LAS VEGAS CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY

A WELCOMING COMMUNITY

Las Vegas ranks as one of the top 10 gay-friendly destinations in the United States, according to a national survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) in 2006. Nearly half of all gay men (48%) and lesbians (47%) surveyed in the U.S. say that a destination’s gay-friendliness is important to them when making leisure travel choices. Recognized as a safe, culturally diverse and supportive city, Las Vegas is on par with cities such as San Francisco, New York and Miami Beach in welcoming the gay community. With more options than ever before, it's no surprise that gays and lesbians are including Las Vegas in their travel plans. What makes Las Vegas such an attractive destination to this demographic?

For starters, Las Vegas offers a number of alliances in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. When it comes to accommodations, the recently remodeled Blue Moon Resort is a must-see. This clothing-optional hotel is the city's first all-male gay resort, complete with 45 luxury rooms and suites and a plethora of amenities. The Blue Moon Coffee Shop offers beverages, sandwiches and snacks, and the lagoon-style pool area is surrounded by waterfalls and enables guests to enjoy privacy within blocks of the famous Las Vegas Strip. Alexis Park is the closest recommended hotel property to the “Fruit Loop,” the main gay nightlife area in town, and has served as the host hotel for several gay events.

When it comes to dining, check out Lucky Cheng's, located next to Wynn Las Vegas. The popular drag queen Chinese restaurant originally debuted in Manhattan's East Village to rave revues. True to its New York counterpart, Lucky Cheng's serves Pan Asian cuisine as well as nightly cabaret. Toucan's Bar & Grille is located right off of the Las Vegas Strip and across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Formerly known as Hamburger Mary's, Toucan's special events are eclectic, run every night of the week and include Trailer Trash Bingo on Tuesdays and Team Trivia on Wednesdays.

After dark, myriad entertainment options await, beginning with one of the hottest shows on the Strip - Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity" at New York-New York. The show is emceed by New York drag diva, Joey Arias. Speaking of drag queens, "An Evening at La Cage" at The Riviera is a Las Vegas mainstay that has been delighting audiences for more than 20 years. Seeing star Frank Marino's Joan Rivers tribute has become a legendary Las Vegas experience. If that doesn't satisfy the yearning for rhinestones and feathers, check out the Liberace Museum to see the collection of memorabilia that encapsulates the glamour and style of one of history's most flamboyant entertainers. While we're on the topic of entertainers and their pianos, there's Elton John's "The Red Piano" currently enjoying a successful run at Caesars Palace's Coliseum, alongside Celine Dion's "A New Day...."

Krave, located inside Desert Passage at The Aladdin Casino and Resort, bills itself as the "only alternative club on the Strip." The 17,000-square-foot nightclub recently celebrated its second anniversary and continues to feature elaborate entertainment, ranging from the nightly performance of "The Fashionistas," an erotic dance review, to special events arranged by famed party impresario, Jeffrey Sanker. Every Saturday, Krave hosts Girl Bar, an event inside the nightclub that caters to lesbians.

Located just off the Las Vegas Strip, on Paradise Road, is an area dubbed "The Fruit Loop," which boasts numerous alternative hotspots including Suede, a piano bar and restaurant, and Gipsy, the city's original gay dance club. You’ll also discover Freezone and, as the name implies, there is never a cover at this popular bar and nightclub. A favorite among lesbian visitors, Freezone offers daily drink specials, good times and an ever-friendly staff.

If you want to experience the local gay scene, you’ll find plenty of action at a variety of bars and clubs around town. Snick’s Place, located in downtown Las Vegas, is the gay equivalent to the infamous bar, Cheers, and is one of the best places to go for a sociable drink. Flex offers drinks, strippers, games and more in a quaint neighborhood nightclub setting. Another experience away from the Strip, Escape Lounge, offers customers great specials and a friendly atmosphere.

Customize your night by visiting a themed location such as a cozy country western bar like Badlands Saloon or Charlie’s Las Vegas. Or, try Backdoor, home of Las Vegas’ gay Latino scene. If you’re a gamer, you’ll enjoy Goodtimes, with its Monday night alcohol/beer bust and liberal video poker machines. The true adventure-seeker will earn free well drinks and beer every Wednesday and Friday at Las Vegas Eagle, but only under one condition: that bar patrons strip down to their boxers or briefs!

Besides being the “Entertainment Capital of the World” and a place where anything goes, Las Vegas is also a progressive city that offers a variety of events and support services for the LGBT demographic. Las Vegas Pride Week is an annual ten-day celebration of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Events include a Pride Night Parade and Festival as well as art shows, picnics and contests; more than 14 events in all. Nevada Gay Rodeo Association is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the western lifestyle and producing gay rodeos with a commitment to raise funds for charitable organizations. Golden Rainbow provides housing and direct financial assistance to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada. The annual “Ribbon of Life”, “Beaux Arts Ball” and “Naked Hearts” events serve to raise money for this worthy cause. The Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada is a community-based organization which supports and promotes activities directed at furthering the well being, positive image and human rights of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community and its allies in Southern Nevada.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is proud to be a member of the IGLTA, the NLGJA, the GLCVB and Lambda Las Vegas.

We are thrilled to be the host city for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s 2008 Annual Conference. Some of the other GLBT meetings and conferences held in Las Vegas include:

• International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
• National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association
• Atlantis Events, Inc.
• Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance
• International Gay Rodeo Association

To submit an RFP for your next meeting, visit www.lvcva.com or contact Carol Shanks
at cshanks@lvcva.com.