GLBT Travelers - International Mr Leather Weekend, Chicago, Memorial Day Weekend

So is anybody going to this?

I am really tempted.

My MSP part-time bf goes but he and his buds don't go to the events. :confused: I think I would want to see the competition.

I will be there as usual. If you have never been, you must...it is quite the event. I have never been to the actual competition, but the victory party (at the house of blues again i think) is not to be missed. I also never stay at the actual IML hotel...it is just a bit too much for my tastes. priceline or hotwire always get me good hotels nearby since that is not a very busy conference weekend in chicago. The highlight for me is the exhibition hall...some things you will see nowhere else!

10,000 guys decked out in leather taking over a Hyatt. Bare ... in chaps on the fancy chairs in the steakhouse. Most of the Hyatt staff being polite to the point of being weird, frankly, in the face of the most unusual. They probably have been sternly reminded of the power of the gay dollar, so they keep their personal feelings tightly bottled up but you can tell they are weirded out. ;)

Talk about a subculture (not to say a counter culture) going mainstream...

IML is a fun weekend to be in Chicago. Is it at the Hyatt again this year? I thought it switched back and forth between there and the Palmer House. I have not been to any of the competition events, but the leather market can be lots of fun.

For us non-US residents... when is Memorial Weekend?

Memorial Day was historically May 30th every year (MegatopLover's birthday :cool: ), but became the last Monday in May sometime in the early 1980s. It is the traditional "beginning of summer" for Americans, with the traditional "end of summer" coming on Labor Day weekend, the first Monday in September preceeded by a Sunday. A great many take advantage of the day off to string together extended long weekends or, like me, a week off.

In addition to Chicago's IML, a major GGG event on Memorial Day occurs in Pensacola Beach, Florida. The biggest city on the "Redneck Riviera", Pensacola has(d) miles upon miles pristine beaches, which on recent Memorial Day weekends have been taken over by upwards of 50,000 gays and lesbians. Despite the strong religious and right-wing contingent in North Florida, the power of the gay dollar is immense, and most locals welcome us. Though mostly from the Midwest, South, and Texas, the crowd in P'cola is diverse, ranging from whole families (principally brought by the lesbians) to long-established couples, to muscle marys, to party boys. A New Orleans nightclub owner has organized major parties with nationally known DJ's for the last ten years, which can attract up to 10,000 partygoers.

Thanks to the hurricane last year, Memorial Day weekend in Pensacola is likely to be scaled back substantially this year. The party boys will most likely continue to flock to Disney World for Gay Days on the weekend AFTER Memorial Day, when red shirts in the theme parks signal "out and proud" gays, as if the hand-holding and kissing wouldn't have clued in the hapless who turned up without listening to Disney's warnings.

I will be there! Been for three out of the past five years. Always a blast!

Booked hotel accommodations....will stay at the Park Hyatt instead, will arrange flight. Will do the Fri-Mon weekend only, though. I believe registration and opening are held on Thurs. Much more happening and fun than the SF Folsom Street Fair!! :D

For us non-US residents... when is Memorial Weekend?

Suspended from FT or Suspended from the ceiling?

Praytell.

The competition is pretty fun. Part beauty pageant, part cheezie production. It's good to go at least once though it does cut into the disco nap time.

I have to say, IML isn't what it once was. There used to be several good parties that weekend in several different venues, all pretty good. For the last few years every party other than the victory party has been pretty crappy or at least not that busy. I've also noticed more regional leather events advertised, so maybe it's just not THE event anymore...? So if you are coming to town, definitely spend some time at the leather mart - even if you aren't planning to buy as it's quite an experience - and be sure to do the victory party at House of Blues.

Thinking of going to the International Mr. Leather 2008 Weekend, possibly with a friend of mine. Never been and wondering what to expect.
Is it leather-only or can you wear say camouflage as well? What is a good time to make reservations? Prices at the Hyatt are from $195 right now.

You can wear just about anything you want; leather, denim, rubber, camouflage, and even as little as possible sometimes (for better or worse :) )!

The Palmer House always sold out pretty early and late bookers were at an overflow location, but the Hyatt is a much bigger hotel. I wonder if the same will happen there?

Family obligations that weekend prevent me from attending next year, but I would really rather be in Chicago!

NOW would be the time to make reservations! And yes, it is back at the Hyatt this year. I've been the last five years in a row and still have never attended the actual event. I highly recommend staying at the host hotel. It's a great location for exploring Chicago itself if and when you need to "escape" from the leather crowd. Trust me, it can be a little overwhelming for you if it's your first time!

The IML attendees dress two ways. "Daytime" which means regular person clothes to attend the theater, go out to lunch, tour the city--whatever. The IML organization strongly discourages people from leaving the hotel in their leather "drag". At night and inside the hotel, however, it's a different story. Surreal. You'll know you're not in Kansas anymore! (LOL)

...I've been the last five years in a row and still have never attended the actual event

Why did you go if you did not attend the actual event?

Why did you go if you did not attend the actual event?

By actual event he probably means the official Mr Leather contest on Sunday night. Other events go on all weekend. The leather market runs all weekend, parties are held each night, and a lot of the bars have parites of their own. The comment about 10K leather guys taking over the hotel isn't far off the mark, especially in the afternoon when the lobby bar is open.

NOW would be the time to make reservations! And yes, it is back at the Hyatt this year. I've been the last five years in a row and still have never attended the actual event. I highly recommend staying at the host hotel. It's a great location for exploring Chicago itself if and when you need to "escape" from the leather crowd. Trust me, it can be a little overwhelming for you if it's your first time!

I noticed that the room rates are the same whether you are on your own or with someone else. However, during reservations I have to type in the names of the occupants. In case my friend does not want to go, can I just type a fake name? You never know who you meet at night... :D

The IML attendees dress two ways. "Daytime" which means regular person clothes to attend the theater, go out to lunch, tour the city--whatever. The IML organization strongly discourages people from leaving the hotel in their leather "drag". At night and inside the hotel, however, it's a different story. Surreal. You'll know you're not in Kansas anymore! (LOL)

I'd call it "daytime-outside", but even then, you're still likely to see some interesting getups, even on Michigan Ave!

By actual event he probably means the official Mr Leather contest on Sunday night. Other events go on all weekend. The leather market runs all weekend, parties are held each night, and a lot of the bars have parites of their own. The comment about 10K leather guys taking over the hotel isn't far off the mark, especially in the afternoon when the lobby bar is open.

Yes, I probably should have been more clear. My friends and I hit the leather market and several parties every time. We really don't have that much of an interest in the contest itself, even though it is the "official" reason for the weekend. Also, there's something about having the lobby turn into a huge gay leather bar all weekend that really is surreal. And yes, they seem to serve drinks down there all hours of the day and night! :D

I noticed that the room rates are the same whether you are on your own or with someone else. However, during reservations I have to type in the names of the occupants. In case my friend does not want to go, can I just type a fake name? You never know who you meet at night... :D

The reason they do that is because they want to be sure they don't give keys to the wrong person! The rate is usually the same for 1 or 2 people, with a slight surcharge ($10 or so) if you have either 3 or 4, probably for cleaning. I'd just be honest about who's in the room.

Also, be advised that if you put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, the maids WILL respect that! ;)

Also, be advised that if you put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, the maids WILL respect that! ;)

I happen to use "Do Not Disturb" signs freely.. :D

parties are held each night, and a lot of the bars have parites of their own.

Where do you find info on 'parties'? The website of IML doesn't tell me much.
My travel plans are set now, going 5/23 - 5/26.

I'll be there! And I will be attending some parties!!! I don't plan on attending the events either although I have some friends who are in the competition...

I'll be there! And I will be attending some parties!!! I don't plan on attending the events either although I have some friends who are in the competition...

What parties? Where? Which? How?

What parties? Where? Which? How?

There are parties happening all over the place and you tend to just get invites while going around talking to people. It is a pretty organic process.

There are parties happening all over the place and you tend to just get invites while going around talking to people. It is a pretty organic process.

I have never attended, but have been told by everyone who has attended that there is also pretty much staggering amounts of, shall we say - since this is a public board, man on man affection going on behind hotel doors all weekend long.

I have never attended, but have been told by everyone who has attended that there is also pretty much staggering amounts of, shall we say - since this is a public board, man on man affection going on behind hotel doors all weekend long.

Isn't that one a the major reasons to go? :)

I have never attended, but have been told by everyone who has attended that there is also pretty much staggering amounts of, shall we say - since this is a public board, man on man affection going on behind hotel doors all weekend long.

True, and not just behind hotel doors... :)

True, and not just behind hotel doors...

Well, usually behind hotels' front doors, at least.

If anyone's going, there are some side events going on that aren't officially part of IML but are being supported by them. In fact, I'm participating in one. On Sunday, there will be a wrestling tournament at the Gill Park Recreation Center. This is freestyle/Olympic wrestling. Should be participants from all over the country as well. The wrestling clubs are also taking a table at the Leather Mart to sell their club gear.

If you're planning on stopping by and saying hello, PM me so I can tell you the best way to contact me.

I have been to about 25 of the 30 and was actually at the 1st IML in 1979.

Its back at the Hyatt this year and it is always a good time. For those of you who are attending is there any interest in having an FT get together there?

I could host in my room at the Hyatt and would even make my toys available for use if you needed to drag a frinend or playmate along....

(Just kidding folks.... I never share my toys!)

I could host in my room at the Hyatt

For a moment I thought this was going to turn into Palm Springs II.

I have been to about 25 of the 30 and was actually at the 1st IML in 1979.I can vouch for SCF....he is quite well known at IML and his attendance is highly anticipated each year! :D
The comment about 10K leather guys taking over the hotel isn't far off the mark, especially in the afternoon when the lobby bar is open.Who'd a ever thunk it.....the world's best leather bar on Memorial Day weekend is the Hyatt! ;)
. . . man on man affection going on behind hotel doors all weekend long.Why else go to IML?
True, and not just behind hotel doors... :)The most infamous parties is the past were at the Congress Hotel....but certainly not behind closed doors. They were on the room top at night, sometimes over 100 guys! ^

So the idea is to roam the floor of the hotel and see what doors are open? Peak inside and decide if you wanna go inside?
Seems like a long walk to me... :p

I'll be there for the first time, sitting at the hotel bar and observing everything (well, whatever it is that can be observed without leaving the bar, which from what I heard quite a bit). My boyfriend is dragging me there, and I am dragging several of my friends with me, it will be quite an experience, Im sure!

I'll be there by myself :(

Hope everybody enjoys IML this year! I'll be MR'ing that weekend. Come back and tell how it was so i can live vicariously!

Halothane

Hope everybody enjoys IML this year! I'll be MR'ing that weekend. Come back and tell how it was so i can live vicariously!

Halothane

I was planning to go to Chicago (mostly Grabby's) but given that I'm heading to LA Pride in First week of June, time and money doesn't work out for me. :td:

Just got back from IML 2008 and had a really good time. All these men roaming the Hyatt is a sight to be seen :p Friendly crowd, more fun than the Black Party in NYC.

Only thing is that it would have been even better if my friends had come along. That will be a prerequisite for going next year.

Still waiting for SCF to pop his head up, back into the daylight. Once he has recovered, I'm sure he'll have stories to tell. (Or, maybe not! ;) )

I have some naughty stories to tell... ;) but FT would ban me right after! :D

Sorry :) Suggestions and helpful hints are fine, explicit material is verboten. In other words, tips permitted, but no tricks.

I have some naughty stories to tell... ;) but FT would ban me right after! :DThat's what PMs are for!

I only went to IML about 10 times, but OMIGAWD, those weekends provide years' worth of memories!

IML 2009 at Hilton Chicago.

IML 2009 at Hilton Chicago.

*requests vacation time*

IML 2009 at Hilton Chicago.

Did IML get too big for the Palmer House?

Oh yes. These years, the IML crowd overwhelms the Palmer House.

Who'da evah thunk it.....during Memorial Day weekend, the best leather bar in the world is at the Chicago Hyatt!