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More than 50 business owners and their representatives gathered Monday at Cheeky’s Lounge for the third meeting aimed at determining whether Zona Romántica should create a new business association, a new neighborhood association or establish a LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce.
The Aug. 10 meeting brought together a broad range of opinions about the future of the area, with participants discussing trash collection, infrastructure, tourism, the seasonal slowdown, security and the need for businesses and residents to have a stronger collective voice with local government.
Photo by Jerry Jones
The meeting was led by Carlos Plascencia, Puerto Vallarta’s director of sexual diversity, and Alberto Martinez Uc, chief operating officer of Donner & Associates.
No final decision was reached.
Instead, Plascencia and Martinez said they would continue researching the available organizational models and provide participants with information about the differences among them. A survey will also be circulated to determine which option businesses prefer.
The meeting followed two earlier gatherings focused on organizing businesses in Zona Romántica.
Three possible paths
The discussion centered on three potential approaches.
- One would be a neighborhood or residents’ association modeled in part on the Marina Vallarta organization.
- Another would be a business-focused civil association, similar to ACT LGBT, which was created by Puerto Vallarta business owners in 2013 to promote LGBT commerce and tourism and became a civil association in January 2014.
- The third option would be creating a new LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce.
Participants stressed that the three models have different purposes and legal structures and should not simply be combined without first determining what the community actually needs.
There is already an existing Asociación de Vecinos de la Colonia Emiliano Zapata – and the group plans to meet with representatives to determine whether the existing organization could address some of the issues being raised rather than creating a competing organization.
“We need to investigate the existing Emiliano Zapata association, determine if and how we can collaborate, and decide on our next steps,” Plascencia said.
Trash emerges as immediate concern
Trash collection was one of the most frequently discussed issues.
Several participants described problems with the timing and location of garbage placed on streets, while others argued that businesses and residents also have a responsibility to change their practices.
One speaker described walking the streets and collecting garbage before placing it at a designated collection point so municipal crews could pick it up.
The problem, he said, is that businesses and residents put garbage outside at different times throughout the day, making it difficult for municipal crews to keep the streets clean.
Others suggested that businesses could work together to provide additional trash containers or establish collection points.
The discussion comes as another community initiative, Vallarta Limpio, is beginning a pilot program in Zona Romántica focused on additional trash receptacles, community participation and improved waste management. The group has said its pilot is being developed in cooperation with the city and could eventually be expanded to other neighborhoods.
Some participants cautioned that any new business organization should coordinate with existing efforts rather than duplicate them.
Attracting tourists — and keeping them
The conversation also moved beyond garbage.
Martinez said the group needs to address both sides of the tourism equation: attracting visitors and making sure the experience they have once they arrive matches what was promised.
He pointed to problems including trash, potholes, water service, internet and electricity as issues that can affect the visitor experience and influence them on returning for future visits.
The low season was another concern.
Plascencia said businesses had traditionally expected a slowdown between June and November, but he argued that the current downturn began earlier this year, affecting months that normally would have been stronger.
He said the community needs to develop events and other activities capable of drawing visitors during traditionally slower periods.
He cited the recent Latin Fest: Diversity Week as an example of an event that attracted visitors and received national and international media attention.
Plascencia said similar efforts could involve bars, restaurants, museums, galleries, real estate businesses and other members of the local business community.
The goal, he said, is to create enough activity that visitors from Guadalajara and other nearby markets have a reason to choose Puerto Vallarta during slower periods.
A stronger voice with government
Several speakers said that individual businesses often struggle to get government agencies to respond, while a large organization could provide a stronger collective voice.
Armando Sánchez argued that the area’s businesses are fragmented and need an organization capable of representing them in discussions with the government.
“A chamber of commerce would give us that necessary clout,” Sánchez said, arguing that officials would be more likely to respond when a request represents dozens or hundreds of businesses rather than an individual owner.
Other participants noted that a new organization would need more than a name and membership dues. It would need clearly defined objectives, accountability, leadership and measurable projects.
That point was echoed by Anthony Madedi, owner of Onyx Bar PV, who said the purpose should be to turn complaints into specific initiatives with people responsible for carrying them out.
“We want to drive action,” he said.
Questions about membership and money
The question of cost also generated discussion.
Martinez said representatives of the Marina association had explained that annual contributions can vary depending on the property, with figures discussed at the meeting ranging from about 2,000 pesos to 4,000 pesos.
But some business owners questioned whether struggling businesses have the money or staff time to participate in another organization.
Will Murdoch, who is a leader from the Amapas association, said participation can decline when businesses do not see clear benefits from membership.
That experience, he suggested, should be considered before creating another organization.
The former ACT LGBT organization was also cited as an example of both the potential benefits and challenges of a business association.
Geographic limits remain under discussion
Another question was how large any new organization should be.
Some participants argued for an organization focused specifically on Zona Romántica, while others favored a broader LGBTQ+ business organization covering Puerto Vallarta.
Plascencia noted that “Zona Romántica” is primarily a commercial designation rather than a single official neighborhood and that the area commonly associated with the name includes parts of Emiliano Zapata, Amapas and surrounding areas.
Martinez said the immediate focus should remain geographically manageable.
The idea, he said, is to develop a pilot project in Zona Romántica, learn what works and potentially expand the model to other parts of Puerto Vallarta.
Next steps
The organizers said they will distribute information comparing the three organizational options and circulate a new survey to business owners and representatives.
They also plan to continue discussions with the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood association and existing LGBTQ+ business organizations before deciding whether to create something new.
Plascencia also said he would explore conversations with municipal officials about issues such as waste management once the group has a clearer set of demands.
The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the process rather than a vote on a final organizational structure.
For now, the message from the meeting was less about creating another organization and more about determining what kind of organization — if any — can provide the structure, representation and accountability businesses say the Zona Romántica needs.
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