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# IGLTA hosts most globally diverse convention to date
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/iglta-hosts-most-globally-diverse-convention-to-date/
- Published: 2017-05-10T10:24:09.000Z
- Updated: 2017-05-10T10:24:09.000Z
- Description: The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s (ILGTA) 34th Annual Global Convention, brought together more than 400 tourism professionals representing 36 countries to the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club for networking and education from May 4-6.
- Author: Besi
- Tags: In The South, News, Travel, IGLTA, International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association

## Delegates representing 36 countries attend International LGBT+ travel conference in St **Petersburg, Florida.**

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web-600-45.jpg)

St. Petersburg, Florida

**The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s** (ILGTA) 34th Annual Global Convention, brought together more than 400 tourism professionals representing 36 countries to the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club for networking and education from May 4-6\. It was the largest number of countries represented in IGLTA convention history.

![John Tanzella](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web-200-2.jpg)

John Tanzella

**IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella, said:** *“At a time when the news is filled with talk of travel bans and closed borders, our LGBT+ travel community united to show its support for diversity and a more welcoming world.”*

*“Our speakers from all tourism segments sent a clear message that our industry has a responsibility to promote inclusiveness. It was especially meaningful to debut the Second UNWTO Global Report on LGBT+ Tourism at this event.”*

The Second UNWTO Global Report on LGBT Tourism, created in a partnership between UNWTO, IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation, takes an in-depth look at the increasing visibility of LGBT+ consumers and the global tourism trends that impact this market.

**To download a PDF of the full report, [click here:](http://affiliatemembers.unwto.org/publication/affiliate-members-global-reports-volume-fifteen-second-global-report-lgbt-tourism?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**

![Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web-600-2-9.jpg)

Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club

IGLTA’s convention programming also featured a CEO panel on crisis management, the Entrepreneur Roundtable Discussion for small business owners led by HE Travel president/owner **Phil Sheldon**, and for the first time, breakout sessions in Spanish.

The fourth annual IGLTA Foundation fundraising event, raised more than $10,000 for education, research, and developing the next generation of LGBT+ travel professionals.

The Foundation also supported educational and volunteer activities in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area on May 6, including the creation of an original LGBT+ mural along the Pinellas Bike Trail that is now a permanent part of the convention host city.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web-300-6.jpg)

David Downing

**Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater CEO David Downing, said:** *“We’re proud and honoured to add St. Pete/Clearwater to the list of world capitals privileged to have hosted this event.”*

*“We’ve been an up-and-coming gay-friendly destination for several years, but the global visibility that results from hosting 400 of the world’s most influential LGBT+ tourism professionals puts us on a new map altogether. We simply couldn’t be more pleased.”*

The next IGLTA Annual Global Convention will be held in Toronto from May 9-12, 2018.

For more information about IGLTA, [click here:](https://www.iglta.org/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)