About Us

Our Mission Statement: The mission of the Key West Business Guild is to promote LGBT travel to Key West through marketing and the promotion of special events; to support gay-owned, gay-managed, and gay-friendly businesses; to strengthen the Gay community’s position within the local community by supporting relevant LGBTQ+ issues.

The Key West Business Guild (KWBG) is a Not-for-profit organization (501C6) devoted to promoting Key West to LGBTQ+ travelers. We provide comprehensive information about Gay Key West and promote our member organizations to a national and international travel market. This work helps to attract about 250,000 LGBTQ+ travelers here each year, earning Key West the well-deserved reputation as one of the most appealing gay-friendly destinations in the world.

The Guild was formed in 1978 to encourage summer tourism and support Key West’s gay community. The KWBG is the nation’s first LGBTQ+ destination marketing organization.  From a small original membership, it has grown to include more than 475 enterprises representing virtually every facet of the island’s business community.

Today, the Key West Business Guild ranks among the nation’s leading gay business associations, and its marketing efforts, supported by the Florida Keys Tourism Development Council, incorporates a gay marketing specialist and an award-winning advertising campaign.

The Guild also operates the Gay Key West Visitor Center located at 808 Duval Street. Walk-in visitors can find a warm welcome and an informative introduction to the island, events, local businesses, and area attractions.

In addition, the KWBG produces several annual signature events that support area businesses and attract visitors from around the world: Key West Pride, Tropical Heat, Key West Womenfest,  and Headdress Ball! LGBTQ+ visitors have something special to enjoy year-round.

Join Us!

Membership in the Key West Business Guild (KWBG) comes with many networking and marketing benefits. It also comes with one very important responsibility: to provide a safe place for our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender , and queer (LGBTQ+) visitors and local community members. Membership with the KWBG includes a commitment to support and promote Key West as an all inclusive and welcoming community – however a person identifies. For KWBG Membership responsibilities, please click here.

To join – please click the “Become A Member” button below, complete the application online or you can print the form here and email the application to: [email protected] or mail to 808 Duval Street, Key West FL 33040. You can also pay for your membership below. If you have any questions about membership – please do not hesitate to reach out to us! You can email Rob at [email protected] or call 305-294-4603. We look forward to partnering with you!

2025 Luncheon Dates

February Membership Luncheon Sponsored by:

All Luncheons begin at 12 Noon

  • January 8th — Beachside Key West
    Speaker:  Kara Franker, President & CEO Visit Florida Keys/Monroe County TDC

    Non-Profit Spotlight: Reef Relief

    Sponsor:  Ameriprise Financial

  • February 5th — Beachside Key West
    Speaker:  John Smith, President, FREDERICK DOUGLASS SCHOOL BLACK EDUCATORS MEMORIAL PROJECT

    Non-profit Spotlight: AHEC

    Sponsor: MAKO MOCO

  • March 5th – Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Tennessee Williams Museum

    Non-profit Spotlight: Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation

    Sponsor: Dennis Beaver

  • April 2nd — Tavern N Town
    Speaker: Mayor Danise “Dee Dee” Henriquez

    Non-profit Spotlight: Little Pink Houses of Hope

    Sponsor: Sales Sense

  • May 7th — Beachside Key West

    Speaker: Thomas Masat – Private Practice Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

    Non-profit Spotlight:

    Sponsor: SBDC

  • June 11th — Pride Month Edition — Beachside Key West
    Speaker: TBD

  • July 2nd — Beachside Key West

    Non-profit Spotlight: Queer Keys

    Speaker: Michelle Nevel – AHEC

  • August 6th — Beachside Key West

    Speaker: Baptist Health

    Sponsor: Baptist Health

  • September 3rd — Womenfest Kick Off — Beachside Key West

    Sponsor: TBD

  • October 1st — Beachside Key West
    Fantasy Fest King/Queen Candidates

    Sponsor: Mount Sinai Medical Center

  • November 5th — BOD Elections – Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Guild Board Candidates

    Sponsor: TBD

  • December 3rd — Annual Meeting & Awards — Beachside Key West

2025 Mixer Dates

  • January 15th – Big Cheezees Pub & Grub

  • February 12th – Shutter & Shade

  • March 12th – Casa Marina

  • April 9th – Beer Blast

  • May 14th – La Concha

  • June 22nd – Pride Kick-off – ALL Welcome 5-8pm ($25 prepay & $30 door entry)-AquaPlex – 711 Duval St.

  • July 9th – William Weech American Legion Post 168

  • August 13th – Tropical Heat Kick-off @Island House

  • September 3rd – Womenfest Kick-off

  • October 8th – TBD

  • November 12thHoliday Toy Drive & Mixer 

  • Gay Holiday Lights Trolley Tour-TBD

Benefits of Membership
  • Business name and contact info listed in the printed Gay Key West Map & Directory which is widely distributed worldwide and throughout the Florida Keys
  • Business name and contact info listed on www.gaykeywestfl.com with a complimentary link
  • Opportunity to distribute your business promotional materials at the Gay Key West Visitor Center and membership luncheons
  • Opportunity to send your ad or announcements to the Guild membership via our weekly e-newsletters
Fee-Based Promotional Opportunities
  • Banner ad on www.gaykeywestfl.com
  • Premiere web directory listing on www.gaykeywestfl.com
  • Print ad on the Gay Key West Map & Directory
  • Advertising in the Gay Key West Visitor Center on the TV monitors
  • Promotional materials distributed at travel shows worldwide
  • Advertising in our Events Guides

General Business Member:
A General Business Member must be located in the City of Key West or below the Seven Mile Bridge, Monroe County, and have the applicable business license (s). A General Business Member shall have the right to participate in all KWBG activities, including voting and advertising.

Become a KWBG Member today and proudly display your rainbow KWBG sticker!

Key West Business Guild

Our Board & Staff

President

Paul Murray

Island House

Vice President

Cori Convertito

Key West Art & Historical Society

Treasurer

Sandra Swan

Keller Williams/ Key West Broker

Secretary

Ea Ruth

Keller Williams Broker/Realtor

Directors-at-Large
  • Marjory Lee Mitchell – Marjory Lee Music

  • Paul Murphy – The Roost

  • Jordan Upchurch –  It’s Social Time Somewhere

  • Jeffrey Hite – Saint Leo University

  • Dominic Paolillo – Compass Realty

  • Michael GagliardiDirector of Operations Key West Historic Inns

  • Misha McRae – Key West Botanical Garden

KWBG / Gay Key West Visitor Center Team
Current Key West Business Guild By-Laws
Luncheon Sponsorship

Are you interested in sponsoring a luncheon? We have spots available for 2025!