Gay Games Could Bring at Least $25 Million to Chicago
Fri. January 30, 2004 12:00 AM by ChicagoPride.com News Staff
GLBT Advisory Council Adopts Supportive Resolution
Chicago, IL -
The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau has estimated that a Gay Games in Chicago would generate a minimum of $25 million in direct economic benefit to the City and the region. In estimates provided to Chicago Games, Inc. the CTB numbers are based upon approximately 24,000 visitors to the Chicago region, 12,000 competitors and 12,000 friends, family and other tourists. The CTB Research is "conservative," and reflects a request from CGI for a number to help estimate the benefits if Chicago were selected to host the Gay Games.
"We view this number as a starting point," said Kevin Boyer, spokesperson for CGI. "Some Sydney experts have claimed an economic impact of close to $80 million US." Economic impact numbers are estimates calculated by governments and tourism boards as they try to evaluate the benefits back to a community from travel and tourism. The Chicago CTB noted that while the numbers are conservative, actual economic impact could only be measured after the event had occurred.
Advisory Council Vote
In related Chicago news, the City's Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues has joined more than 25 other community organization promising support for a 2006 Gay Games held in Chicago. The Council, meeting January 21, 2004, adopted a resolution without opposition that "recognizes the hard work, deep commitment, and level of expertise that Chicago Games Inc. brings to its planned bid to host Gay Games 2006," and resolves that the council "will provide and encourage all feasible and advisable support to Chicago Games Inc. in its hosting activities after a review of award terms if its bid is accepted by the Federation of Gay Games." The sponsor of the motion further clarified that a November vote stating “the Council could not recommend a bid,” should not be interpreted as opposition to CGI, but as a resolution offered at a moment in time when the Council felt it couldn't support the bid.
Members of CGI made a lengthy presentation to the Advisory Council at its January 21 meeting. During that meeting, they presented draft budget numbers, noting an overall budget of $6.2 million with $1.3 million from corporate sponsors, $200K from tourism grants, $2.7 million from athlete registration fees and $2 million from ticket sales, visitor badges, fundraising, donors and license fees. “Our budget is still under development, but this Draft Budget #8 reflects a conservative approach that will ensure a financially stable event,” said Boyer.
"We are grateful for the confidence shown by the Council in our work," said Mona Noriega, a member of the CGI Board of Directors. "If Chicago is selected to host the Gay Games in 2006, a partnership with the Advisory Council will help ensure even greater community involvement and responsiveness."
Chicago Games, Inc. is a nonprofit organization preparing a bid to host Gay Games VII in the summer of 2006. Bid documents are due February 1, 2004, with a decision by the Federation of Gay Games expected March 1, 2004. Chicago is competing against Los Angeles for the right to host the event.
About the Gay Games
The Gay Games is a quadrennial athletic and cultural event which brings together people from around the world. Based on the principles of inclusion and participation, the Gay Games welcomes all people without regard to their sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political belief(s), athletic/artistic ability, age, physical challenge, or health status.
For more information about Chicago Games, Inc., visit www.chicagogamesinc.org. Gay Games is a registered trademark of the Federation of Gay Games. For more information about the FGG, visit www.gaygames.org.
"We view this number as a starting point," said Kevin Boyer, spokesperson for CGI. "Some Sydney experts have claimed an economic impact of close to $80 million US." Economic impact numbers are estimates calculated by governments and tourism boards as they try to evaluate the benefits back to a community from travel and tourism. The Chicago CTB noted that while the numbers are conservative, actual economic impact could only be measured after the event had occurred.
Advisory Council Vote
In related Chicago news, the City's Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues has joined more than 25 other community organization promising support for a 2006 Gay Games held in Chicago. The Council, meeting January 21, 2004, adopted a resolution without opposition that "recognizes the hard work, deep commitment, and level of expertise that Chicago Games Inc. brings to its planned bid to host Gay Games 2006," and resolves that the council "will provide and encourage all feasible and advisable support to Chicago Games Inc. in its hosting activities after a review of award terms if its bid is accepted by the Federation of Gay Games." The sponsor of the motion further clarified that a November vote stating “the Council could not recommend a bid,” should not be interpreted as opposition to CGI, but as a resolution offered at a moment in time when the Council felt it couldn't support the bid.
Members of CGI made a lengthy presentation to the Advisory Council at its January 21 meeting. During that meeting, they presented draft budget numbers, noting an overall budget of $6.2 million with $1.3 million from corporate sponsors, $200K from tourism grants, $2.7 million from athlete registration fees and $2 million from ticket sales, visitor badges, fundraising, donors and license fees. “Our budget is still under development, but this Draft Budget #8 reflects a conservative approach that will ensure a financially stable event,” said Boyer.
"We are grateful for the confidence shown by the Council in our work," said Mona Noriega, a member of the CGI Board of Directors. "If Chicago is selected to host the Gay Games in 2006, a partnership with the Advisory Council will help ensure even greater community involvement and responsiveness."
Chicago Games, Inc. is a nonprofit organization preparing a bid to host Gay Games VII in the summer of 2006. Bid documents are due February 1, 2004, with a decision by the Federation of Gay Games expected March 1, 2004. Chicago is competing against Los Angeles for the right to host the event.
About the Gay Games
The Gay Games is a quadrennial athletic and cultural event which brings together people from around the world. Based on the principles of inclusion and participation, the Gay Games welcomes all people without regard to their sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political belief(s), athletic/artistic ability, age, physical challenge, or health status.
For more information about Chicago Games, Inc., visit www.chicagogamesinc.org. Gay Games is a registered trademark of the Federation of Gay Games. For more information about the FGG, visit www.gaygames.org.