Puerto Vallarta is renowned as an LGBTQ vacation destination in Mexico. Back in 2014 the city was the country’s first International Gay Lesbian Travel Association member. The city was also honored as the first in Mexico to be granted Gay Travel Approved status by GayTravel.com. Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board has previously partnered with Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and Gay Men’s Health Crisis, in addition to IGLTA, to promote the destination to the LGBTQ market. In 2015, the tourism board became the first destination to sponsor the Human Rights Campaign on a national campaign.
Luis Villaseñor, Public Relations Director for the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, worked closely with the NEMA conference committee to bring the conference to Puerto Vallarta. He believes those who have never been to the destination will see how special a place Puerto Vallarta is, and how welcoming it is for the LGBTQ community.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta will serve as host hotels for the conference. Both hotels have a long history of service with the LGBTQ community. Marriott was granted LGBTQ certification by the Jalisco Tourism Secretariat and Talento Consultores in 2017.
“As part of Marriott International, the world’s favorite travel company and recognized leader in the hotel industry on topics of diversity and inclusion, we are proud to show our support to the LGBTQ community and to host the 2019 NEMA conference, welcoming LGBTQ publishers from all over the United States,” said David Gauna, general manager of Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and area general manager for Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita and Guadalajara.
“We are very excited to be able to bring publishers and owners together to discuss new and emerging business strategies that will help LGBT publications survive and thrive in an increasingly challenging publishing environment,” said NEMA President D.J. Doran.
Speaking at this year’s conference will be Bob Witeck, from Washington, D.C. based Witeck Communications, on the importance of legacy and local LGBTQ publications and their impact on the communities which they serve. Matt Skallerud of Pink Banana Media in New York will speak about how to better engage with readers through digital platforms. And Jerry Cunningham, owner and publisher of OUT FRONT magazine in Denver will present on how to develop and grow tertiary revenue streams.
