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MIAMI – Nov. 3, 2016 – Cheering, dancing and celebrating are just a few things the public will experience at Miami Beach’s Gay Pride Festival and Parade. Since its inception in 2009, the LGBTQ+ community has been celebrating their individuality in Miami, and now Celebrity Cruises is joining the celebration on April 7-9, 2017 as presenting sponsor of the popular Miami Beach pride event. As the first-ever cruise partner, Celebrity is pleased to support and champion this important celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Named one of the “Top 100 Events of the Year” for a third year in a row by BizBash Magazine, Miami Beach Gay Pride brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of their unique spirit and culture. As the presenting sponsor, Celebrity will be visible at the soiree kickoff event and the highly anticipated Festival and Parade, which generated more than 130,000 attendees in 2016, promoting diversity and uniqueness – a topic that’s important to the cruise line, which employs a crew representing more than 50 cultures from across the world.
“Celebrity Cruises has a long and wonderful relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of celebrating and promoting diversity and inclusion has never been greater, which is why I am so thrilled to announce our partnership with Miami Beach Gay Pride,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “I’ve said it time and again – you have to take a stand to stand out – and I am proud to say Celebrity Cruises stands with the LGBTQ+ community.”
“Coming into our ninth year, it is heartwarming to have an international brand as prestigious as Celebrity Cruises come onboard as our presenting sponsor,” said Mark Fernandes, Chair of the Miami Beach Gay Pride Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful to Celebrity Cruises and their desire to reach our 100,000-plus audience through an alliance with our event. With their support, and the support of our other sponsors, we are well on our way to producing an unparalleled weekend in 2017.”
In addition to Celebrity being the presenting sponsor for Miami Beach Gay Pride, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. hosted the organization’s first-ever Diversity Kick-Off Event for employees, which included the announcement of the company’s new Employee Resource Groups, which help employees learn about ways they can participate in and engage with their communities, and a Diversity Panel hosted by senior management from multiple Fortune 500 companies and organizations, some of which include American Airlines, AT&T, the CIA, Coca-Cola, FIU, Hyatt HoHotels, IBM, Miami Beach Pride Committee, Miami Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, United Airlines and the US Coast Guard of South Florida. The panel led insightful discussions regarding the importance of employee diversity, followed by an in-depth Q&A.
For 2017, Miami Beach Gay Pride will be a full, three-day weekend event, April 7 – 9, and will include a Friday VIP Reception, Saturday beach party and festival, and Sunday parade and festival. Miami Beach Gay Pride is produced with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors and Convention Authority. For more information visit www.miamibeachgaypride.com, and for more details on Celebrity Cruises’ involvement in Miami Beach’s Gay Pride Parade and Festival or Royal Caribbean’s Diversity Kick-Off Panel, visit celebritycruises.com.
About Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 12 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents incredible cruise tour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.
About Miami Beach Gay Pride:
The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTQ community. Miami Beach Gay Pride organizes free, safe, quality, mass-appeal events that are open to all, including the annual parade and festival, which features community booths and expo areas, stages with entertainment, food and drink vendors and family-safe play areas. Additionally, Miami Beach Gay Pride produces educational, cultural and entertainment events and activities throughout the year and sanctions official Pride-related events in order to create a truly celebratory experience for the whole community.
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