Community Interest Piqued as Vallarta's Gay Business Group Moves Forward GayPV Magazine
March 24, 2013

Local residents from across different sectors came together to attend the second Events Committee Meeting on Wednesday at SETAC on Calle Constitución in Old Town.

The group of local business leaders, led by long time Vallarta resident Bill Hevener, met for 2 hours to discuss the proposed event that may include a parade in the Zona Romántica ending with a music festival at Lázaro Cárdenas Park.

May 25, 2013, is the tentative date for the new pride parade and block party as GEGPV-DFCE submits application to City Hall's Department of Tourism.

Bill Hevener spoke of the importance and impact of local community initiatives that have emerged to work in tandem or as a supplement to official promotional campaigns in Vallarta. The group reviewed tentative dates for the event and learned that a draft proposal had been submitted to City Hall to gauge support for the event.

The group is hoping to create up to 4 annual events to draw the pink dollar to Vallarta to increase tourism during what has been traditionally considered low season. The group hopes that events such as Vallarta Pride and Mardi Gras will demonstrate to potential visitors that it is business as usual in Vallarta.
 
"Vallarta has always been an LGBT destination," commented Hevener "while the recession did impact on all tourism, we are seeing signs of a recovery. Nevertheless, the value of creating LGBT focused events to attract Vallarta's LGBT segment cannot be understated. Competition is definitely up as destinations around the globe are attempting to reposition themselves as gay-friendly."

The recent suspension of the Latin Fever circuit party has intensified interest in organizing LGBT events to promote Vallarta to the LGBT segment. The group expects a positive response from the city before the end of March.

The group is meeting next on Wednesday, March 27, at 6:00 pm at SETAC's office on Calle Constitución #427 in Old Town Vallarta.

For further information, please contact bill@gegpv.com.

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