Gay Games Says 2,000 Registered

The 2,000^th person to register for Gay Games VII was either a Swedish badminton player, a New York volleyball player, a singer from New Zealand, a South African wrestler, or a member of a Los Angeles softball team that registered as a group. The nature of Chicago’s 24-hour worldwide online registration system means that registrations come in all hours of the day and night, just like the phone calls and e-mails.  But, according to Kevin Boyer, Chicago’s Marketing Chair, the 2,000^th person signed up at approximately noon (Chicago time), on Feb. 1,.  The 2,000 registrations come from 26 different countries on six continents.

"Gay Games registration figures are running well ahead of forecast,” said Gay Games VII Co-Chair Sam Coady.  “We ended 2004 with fully paid registrations that were 40% ahead of our year-end forecasts, and approximately 800 registrations ahead of the pace set by Sydney in the months before the 2002 Gay Games. We are confident we will reach or exceed our target of over 12,000 registered athletes and artists.” Coady attributes the registration numbers to the network of international sports organizations working in partnership with Chicago 2006 as well as the $3.5 million print, online, and television marketing campaign being conducted in 6 languages through more than 25 media sponsors.

During the last 3 days of 2004, Gay Games registrations were coming in every 90 seconds as athletes and artists worldwide rushed to beat the early registration deadline, Boyer said.  Chicago extended the deadline three days to accommodate last-minute signups and to account for different time zones and computer access issues.  “We’re extremely proud of our online system,” said Gay Games VII Vice Co-Chair Tracy Baim.  “Despite heavy traffic from all over the world, our registration contractor performed admirably with no downtime whatsoever.”

Individual registration has remained strong since the New Year began and group registrations – called Pre-Pay – have accelerated.  Pre-Pay allows groups of 5 or more to pay a lower base fee by purchasing their Gay Games VII registrations as a group.  Chicago benefits by getting additional paid registrations in the door more quickly, allowing for better advance planning.  The groups benefit by paying less per person.  “We’ve had international associations buy as many as 30 registrations at a time,” said James Simmons, Gay Games VII Registration Consultant.  “Teams are registering as a group to save costs or to award as scholarships. We’re also glad to see friends working together as a group, planning their trip to Chicago, and signing up for the Gay Games together.”  Pre-Pay is available by calling 1-773-907-2006. 

Gay Games VII General Registration is now open.  Details are available at http://www.gaygameschicago.org.  Chicago organizers wish to remind the world’s athletes that many sports have limited space.  Sailing has already reached its capacity, Golf is nearing capacity, and four other sports are nearly 50% full. “Only by registering now can you ensure your space is reserved,” said Nancy Harris, Gay Games VII Sports Consultant. “We don’t want to disappoint those who intend to play but wait too late to register.”

Gay Games VII Sports and Cultural Festival will take place July 15-22, 2006.  Over 12,000 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in 30 sports ranging from softball to dancesport, swimming to tennis.  The weeklong event will include band, cheerleading and color guard performances, chorus, an ancillary arts festival, and a series of community-organized social events and parties.  The opening ceremony is scheduled for Soldier Field, the lakefront home stadium of the Chicago Bears.  Closing ceremony will be July 22 at Wrigley Field, the home of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs.

For information about how to sponsor or participate in Gay Games VII in Chicago, visit www.GayGamesChicago.org, e-mail info@GayGamesChicago.org, or phone (773) 907-2006.