January 4, 2022

LGBT+ MPA NEWS

LGBT MPA's 2023 Executive Officers and Board of Directors

Yesterday, the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association (LGBT MPA) announced their newly elected 2023 Board of Directors.

Led by Jim Clapes, Conference Services Manager at Mayer Brown, the organization’s Nominating Committee met virtually in October to determine the slate of the 2023 board officers and directors for the open positions. The final board was elected in November of 2022 and will began their positions January 1, 2023.

Congratulations to all of our 2023 Executive Officers and Board of Directors!

SEE THE FULL LIST HERE

Join Us for Our LGBT MPA Closing Night Reception at PCMA Convening Leaders 2023!

Join us for LGBT MPA's Closing Night Networking Reception, in partnership with our Official Sponsors, Experience Columbus, Meet AC, along with our Event and Promotional Sponsors, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater and Meet England at PCMA Convening Leaders 2023!

Our Networking Reception will be held on Tuesday, January 10th at 5:30PM - 7:30PM EST at the Lumin Skybar and Kitchen at the AC Hotel by Marriott, Downtown Columbus!

Join us from 5:30pm – 7:30pm for cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres, music, and entertainment from Columbus' own, Anisa Love. Come network, meet new people, and discover new opportunities with us!

Courtesy of Accor, Hotel Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, and Air Canada, we will be giving away the ultimate travel package for PCMA EduCon in Montréal. This giveaway will contain: One Comp Registration for PCMA EduCon 2023, a Three Night Stay at the Hotel Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, and two tickets to Montréal from Air Canada.

Tickets will also be available at the door during the event!

Panel Discussion on Gender's Impact on the Business Event Industry!

LGBT MPA will be attending PCMA Convening Leaders for the sixth year! This year, we will be presenting an education session, Gender's Impact on the Business Event Industry on Monday, January 9th at 11AM!

During this conversation, a gender-diverse panel of business event strategists will share their stories and insights into their professional experiences. The panelists will also discuss the range of current challenges and barriers that members of the transgender community have and continue to face when booking and attending events.

Learn to: understand the experiences of gender-diverse populations as they relate to the business events industry, gain awareness of existing and future implications regarding transgender issues and business events, and identify opportunities and methods to make events safer and more inclusive for transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive participants.

Join us at PCMA Convening Leaders to learn more about how to create business events that are gender-expansive and inclusive!

LGBT+ NEWS

2021 Was Supposed To Be the 'Worst Year' for LGBTQ Rights — then came 2022

"Even with the enactment of a historic same-sex marriage bill, advocates describe a harrowing year for LGBTQ Americans.”

NBC Out | December 29, 2022

READ HERE

LGBT+ INDUSTRY NEWS

Designing Events That Build Communities

"“Belonging is the thing that matters most,” writes designer Susie Wise in her book, Design for Belonging: How to Build Inclusion and Collaboration in Your Communities. Here’s a look at her “moments of belonging” and how to weave them into the fabric of events."

PCMA Convene | December 16, 2022

READ HERE

INDUSTRY NEWS

CES Gets Meetings Industry Going for 2023

"With attendee and exhibitor numbers getting closer to pre-Covid figures, the entire meetings industry is hopeful for a strong CES that sets the tone for the rest of 2023."

Skift Meetings | January 3, 2022

READ HERE

PARTNER HIGHLIGHT

DestinationDC: The Best City to Visit in 2023

Whether you’re visiting Washington, DC for business or leisure in the new year, the city’s 2023 calendar of events is filled with new museum exhibits, praiseworthy performances, the beloved National Cherry Blossom Festival and more. We can’t wait to welcome you to the nation’s capital in 2023.

LEARN MORE

Marriott International Hiring Multiple Contractor Positions

Here’s an opportunity to join a growing and dynamic B2B Events team at the world’s largest hospitality company. Marriott is hiring two long term consulting manager positions to oversee the logistics associated with customer and industry events. These roles can be virtual/remote or based at Marriott’s Corporate Headquarters in Bethesda, MD.

LEARN MORE

Winter in Wine Country: Wineries with Fireplaces

The air is crisp and clean, the skies are a cobalt blue and if it snows, the fields

and slopes are carpeted in ethereal white. When winter arrives, it's tempting to

just stay indoors, buried under blankets and watch TV from the couch.

Strange as it may seem, it’s actually a glorious time to visit a winery in

Loudoun, particularly since many tasting rooms have crackling fireplaces and

red wine to warm you up. And, with the wineries being only a short distance

from cozy bed and breakfasts - it’s the perfect excuse to winter in DC’s Wine

Country®.

Check out these wineries that will keep you warm this season.

Creek's Edge Winery

Creek’s Edge Winery in historic Taylorstown in Lovettsville has a spacious upper floor tasting room deck that’s popular on summer days but come winter, the lounge-style interior with crackling stone fireplace is the place to be. Open a bottle of the 2018 Creek Bed Red and throw another log on the fire. Travel along route 673 to the woodlands of Georges Mill B&B for an intimately quiet stay.

Williams Gap Vineyard

Nestled in the refined town of Round Hill, Williams Gap Vineyard embraces the intimate farmhouse style. Take a stroll inside and settle down in front of the gray stone fireplace set ablaze. Enjoy a glass of the award-winning 2021 Cabernet Franc, and if you feel like lingering, travel up the rolling hills to The Manor at Airmont for an overnight stay.

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards

Things don’t get much cozier than The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards just off Route 7. The tasting room is a restored 110-year-old stone and timber dairy barn with a vaulted upstairs decorated with antique chandeliers, handcrafted wood tables and a massive stone fireplace. Celebrated winemaker Michael Shaps specializes in Bordeaux-style blends. Cozy up with a bottle of his 2017 Meritage, winner of the Virginia Governor’s Cup. On route 7 you will be able to stop at the small village of Paeonian Springs to get a good night's rest at the Cottage at Twin Notch Farm nestled in the crevices of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Walsh Family Wine

In Purcellville, Walsh Family Wine reflects that of a family style rancher with its modern open plan and eclectic interior design. Green and leafy plants are dispersed around every corner and the grand stone-walled fireplace sits front and center. Before kicking back in front of the flames, crack a bottle of award-winning Russ Mountain Merlot, carefully made by 2022’s Loudoun Wine Awards Winegrower of the Year, Mike Newland. Continue onto Charlestown Pike to the Historic Farwell Cottage for a peaceful night cap.