IGLTA HONORS

IGLTA has created the Honors Awards to recognize actions or works that promote the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Each year in conjunction with the IGLTA Global Convention, outstanding initiatives that promote the advancement of LGBTQ tourism and the timeless values that are meaningful to the IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation are recognized.

Pinnacle Award - The Pinnacle Award, IGLTA's highest honor, is selected by the Chair of the IGLTA board of directors and given to an individual, business, or organization that has truly made a heroic journey in advancing LGBTQ travel worldwide.

Hanns Ebensten Hall of Fame Award – This Honor, bestowed to a longtime IGLTA member, takes its name from the man widely considered the father of gay travel and focuses on someone that has given tirelessly to IGLTA/IGLTA Foundation. The IGLTA Board of Directors makes the selection from the association's member businesses and allies in 80 countries.

Pathfinder Award – This Honor is given to an individual, business or organization that has made significant positive impact on their destination, demonstrating the highest standard of warmth and hospitality to the LGBTQ+ community.

Pioneer Award – This Honor is given to an individual, business, or organization whose innovative spirit and actions have led the way in moving LGBTQ+ travel forward.

Storyteller Award – This Honor is given to an individual, business or organization that has captured the imagination and interests of LGBTQ+ travelers through impactful reporting and storytelling.

Vanguard Award - This Honor is given to an individual, business or organization that enhances connections within our tourism community and elevates the visibility of LGBTQ+ travel worldwide.

Ally Award – This Honor is given to an individual, business or organization that, while not LGBTQ+, has demonstrated a long-term commitment to championing inclusive travel, helping to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ travelers worldwide.

Impact Award (IGLTA Foundation) – The Impact Award recognizes a smaller, independent IGLTA business member based on 3 pillars of sustainability: Environment, Community and Diversity & Inclusion and is selected through an application process with the support of The TreadRight Foundation.

2021 Annual Global Convention in Atlanta, USA

Hanns Ebensten Hall of Fame Award

Matt Skallerud, Pink Media

Pathfinder Award

Atlanta Black Pride

Ally Award

Anette Kishon-Pines, Belmond

Chair's Award

Apoorva Gandhi, Senior Vice President, Multicultural Affairs, Social Impact and Business Councils, Marriott accepted the Chair's Award to honor the legacy of Arne Sorenson

Pinnacle Award

Malik Brown, Director of LGBTQ Affairs, office of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, accepted the Pinnacle Award on the behalf of Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

IGLTA Foundation Impact Award

The IGLTA Foundation empowers LGBTQ+ welcoming businesses through leadership, research and education. This award recognizes a business member of IGLTA whose initiatives encourage the responsible development of tourism in three key areas: environment, community, diversity & inclusion. The Impact Award is presented in partnership with The TreadRight Foundation, the foundation created by The Travel Corporation's family of brands.

Sam Castañeda Holdren - President/CEO, OUT in Colombia

2019 Annual Global Convention in New York City, USA

Pioneer Award

Fabrice Houdart, Human Rights Officer, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), New York City

Hanns Ebensten Hall of Fame Award

IGLTA presented the Hanns Ebensten Hall of Fame Award to George Neary, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ tourism, during its 36th Annual Global Convention in New York City

Vanguard Award

ITB LGBT+ Travel Pavilion L-R: Thomas Bömkes of Diversity Tourism, ITB partner; Rika Jean François, Commissioner ITB Corporate Social Responsibility.

IGLTA celebrates the 100th anniversary of Hilton

IGLTA shared a rainbow cake and a recognition award with delegates to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hilton, a global partner since 2010.

2018 Annual Global Convention in Toronto, Canada

Pinnacle Award

Randy Boissonnault, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and LGBTQ2 Liaison to Justin Trudeau, accepted the Pinnacle Award on the Canadian Prime Minister’s behalf;

Hanns Ebensten Hall of Fame Award

Tanya Churchmuch, MuchPR

Pathfinder Award

Kimahli Powell, Rainbow Railroad

Pioneer Award

Dean Nelson, Founder of Pride House

Storyteller Award

Dirk Baumgartl, Blu Media Group

IGLTA Recognizes William Pate of the ACVB

16 August 2017

IGLTA Recognizes William Pate of the ACVB

William Pate, President & CEO, Atlanta CVB, received an award of appreciation from IGLTA for his commitment to diversity and inclusion and ensuring Atlanta remains a welcoming destination for conventions and tourists alike on 16 August during the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition 2017 in Toronto. When Georgia Senate Bill 129, referred to as the Georgian Religious Freedom and Restoration Act, was introduced during the 2015 legislative session, Pate immediately rallied his team at the Atlanta CVB to gather compelling information to fight this harmful anti-gay legislation. His swift, preemptive actions to collaborate with the local business community against this bill were instrumental in its defeat. The following year, HB 757, a similar bill, was introduced but the Atlanta CVB was already armed with powerful independent data that underscored the damaging economic effects this bill would have. Once again, the bill did not make it into law. His visionary actions are a model for other states that are now engaging in similar attacks on equality. Pate presented a case study on the topic during LGBTQ+ Week in New York City earlier this year.

Photo: Shown here (left to right) at Toronto's Lee Restaurant during the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition: John Tanzella, President & CEO, IGLTA; William Pate, President & CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB); and Dan Melesurgo, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, ASAE, IGLTA Immediate Past Chair. (photo by Chuck Fazio)

Photo: May 16, 2017 William Pate, President & CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau at Google NYC, presenting case study during LGBTQ+ Week NYC 2017

Atlanta CVB William Pate August 2017.2

IGLTA Recognizes Tom Alderink of Belmond

24 July 2017

IGLTA Recogni zes Tom Alderink of Belmond

Belmond’s former Director of LGBTQ+ Sales, Tom Alderink, was recently recognized by IGLTA for his contribution to LGBTQ+ travel. Alderink brought the LGBTQ+ segment into the Belmond portfolio, developing sales globally and was instrumental in bringing the company to IGLTA as a Gold-Level Global Partner. He was also an active member of Belmond's LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, established in 2016. Alderink left Belmond earlier this year to pursue his personal passion in the fashion industry.

Photo: Shown here (left to right) at T. Christopher display during Miami Swim Week 2017: Thomas Alderink, former Director of LGBTQ+ Sales, Belmond; Josh Zorn, Coordinator - Global Partnerships & Convention Sponsorship, IGLTA

Copy Of Tom Alderink Global LGBTQ+ Contribution 7-24-17 Copy

IGLTA Presents Chair Award to Mariela Castro Espín

13 May 2017

IGLTA Presents Chair Award to Mariela Castro Espín

LGBTQ+ activist Dr. Mariela Castro Espín, daughter of Cuba's president, Raul Castro, and director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education, received IGLTA's prestigious Chair Award for 2017. Board chair Juan Juliá, founder and president of Barcelona-based Axel Hotels, made the presentation to Castro on May 13 in Havana during Pride.
Presented with support from Visit Philadelphia®

Photo: Shown here (left to right) Mariela Castro Espín and IGLTA Board Chair Juan Juliá, Founder and President of Axel Hotels

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