November 30, 2022

Happy Transgender Awareness Month!

This month, LGBT Meeting Professionals Association is honoring Transgender Awareness Month! During the entire month of November, LGBT MPA's Weekly Insider will provide articles and resources all about Trans Awareness Month!

Gwendolyn Ann Smith Dreams of a World Where Memorials Are No Longer Necessary

"Trans Day of Remembrance has grown into a worldwide event. Now, its co-founder has thoughts for how it can retain its connection to its founding intentions.”

them.| November 18, 2022

Tell Us About Your Experience with LGBT MPA!

2022 has been a year, full of growth and opportunity. It has been five, almost six years since our inception and we are proud to say we now stand at 2,350+ members, all part of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

We are only as successful as each of our members and rely on your insights and feedback to enhance and elevate the association. Keep an eye out in your inbox to complete with survey!

We appreciate and thank you for your time to complete this important survey!

Calling for Committee Volunteers!

Are you wanting to get more involved with LGBT MPA or looking to connect, empower, and advance the LGBT+ Meeting Professional? Look no further! LGBT MPA is seeking individuals to become involved in shaping our organization and enhancing our value to the meetings and events industry. Become involved and make an impact! We are currently accepting applications for Committee Volunteers for the 2023 Calendar Year!

Applications are due Wednesday, November 30th at 5PM EST! Apply at the form below!

Congress Considers Codifying Same-Sex Marriage After Long Battle for Gay Rights

Weaponization of Travel: Navigating Cultural Obstacle Courses

"The hits just kept coming for North Carolina’s hospitality industry in 2016. The NBA, NCAA and The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) all publicly announced that they would be moving their high-profile games out of the state because of laws that prevented cities from enacting protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

Smart Meetings| November 14, 2022

16 Ways Event Planners Can Avoid Burnout

"There’s no magic cure for burnout. The best way to deal with burnout is to know how to identify it and intervene quickly. These tips can help you help yourself or help others."

Skift Meetings| November 28, 2022

The ABCs of LGBTQ Meetings in Sacramento: Everything You Need to Know for a Meetup in One of America's Most Diverse Cities

As meeting professionals, we know how important it is to uplift each other’s voices, to support each other’s most imaginative ideas and to educate the community-at-large on what we can accomplish when we come together. It’s our shared experiences–both our hardships and triumphs–that set us apart.

So, why shouldn’t the places where we convene be just as committed to inclusion and empowerment as we are? The answer is that they should–and when you bring your meeting or conference to Sacramento, that’s exactly what you’ll find. In 2002, our city was named America’s Most Diverse City by TIME magazine, and two decades later, U.S. Census Bureau data tells us that we’re still national leaders in diversity.

For those unfamiliar with our incredible city (or for those who need a reminder) here are the ABCs of LGBTQ meetings in Sacramento.

Accessible Accommodations: First things first: getting here is a breeze. Sacramento International Airport services more than

165+ nonstop flights to and from the city every day. Once you land, you’re only 11.4 miles from downtown, a centralized hub where you’ll find several options for meeting facilities and an abundance of local culture. More on those later, but first, you’ll want to check into your hotel (or, if you’re feeling adventurous, one of our locally-owned inns and historic bed & breakfasts).

There are more than 3,500 hotel rooms in Downtown alone, and a total of 4,000 within a three-mile radius. No matter the size of your group, you’ll find comfortable and affordable accommodations, all within walking distance of your meeting area and all the shops and restaurants you could want.

Ballrooms, Boardrooms & Beyond: Every great meeting of the minds needs a space that can comfortably fit your event–and all your

big ideas. Fortunately, our local venues offer comfortable and convenient spaces for meetings of all sizes.

The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center (itself in walking distance of 2,000 hotel rooms) boasts more 240,000 square feet of programmable space for meetings and exhibits, in addition to a flexible ballroom space and 37 breakout rooms for sessions that require close collaboration and conversation. Looking to take advantage of the California sunshine? The convention center has you covered with its 15,000 square foot outdoor activities plaza, where you can network in the heart of the art-filled urban entertainment district.

Also located Downtown is the Golden 1 Center, a state-of-the-art venue fully staffed with ushers and security for your conference, convention or exhibition of up to 17,500 guests. There are even red-carpet capabilities for those seeking a more sophisticated presentation, and the venue embraces the city’s Farm-to-Fork community through partnerships with local restaurants and wineries. Meanwhile, the Memorial Auditorium, a space situated just between Downtown and Midtown, is ideal for banquets, receptions and keynote presentations with its 3,849-seat auditorium.

Culinary Capital: No matter where you travel, the food is half the fun–so once the day’s work is done, venture out and discover why our city is America’s Farm-to-Fork capital. From fine dining and casual eateries to wineries and innovative breweries, Sacramento’s homegrown culinary community can satisfy any palate, all while using fresh ingredients sourced from regional farms, ranches, vineyards and more.

Some of our favorites are Bawk! by Urban Roots, a one-stop shop for some of the tastiest fried chicken you’ll ever have and craft beers made right here in the city. The wine connoisseurs in your group need only venture to Acheson Wine Company for rich, refined flavors from the only carbon-zero winery in the world.



Once you’re here, it won’t be difficult to see why 14 of our restaurants have been honored by the esteemed Michelin Guide.

Diversity on Display: The Human Rights Campaign gave Sacramento a rating of 100 in its 2021 Municipal Equality Index–that’s a perfect score. These ratings are determined based on a number of factors, including diversity and anti-discrimination policies in the workplace, law enforcement and local

legislature.

In Sacramento, we don’t just think being welcoming is enough–we want LGBTQ people to feel seen, supported and represented across every aspect of our city. The Sacramento LGBT Community Center is a compendium of knowledge and resources for issues commonly affecting queer people, such as healthcare, advocacy, senior care and more.

Our Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is also helping to foster an inclusive business environment where queer-owned businesses are not only given the tools they need to succeed, but to prosper and flourish. Midtown, one of our most diverse neighborhoods, is itself home to dozens of gay-owned restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, shops and more.



So, what does this mean for your meeting or event? It means that you and your colleagues are arriving in a city that celebrates all identities and walks of life, and that every dollar you spend here is enabling continued support and advocacy for our most at-risk community members.

Endless Entertainment: All work and no play? That’s certainly not the case here. Our city is home to a vibrant LGBTQ-nightlife scene that caters to both high-energy crowds and laid-back conversationalists.

In Midtown, just look for the rainbow crosswalk and stroll into Lavender Heights, where you’ll discover hotspots like Faces Nightclub (for unforgettable parties, drag shows and DJ sets), Mango’s (for a lively dance scene, an atmospheric outdoor patio, and monthly Drag Queen Bingo), and Badlands (our go-to for trivia, karaoke and drag brunch).

In the mood for a sampling of local theatrical talent? Capital Stage not only offers a jam-packed season of stagings, but many different ways to experience them, including Wine Wednesdays and Beer Fridays. Show up an hour before the performance for the Wine & Dessert Bar & Patio, which serves up refreshments that can be enjoyed during the show.

Historical Hotspots, Sacramento Sunshine…the list could go on and on. You’ll just have to discover the rest when you get here, because all this–and much more–is just one flight away.

We’ve even got you covered with our LGBTQ welcome kit to help you and your guests make the most of your visit once you arrive.

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