Frequently Asked Questions...and answers, too!

Online payment via PayPal's safe and secure website is the preferred method of payment. For payment via check please contact info@lakeeriegala.com for mailing directions. Checks postmarked after November 5, 2025, may not be honored.

No registration will be honored without pre-payment. Registration and/or payment received after November 5, 2025, will be subject to availability. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration and payment have been processed. If you do not receive an email within 4 days (or 10 days if mailing), please contact us at info@lakeeriegala.com.

We know that things come up that may prevent you from attending Lake Erie Gala and we do our best to fully refund your registration. However, because we must make financial commitments to the hotel as well as other entities, there will be no refunds for cancellations after November 1, 2025. Please email us at info@LakeErieGala.com to cancel.

Your Gala package determines which meals, events and activities you will be able to partake of. It does not include the cost of your hotel stay which is a different charge directly from the hotel. When you visit the Lake Erie registration desk at the hotel, you will be given your registration packet which includes the Gala program, the Gala badge which is your passport to the meals, events and activities and various other material.

If you would like to be a vendor at the Lake Erie Gala, please contact info@lakeeriegala.com. Vendors must register to participate at the Lake Erie Gala. Space is limited, so please register by November 1, 2024. Any registration sent after the deadline will be subject to space availability.

If you would like to offer a discount or special for the week it would be greatly appreciated. You can keep it as simple as "show me your Lake Erie Gala Badge" and receive 10% off purchase of one item. Or if you can offer a Door Prize or Gift Card you will receive special recognition during our daily announcements for the Gala week and a spot on all our social media and websites. Remember, we are a 501C3 charitable organization. Please email info@LakeErieGala.com to register.

Check the front board by the Lake Erie Registration desk for the times the Lake Erie registration will be open. If you arrive after the desk is closed look for one of the Board Members (we'll be wearing our badges, so you know who we are) to help you out. Check into the hotel, unpack, get gussied up and come and have fun with us.

Your name badge is required for admittance to all meals and events during the Lake Erie Gala. You will be asked to retrieve your name badge if you forgot it. It is also a great way to introduce yourself to others and get to know as many people as you can. Also, do not lose your meal tickets! They are required to gain access to the lunch and dinner events--no exceptions! If you have special dietary restrictions, special meals must be ordered in advance. Special dietary arrangements require a special meal ticket.

Lake Erie Gala is hosted by The Lake Erie Group (aka The Erie Sisters and Brothers), a Pennsylvania 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves the transgender community of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The organizers are all volunteers, and our goal is to make this special event affordable for everyone, so please come join us!

The Erie Sisters and Brothers is a support group dedicated to helping transgenders, their friends and families come to terms with themselves. We exist to promote acceptance through education, enlightenment, and social integration.

Yes! Hotel guests can ship items to the hotel just as an exhibitor would. The hotel will hold the boxes for you until your arrival. If you plan to ship them back to yourself, you will need to call for and coordinate the pick-up. We highly suggest that you ship them via UPS or FedEx so that you will have a tracking number to follow your shipment. Please address the material as follows:

Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel
Attn: Lake Erie Gala (YOUR NAME)
55 W Bay Rd
Erie, PA 16507

Before taking any photos, you must get the permission of anyone you may capture on film or video tape including those in the background. Please respect those that do not desire to have their picture taken. We will have a photographer on site during the events.

The Lake Erie Group (aka Lake Erie Sisters and Brothers, the host of The Lake Erie Gala, are committed to protecting everyone's personal information, identity and privacy. Please visit our Privacy Policy page to read it in detail. We have developed this privacy policy to inform you about what information this web site collects, who receives that information, what we do with the information, and how long we keep it. While we have made every attempt to make this policy as clear as possible, if you have any further questions about it, feel free to contact us at info@LakeErieGala.com

Participants are expected to dress appropriately for public gatherings. Please use common sense and remember that you are representing our community. Formal, semi-formal and business attire are appropriate for Saturday's Lake Erie Gala Dinner & Dance. Those individuals who are disruptive or disorderly may be asked to leave by the conference management team or the hotel staff, no refunds forthcoming. Anyone asked to leave by the hotel security will also be banned from the conference. Please be mindful of the effects of alcohol and drink wisely. Above all, remember you are a representative of our community, so be a kind, polite and respectful one.

The hotel has public restrooms which are patronized by the hotel guests and outside visitors. Please use the hotel's public restrooms with the gender you identify with in an appropriate manner and respectfully of other attendees and Hotel Guests. Restrooms are not to be used for undressing or changing clothing.

Absolutely! We welcome not only transgender and cross-dressing individuals, but also their spouses, significant others, families, friends & allies. In fact, many of our events and activities are specifically to include not only those that are transgender but know and care for someone who is.

Absolutely! Not only are you welcome, but your participation is essential. We have a continually active group of spouses and significant others in our area who have developed a relationship as well as activities to help you enjoy yourself. Please visit our Spouses/Significant Other page for additional information.