Proud to support LGBTQ+ travel
Proud Experiences, the world’s leading lifestyle and luxury LGTBQ+ travel industry event, hit record numbers in its new Los Angeles location at the Fairmont Century Plaza from 5-7 June. The sell-out RX event brought together leaders from the travel and lifestyle sectors to do business, expand LGBTQ+ understanding and connect with like-mind peers. In celebration of Pride month, RXers, partners, speakers and some very happy customers tell us what the event means to them
“PROUD Experiences is about humanity. It´s about the absolute goal of making everyone feel like they belong everywhere, encouraging people to be their true authentic selves, and giving the travel industry an opportunity and a platform to understand how they can become true advocates, whilst also adding real business opportunities. There are still some 64 countries that criminalize homosexuality, but we believe travel has the power to shift change.”
Simon Mayle, Event Director, Proud Experiences
“Partnering with events like PROUD Experiences helps us better understand the LGBTQ+ traveller. It strengthens our relationships with travel suppliers; ensures that we are planning journeys to places where members of the LGBTQ+ community will be safe and welcomed; keeps us up to date on the newest, most exciting experiences and destinations around the world; and gives the travel advisors across all of our brands the support and tools they need to provide exceptional service to their clients.”
Albert Herrera, Executive Vice President, Partner Relations, Internova ̶ Proud Experiences headline sponsor.
“Last year we attended with just a plus one and now we have a presence here this week of 32 hotels. PROUD Experiences is a fit for our brands because it supports what we were already doing. For example, we have a culture of sharing LGBTQ+ experiences throughout our global team, ensuring that training resonates right through the hotels and across every department. Next year we are going to do even more at this event.”
Michelle Bearman, VP Sales, Ennismore Chicago
“This was my first time at the show, and it was an incredibly welcoming experience. I learned so much that will not only benefit my business, but that will also make me a better advisor and advocate for all my clients. Thank you, PROUD Experiences for inviting me and I hope you invite me back again!”
Danielle Dybiec, President, Nine Muses Travel
“The Masterclasses were a great way to hear first-hand from other voices to validate what we are doing as a hotel group. My main business objective for PROUD this year was to make new connections and I have done. I also love that we get a full 15 minutes to connect with the agents and buyers – it gives us time to really talk and understand what their LGBTQ+ clients are wanting from their travel plans.”
Mohammad Ghazizadeh, Commercial Director, The Maybourne Beverly Hills
“It’s all about comradery, friendship, and a sense of family at PROUD. The appointments are vital as they give me a chance to talk with the exhibitors to ensure our LGBTQ+ clients are safe and confident wherever they choose to stay. The Masterclass sessions really separate this event from others, they were a great source of information for me.”
Tom Ho, Luxury Travel Advisor, ProTravel International
“Coming here to Proud Experiences has been quite extraordinary for me because I didn’t realise that there was this kind of focus on the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to the travel industry. And I like the face that it is very bespoke, very unique, very different, because it has to be…If you lead the way, people will follow.”
Dame Kelly Holmes, Keynote Speaker
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