Latin America's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travel business conference and consumer expo,  the 3rd International LGBT Business Expo, presented by LGBT Confex will take place in the city of Guadalajara from September 5 - 7, 2013.

"LGBT Confex started in Puerto Vallarta three years ago and we are a company that is based in the Jalisco state," said Ruben Sandoval, CEO of LGBT Confex. "Last year our International LGBT Business Expo event was in Cancun so we are very excited to be returning to Jalisco state in Guadalajara for this year's event.”

Sponsored by the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board and the state of Jalisco’s Ministry of Tourism this year’s conference will feature international speakers such as Ian Johnson, CEO of Out Now, Joel Simkhai, CEO of Brinder & Blendr, and George Carrancho, Manager of Diversity Markets and American Airlines ground breaking Rainbow Team.

Travel industry professionals interested in participating in this conference can apply for the Jalisco’s Ministry of  Tourism’s hosted buyer and media program for a fully-funded visit which aims to enhance coverage and business connections between the state’s infrastructure and LGBT tourism in an effort to increase the number of LGBT tourists visiting the state of Jalisco from Mexico, Brazil, USA and other key international markets.

The hosted buyer program includes both "pre" and "post" tours that will include visits to key tourism sights in Jalisco including Tequila, Guadalajara and Mexico’s most popular LGBT beach destination, Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta made its debut as a tourism destination in the 1960s when celebrity visits by Elizabeth Taylor and Tennessee Williams launched the destination into the eye of international media, and has since developed into the country’s leading LGBT destination.

One of the few locations in Latin America that can claim to have a gay village, Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica, is home to many LGBT owned and managed hotels, restaurants and tours. This welcoming community, proud member of the IGLTA and openly supportive of associations such as GLAAD, HMI and the GMHC, embraces all its visitors. This post tour will include dinners in the middle of the jungles of the Sierra Madre at Casa Cupula, Puerto Vallarta’s most luxurious LGBT property, accommodations at San Marino Hotel in the center of Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone, private VIP tours of more than a dozen LGBT bars, clubs and lounges and the unique experience this world-class tourism destination has to offer.

The world's largest LGBT market research program, the Out Now Global LGBT2020 Study, shows that Mexico is one of the most popular destinations in a total global market for LGBT tourism that is measured in billions of dollars.

"Out Now's LGBT2020 study shows that Mexico is one of the most important markets for LGBT tourists globally," Darren Cooper, CEO of Out Now Global says. "This decision by the Jalisco Ministry of Tourism is one that is designed to help put the key tourism assets of the State of Jalisco firmly on the global LGBT tourism radar - and that is smart business. LGBT2020 data shows that in 2013, LGBT travel is set to account for more than USD$181 billion in tourism spending and Mexico stands to gain significantly by better presenting its tourism product and building stronger connections between tourism suppliers and industry buyers - like tour operators and travel agents."

The 3rd International LGBT Business Expo has garnered the support of many leading brands and organizations, including: American Express, IBM, American Airlines, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tourism Thailand, Guadalajara OVC, Jalisco Ministry of Tourism, Mexico Tourism Board, Prego Alter, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, Mundo Cuervo, Westin Guadalajara Hotel and Out Now Global.

LGBT Confex presents their annual flagship event - the 3rd International LGBT Business Expo - over three days from September 5 - 7, 2013 in Guadalajara, Mexico. Delegate, buyer and exhibitor registrations are open now at www.LGBTbusinessExpo.com.

To download Puerto Vallarta’s LGBT Brochure, please click here.