ORLANDO, March 29  –  With more than 115,000 guests expected, the Gay Day weekend is becoming a key event for companies targeting gay men and lesbians. A welcome center and travel show at the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa in the Walt Disney World Resort are attracting more than 80 businesses, along with convention and business bureaus from 12 cities and countries around the world.

While many of the businesses are gay-owned and operated, several mainstream companies are also recognizing the value of the Gay Day weekend, an annual event which takes place this year on June 3-6.

“This is an important market for us. We exhibited last year, and the response was amazing. The feedback was overwhelming, and we are excited to be part of the event again,” said Tom Knutson, Director of Sales for Jo Mints, a Los Angeles company selling sugar-free caffeinated mints.

The Gay Day World Welcome Center will feature exhibitors from around the country. Companies will sell clothing, music and health products at the center, which is sponsored by Passport Magazine and GayDay.com. Official Gay Day merchandise will also be for sale.

On Friday, the welcome center will run in conjunction with the 13th Gay and Lesbian World Travel Expo, which is also located at the Wyndham. Geared toward consumers, the show features more than 50 suppliers of travel such as airlines, tour operators, and rental car companies. It is sponsored by Travel Alternatives Group (TAG), OutTraveler Magazine and American Airlines.

The Expo is attracting exhibitors outside of your typical travel companies, according to Gay Day Partner Brian Bottorff.

“We are especially pleased to welcome more than 16 convention and business bureaus, which represent major cities that realize the importance of gays and lesbians to their growth and long-term success,” said Bottorff, who is quick to point out one omission. “At this point the only city not committed, unfortunately, is our own Orlando.”

Besides exhibitors, the welcome center will also house the box office in charge of ticket sales for parties and theme parks. Entertainment throughout the day on Friday and Saturday will include nationally known DJs, comedians, magicians and other performers.

The welcome center hours are Friday from 2 9.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m. For additional information, visit the official Gay Day website .

The Gay Day weekend attracts 115,000 guests annually. It is the largest annual destination travel event in the GLBT community, and impetus for over twenty Gay Day celebrations held at amusement parks around the world. Since 1991, gay men and lesbians from around the world have converged in and around Walt Disney World for an entire weekend of exciting events centered around area theme parks and attractions.

29 March  2005