Paris, France -
The Federation of Gay Games announced today that the bidding cycle for Gay Games 2010 is now open.
Organizations wishing to submit a bid to host the 8th edition of the Gay Games may obtain a copy of the GGVIII Request for Proposal document by going to http://www.gaygames.com/en/GGVIII-RFP-30April2004.pdf or by writing to ssc-cochairs@gaygames.org.
"Every four years the Gay Games site selection process officially begins with the release of the updated Request for Proposal document," said Darl Schaaff, FGG Site Selection Co-Chair, from his home in Anchorage. "There are significant changes from four years ago, the result of a true team effort based on experience from the past dozen years. Now we're looking forward to meeting and working with interested bidders during the Gay Games VIII site selection process."
Letters of intent to bid are due January 15, 2005, with bid materials due on March 15, 2005. Three finalists will be selected in July 2005 from all preliminary bids. The finalist cities will be visited by FGG representatives prior to presentations by the finalists to the full FGG board. The FGG board of directors will be making a decision either in late 2005 or early 2006.
"Several organizations have already expressed an interest in bidding for Gay Games VIII in 2010," said Emy Ritt, FGG Site Selection Co-Chair, who lives in Paris. "We invite all parties thinking about bidding to attend the Federation's 2004 annual meeting from November 8-12 in Cologne for an official bidding information session and to get to know members of the board."
Federation officials encouraged submissions from all parts of the world, saying presumptions about which city might be picked have not always proven true. After the Federation selected Amsterdam as the 1998 host, many people thought the Federation might choose to return the Gay Games to North America for 2002. However, Sydney's sports-focused bid proved compelling and the FGG board chose the Australian city as the site for Gay Games VI.
The positive impact on local economies of hosting the Gay Games has now been well documented, with each of Amsterdam's and Sydney's benefits totaling about US$55 million. Still, pride in a city's LGBT community and their local organizing abilities is often the key reason groups aspire to host the Gay Games.
"We've learned quite a lot after four competitive bid processes during which we've had some outstanding submissions," said FGG co-president Kathleen Webster of Philadelphia. "First and foremost, we're looking for groups who want to use their city to show off the Gay Games and not vice-versa. That's proven to be a goal worthy in itself during the more than 20 years since the Gay Games was founded."
Chicago Games Inc. is the hard-working group now focused on just that goal as they prepare to host Gay Games VII from July 15-22, 2006. More than 12,000 participants are expected that year to compete in 30 sports and perform in official band and chorus events. For more information on Gay Games VII, including the outstanding facilities and upcoming registration details, visit www.gaygameschicago.org.
Organizations wishing to submit a bid to host the 8th edition of the Gay Games may obtain a copy of the GGVIII Request for Proposal document by going to http://www.gaygames.com/en/GGVIII-RFP-30April2004.pdf or by writing to ssc-cochairs@gaygames.org.
"Every four years the Gay Games site selection process officially begins with the release of the updated Request for Proposal document," said Darl Schaaff, FGG Site Selection Co-Chair, from his home in Anchorage. "There are significant changes from four years ago, the result of a true team effort based on experience from the past dozen years. Now we're looking forward to meeting and working with interested bidders during the Gay Games VIII site selection process."
Letters of intent to bid are due January 15, 2005, with bid materials due on March 15, 2005. Three finalists will be selected in July 2005 from all preliminary bids. The finalist cities will be visited by FGG representatives prior to presentations by the finalists to the full FGG board. The FGG board of directors will be making a decision either in late 2005 or early 2006.
"Several organizations have already expressed an interest in bidding for Gay Games VIII in 2010," said Emy Ritt, FGG Site Selection Co-Chair, who lives in Paris. "We invite all parties thinking about bidding to attend the Federation's 2004 annual meeting from November 8-12 in Cologne for an official bidding information session and to get to know members of the board."
Federation officials encouraged submissions from all parts of the world, saying presumptions about which city might be picked have not always proven true. After the Federation selected Amsterdam as the 1998 host, many people thought the Federation might choose to return the Gay Games to North America for 2002. However, Sydney's sports-focused bid proved compelling and the FGG board chose the Australian city as the site for Gay Games VI.
The positive impact on local economies of hosting the Gay Games has now been well documented, with each of Amsterdam's and Sydney's benefits totaling about US$55 million. Still, pride in a city's LGBT community and their local organizing abilities is often the key reason groups aspire to host the Gay Games.
"We've learned quite a lot after four competitive bid processes during which we've had some outstanding submissions," said FGG co-president Kathleen Webster of Philadelphia. "First and foremost, we're looking for groups who want to use their city to show off the Gay Games and not vice-versa. That's proven to be a goal worthy in itself during the more than 20 years since the Gay Games was founded."
Chicago Games Inc. is the hard-working group now focused on just that goal as they prepare to host Gay Games VII from July 15-22, 2006. More than 12,000 participants are expected that year to compete in 30 sports and perform in official band and chorus events. For more information on Gay Games VII, including the outstanding facilities and upcoming registration details, visit www.gaygameschicago.org.
