Wesley Smoot and Kelly Ann Winget announced their Unleashed LGBTQ conference and festival in Dallas on Sept. 22-24. This event will bring LGBTQ professionals from across the country to connect in a fun and interactive environment with top talent, brands and industry leaders across business, entertainment, fashion, travel and technology sectors. Attendees will be introduced to the latest products, services and campaigns entering the LGBTQ market through keynotes, panels, workshops, screenings and live performances from some of the biggest names in LGBTQ culture.
Following a successful virtual launch during the pandemic, this three-day in-person event arrives at Gilley’s Dallas — with 92,000 square feet across seven unique rooms, multiple stages and rooftop views of the Dallas skyline — and the neighboring Cedars Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, an upscale theater and dining complex where film and television screenings and panels from popular streaming services, studios, and networks will take place.
Each day of the event will begin with educational topics — effective advertising, financial planning, entrepreneurship, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, LGBTQ representation in media and politics — and high-tech and experiential brand marketing installments and transitions to entertainment — music, drag and comedy performances, panels from film and television. There will be ample opportunities for professional networking using the Unleashed LGBTQ event app and at specialized events and unique branded activations.
Speakers and entertainers for LGBTQ Unleashed 2023 will be announced in groups leading up to the event date. Last year’s virtual events included a diverse slate of speakers and performers, including comedian Matteo Lane and Daniel Webb, drag diva Carmen Carrera, Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims, League at AT&T CEO Stacey Chosed, Michael Sam, Gravity Balmain and trans activist Celia Sandhya Daniels.
Unleashed LGBTQ is currently taking submissions for speakers, panelists, artists, brands and project premiers. For more information about registration, participation, or ticket sales, visit: UnleashedLGBTQ.com.
— David Taffet
