Daily Inspiration: Meet Chris Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Smith.

Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Pride Adventures really grew out of two things I have always been passionate about: travel and community. For years, I was leading outdoor adventures and local trips through California Gay Adventures (CGA)
, a not for profit 501(c)(7) social club that brings LGBTQ+ people together for hikes, camping, and outdoor experiences. What I realized was that there was an even greater need for curated, affirming group travel experiences beyond California where LGBTQ+ travelers could feel safe, celebrated, and connected while exploring the world together.

That is how Pride Adventures was born. We started small, partnering with trusted operators and creating our own hosted experiences, but the vision has always been bigger than just trips. Pride Adventures is about building a network and community, connecting people to meaningful travel, other queer owned and queer led companies, and experiences that stay with you long after the suitcase is unpacked.

Since no one company can represent the entire LGBTQ+ rainbow, we partner with other organizations who specialize in different parts of our community. For example, we work with Queer Connect Travel to highlight lesbian and queer women’s experiences, Discover Queer for retreats and Pride-based adventures, and Best Man Matchmaking for gay men’s curated journeys. By collaborating, we make sure there is something for everyone, while also uplifting other queer-led travel businesses.

Today we are curating adventures on nearly every continent, from hiking Mont Blanc to celebrating WorldPride in Amsterdam, from houseboats on Lake Powell to exploring temples in Thailand. Along the way I have learned that travel is one of the most powerful tools we have for creating connection, empathy, and joy. And what makes me proudest is seeing people return from a trip not only with amazing memories, but with lifelong friends and a deeper sense of belonging.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The travel business is fun, but it is definitely not easy. Even with more than 20 years of marketing experience in the healthcare industry, and many years of running LGBTQ+ community organizations, I quickly realized that building a fully functional, SEO optimized website that actually converts customers is a huge undertaking. Developing social media and advertising content that not only pulls people in but also tells an authentic story takes a lot of trial and error.

The positive side is that we started small with CGA (California Gay Adventures), and we have grown steadily as the demand and the needs of our community have grown. We have learned many lessons along the way and continue to adapt. Every challenge has helped us become stronger and more intentional about how we create meaningful, sustainable travel experiences for the LGBTQ+ community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I grew up in Arizona, one of seven kids in a large Mormon family. Three of us are LGBTQ, which has shaped much of how I see the world and the importance of creating spaces where people feel they belong. My dad hosted a hunting and outdoors television show back in the 1980s, and that early exposure to nature, adventure, and seeing the world gave me a love for the outdoors that has never left me.

As a young person I became an Eagle Scout, and later served as a Mormon missionary. Both experiences instilled in me discipline, service, and a sense of community—values that still influence the way I approach my work today. They also gave me a deep appreciation for different cultures and for the ways travel can connect us to people and places beyond ourselves.

Professionally, I spent over 20 years in healthcare marketing, which gave me the business, branding, and storytelling skills to build Pride Adventures into what it is today. Alongside that, I’ve been deeply involved in LGBTQ+ community organizations, including founding California Gay Adventures (CGA – JoinCGA.com)
. That mix of personal history, professional expertise, and community commitment is what makes Pride Adventures unique.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe having mentors in any business is important, and travel is no exception. For me, the most valuable opportunities have come from attending trade fairs and industry showcases, where you can connect with people who have been doing this work for years.

In the LGBTQ+ travel space especially, our community is relatively small, so those connections and collaborations are essential. We work with several other LGBTQ+ travel partners, and those relationships have been both supportive and inspiring. Finding the right host agency or partner organization that truly believes in your mission is key.

One of the best lessons I have learned is that collaboration is far more powerful than competition. When we share ideas, support one another, and build together, we strengthen the entire LGBTQ+ travel community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://prideadventures.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prideadventures_lgbtq/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prideadventures
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBFckanTyW1cQTZqzBfwskw

Image Credits
No credits – all individuals have givens permission to use photos in promotional materials.