the new research via the http://Work.LGBT platform.

Topics now being researched include:

What are the most important things happening that LGBT Allies deal with in 2016?
What do they find are the most effective ways to address these issues?
What things can management do to create more effective environments that can increase total numbers of LGBT Allies in the workplace?

Out Now announced the survey has already reached more than 1,800 respondents and invited further participation from all kinds of respondents.

"We have been delighted by the response levels already achieved," says Ian Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Out Now. "We encourage all people who are yet to participate to fill in the short survey online. You will be helping with about six minutes of your time to make a world of difference for the better. Out Now is going to release the research findings in a free report next month called 'LGBT Allies: The Power of Friends' and your input will be directly reflected in that important document."

Johnson also expressed gratitude for a range of partner organisations that have enabled the new study to take place. "We are very grateful that organisations like AXA, Tedstrom Associates, World Travel Market and Société Générale are helping to make this research possible."

Vincent Francois, Societe Generale

Vincent Francois, Managing Director, Regional Chief Audit Executive, Société Générale said:

“We are proud to be innovating a number of ongoing diversity initiatives that are designed to help and assist our staff feel more confident, and demonstrate that respect and inclusion are an essential part of our core values. Building an environment where we are better able to engage with all of our employees is critical to the success of our business, and Societe Generale continues to foster a climate of professionalism where talent is encouraged, recognised, and developed to its fullest potential. Our support of this new LGBT2030 workplace report on Allies demonstrates our commitment to creating organisational structures that are equitable for all.”

Christiane Bisanzio, AXA

Christiane Bisanzio, Head of HR for Europe, AXA and AXA Group Chief D&I Officer said:

"The global movement towards equality and respect for all people strongly influences our business at AXA. We know that LGBT people are becoming more visible, both as customers and as a valued part of our AXA workforce. We also recognise the critical importance of the role played by the many Allies supporting LGBT family, friends and work colleagues. For this reason AXA’s global employee resource group concerning LGBT issues is called ‘Allies at AXA PRIDE’. The inclusion of a diverse workforce is a powerful force for good: for society, for business - and for people. Allies regularly play a vital, but often unacknowledged role in reinforcing bridges between LGBT colleagues and others in their workplace, to allow us all to continue making progress. We think there is still much more to do. AXA is pleased to be able to sponsor this pioneering new research by Out Now, to measure and report on the issues faced by Allies. By better understanding the environment Allies face in their own workplaces, in organisations across the world, we are certain that much good will result to the benefit of all people at work."

This new study from Out Now, which will help discover much more than is currently known about relevant issues, from those most informed - LGBT Allies themselves.

Findings will be released globally, later this year - in a free report from Out Now, called 'LGBT Allies: The Power of Friends'.

Out Now says to do the survey takes around 6 minutes to contribute your thoughts and experiences in this powerful, new, confidential research.

How you can take part in the new study on issues faced by LGBT Allies at work

1. Take the survey online now at: http://Work.LGBT - which takes only a few minutes.

2. Share this link - http://Work.LGBT - or share this news article - widely, through your own networks now: among your family members, your friends and your work colleagues.

3. To sponsor the release of the new 'LGBT Allies: The Power of Friends' report being released by Out Now this June: contact Out Now to discuss sponsorship ideas.

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Pride & Prejudice - Event Report

2016-03-23T16:43:00.001+01:00

The Economist Events organisation has hosted a uniquely powerful, highly successful LGBT business development event across the world on three continents.

Out Now's CEO Ian Johnson reports.

One of the world's most respected global brands - The Economist - has hosted an agenda-setting leadership forum on the imperative to better connect businesses with LGBT communities across the world.

Entitled Pride and Prejudice, this unique event brought together a broad range of voices from business and LGBT communities across the world.

Starting in Hong Kong, the event involved timezone handovers throughout the day with London picking up the baton followed by New York.

The power of 'acceptonomics'

In a day that spanned the planet, it is actually rather difficult to single out only a few highlights.

For me, I was first tuned in as I awoke in London - watching the online, live video-stream of the event, hearing from participants on stage in Hong Kong discussing a range of topics, including ways that the New Zealand military has worked hard to better engage with their LGBT service personnel. It was a conversation I had not anticipated but one I found very inspiring - as a testament to how far the world has moved in just a few decades on LGBT issues.


DENIS DUVERNE, Chairman, AXA (centre) with Zanny Minton Beddoes Editor-in-chief, The Economist and Adam Warby, Chief executive officer, Avanade.

Given that I personally attended the event in London - along with my Out Now colleague Susann Jerry (in London) plus Michael Wilke, who represented Out Now in New York - I will focus here on some of the lasting impressions that really stood out for me on the day at that London event.

There were a broad range of presenters from many fields involved all through the day at each of the three events.

To learn more for yourself and watch content from the many presenters - you can check out various social media links via the hashtag #EconPride and you can also find and view program content at the Pride and Prejudice dedicated site.

London calling

Participants in London viewed many high quality presenters from the worlds of business and LGBT communities.

It is always a joy to see people of such calibre in advancing LGBT equality as Claudia Brind-Woody of IBM - who was joined onstage for a compelling tech-focused morning session with leaders from Facebook and Tesco Bank.

A key highlight for me was an inspiring presentation given by Denis Duverne, Deputy chief executive officer and newly appointed Chairman of AXA (an Out Now client), a leadership brand that is advancing LGBT diversity strongly - and successfully.

Denis explained the importance of measuring the LGBT Business Case that underpins LGBT diversity as well as talking about the next important metrics challenge for business - better understanding key issues being faced at work by LGBT Allies.

Later in the day presenters included Fred P. Hochberg, Chairman and president, Export-Import Bank of the United States and Inga Beale, Chief executive officer, Lloyd’s.

JIM YONG KIM
President, World Bank Group

Another formidable highlight happened in the afternoon in London - and the morning in New York - when we heard from Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank Group on a live video link.

Seeing his video input into the New York event and screened live to us in London really brought home that LGBT inclusion is truly a global issue of the highest importance.

Among many other interesting highlights were discussions from people and companies including: Hogan Lovells International, IBM, Lufthansa, Deloitte and Avanade.

Still more memorable content came from the likes of Ruth Baldacchino, Co-secretary general ILGA (The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association); Bisi Alimi, On-air social and political commentator; and Omar Sharif Jr., Human and LGBT rights activist/actor who so eloquently explained about the home country he has had to flee: "I came out in Egypt and was immediately subjected to death threats. I wish I could go back tomorrow - I'd love to go back, to help Egypt prosper."

The afternoon in London closed very strongly with more thought-provoking content added by people including Beth A. Brooke-Marciniak, Global vice chair, public policy, EY; Lord Browne of Madingley, Executive chairman L1 energy; Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief executive officer, WPP - and many others.

MARIJN PIJNENBERG
Business Development
Executive, IBM

Watch highlights from the events at the following links, including: Hong Kong, London and New York.

An undeniable trend: #EconPride

A compelling aspect of participating in Pride and Prejudice happened while I was live-tweeting during the event.

I discovered that Twitter was automatically suggesting the #EconPride hashtag after I had typed just "#E" - which reflected the very high interest levels in this event as it took place throughout the day.

You can read more on this event from Out Now's live-tweeting during the day - and from many others - via the #EconPride hashtag on social media.

One final word has to be made to the professionalism and commitment to this event by the organisers, Economist Events.

The many months of hard work involved in creating Pride and Prejudice was clearly on display for all to see at these events. This team is very seriously committed to LGBT equality and inclusion - and that showed. Great job.

Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now has been named one of the world's top 10 diversity consultants by the Global Diversity List, supported by The Economist. Out Now Global is a member of the LGBT Thought Leadership Panel for Economist Events.

You can view a short video on Out Now and the LGBT Business Case, shown to delegates at the Pride and Prejudice events: here.

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Economist Pride and Prejudice LGBT Business Event

2016-02-22T15:31:00.003+01:00

The Economist Events Launches Pride and Prejudice, a Global Initiative and Conference Examining the Economic and Human Costs of Discrimination against the LGBT Community

Events in Hong Kong, London and New York will each bring together more than 200 leaders from the worlds of business, politics and civil society to examine LGBT business issues
The global gathering will feature new research from The Economist Intelligence Unit that highlights corporate perceptions surrounding LGBT diversity and inclusion in business

#EconPride

(New York, London, & Hong Kong) –The Economist Events is hosting its first global event focused on helping business better understand key issues related to LGBT people - as customers and as employees.

Three Pride and Prejudice events will be held across the globe during a 24 hour period on March 3rd, 2016 - starting in Hong Kong, followed by London and New York.

Many leaders from the world of business are confirmed to attend.

The event has a key focus the divide that exists globally on LGBT rights - between places where LGBT people have many (or all) rights that all citizens have compared to places where homosexuality may be against the law, sometimes punishable by death.

"The issues around LGBT inclusion are something any truly global business needs to be focusing on,” said Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor in chief, The Economist. Pride and Prejudice will encourage fresh thinking among policymakers and industry leaders on the LGBT movement and its impact on business around the world.

The event seeks to answer a fundamental question: what is the cost of LGBT discrimination and will call upon an impressive roster of speakers from business, government and culture, including:

New York:

Jim Yong Kim – President, World Bank Group
James R. Fitterling – Vice-chairman and chief operating officer, The Dow Chemical Company
John Brennan – Director, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Jason Collins – Former professional athlete, NBA
Arne Sorenson – Chief executive and president, Marriott International

London:

Ivan Gazidis - Chief Executive Officer, Arsenal Football Club
Benny Higgins - Chief Executive Officer, Tesco Bank and Group Strategy Director, Tesco
António Simões - Chief Executive Officer UK and Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management Europe, HSBC
Sir Martin Sorrell - Chief Executive Officer, WPP
Howard Ungerleider - Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice-president, The Dow Chemical Company

Hong Kong:

Joel Simhkai, founder and chief executive officer, Grindr
Alan Joyce, Chief executive officer, Qantas
Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Rajpipla Gujurat, India
Sol Aragones, congresswoman, The Philippines
Rod Leaver, chief executive officer, Asia, Lendlease
Pride and Prejudice is sponsored by Global Advocate IBM, Global Supporter AXA, Regional Champion Accenture, Regional Allies ABN Amro, Avanade, Biogen and UNDP.

Out Now, publisher of Agenda.LGBT, is a part of The Economist Events LGBT Thought Leadership Panel.

Additional details for the events, including the full programmes and a link to register for the conference - for the Hong Kong, London, and New York events - can be found on the Pride and Prejudice website.

Delegates can obtain a 20% discount on registration for London and New York events using the promotion code: PPOUTNOW when booking online.

Over the past several months, The Economist Intelligence Unit has conducted a global survey of executives aimed at providing a credible barometer of corporate attitudes around diversity and inclusion, as well as a better understanding of the drivers of sentiment and change around LGBT inclusion in the workplace. The findings, set to be released later this month, will consider challenges and opportunities around LGBT equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Top 10 Diversity Consultants

2016-01-21T15:00:00.003+01:00

January 21, 2016

Statement from Out Now re Global Diversity Awards

Out Now works hard for clients globally - and has done now for 25 years.

The firm finds that great work is its own reward and Out Now says it "is pleased to have enjoyed the opportunity to work with many of the world's leading organizations".

A spokesperson for Out Now also said: "It was an unexpected and much appreciated surprise when we learned a few weeks ago that Out Now - and our CEO, Ian Johnson - are named in the Global Diversity List as one of the world's 'Top 10 Diversity Consultants' - the only specialist LGBT firm to be included."

Ian Johnson, CEO, Out Now

The list, which is supported by The Economist magazine, was open for public nomination and voting.

In acknowledging the recognition, Johnson said he wished to thank the organizers of the Global Diversity List for their initiative:

"Out Now celebrates 25 years of operations in 2016 and the world today is a far different place than the one we started working in back in 1992.

LGBT people are discovering new respect and opportunities in so many places around the world. But we know too that in many of the countries where we work, there is still much important work to do.

At Out Now our work is guided by our corporate mantra that: ‘LGBT spells people’.

Those letters in that LGBT acronym are entirely about the lives of people’s sons, daughters, aunties, sisters, uncles, parents, friends, work colleagues and more.

As we celebrate Out Now's latest push into better understanding the needs of LGBT Allies in the workplace, this award is a great recognition of the building of bridges that have made LGBT people - and all of us - so much better off.

We thank the Global Diversity List and The Economist for supporting this kind recognition - and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on their work in helping us all build bridges to strengthen societies globally. Thank you."

About Out Now

Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now, is a global thought leader in the ongoing integration of LGBT issues in society.

Ian has been named as one of the 'Top 10 Diversity Consultants' in the world by the Global Diversity List supported by The Economist.

Established in 1992, Out Now in 2016 celebrates its 25th year of delivering leading-edge insights and business solutions to better understand and meet the needs of LGBT people right across the world. Out Now's corporate mantra is 'LGBT spells people' which recognises that what matters most to LGBT people is not marketing, research or PR, but actual understanding and solutions that help assist LGBT people to live better lives enjoying equal standing and respect - all over the world.

With almost 25 years working in more than a dozen countries, Ian is also one of the most experienced LGBT development leaders in the world.

Out Now specializes in diversity research and business development – including the release of new findings from their ‘LGBT Diversity: Show Me The Business Case’ report - free download from http://OutNow.LGBT - drawn from the www.LGBT2030.com global research initiative that now samples LGBT people living in over 20 countries.

Out Now's latest development project focuses on measuring and reporting on issues faced by LGBT allies. See http://Work.LGBT for further details.

The firm also has strong LGBT business development practice areas in travel, banking/finance, FMCG and insurance work.

© 2016 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

LGBT Travel Gets REAL Experience in Mexico

2015-09-17T18:33:00.004+02:00

The latest market strategies and research data on LGBT travel are set to feature prominently at a major new tourism conference in Mexico this December.

September 17, 2015 -- The REAL Travel Experience is a production of leading US-based global tourism website TravelMarketReport.com and is being held in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Mexico to educate delegates with 'best of the best' expert presenters, able to inform and educate delegates from their real-world experience building successful travel results.

The event will focus on Romance, Experiential, Adventure and Lifestyle Travel.

Ian Johnson
CEO, Out Now

Leading the LGBT content for the show is Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now.

"We are delighted that Ian Johnson CEO of Out Now is joining Travel Market Report as one of our featured speakers for The REAL Travel Experience a familiarization and educational event for travel agents at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico," said Anne Marie Moebes, EVP and Co-Publisher Travel Market Report. "Ian will be sharing powerful information based on Out Now’s latest research allowing agents to learn firsthand about the opportunities and challenges of the important LGBT market. This combined with education for travel agents, LGBT business development, provides agents practical solutions for an integrated and successful LGBT marketing strategy. Learning from a leader in a prominent organization in the LGBT market is priceless."

Johnson will present two workshops at the REAL Travel Experience event.

1. Essentials to know about LGBT travel development

The first workshop is focused on global best practice to ensure LGBT market results that provide strong return on investment while best meeting LGBT customers' needs.

Johnson will present the latest LGBT market data from Mexico - and other key inbound markets - with data from LGBT2030, the world’s leading LGBT market research program, helping delegates understand key LGBT metrics.

Delegates will also discover the top tips that have made Out Now strategic campaigns for clients like German National Tourist Office, VisitBritain and Marriott Hotels so successful. This dynamic session is designed to provide in-depth research insights powered by practical case study insights - and includes Out Now’s top key recommended tactics to ensure LGBT market success.

2. What experiences the tourism industry has with LGBT travel development

The second workshop will focus on the findings from the world's first LGBT travel industry survey. More than 600 respondents to date working in the tourism industry will give their own input and experiences to illustrate the place that LGBT travel finds itself in as we enter 2016.

The description of that second Out Now workshop is as follows:

LGBT Consumers and the Travel Industry: Latest Research Release

The world’s first ever survey of the travel industry and its interactions with the LGBT consumer group is being released by Out Now at the end of 2015 and the REAL Travel Experience will include a special presentation of this data to delegates.

Key industry metrics and issues will be covered, including:

Which are the most common LGBT marketing activities being implemented by the industry?

What results have respondents seen from targeting LGBT customers?

Were there any negative outcomes experienced as a result of targeting the LGBT travel market?

What key pieces of advice would travel industry research respondents give to other organisations thinking of directly targeting the LGBT travel market?

Input from Mexico operators on their experiences in LGBT travel development.

Specific emphasis on key parts of industry including travel agents, tour operators, accommodations and more.

This first-of-its-kind industry research delivers powerful insights that allow you to learn first-hand from others in the travel industry working into the LGBT segment about the opportunities - and challenges - they have experienced. Such 'hands-on' feedback allows delegates to learn direct from the experience of others in the travel industry the best ways to progress their own business opportunities in the dynamic LGBT travel segment.

This is a unique educational event for travel sellers who want to become an expert in a specialized niche market segment.

The REAL Travel Experience is being held from December 4 - 8, 2015 at the Moon Palace Resort, Riviera Maya.

Early Bird registration is available until September 30, 2015.

© 2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Fort Lauderdale's Trans Market Leadership

2015-09-16T21:59:00.002+02:00

When you're in front? Keep leading.

September 16, 2015 -- One of the most important US destinations for LGBT travelers did not become that by accident.

It achieved this by consistent respect for the market - and a lot of hard tourism development work.

The person responsible for this is an inspiring Brit by the name of Richard Gray, who has made his home in the city since 1991 where he later became the first ever full-time LGBT specialist working at a tourism office in the US.

Gray's role is Managing Director LGBTQ Market with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Richard Gray

The destination's consistent leadership under Gray's very able direction is recognized in this feature article which is due to appear in this Sunday's print edition of the New York Times.

In keeping with Fort Lauderdale's pioneering efforts, last year the destination undertook new research to investigate the travel needs of transgender people - and in two weeks from now, the most important transgender conference in the US makes its first Florida outing. After 24 years in Atlanta, the 25th Annual Southern Comfort Conference makes its way for the first time to the sunny shores of Fort Lauderdale this year. The destination will host the event, one of the largest gatherings of the transgender community in the world, for the next three years.

The four-day Southern Comfort conference will be held at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa from September 29 through October 3, 2015 and organizers anticipate 1,000 attendees including partners, spouses, family members and trans individuals. In addition to attending seminars, workshops and networking events, participants will enjoy sightseeing, gourmet food, nightlife and entertainment throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale.

“As a destination that welcomes all people with a diverse, safe and open community, we aim to put trans people in the forefront of the LGBTQ community instead of being the often forgotten ‘T,’” said Gray. “We are educating lesbian and gay travelers, mainstream audiences and using our platform as a leader in the LGBTQ travel space to illustrate Broward County’s commitment and respect for trans individuals.”

Image from Fort Lauderdale CVB
Trans tourism campaign, 2015

The CVB’s transgender survey helped to identify the motivations for travel, destination and hotel selection by the transgender community, as well as other specific needs.

The research also helped provide insights as to how the CVB could communicate appropriately with transgender travelers and deliver a sensitive and authentic welcoming experience, including providing training to the local community.

The survey is an extension of the destination’s latest initiative which emphasizes a respect and commitment for the market.

The CVB has created an advertising campaign to be included in mainstream outlets, “Where Happy Meets Go Lucky,” that features transgender models. The bureau has also created a designated landing page for transgender travelers: www.sunny.org/tlgb, which sees the letter “T” right out in front for the well-known acronym LGBT.

“We are thrilled to bring our conference to such a welcoming, progressive and beautiful destination for our 25th year,” said Lexi Dee, President of the Southern Comfort Conference. “I look forward to our conference and partnership growing over the next three years with the help and dedication of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, which has led the way for the trans community and helps to deliver an authentic and welcoming experience for transgender visitors.”

For more information on the Southern Comfort conference, go to southerncomfortconference.org.

Fort Lauderdale is also an exhibitor at the official LGBT Village at World Travel Market powered by leading global LGBT travel networking association ONBC in November 2015.

© 2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

It Gets Better With .LGBT

2015-07-10T13:48:00.000+02:00

It Gets Better - Making a Difference One Domain at a Time

July 10, 2015 – .LGBT (dotLGBT) domain registry operator Afilias has announced the launch of the .LGBT Pride Program in celebration of two recent victories for LGBT equality: the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the right to marriage equality in the US, and Ireland’s legalization of same-sex civil marriage.

From now until October 11, 2015 – National Coming Out Day – every new .LGBT web address registered will trigger a US$20 donation from Afilias to the It Gets Better Project.

.LGBT is the top level domain (TLD) serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

The program was launched in February 2015 and the first ever .LGBT allocation domain name is OutNow.LGBT - for Out Now, publishers of Gay Market News.

In the few short months since its launch, over one thousand community members, LGBT-focused businesses, and LGBT-welcoming organizations have registered their web addresses in this dedicated domain.

To celebrate what has been a pretty momentous year for the LGBT community so far, and to give back to the community, .LGBT is launching the Pride Program in partnership with the It Gets Better Project.

It Gets Better

This outstanding community initiative started as a result of a video made by US columnist Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller in response to a series of suicides by LGBT youth who had been bullied because they were LGBT.

The phrase 'it gets better' was mentioned by the couple as part of a YouTube video they uploaded in 2010 - which became the very first It Gets Better video - and you can watch it here.

Hearing their story is really inspiring - and started a movement to support LGBT young people to support them against anti-LGBT bullying.

Since that time, literally tens of thousands of videos have been uploaded as part of what has become the It Gets Better project.

Making a difference - one domain at a time

The It Gets Better Project is one of the most influential voices in the global LGBT community.

It helps LGBT young people who are struggling with issues surrounding their sexual orientation and/or gender identity get through their adolescent years by showing them that time means their life really does get better.

Since their inception, more than 60,000 user-generated, hope-inspiring videos have been submitted to the It Gets Better Project which have collectively generated over 60 million views.

The Pride Program established by Afilias contributes $20 from each new .LGBT registration to the It Gets Better Project.

“The new .LGBT Internet address has been about inclusion from the start. And with great news about marriage inclusion and equality on both sides of the Atlantic, now is the time to celebrate,” said Roland LaPlante, Chief Marketing Officer of Afilias. “During our Pride Program celebration, we are dedicating a portion of .LGBT sales revenue to the It Gets Better Project, a community initiative that has helped so many LGBT teens navigate the difficult time of adolescence.”

“We are proud to partner with the .LGBT team during this historic period,” said Brett Peters, Director of Communications of the It Gets Better Project. “The success of the .LGBT web address is further evidence that global support for the LGBT community — and LGBT youth — comes in all forms. We encourage all our friends and supporters to get their own .LGBT address during the Pride Program, as each registration generates a donation to the It Gets Better Project.”

For details of the .LGBT Pride Program, please visit: www.ItGetsBetter.lgbt

© 2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Marriage Equality Impacts LGBT Tourism

2015-07-07T12:48:00.002+02:00

LGBT Tourism Expected to Increase 9% Over Next Three Years Due to Supreme Court Marriage Equality Decision

July 7, 2015 -- Seven key LGBT markets are likely to add at least $4billion additional tourism income to US economy during next three years.

The US Supreme Court Decision to legalise gay marriage is set to see the American economy benefit from an influx of 1.3 million LGBT tourists spending USD$4.25 billion over the next three years, reveals analysis of the world’s largest LGBT market research data set - Out Now Global LGBT2030 Study www.lgbt2030.com.

The current dynamic nature of this sector has motivated Out Now and World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, to launch a new study – measuring, for the first time, the global tourism industry’s attitudes to LGBT travel. The Global LGBT Travel Industry Survey is now underway at the website www.Welcome.LGBT and is open for all people working in the travel industry globally.

The US Supreme Court’s decision to legalise marriage for gay and lesbian people across America can be expected to increase LGBT tourism by a minimum of 9% over the next three years, adding at least USD$4.25billion to the total income generated by international LGBT tourism visitors into the USA.

Latest LGBT2030 research asked respondents the following question:

“When you choose where to travel, to what extent can the legal situation for local LGBT people affect where you decide to go to spend your holiday/vacation?”

Out Now has analysed US inbound travel results for seven key countries and limited its assessment to only those respondents who indicated that the local legal situation affects their travel plans “to a great extent” and who also indicated an intention to visit the USA during the coming three years. Results were then discounted further to allow for the 37 US states which already had marriage equivalence, prior to last week’s Supreme Court decision. The resulting figures are therefore somewhat conservative, as well as being substantial.

Key findings are as follows:

VISIT USA: NEXT 3 YRS	USD$ increase (millions)	Visitor numbers (000’s)
UK	550	168

Germany	660	216

France	730	211

Italy	350	124

Brazil	1,280	465

Canada	360	99

Australia	320	57

TOTAL	4,250	1,340

Data source: Out Now Global LGBT2030 Study

According to Out Now, the data shows clearly that marriage equality is not only a social issue, but also an economic one as well.

Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now said: “LGBT people have been increasingly voting with their wallets when it comes to global tourism. In measuring the likely impacts of last week’s Supreme Court decision, we have been conservative with these calculations, so this data represents a minimum estimate of the economic benefits that will likely flow into the US economy.

"In each of the seven countries we measured, there was a resulting increase in total likely LGBT visitors of between 9% - 11%. We only counted those respondents stating that a destination’s local legal situation affects their travel plans “to a great extent”. There are almost as many respondents again who indicate a “moderate” effect on their travel plans. This new data being reported today - which is conservative in analysis as well as being substantial in scale - shows that giving LGBT people full equality is not only a social issue, it can have substantial economic benefits as well. There are a lot of new US tourism jobs that are going to be created in the next three years as a direct result of the US Supreme Court’s decision.

"No matter where people stand on the issue of marriage equality, the simple fact is that this is definitely a strong boost for jobs and for the US economy. We expect at least 1.3 million additional LGBT visitors to choose to vacation in the US over the coming three years as a direct result of the equalisation of this legal situation for local LGBT people - and these tourists will spend at least USD$4.25billion during that period. The court’s decision is one that the US tourism industry should be very thankful for.”

World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “The study’s findings that more than 1.3m extra tourists will be spending at least $4.25 billion over the next three years demonstrates the benefit of a destination being LGBT-friendly.

“World Travel Market has had a focus on the LGBT tourism market for the past decade, with educational seminars and a dedicated region on the exhibition floor.

“I look forward to the first-ever Global LGBT Travel Industry Survey http://www.Welcome.LGBT being unveiled at World Travel Market 2015. We are gathering data over the next few weeks and ask travel industry professionals to please take just a few minutes to complete this important survey. The findings of the survey could shape LGBT travel for the next 10 years.”

To participate in the new Global LGBT Travel Industry Survey, visit Welcome.LGBT http://www.Welcome.LGBT

© 2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Ibiza LGBTi Tourism Forum

2015-06-23T21:15:00.002+02:00

June 23, 2015 -- Ibiza is a destination that has for many years been a popular one for the LGBT community, especially gay men of a certain age.

The local tourism ministry last month convened a targeted two day conference for local industry, global LGBT tourism industry specialists and key decision-makers.

Also attending were key players from the local Ibiza tourism sector.

The bringing together of this many stakeholders enabled the event to focus on current and future plans for development of LGBT tourism in Ibiza.

The welcome speech was given by Ibiza’s Tourism Minister, Carmen Ferrer Torres Tourism followed by Vicente Roig Tur, Ibiza’s Industry Minister who welcomed delegates and gave a conference entitled ‘Ibiza means freedom.’

Ian Johnson, Out Now’s CEO presented a practical business workshop entitled ‘Ibiza and the global LGBT market’ which included latest LGBT2030 research data on the global LGBT tourism market’s plans to visit Ibiza.

Industry delegates attending Ibiza tourism industry LGBTi Forum, May 26, 2015

Johnson also presented delegates with detailed ‘do’s and don’ts from the Out Now Global LGBT sensitivity training program Learn.LGBT with delegates receiving complimentary memberships in the largest LGBT global networking program for LGBT tourism - ONBC - Out Now Business Class.

The latest LGBT2030 research presented showed that there exists a strong appetite for LGBT tourism to Ibiza.

Island of quality product

As part of the event, delegates were shown the high quality product of the island.

(L to R) Vicente Roig Tur, Ibiza’s Industry Minister;
Ian Johnson, CEO, Out Now;
Carmen Ferrer Torres, Tourism Minister

One of the delegates attending the event was Purple - a new LGBT-targeted hotel in San Antonio, located just near the legendary Cafe Del Mar.

Other highlights included information on the forthcoming Pride events being held in Ibiza this July 8-12, 2015 as well as the Pride event taking place in neighbouring Mallorca at the end of June 2015.

The Host Hotel was the luxury Ibiza Sun apartments with educational conferences and business networking meetings taking place in the city’s historic fort compound overlooking the old town and port.

The outcomes of the LGBTi Forum event were strong and many business arrangements were commenced and expanded as a direct result of the event.

Future Ibiza tourism business from the LGBT market seems likely to have been significantly strengthened as a direct result of the success of this industry-leading tourism event.

The LGBTi Forum was held from May 26 - May 28, 2015 in Ibiza Town, Ibiza, Spain.

Conference presentations were held over two days and scheduled business meetings took place on both days.

Delegates attended leading Ibiza dining locations on both evenings of the event.

The event concluded with farewell drinks in the gay nightlife area of Ibiza Calle de la Virgen ending with clubbing at Pacha superclub.

© 2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Welcome.LGBT Travel Industry Survey

2015-06-10T15:56:00.001+02:00

June 10, 2015 --- First Industry-Wide Global LGBT Travel Survey Launched by WTM and Out Now

TAKE THE SURVEY! Takes 5 minutes and includes some free 'goodies', to thank you for your time.

Visit: www.Welcome.LGBT now.

For the first time, a global survey is to measure the tourism industry’s attitudes and strategic approaches to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travel market.

The LGBT market is known to be a lucrative one - with latest LGBT2020 research data from specialist LGBT consulting firm Out Now tracking annual LGBT consumer tourism spend of more than USD$200billion (2014: USD$202billion).

However there has never before been an industry-wide study measuring the engagement of the global tourism industry with the LGBT tourism market.

The first ‘Global LGBT Travel Industry Survey’ is being undertaken by Out Now in collaboration with long-term strategic partner World Travel Market.

World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “World Travel Market has been a long-term supporter of the global development of LGBT tourism in partnership with Out Now.

“2015 is our tenth year of collaborating together and we are delighted to work on this new industry-wide initiative with Out Now to shine light onto this important part of the global travel business.”

Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now, said the new tourism industry research is both important and timely.

“We have known for more than two decades what the metrics of LGBT travel are from the consumer side, but not from the industry’s perspective,” Johnson says. “The tourism industry has evolved dramatically in recent years with more destinations, hotels, airlines, agents, and other industry players wanting to engage with LGBT travel. What is needed though is a better understanding of how the industry views this market and what is needed by the industry to better engage with this group of travellers. We will be measuring a range of factors to gain insight as to what is driving the development of the LGBT travel segment such as key success factors, staff training, media usage, total spend, barriers to entry and future trends. We also want to learn from those businesses that have not engaged with – or choose not to target – this segment. This research will be an important asset for the travel industry and we are delighted to work with WTM to bring this new study to market.”

Data collection for the research is being undertaken by Out Now until June 30, 2015 and respondents working in the tourism industry are invited to complete the survey by visiting http://www.Welcome.LGBT before that date.

Findings from this first ‘Global LGBT Travel Industry Survey’ will be analysed and presented in the seminar programme during World Travel Market in London this November as part of the ‘Welcome.LGBT Tourism Marketing Masterclass’ by Out Now.

© 2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

Vienna Shines in LGBT Tourism

2015-05-22T19:20:00.002+02:00

Conchita Wurst of Austria interviews Belgium's 2015 Eurovision entrant.
May 19, 2015. Vienna.

May 22, 2015 -- One of the cities that has made the effort to earn LGBT tourism support over many years is Vienna.

The city's latest US tourism marketing campaign takes advantage of a number of large scale international events focused on Vienna during 2015.

Here is the background.

This latest US-targeted campaign for Vienna Tourist Board communicates with the LGBT tourism market from the USA, who are specifically interested in Vienna travel during 2015 and 2016.

The campaign was created and managed for Vienna Tourist Board by Out Now and leverages several key events taking place in Vienna this year.

One of the key aspects is its hyper-targeted aspect - reaching solely those people who are specifically interested in the destination, one of the range of 'next level thinking' tourism marketing initiatives being rolled out by Out Now. Keep watching here for details of more initiatives from Out Now's tourism development program in coming months.

1. Life Ball

Special crossing lights installed
for Life Ball. Vienna, May 2015.

The Life Ball is a star-studded global spectacular, and is quite simply the most fabulous party event in Europe.

This red carpet night takes place every year at Vienna’s fairytale City Hall, with a free concert and fashion show held in the beautiful Rathausplatz plaza.

The Life Ball always attracts the world's best entertainers as well as an international guest-roster of A-list celebrities.

Last year, Life Ball welcomed Ricky Martin, Conchita Wurst, Bill Clinton, Courtney Love, Marcia Cross and Dame Vivienne Westwood.

This year's event - which happened last weekend on May 16 - saw Jean Paul Gaultier present the Life Ball fashion show and Charlize Theron, Kelly Osbourne, Paula Abdul, Mary J Blige and many more were some of the many global names seen there.

2. Eurovision

This year Vienna is proud to be hosting the 60th Eurovision song contest - which places contemporary music once again where it belongs - right at the very heart of Europe.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Building Bridges”, a perfect theme for the city. Situated between the East and the West, Vienna is at the epicenter of the diverse cultures of Europe, and is a bridge between Europe’s intriguing past, and a glowing future.

And LGBT people have had a long history with and support for Eurovision.

To see some of the gay predictions for this year check out this US news site.

And to see which countries really are the 'gayest' when it comes to Eurovision, Out Now has the answers here.

3. Pride

To crown an amazing series of events with strong LGBT market appeal in 2015, Vienna Pride also has an extra special reason to celebrate this year.

This annual festival is the standout highlight of the LGBT calendar in Austria, and includes the Rainbow Parade - attracting more than 100,000 people which is in 2015 taking in the Ringstrasse considered by many to be the most beautiful street in the world.

This masterpiece of urban planning which was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph is in the very heart of Vienna and celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

A more stately and impressive boulevard has never been imagined and a more fitting setting there simply could not be for this year's Pride celebrations in Vienna, the focal point for celebrating tolerance, acceptance and equality.

Check your calendar: June 16 - 21 are the days to catch Vienna Pride in 2015.

You can see more of this 2015 US campaign by Out Now for Vienna Tourist Board here.

For information on LGBT business development, contact Out Now.

© 2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

LGBT: From the 60s to Cyber

2015-04-30T14:08:00.001+02:00

From the streets of Philadelphia to its own domain space on the Internet - the global LGBT community has journeyed a long, long way.

April/May 1965 LGBT protests at Dewey's restaurant, Philadelphia, USA.

April 30, 2015

Progress often happens when you are not anticipating it. The LGBT community has long struggled with issues of acceptance - and visibility.

Knowing who - or where - was accepting has long been an important issue.

When you see domain names such as Welcome.LGBT and Village.LGBT you can intuitively grasp precisely which audience these sites are designed for.

Fifty years on: new
.LGBT domain names launched in 2015

But rewind the clock and you quickly see that - half a century ago this week, when the modern struggle for LGBT human rights really began - these latest online LGBT initiatives would have been completely unimaginable to the pioneers that set us on the path to acceptance all those years ago.

April 1965

Fifty years ago, the world was changing.

The sixties counter-culture was growing in visibility - and in voice. LGBT people were right in the middle of these changes all across society.

But LGBT people were routinely hassled, fired, bashed and treated with disrespect.

1965 protests in Washington, DC, USA.

In many places and at various times, things can still feel that way - but progress is definitely vast since then. One recent development would likely be unimaginable to those brave LGBT pioneers of fifty years ago - that the LGBT community would become so visible as to be allocated its own online domain space - a domain name .LGBT - which launched just a few weeks ago.

In the US in 1965, a nascent 'homosexual rights' movement was most definitely underway.

Groups such as Philadelphia's Janus Society and New York's Daughters of Bilitis as well as Mattachine Societies in Washington and New York formed a collective known as ECHO: the East Coast Homophile Organizations.

The streets of Philadelphia

There were a number of protests in 1964 by activists against the oppression of gay people.

Fifty years ago this week, three arrests of 'non-conforming' teenagers - and one of their supporters - at a restaurant in Philadelphia, kicked off a chain reaction of events which still resonate today. In the restaurant, called Dewey's, back in April 1965, the manager refused to serve three people he thought "looked" gay.

There followed a further protest involving a restaurant sit-in and more than 150 protestors, many of them African-Americans.

That initial Dewey's protest led to four arrests and a follow-up picket line in the first week of May 1965, but it also led to something else: Washington.

DC, Stonewall - and then the world

Stonewall Inn, New York
June 1969

Starting May 29, 1965 and all through the US summer, activists staged a series of pickets at the White House.

Small protests against anti-gay discrimination and harassment started breaking out right across America in places like Chicago, San Francisco, New York and in Philadelphia again.

Actions during the rest of the 1960s protested refusal of service for LGBT people in shops and restaurants, the firing of gay people as well as anti-LGBT actions taken by the Church and government.

By the end of that decade, on the night gay icon Judy Garland was buried, many of the patrons at The Stonewall Inn in New York's Greenwich Village - a frequently harassed bar popular with gay men, as well as some trans people, drag queens and lesbians - were in no mood to be shut-down, when a group of police raided the bar in the early hours of June 28, 1969.

After an initial series of scuffles a violent riot broke out, followed by another the following evening.

Stonewall Riots begin in New York City. June 1969.

One person attending that night in full drag - Sylvia Rivera - remembered her feelings about what took place:

" 'You've been treating us like shit all these years? Uh-uh. Now it's our turn!' - It was one of the greatest moments in my life."

That event reverberated across the world like a global echo - the resonance of which can still be heard today - as LGBT human rights continue to be fought for and often achieved.

LGBT rights accelerate

1978 Sydney's first Mardi Gras saw many arrested

Since 1969, there has been an explosion of LGBT awareness and rights in places far and wide.

From the 1978 Sydney Mardi Gras Riots to annual Pride celebrations in places from São Paulo to places where being openly LGBT is still fraught with danger - like St Petersburg - the ongoing expansion of equal human rights for LGBT people is one that continues.

In society and at work, there is a growing recognition that members of the LGBT community are first and foremost people - equally worthy of respect, like all members of society.

Even online - Now, there's a place for us: .LGBT is here

A few weeks ago, a new online space for the LGBT community arrived. The domain namespace .LGBT ("dot LGBT") was launched.

The first allocated .LGBT domain - OutNow.LGBT - was devoted to championing the cause of workplace equality with the release of a free online report all about the need for business to create more accepting workplaces for all.

The .LGBT domain names are the first and only top-level domain (TLD) Internet addresses created specifically for the purpose of connecting the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

Until very recently this would have been unheard of - a website domain specifically designated for LGBT people? It is in fact a momentous landmark in the history of the Internet, a technology that the LGBT community have been voracious early adopters of.

It is perhaps a fitting moment given that the rise of LGBT equal rights parallels the development of the Internet. The first 'Internet' type communication happened in October 1969, when the dust from New York's Stonewall Riots had barely settled.

It wasn’t until the early 1990s however that the Internet as we would recognise it today was invented, by the man who is widely credited as being the ‘father of the Internet’ Tim Berners-Lee. While the Internet was going from strength to strength, LGBT rights in the US were still encountering stern opposition, and in the same year, 1993 the now infamous “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy was instituted for the U.S. military. This oppressive anti-LGBT legislation was not finally removed until 2011, and ultimately lead to thousands of men and women being discharged from the US armed forces as a result.

Marriage equality in France. 2013. IMAGE: (C) Ian Johnson

It is in this new millennium however that both the power and potential of the Internet, as well as the dreams and hopes of those early LGBT activists have truly been realized.

The year 2000 saw Vermont become the first state in the USA to legally recognize civil unions between gay or lesbian couples on the same basis as heterosexual couples. This was one of the most significant moments for LGBT rights in the history of the USA. There are now 36 US states where same-sex marriage is legal and the US Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on whether other states can limit the availability of marriage to all.

In countries from the Netherlands (home to the world's first equal marriage laws since April 2001), France, Spain, South Africa and more countries, the right to marry the person you fall in love with is being recognized as a universal human right.

The launch of .LGBT is a moment in the development of online life where LGBT people get to enjoy new levels of acceptance and visibility reflected in that .LGBT signifier.

If equality fails, we stumble, and should we decline to embrace our collective diversity it will not be for a lack of inspiration, leadership and bravery from the past. It will be because we cannot celebrate our differences, recognize that these are what gives us strength, and agree a mutual course for a better future - for all - together.

.LGBT represents a great opportunity not just for LGBT communities around the world, but for every one of us, to find each other and connect.

Being able to be out - and proud - online is now a reality. Imagine how the nascent 1960s LGBT rights movement could have benefited from connecting all like-minded supporters together, with the speed of an online click?

Global, genuine inclusion and acceptance of all the diversity out there in this world has got to be a good thing.

More information on .LGBT is available at get.LGBT.

©2015 Out Now. All rights reserved. Out Now® is a registered trademark of Out Now, a company registered in the Netherlands. "Out Now", "OutNow" and all related words, marks and logos are trademarks of Out Now, Netherlands.

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