We're Struttin' Our Stuff

The 100 FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES
with or thanks and credit to Michael Bowker, Managing Editor
Hispanic Business Magazine


We're proud to share with you an article which recently apeared in this prestigious magaine. First in Serice Group is the rmbrella conpany which shares its office, creativiy anfd personnel andis currently in the process of re-desgning Kennedy and tapping into the agency's 35 years of experiencing selling travel to the gay and lesbian traveler. THe article follows:


"Success Begins wth an Attitude"

Nowhere is that old adage more evident than in the culture and language of the CEO's we interviewed. While each developed new strategies and best practices that are working in their respective industries, their attitudes towards their work and the general economy were strikingly similar. If there is one universal element of success, it is this overriding attitudeof seeing growth opportunities where others see roadblocks.


Fernando Gonzalez, CEO and co-founder with his sister, Erika of the New York-based First in Service Travel Ltd. is a perfect example. When the bottom fell out of the travel industry a few years ago, many travel agencies went out of business.''Those that survived are now facing more challenges in higher fuel costs. But Mr. Gonzalez not only refused to let his company die., he is steering an innovative course that is proving highly successful.



"Most companies are hurting because travel is down and fuel costs are up", said Mr. Gonzalez. "But, I don't see the current poor economics as a disadvantage. I see them as opening doors for us. When everyone else is retreating, that's our to move forward and capture the market. 2008 is going to be an incredible year, by far, our very best."

Rather than expanding traditional travel itineraries , Mr. Gonzalez added customized services. For example, for the fashion industry, a large client, Mr. Gonzalez developed turnkey services. "We now offer them everything including including scouting photographic site locations", he said "If they want pink sand or palm trees thrown in, we arrange it. We set up a division in the company that does nothing but cater to that industry. In tough times it is critical to think creatively." In the past five years, the firms revenues have jumped from $1.5 million to $15 million.

New York Gay Pride Celebration

Gay Pride Parades Are Travel Must Do's

If you've never been to the Big Apple, a good excuse to get there is the annual Gay Pride Parade. This year's made "the cover"of Yahoo News, which also ran a slideshow of 150 photos soon after the event concluded.

Sitting at my desk in San Jose CR, I was thrilled to see the images with some of my friends in the march.
The rainbow picture caught my eye right off, and brought back memories of when I paraded for the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall and carried the flag down Park Avenue!

Proud as a Peacock, Deetouring Dee. See you in NYC hasta pronto!

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WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOUR BAGGAGE?

Here's the latest nonsense from your leading airlines. First, they had an idea to weigh each passenger and charge them extra if they weighed too much. As stupid and insensitive as it sounds, they might still do it. I guess now,instead of security personnel we'll have a whole new workforce -- the weight-control police. It will create jobs for the economy. They will decide if you're overweight, or not. Of course, if you happen to slip by this time, don't you dare think you'll get away with it again. Once onboard, they'll ply you with pretzels, m & m's, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups etc. After five hours in the air, you most certainly will consume these awful items out of necessity and sheer hunger, and it's conceivable that you could put on a few unwanted pounds by the time you arrive at your destination. That means you may be charged extra for being overweight on your return flight? Sounds funny? Well, it isn't. This concept seems to have been put on the back-burner (no doubt filled with oils and fat and other gunk) but don't be surprised if it becomes a reality sometime in the future. "Ludicrous" is the only word I can think of to describe this idea. They've got to be kidding!

What isn't funny is the fact that "free baggage allowance" is now a thing of the past. With several major carriers, you now must pay extra if you need to check a single suitcase. Unless you're on your way to a nudist camp, it is impossible to avoid taking a suitcase. So be prepared to wait in long lines so you can shell out the bucks to subsidize the poor, overstuffed, starving airlines. Adding insult to injury, if the bag is a bit heavy, you can't even check it as luggage. You must ship it as air freight. I don't get it. The airlines claim that overweight bags cause them to pay extra for the additional fuel they have to put on the airplane so it can fly to its destination. If you happen to be an average family of four (even two) bring along a couple of hundred dollars to pay for the fuel. What I don't understand is why they don't just raise the airfares (like they are already doing) and not subject their "loyal" customers to insults and abuse.

However, a fine gentleman named Doug Dyment has come up with a totally new way to pack your bag. It is simple, clever and a great way to beat the airlines at their own game. Visit his web-site at http://www.onebag.com/. Enough said. It will be the best few minutes you ever spent while learning the "art" of packing your bag.

Oh, by the way, have a great time wherever you're going!

What Happens in Las Vegas, Stays in Vegas

Las Vegas Named Premier Leisure & Business Destination for LGBT Travelers

with special thanks to Mya Lake Reyes, Director of Diversity Markeing

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

According to a recent Community Marketing, Inc, (CMI) research study, Las Vegas ranks as the #1 most-visited US destinations in 2997 among the majority of lesbian travelers and #2 among GenX and Boomer gay men.

The findings were released in CMI's 12th annual Gay and Lesbian Tourism Study and were compiled from responses of over 7,500 self-identified gay and lesbian consumers who read LGBT publications, visit LGBT websites and attend LGBT events.

"Over the past few years, Las Vegas has risen as a leader in the GLBT tourism market place, led by the pioneering initiatives of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority", says Tom Roth, CMI's president. "Building their strategies and communications on a foundation of market intelligence, they have identified key market segments and are leveraging their popularity strength." Community Marketing Inc. also produces "Gay Days and Nights" in Las Vegas, which focuses on specially tailored activities for the gay and lesbian leisure traveler.

For he past three years, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has conducted outreach to the GLBT traveler. In addition to supporting the local gay community, the LVCVA has advertised in gay media, become corporate members of national LGBT organizations and created collateral specifically designed to "speak" to the LGBT traveler. These efforts have paid off because of the perception of Las Vegas as Gay welcoming destination is very strong.

Mya Lake Reyes, Director of Diversity Marketing for the LCVA is deserving of much of the praise for the accomplishment of the goals of LVCVA in becoming the top destinations for GLBT travelers. Her efforts were rewarded when the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) recently celebrated its Silver Anniversary convention at the venerable Flamingo Hotel on the famed Las Vegas Strip. I had the pleasure of attending this fabulous event, which proved to be IGLTA's (http://www.iglta.org/) most well attended convention in its 25 year history.

Hundreds of delegates representing 25 countries attended the event and provided a mix of travel agents, meeting planners, tour operators and media employed in the LGBT-friendly travel industry professionals. Having served as a three-Term president of the original International Gay Travel Association (IGTA), it was a distinct pleasure to reunite with my many friends who were true pioneers in the LGBT travel industry back in the gay '80s and 90s when LGBT travel agencies were first emerging as a viable force in the travel industry. I had the honor to meet John Tanzello, Executive Director of IGLTA and his terrific staff who along with Maya Lake Reyes produced this "over the top" event which will long be remembered by those who attended.

The conference kicked off at the world renowned Ritz Carlton at the beautiful Lake Lass Vegas where attendees were welcomed in the Ritz Florentine Gardens and a welcome Reception on the Ponte Vecchio. Attendees were greeted by the Las Vegas Rainbow Showgirls who who "pinned" everyone with a blinky lapel light that glowed throughout the evening. The fun continued throughout the week at venues on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas.

In addition to valuable networking opportunities, the conference offered industry-leading speakers, educational workshops covering a wide variety of travel related topics, receptions and excursions throughout Las Vegas. As the convention was held concurrently with Las Vegas Pride Week, IGLTA members marched in the parade and attended the festival.

I was particularly impressed with the caring and sensitivity of every employee I encountered at the Flamingo Hotel and other properties throughout this great City. Most important it is a place where same sex couples can walk arm in arm free of pre-judgement and prejudice by anyone -- tourists and locals in particular..

Las Vegas has earned its reputation as a city extending welcome arms to the GLBT traveler. I can't wait until my next visit which will be very, very soon. I have selected it as the destination where I will honeymoon with my partner of 13 years when we are married this Fall.

Contact the LVCVA for gay guides and promotional material for the GLBT traveler. Visit their terrific web site at http://www.lvcva.com/. Or contact your local travel agency for personalized, all-inclusive service.

And remember, whatever happens in Las Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Travel Industry in the Gay Market

Excerpts from an article written by Matt Skallerud, Pink Banana Media

As the GLBT market has grown and developed over the past 30 years, it’s been the travel industry which has embraced and been in the forefront of marketing to the gay & lesbian community. The world of Gay & lesbian Travel is the most diverse and mature. There are companies dedicated exclusively to gay travel marketing and business associations solely for the world of gay travel.

On the Business-to-Business (B2B) front, the first and foremost of these is the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), one of the largest and oldest gay business associations worldwide. Founded in 1983, membership today is1200-plus and growing, with members representing all facets of travel today including airlines wishing to reach the gay market, travel agents primarily serving the gay market, hotels and resorts designed exclusively for the gay traveler etc. The list goes on! With conventions and symposiums held each year throughout the world, IGLTA is one of the finest representatives of a truly global trade association that mirrors the growth of the gay community worldwide, with members and events held in Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Australia. With the rise of gay and lesbian representation in Asia, it is expected that more and more events will grow from this region.

Key findings from Community Marketing’s (www.communitymarketing.com) 12th annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Study have been compiled from responses from self-identified gay and lesbian consumers who read LGBT publications, visit LGBT websites, and attend LGBT events. With over 7,500 responses, this study polls more respondents than any other LGBT survey, and offers valuable insights about consumers who may be reached through GLBT-dedicated marketing initiatives.

Based on industry data from the Us Department of Commerce and CMI demographics, the annual economic impact of LGBT travelers is $64.5 billion in the US alone.

Throughout the report, distinctions of various LGBT markets are made based on gender, age, ethnicity, income, geographical location, etc. Below are samples and findings from the US profile of the report.

Gay & Lesbian Travel Trends

The majority (76%) of Us gay and lesbian respondents have a valid passport, compared to 24% to 30% of all adult US citizens. 57% of gay men and 34% of lesbians traveled internationally in the last twelve months.
Gay and lesbian travelers took a medium of five overnight trips in the preceding twelve months, including two leisure trips, two personal trips and one business trip. 24% took five or more business trips; 24% took five or more personal trips; 19% took five or more business trips.
Respondents spent a median of 29 nights away from home (average 6 nights per trip).
34% of respondents too a cruise vacation in the last year and 62% expressed interest in a cruise. (In comparison, 34% of Cruise Line International’s (CLIA) mainstream target market has ever taken a cruise).
Respondents indicate that the availability of online information is highly important in getting the necessary information to this audience to plan a trip.

Alchemy at Work

The alchemy of transforming a company into its former brand, only better, is the challenge Peacock Tourism Marketing has accepted from its Times Square client, Kennedy Travel.

Once a powerhouse in gay and lesbian travel services in the Gay 90s (1990-2000), Kennedy Travel is gearing up to reinvigorate its brand through an aggressive online marketing strategy with "proud-as-peacock" help.

Kennedy Travel's face lift will be crafted and implemented by Peacock Tourism Marketing, also of NYC. Watch for a new website, email newsletter, custom tours and much more in the months to come.
Kennedy's gay and lesbian clientele are global travelers and residents who are looking for new destinations and trendy experiences, as well as private escapes and holidays with flare. Peacock will help them reach out to this travel community and offer new products for men only, women only, families and budget to upscale destination hotels around the gay globe.

Welcome to Peacock Tourism Marketing

PEACOCK TOURISM MARKETING is a marketing agency for travel agencies. We know the gay and lesbian tourism product landscape AND we know how reach the traveling inhabitants of Planet OUT.

We teach travel agents how to invite these customers onto their website and booking engine and how to select travel packages that suit their style, from the affordable domestic destinations to the exotic, luxury escapes across the globe.