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IGLTA Offering Early Rates for Global Convention… Early registration rates are available through May 31 for the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association’s (IGLTA) 2026 Global Convention in Seville, Spain. Featuring the Marketplace, the event will take place November 17–21 at the FIBES Conference and Exhibition Center.
“Seville is a city where queer joy is built into the culture, making it the perfect stage to host the IGLTA Global Convention. We are coming to Spain to move beyond the ‘corporate checklist’ and create the connections that will drive our industry for the next decade,” said Meg Ten Eyck (she/her), IGLTA Board Chair and CEO of EveryQueer.
Following the record-breaking success of last year’s Marketplace—with more than 3,485 scheduled appointments and buyers representing an estimated $707 million in tourism business—IGLTA is anticipating the 2026 Marketplace to be its largest and most productive to date. Turespaña is offering a Fully Hosted Flight Program for up to 75 qualified international buyers.
IGLTA is partnering with Turespaña, Andalusia Tourism Board, and the Tourism and Culture Department at Seville City Council.
“Spain is not only a leading LGBTQ+ tourism destination; it is a country where diversity is embraced with pride and equality becomes the warmest welcome,” said Miguel Sanz Castedo, CEO of Turespaña. “Our success is not the result of a strategy, but of a deep conviction: to guarantee the rights and freedoms of every person, so that every visitor feels respected, safe, and truly welcome. That is why hosting the 2026 IGLTA Global Convention in Seville is much more than an event—it is a celebration of an open, inclusive, and deeply human model of society that inspires the world.”
The convention’s opening reception will unfold at the Real Alcázar of Seville, offering attendees exclusive access to an UNESCO World Heritage site. The week will also feature Voyage, the IGLTA Foundation’s signature fundraiser, celebrating the global impact of the association’s philanthropic work.
“This event positions the region as a whole—and Seville in particular—as an international benchmark in a highly significant segment,” said Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism and External Affairs of Andalusia. “Andalusia is a diverse and welcoming destination, capable of connecting with a demand that places particular value on authenticity, safety, and the quality of the experience.”
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GBTA Research Shows Canadian Business Travel Growth… Canada’s business travel and meetings market is gaining momentum, according to research from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). According to GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI), in 2026 total business travel and meetings spending is projected to reach $29.5 billion—a 4.3% year-over-year increase. Canada ranked as the world’s 12th‑largest business travel market in 2025, up from 13th in 2024.
“Business travel continues to prove its resilience and relevance worldwide, and Canada is no exception,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “Our data shows that in-person meetings remain unmatched in driving business outcomes, making smart investment in travel essential as Canada continues to punch above its weight as part of the global business travel economy.”
FSAE Annual Conference Coming in July… On July 15–17, the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) will host its Annual Conference: Mastering the Art of Associations at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.
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