GPTMC Joins with Local, National & International Groups to Promote Gay & Lesbian Travel to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) is proud to announce five partnerships that aim to reach gay and lesbian travelers as part of its groundbreaking Philadelphia – Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay® marketing campaign. In 2012, GPTMC will work with two Philadelphia-based events, Equality Forum and the Philadelphia International Flower Show; two national companies, R Family Vacations and Miss Richfield; and one international organization, OutServe.

These novel marketing partnerships tie Philadelphia, a popular gay-friendly destination, with well-known entities within the LGBT community, and use advertising, public relations, social media, contests and special events to get the city's gay-friendly message to consumers.

Here's a look at GPTMC's partners for 2012:

International Outreach:

• OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel
  The organization is hosting a series of military gatherings in cities throughout the United States, and Philadelphia, where the Army, Navy and Marines were founded, will be the presenting sponsor for each of them. In return, OutServe will promote Philadelphia as a gay travel destination to its 100,000-person (and growing) membership base. Philadelphia is the first destination sponsor of this organization, founded in part by Philadelphian Josh Seefried. outserve.org

National Marketing:

• R Family Vacations, the world's only vacation company catering to LGBT families
  Philadelphia is the official destination sponsor of R Family Vacations, and R Family promotes Philly as a year-round destination for families through promotions, database marketing and Philadelphia visibility on every R Family trip. rfamilyvacations.com
• Miss Richfield, a drag queen and comedian who travels the United States bringing her unique brand of comedy to gay and straight audiences
  For the third year, GPTMC returns as the exclusive destination sponsor of the popular entertainer's show. Throughout 2012, Philadelphia will go on the road with Miss Richfield to Provincetown, New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Rehoboth Beach and Fort Lauderdale and on the world's largest gay cruise presented by Atlantis Events. Miss Richfield incorporates Philadelphia into her act's videos and also does Philadelphia-branded giveaways and trip giveaways. missrichfield.com

Philadelphia-based Promotions:

• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), producer of the Philadelphia International Flower Show
  PHS, Philadelphia magazine and GPTMC have joined together to promote one of the nation's greatest indoor flower shows to the LGBT community. LGBT Night Out takes place on Monday, March 5, and guests will have the opportunity to meet Phillip Watson, QVC garden expert and author of Pleasure Gardens, and enjoy special entertainment and access to the show. GPTMC and PHS are working together to promote the popular annual event in New York and Philadelphia. theflowershow.com
• Equality Forum, coordinator of LGBT History Month and producer of the annual international LGBT civil rights forum Equality Forum
  GPTMC continues its long-standing partnership with Equality Forum to promote Philadelphia and the weeklong Equality Forum event in New York, Washington, DC and Chicago. This year, Equality Forum will honor Israel as its Featured Nation. equalityforum.com

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