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!

2024 Luncheon Dates

September Membership Luncheon Sponsored by:

All Luncheons begin at 12 Noon

  • January 3rd — Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Michael j. Rogers, Ph.D. – Key Bridge

    Sponsor: MAKO MOCO

  • February 7th — Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Mayor Johnston

    Sponsor: The Green Pineapple

  • March 6th – Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Lower Keys Medical Center

    Sponsor: Hear 4 U Audiology

  • April 3rd — Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Housing Authority of the City of Key West

    Peter Batty – Director of Community Relations

    Sponsor: CHI

  • May 1st — Beachside Key West

    Speaker: Lower Keys Medical Center

    Sponsor: Coast 2 Coast Mortgage

  • June 5th — Pride Edition — Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Gordon Ross -“Gay Key West in the Disco Era!”

  • July 3rd — Beachside Key West

    Speaker: Leah Stockton – United Way

    Purchase July Luncheon Tickets

  • August 7th —Tropical Heat Kickoff — Marriott Beachside

    Sponsor: TBD

    Purchase August Luncheon Tickets

  • September 4th — Womenfest Kick Off — Beachside Key West

    Sponsor: Mount Sinai Medical Center

    Purchase September Luncheon Tickets

  • October 2nd — Beachside Key West
    Fantasy Fest King/Queen Candidates

    Sponsor: Lower Keys Medical Center

    Purchase October Luncheon Tickets

  • November 6th — BOD Elections – Beachside Key West
    Speaker: Guild Board Candidates

    Sponsor: The Gardens Hotel

    Purchase November Luncheon Tickets

  • December 4th — Annual Meeting & Awards — Beachside Key West

    Sponsor: Lower Keys Medical Center

    Purchase December Luncheon Tickets

2024 Mixer Dates

  • January 10th – Sidebar @AquaPlex

  • February 7th – Helling’s Curry Museum – Home of the KW Woman’s Club

  • March 13th – FL Keys Urgent Care

  • April 10th – KWAHS  @The Customs House

  • May 8th – Big Cheezees

  • June 5th – Pride Kick-off – ALL Welcome 5-8pm ($25 entry)-HARD ROCK CAFE – 313 Duval St.

  • July 10th – The Green Pineapple

  • August 7th – Tropical Heat Kick-off @Island House

  • September 4th – Womenfest Kick-off

  • October 9th – Terminix & Key West Comedy Club

  • November 20thHoliday Toy Drive & Mixer Hosted by Mount Sinai Medical Center in collaboration with The Capitana Key West – 2401 N Roosevelt Blvd

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

Alan Beaubien

Marriott Beachside

Vice President

Paul Murray

Island House

Treasurer

Sandra Swan

Keller Williams/ Key West Broker

Secretary

Misha McRAE

Key West Botanical Garden

Directors-at-Large
  • Jay Berelowitz – Palm Vista Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

  • Paul Murphy – The Saint Hotel

  • Jordan Upchurch –  Marriott Beachside

  • Jeffrey Hite – Saint Leo University

  • Cori Convertito – KWAHS

  • Ea Ruth – Keller Williams Broker/Realtor

  • Dominic Paolillo – Compass Realty

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 2023!