Diverse, Influential, International Speaker Line Up For Proud Experiences 2020

04 December 2019

Facing the issues, challenges and opportunities of the LGBTQ+ travel sector 22-24 June 2020 - 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

www.proudexperiences.com

Following on from the success of the second series of PROUD Experiences this year, the 2020 speaker programme has been announced with international speakers lined up to share powerful stories and discuss what’s next in the growing LGBTQ+ travel sector. 

Once again taking place in New York City from 22-24 June at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, PROUD Experiences is Reed Travel Exhibitions’ ground-breaking b2b travel and lifestyle event for travel suppliers and buyers as well as lifestyle brands targeting the LGBTQ+ community. The 2019 edition launched a series of successful talks and Masterclasses that helped the travel industry by sharing trends and case studies, along with some honest, poignant and humorous life stories from international speakers. Next year’s show will start with an update Masterclass on the takeaways from previous events named “The Story So Far…”. 

Event Director, Simon Mayle, commented:

“Our exhibiting brands and the buyers have told us that having a “refresher” on what’s happened previously will give them additional information and a kick-start for their business appointments at the show next year, and we want to bring our new delegates up to speed on the story so far. Never before has the LGBTQ+ traveller been more visible in their opinions about travel and it’s not surprising that social equality is now driving the travel industry to offer more inclusive services. PROUD Experiences is the stage on which travel companies can now market their products and services to agents and planners who actively sell to the LGBTQ+ community”.

The variety of PROUD Experiences 2020 speaker line-up includes 5 keynotes during The PROUD Gathering, all of whom are PROUD People of Influence. Geena Rocero – a Filipino American Supermodel and Founder of Gender Proud will speak from the 2 transgender perspective. Sabine Jankowski will team up with AGEIST to chat about the mature view of LGBTQ+ travel, whilst the Nomadic Boys bloggers will speak about the largest demographic, gay couples and travel. The Big Interview will also be back with a very special guest for 2020 – more details on this will be revealed in due course.

According to research by Out Now Consulting, the entire LGBTQ+ travel market worldwide is now valued at $219bn (Data Source: Out Now Global LGBT2030 research program). This figure is set to grow further according to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), “LGBTQ+ travel is one of the fastest-growing markets in the worldwide travel industry”, they added.

International speakers will support the programme during a series of Masterclasses sponsored by Accor. A special panel of industry professionals are on board to share how they are staying ahead of the game in marketing to the LGBTQ+ community. Panellists include Mark Fletcher, CEO at Manchester Pride, Andrea Richardson, Head of Multicultural Engagement at Hilton and Rick Stiffler, VP Leisure Sales at Preferred Hotel Group. Masterclasses include “This Time Last Year…”, providing a year overview of the industry before looking ahead into the future of LGBTQ+ travel.

Event Director, Simon Mayle, concluded:

“PROUD Experiences closed last year with a wait list of brands and companies wanting to be part of the 2020 community, so we are already nearly on target to increase the business opportunities for both buyers and suppliers by another 50% over 2019. The spend by the LGBTQ+ traveller is more per head than others, so for any hotel, destination, and supplier to jump onboard now, it’s not too late. Just don’t end up on a wait list for 2021 as you will have missed another year of the earning power of the LGBTQ+ traveller”. 

Exhibitor applications for the 2020 edition are now open. For further information, please visit www.proudexperiences.com

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