City of Tampa photo/FLOCC logo courtesy Out Coast LLC.
TAMPA | The inaugural Florida Out Coast Convention will be held Aug. 1-3 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown, the first and only conference focusing entirely on the state’s LGBTQ+ tourism industry.
FLOCC is hosted by OutCoast LLC, which supports LGBTQ+-inclusive businesses, destinations and experiences through blogging, networking and other initiatives. Their efforts include OutCoast.com, the digital resource which has showcased LGBTQ+ Florida since 2017.
“There is no denying that it is a critical time in Florida for LGBTQ+ community members and travelers,” FLOCC’s website reads. “FLOCC is primarily educational and offers several opportunities for networking within Florida’s tourism and LGBTQ leadership community … it is designed to help your brand better understand the specific needs and challenges around LGBTQ+ tourism topics.”
“For the first time, we have a dedicated conference for Florida’s tourism and LGBTQ leaders to unite, evolve and flourish as one community,” OutCoast Publisher Rachel Covello adds. “The conference format is designed to provide stakeholders a comfortable space to ‘FLOCC together’ to create, deliver and sustain ideas and solutions to strengthen the Florida tourism industry.”
Participants will first gather July 31. Registration will take place from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Hilton Downtown Tampa Atrium and an Opening Social Reception will follow at Yeoman’s Top Golf Swing Suite from 6-9 p.m.
“It will be a space to unwind, network and socialize before the kickoff of the convention the next morning,” Covello explains. Among other things, she says “we’ll have access to play games and golf.”
Each of FLOCC’s three days will feature keynote speakers, entertainment and breakout workshops. LGBTQ+ inclusive destination marketing organizations, hotels, businesses, nonprofits, Pride organizations and others will attend sessions about navigating LGBTQ+ tourism advisories, inclusive recruiting practices and marketing to LGBTQ+ travelers and much more. Featured entertainment will include Tampa Bay performer Jay Miah from Fox’s “Alter Ego” and Sarah Potenza from “America’s Got Talent.”
FLOCC’s first day is scheduled for Aug. 1 from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. The opening session from 9-10:30 a.m. will include a message from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, the city’s first openly LGBTQ+ leader. She sees Tampa as an ideal location for the conference.
“Tampa is and always strives to be a welcoming, inclusive city that celebrates its diversity every day,” she says. “We are excited to welcome LGBT travel industry leaders to our city.
“Florida’s LGBT travel market includes 13 million visitors and over $1 billion in spending in our hotels, restaurants and attractions,” Castor continues. “This sector is an important part of our state’s economy, but also a reflection of the fact that we are home to several diverse, safe and welcoming LGBT-friendly cities that are among the top LGBT travel destinations in the world.”
Additional speakers on opening day include Visit Lauderdale CEO Stacy Ritter and Key West Mayor Teri Johnston, as well as representatives from the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association.
FLOCC’s second day will follow Aug. 2 from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., highlighting LGBTQ+ market segment leaders from throughout the state. Among the day’s panels and sessions are examinations of drag and the value of LGBTQ+ bars, venues and events on Florida tourism.
The latter panel will be moderated by Watermark Managing Editor Ryan Williams-Jent. Panelists include Cocktail and The Wet Spot owner David Fischer, GayBarchives owner Art Smith, The Lady’s Room owner Vicki Gibson and Byron Green, co-vice president of St Pete Pride.
Flamboyance will also be held from 4-6 p.m., an award and cocktail reception recognizing LGBTQ+ tourism and leadership accomplishments throughout Florida. Covello will emcee the event, presented by Visit Tampa Bay.
“As the weather heats up, so is our destination as we look forward to continuing to welcome all travelers in search of adventure in the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast,” VTB President and CEO Santiago C. Corrada says. “We are excited to host the first ever FLOCC conference and highlight some of our world-class partners and attractions.”
FLOCC will conclude Aug. 3 with activities from 8-11 a.m. Covello will close with a panel about leveraging local and national LGBTQ+ partnerships, welcoming representatives from Naples Pride, the Southwest Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce and Fort Lauderdale’s FlockFest.
Registration for FLOCC is live and includes access to the opening cocktail reception and full convention with meals and more, including access to Flamboyance. Rates begin at $299 for students, are available to LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Florida for $399 and general admission is $599. Admission to Flamboyance without conference attendance is $150.
“One of the things that I love to do is bring people together,” Covello says. “I’m a big fan of building rainbow bridges over walls and I like creating opportunities where people can communicate that wouldn’t normally connect with one another.
“It’s very rewarding to be able to create this space for people and I’m excited to see how it all comes together,” she continues. “I encourage all LGBTQ+-welcoming tourism leaders, hotels and attractions — and those who want to learn how to become more welcoming — to attend. That way we can all be a part of the solution in creating more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ travelers.”
FLOCC 2023 will take place Aug. 1-3 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown, located at 211 N. Tampa St., with an opening social July 31. For more information about the convention and to register to attend, visit FLOCC.LGBT.
