Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A recently published new research reveals that Latin America is destined to be one of the growth regions in the development of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) markets.

The lesbian and gay consumer market has long been one of the most significant niche markets in a number of regions including the US and Europe. A new event in Mexico next month is set to focus attention on the large scale market opportunities that better targeted marketing towards the country's 4.8 million gay and lesbian people can deliver to a broad range of companies and organizations.

The International Expo & Business LGBT, Puerto Vallarta 2011 event features some of the world's leading specialist LGBT marketers, and is set to focus on the immense growth potential for travel and tourism in the gay markets of the Latin America region.

Rubén Sandoval, CEO of the event says that this is a new opportunity to learn much about the development of LGBT marketing in other markets. "The LGBT consumer has been largely ignored in Latin America until now," Mr. Sandoval says. "One of our key objectives with our event in Mexico is to place the growth of LGBT tourism into both a regional and a global context. By doing this we are able to help business in our region better understand how to meet the large untapped market demand that gay and lesbian travel represents right across the Latin America region."

Presenters include the CEO of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) as well as marketing experts from around the world.

One of these is Out Now Global - a specialist LGBT marketing agency with two decades of expertise in gay market research and marketing strategies.

Founder and CEO of Out Now, Ian Johnson, says he is looking forward to presenting new LGBT market research specifically on the growth opportunities of the Latin America region. "Out Now has spent twenty years working in lesbian and gay markets around the world," Johnson says. "We are delighted to be presenting the latest Out Now market research on LGBT people living in countries across the Latin America region. This is a very valuable consumer market."

Out Now's research shows that Mexico alone accounts for USD$67 billion annual income - more than twice the amount earned in the next largest market, Argentina (2010: USD$27 billion). The Out Now research shows that Brazil is the largest valued market in the region accounting for annual income of more than USD $95 billion each year.

Johnson will be presenting new market research data at the Expo on November 21, 2011. All delegates attending the event will receive a detailed analysis of Out Now research from the Mexican market.

The International Expo & Business LGBT will be held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from November 20 - 23, 2011. A series of conference presentations will be included as well as trade shows and business networking events throughout the program. Some of the most important brands in the region are already scheduled to send delegates to the event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The objective of the International Expo & Business LGBT, Puerto Vallarta is to be a showcase and business platform for buyers and sellers who drive national and international products and services to the LGBT community.

Among the industry professionals are service providers such as airlines, hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, car rental agencies, travel operators, travel agents and tourism boards, CVB's, and leading companies currently serving the global LGBT community as well as companies interested in leveraging the business opportunities of the LGBT market.

This important event will be host business exchanges with the opportunity of having 24 appointments over two days between buyers and sellers nationally and internationally to discuss sale and trade opportunities.

In addition, during this conference there will be seminars for those interested in learning about the tastes and buying tendencies of the LGBT community and new market trends.

Out Now Global undertakes the world's largest LGBT market research program - the 'Out Now Global LGBT2020 Study' which in 2011 is underway in ten languages across 25 countries, including seven in the Latin America region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay). Data from Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina is to be presented by Out Now during the Expo in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexico is home to 4.8 million gay and lesbian adults earning USD$67 billion annually (based on Out Now research using 1993 Yankelovich MONITOR estimates). Brazil is home to 8.7 million gay adults, earning $95.8 billion annually. Argentina is home to 1.8 million gay and lesbian adults earning USD $27 billion annually.