Greater Philadelphia Region Attracts Three National Gay and Lesbian Events in 2011

PHILADELPHIA, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia is proud to welcome more than a thousand gay and lesbian visitors to Philadelphia this summer and fall: the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA), Amateur Sport Alliance of North America (ASANA) Softball World Series and U.S. Mr. Gay Competition. The announcement of these acclaimed national events proves that the Philadelphia region is a premier destination where people can "get their history straight and their nightlife gay" -- the tagline from the popular gay campaign from the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC). These events will help build weekend business in Center City and showcase Philadelphia and The Countryside® as a leisure, convention and sports destination for the gay and lesbian visitor.

1. ASANA Softball World Series, August 23-27 - Coming to Philadelphia for the first time, the ASANA Softball World Series is the largest single sporting event for lesbian women in the U.S. Host hotel DoubleTree Hotel Philadelphia Center City will welcome more than 1,000 lesbian women and their friends from across the country for five days of competition throughout the region. Hotel rate: $118 per night with promo code AS2
2. 21st Annual NLGJA National Convention & 8th Annual LGBT Media Summit, August 25-28 - Returning to Philadelphia for the first time since 2002, this event will bring in more than 300 influential representatives of the mainstream and LGBT media for four days of professional development workshops, networking events and panel discussions at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. Hotel rate: $159 per night
3. U.S. Mr. Gay Competition, November 4-5 - Mr. Gay returns to Philadelphia for the second consecutive year and welcomes contestants from 25 cities. Produced by nightlifegay.com, the two-day competition is the culmination of a year of competitions held across the country, and the winner will advance to the international competition.

GPTMC and the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus are partnering with each organization to promote these big events through advertising, public relations, web and social media. For more information about gay-friendly Philadelphia and to book and plan a stay, travelers can go to visitphilly.com/gay or facebook.com/visitgayphilly.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

SOURCE Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation