October 30–November 6, 1997

on media

Gay Journo Convention to Philly?

Gay Journo Convention to Philly?

Local members of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) are optimistic Philadelphia may get to play host city for the organization's national convention by 1999 or 2001.

Since it's definitely not a matter of fun and games, NLGJA local chapter President Al Patrick, producer of Fox's Good Day Philadelphia, wants to make sure the chapter is ready for the work involved before committing.

A meeting Sunday with NLGJA Executive Director Mike Frederickson and Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Sales Vincent Grandinetti helped give Patrick and other members a feel for what holding a national convention here would entail.

"It's a big job. I'm hoping we'd be able to pinpoint at least a dozen regular members to take it on," Patrick said. "We'll need a really strong core group to be actively involved in planning."

With existing membership participation and current outreach efforts, Patrick said he is confident that enough involvement could be mustered.

"We'll be picked for a national convention within the next two to five years," Patrick said. Next year's convention, slated to take place in Las Vegas, almost wound up here, he said, but the local group opted to wait.

Most likely, a Philadelphia convention will happen in 1999 or 2001, Patrick said. In 2000, NLGJA will hold the national convention and its 10th anniversary celebration in San Francisco.

An NLGJA convention typically attracts about 500-600 attendees, which would translate to an economic impact for Philadelphia of about $53,000, Grandinetti said.

While not big numbers, Grandinetti said the convention would further the Convention and Visitors Bureau's goal to attract more of the gay and lesbian market.

That goal gained steam last summer when Philadelphia hosted a meeting for 270 delegates from the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), said Grandinetti, who also serves on the IGLTA board, as well as on an advisory board of the International Society of Lesbian and Gay Meeting Planners.

Several downtown hotels are preparing proposals for the 1999 or 2001 NLGJA convention, Grandinetti said. According to Patrick, the next step for the local chapter would be to submit a proposal to NLGJA explaining why Philadelphia would be a good site.

Not only would the convention garner good national press for the city, Patrick said, it would give positive reinforcement to gay and lesbian journalists in the region who would see high-profile colleagues who are out in their professions.

Patrick fondly recalled the first national convention he attended in New York where "it seemed like half the New York Times staff was there and the page-one editor of the Wall Street Journal."

Philadelphia's reputation as a "progressive, inclusive, gay-friendly city" would also get a boost, said Philadelphia Inquirer columnist and NLGJA board member Gail Shister.

"The City of Brotherly Love motto would take on a whole new meaning," Shister said. "Personally, I would love to be able to show off Philadelphia."

Shister said she would go as far as to invite City Council President John Street to talk about domestic partnership issues and do a little socializing.

"I'll buy him a tutu and ask him to dance," Shister said, "and he can even lead."

-John McCalla