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.

Business Guild Staff
Business Guild Staff

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.

To join – please click the “Become A Member” button below, complete the application online or you can print the form (PDF located at the top of the online form) 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 Kevin at [email protected] or call 305-294-4603. We look forward to partnering with you!

2023 Luncheon Dates

All Luncheons begin at 12 Noon

  • January 4th — Marriott Beachside
    Speaker: Mayor Johnston

    Sponsor: Two Oceans Digital

  • February 1st — Marriott Beachside
    Speaker: John Picco (Edward Jones)

    Sponsor: Terminix

  • March 1st – Marriott Beachside
    Speaker: Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates & Marty Jenkins, President of KW Council Navy League

    Sponsor: Cudjoe Bee

  • April 5th — Marriott Beachside
    Speaker: Sheriff Rick Ramsay

    Sponsor: First State Bank

  • May 10th — Marriott Beachside

    Speaker: Current KW City Manager Patti McLauchlin

    Sponsor: KW City Manager Patti McLauchlin

  • June 7th — Pride Kick Off — Marriott Beachside
    Speaker: Heather Carruthers & Sea-to-Sea Diversity Flag Participants
  • July 5th — Marriott Beachside
    Speaker: Key West NEW City Manager Childers
  • August 2nd — Marriott Beachside
    Speaker – David Clay, Lower Keys Medical Ctr

    Sponsor: Off the Charts!

  • September 6th — Womenfest Kick Off — Marriott Beachside
  • October 4th — Marriott Beachside
    Fantasy Fest King/Queen Candidates

    Sponsor: LKMC

  • November 1st — BOD Elections – Marriott Beachside
    Speaker: Guild Board Candidates

    Sponsor: CHI

  • December 6th — Annual Meeting & Awards — Marriott Beachside

2023 Mixer Dates

  • January 11th – Key West Vacation Properties & Realty
  • February 8th – Key West Botanical Garden
  • March 8th – Divine Medical Spa
  • April 12th – Overseas Media Group
  • May 10th – Margaritaville Key West (500 Duval St)

  • June 7th – Pride kick-off @ – ALL Welcome 5-8pm ($20.00 entry)
  • July 12th – The Rum Bar & LaRubia
  • August 9th – Tropical Heat Kick-off @ Island House
  • September 6th – Womenfest Kick-off
  • September 13th – Fury
  • October 4th – Suite Dreams on the Beach / Duetto’s
  • November 8th – Holiday Toy Drive & Mixer @ Rent Key West Duval Square
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.

General $225 Pay/Renew
Restaurant & Bar up to 50 Seats $300 Pay/Renew
Restaurant & Bar over 50 Seats $325 Pay/Renew
Lodging & Vacation Rentals up to 20 Rooms $325 Pay/Renew
Lodging & Vacation Rentals over 20 Rooms $500 Pay/Renew
Associate Member $750 Pay/Renew
Nonprofit Member $125 Pay/Renew
Individual Member $50 Pay/Renew
Additional Listings $150 Pay/Renew

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
Treasurer

Patti McLauchlin

City of Key West

Secretary

Misha McRAE

Key West Botanical Garden

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

  • Larry Blackburn, Larry Blackburn Photography

  • Paul Murphy, The Saint Hotel

  • Jordan Upchurch, Marriott Beachside

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

Are you interested in sponsoring a luncheon? We have spots available for 2023!