May 3rd, 2023

LGBT MPA at IMEX Frankfurt

For the first time, LGBT Meeting Professionals Association is attending and exhibiting at IMEX Frankfurt at the end of May!

Join us at our booth F370 to learn more about LGBT MPA, connect with us, or pick up some custom LGBT MPA pins. You can also book an appointment with us to talk about LGBT MPA right in the attendee portal!

We look forward to seeing you all in Frankfurt!

Gender-Nonconforming Actors Make History with Tony Nominations

Two performers made history Tuesday when they became the first gender-nonconforming actors nominated for Tony Awards.

J. Harrison Ghee, who stars in the musical adaptation for “Some Like It Hot,” was nominated for best actor in a leading role in a musical, and Alex Newell, who performs in the musical comedy “Shucked,” was nominated for best actor in a featured role in a musical. 

Ghee is nonbinary and Newell is gender-nonconforming, and both of them use the pronouns he, she and they. Gender-nonconforming is an umbrella term that includes people who don’t follow traditional ideas about how they should look or act based on their assigned sex at birth. Nonbinary people, who are neither exclusively male nor female, can be gender-nonconforming.

San Francisco is Repealing Its Boycott of Anti-LGBT States

San Francisco is repealing a ban on city-funded travel to 30 states that it says restrict abortion, voting and LGBTQ rights after determining the boycott is doing more harm than good.

The Board of Supervisors voted 7-4 on Tuesday to repeal a section of the city's administrative code that prohibits staff from visiting and city departments from contracting with companies headquartered in the states, which include Texas, Florida and Ohio.

California, meanwhile, is considering the repeal of a similar law.

The idea was to exert economic pressure on those conservative states. Instead, a report released last month by the city administrator concluded that the policy was raising costs and administrative burdens for the city. Because of restrictions, there were fewer bidders for city work and that ending the boycott might reduce contracting costs by 20% annually, the report concluded.

In addition, the city had approved hundreds of exemptions and waivers for some $800 million worth of contracts, the report said.

New Tools to Win Association Meetings

The ICCA Association Database is getting a major upgrade via a partnership with Simpleview. It promises to make life easier for destinations keen to bid on international association meetings.

Securing association meetings is important for destination management organizations (DMOs). Association meetings have the potential to drive significant economic impact. They can enhance a city’s reputation, leave a lasting legacy, and even help build a competitive advantage. Association meetings are also much more predictable compared to corporate meetings, meaning destinations can confidently fill their convention calendars years in advance.

One of the main ways decisions search for association meetings is through the ICCA Association Database. This database contains data on 220,000 meetings, including 20,000 regularly occurring international association meetings for at least 50 participants that rotate between at least three countries. It is widely recognized as the most valuable and tangible member benefit of the International Conference and Convention Associations (ICCA).

Guide to Free Embassy Tours in Washington, DC During Passport DC

Passport DC, an only-in-DC experience celebrating international cultures, allows visitors a unique glimpse inside 60 of the 170+ foreign embassies based in the nation’s capital. Enjoy live music and dance, sample traditional cuisine and experience cultural activities. The free month-long festival runs throughout May with the popular Around the World embassy Tour (May 6), the citywide European Union Open House (May 13) and Fiesta Asia street fair (May 20). #ExperienceDC #DestinationDC #MeetinDC

Outdoor Meeting Spaces in our Large Hotels

Fresh Air Inspires Fresh Ideas

National Conference Center

The National Conference Center’s outdoor space has everything you need to make your next meeting an energizing and well-rounded experience. While The National has265,000 square feet of indoor meetings space, the outdoor spaces has the same ability to adapt and accommodate all your meeting needs. The National’s superior staff can customize the outdoor spaces with comfortable seating, fire pit access, outdoor working luncheons and more to ensure that your program is a success.

Lansdowne Resort

Lansdowne Resort has earned its reputation as one of the finest conference centers in the Washington, DC area. With55,000 square feet of total meeting space, staff can accommodate any meeting you want to host. One option is the grand Outdoor Pavilion. This covered poolside event space is perfect for outdoor gatherings of up to 300 attendees.

Salamander Resort & Spa

Salamander Resort & Spa offers the refined sophistication of an upscale country estate in Washington, DC’s exclusive horse and wine country. Owned by Sheila Johnson, this luxury Middleburg, VA property has achieved the Forbes Five-Star rating. With 18 indoor meeting rooms, this luxury resort also offers five outdoor meetings spaces for meetings and groups. These spaces are available throughout the property and in various sizes. If you are looking for an intimate small group setting, the Stallion Barn is perfect for meetings with under 25 attendees. If you are looking to go big, the Grand Lawn can accommodate more than 1,000 attendees.

Washington Dulles Airport Marriott

Located adjacent to Dulles International Airport, the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott is a convenient place to stay for groups that do not want to travel far from the airport. With 13 meeting and event rooms, this hotel is a great option for large meetings. The outdoor covered picnic pavilion is a perfect place to hold corporate outings, picnics, team building activities and events as the weather begins to get warmer.

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