September 18 – 19, 2021
Las Vegas, NV
THE EVENT
Connect THRIVE Summit
Connect THRIVE Summit is focused on community development through LGBTQ travel, sports, and entertainment. This one-of-a-kind marketing summit features dynamic general sessions and networking events alongside a series of pre-scheduled, one-on-one connections between destinations, resorts, hotels, attractions, domestic and international tour operators and travel agents, sports rights holders, media, marketers and brands.
THE LOCATION
HOW IT WORKS
Register and Pay
Registration is $1,495
Network
Build key relationships between destinations, resorts, hotels, attractions, domestic and international tour operators and travel agents, sports rights holders, media, marketers and brands.
Learn from Experts
Enjoy in-depth sessions about relevant topics led by industry experts.
Unwind and Mingle
Build relationships while the networking continues at our entertaining and interactive receptions.
WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
“We firmly believe that the Connect THRIVE Summit presents an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen our communities by building strong connections between leaders within the LGBTQ travel, sports and entertainment industry.”
— DJ Doran, Managing Director, Diversitas Media
“Attended Connect THRIVE Summit 2019 and was very impressed with the level of attendees and set up of the show. Tremendous experience and in depth knowledge sharing of this very important market, that encompasses the more discerning passenger who is looking to feel welcome in a majority luxury category.”
— Sean Bayliss, International Tourism Resources Group (ITRG)
2021 Sponsors
2020 AGENDA
Monday, November 9, 2020
8:00 – 10:00 am
Registration
8:30 am
Coffee & Tea
9:00 – 9:15 am
Welcome from DT Minich, Visit Kissimmee and Cedar Rapids Tourism
9:15 – 10:00 am
How Important Restaurants are to Communities, Art Smith, sponsored by Cedar Rapids Tourism
10:00 – 10:05 am
Words from Roger Dow, US Travel Association
10:05 – 10:10 am
Words from Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA
10:10 – 10:15 am
Words from Don Welsh, Destinations International
10:15 – 10:40 am
Leveraging the LGBTQ+ Segment in Your COVID Recovery, Ed Salvato, LGBTQ Travel Expert, Educator and Author
10:40 – 11:00 am
An Unintentional Leader, Barbara Poma, OnePULSE Foundation, Inc.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Gaycation Travel Show Podcast with Ravi Roth
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 pm
DJ Doran Podcast
2:15 – 2:55 pm
LGBTQ Tourism & Hospitality in the Age of COVID: Research Key Findings, Thomas Roth, CMI
2:55 – 3:15 pm
Orbitz’s Journey to Make Travel More Inclusive, Michael Scheinman, Orbitz and CheapTickets
3:15 – 3:45 pm
Break
3:45 – 5:00 pm
The Daily Best with David Downing, United Landmark Associates
5:30 – 6:30 pm
Reception, sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
8:30 am
Grab & Go Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am
#ILoveGay “Voices of Travel” Podcast, Matt Skallerud, Pink Media
10:00 – 10:20 am
Discover Puerto Rico: Successful Allyship, Leah Chandler, Discover Puerto Rico + Billy Kolber, HospitableMe
10:20 – 10:40 am
Building an Inclusive, Proud and Resilient City, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor
10:40 – 11:00 am
General Session, Nadine Smith, Equality Florida
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Daily Best with David Downing, United Landmark Associates
EVENT PHOTOS
2021 SPEAKERS
Joey Amato
Publisher
Pride Journeys
View Profile
Thomas Bomkes
Consultant
ITB Berlin / ITB Asia Singapore
View Profile
DJ Doran
President/CEO
Aequalitas Media
View Profile
Roger Dow
President and CEO
U.S. Travel Association
View Profile
David Downing
President of Brand
United Landmark Associates
View Profile
Billy Kolber
Founder
HospitableMe / ManAboutWorld
View Profile
Carey Malloy
Director of Brand Marketing
Orbitz
View Profile
Ed Salvato
Tourism Marketing Expert
Speaker, Author, Educator, LGBTQ Tourism Expert
View Profile
Ken Scearce
Executive Director
Sin City Classic Sports Festival
View Profile
Matt Skallerud
President
Pink Media
View Profile
Chef Art Smith
Owner
The Art Smith Company
View Profile
Julie Stow, IOM
Director of Meetings and Conventions
Cedar Rapids Tourism Office
View Profile
Register
Connect Travel Cancellation Policy:
Connect Travel requires registration to be paid in full to access any live event. Any special billing or payment arrangement must be made in writing and agreed upon between Connect Travel management and the client seeking event access. Please see below for cancellation policy.
Cancellations requested inside of 30 days to event date – Client forfeits 100% of registration fee. Cancellations requested 31-90 days prior to event date – Client forfeits 50% of registration fee and the remaining 50% can be used towards a new product purchase in the same calendar year. Cancellations requested over 90 days to the event date – Client may apply 100% of the registration fee to a new product purchase or service in the same calendar year.
Photo Release:
Connect and its legal representatives and assigns, retain the right and permission to publish, without charge, photographs taken during this event. These photographs may be used in publications, including electronic publications, or in audio-visual presentations, promotional literature, advertising, or in other similar ways.
Medical Release:
With registration, the attendee agrees and acknowledges they are participating in the conference on their own free will. While Connect does its best to provide the safest possible environment for the events, the attendee acknowledges freely and knowingly that as a result of their registration and participation, they hereby assume responsibility for their own well-being and safety, releasing Connect of any harm.
