CHICAGO – Early Bird Registration for the annual LGBTQ Asians and Friends conference in Honolulu 2027 will end on Dec. 31, 2026. Conference organizers say the registration rate of $319, which covers general activities, entertainment and receptions, will increase to $369 in January 2027.
Many members of Asians and Friends Chicago may not know that the kind of relationship-building and camaraderie generated among the local LGBTQ Asian community and allies here in Chicago and surrounding suburbs happens in multiple cities across the country and around the world.
Chicago is just one of over a dozen chapters in cities like Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Houston, Atlanta; San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Every year, the parent organization, the International Friendship Alliance (IFA), hosts an annual conference in the fall, traditionally over the Labor Day weekend, but lately in October. Called the International Friendship Conference or ifCON, the 2026 gathering occurred this past October in Taipei, Taiwan. The year before, organizers held a Caribbean cruise. In 2024, the San Francisco chapter hosted the event.
Next year, the conference will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, just two blocks from the famed Waikiki Beach, from Oct. 14-18, 2027. Former Asians and Friends Chicago Pres. Angel Abcede is the co-chair of ifCON Honolulu 2027. Early Bird registration will run until the end of the year, with hotel reservations open at a group rate. To register for the conference and the host hotel, visit ifcon.world/hawaii.
In 2022, IFA named the local Chicago organization “Chapter of the Year.” For more information about Asians and Friends Chicago, visit afchicago.org.
Here’s a short history about IFA and ifCON:
The International Friendship Conference (ifCON) is an annual social gathering hosted over the years by members of the International Friendship Alliance (IFA) and Long Yang Club (LYC).
ifCON started out in 1988 as a small, informal gathering of Asians and Friends from Washington, D.C., and New York to celebrate the D.C. group’s fourth anniversary. The following year, there was a reciprocal visit to New York. In 1990, members decided to invite other chapters to participate, and ever since, the simple gathering of friends has blossomed into an exciting, international, social and educational gathering every Labor Day weekend.
ifCON offers fun, camaraderie and support for gay, Asian men and their friends. Organizers plan local tours, educational workshops and social events that culminate in an extravagant gala complete with entertainment and pageantry. Each year, member chapters host IFCON in their cities, drawing participants from around the globe. It’s even been held on a cruise ship, twice!
Member participation builds the momentum for a supportive, safe and empowered brotherhood, one that has endured the challenges of language, self-esteem and self-respect. It’s a bond backed by rich ethnic histories, cultures and independence that underscores the journeys of every segment within the LGBTQ community.
IFW Host Cities (International Friendship Weekend)
Washington, DC – 1990
Chicago, IL – 1991
San Francisco, CA – 1992
Pittsburgh, PA – 1993
New York, NY – 1994
Dallas, TX – 1995
London, England – 1996
Los Angeles, CA – 1997
Cleveland, OH – 1998
Washington, DC – 1999
Chicago, IL – 2000
Houston, TX – 2001
Bahamas Cruise (Hosted by AF South Florida) – 2002
Pittsburgh, PA – 2003
Philadelphia, PA – 2004
iCON Host Cities (Independent Event until 2005)
London, Eng – 1999
Seattle, WA – 2000
No iCON Event (due to 9/11) – 2001
Montréal, CN – 2002
Paris, FR – 2003
Bangkok, TH – 2004
IFW /iCON Host Cities (Joint Hosted Events)
Toronto, CN – 2005
San Francisco, CA – 2006
Minneapolis, MN – 2007
Berlin, Germany – 2008
ifCON Host Cities (After Name Changed in 2009)
Atlanta, GA – 2009
Caribbean Cruise (Hosted by AF Chicago) – 2010
Houston, TX – 2011
Denver, CO – 2012
San Diego, CA – 2013
Washington, DC – 2014
New Orleans, LA (Hosted by AF Houston) – 2015
Chicago, IL – 2016
Montréal, CN – 2017
Palm Springs, CA – 2018
Puerto Vallarta, MX – 2019
No ifCON Event(due to COVID pandemic) -2020
Orlando, FL – 2021
Toronto, CN – 2022
Las Vegas, NV -2023
San Francisco – 2024
Virgin Voyages Fire & Sunset Soirees – 2025
Taipei, Taiwan – 2026
Honolulu, HI – 2027
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