FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NGLCC Contact:
Kate Karasmeighan
202.234.9181
kkarasmeighan@nglcc.org
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® 6th Annual Business & Leadership Conference A Great Success!
(Washington, DC) June 25, 2009 - NGLCC's 2009 National Business & Leadership Conference: Out for Business! in Seattle proved that LGBT business owners are not only surviving this dark economy but they're thriving by building dynamic alliances with each other and corporate allies. The sixth annual conference, co-presented by Aetna and Ernst & Young, brought together LGBT business owners, corporate leaders, state and local LGBT chambers, experts, and entrepreneurs for three days of roundtables, symposia, keynote speakers and special events.
A powerful theme that ran through much of the conference was the importance of NGLCC members reaching out to other members and business owners in the LGBT business community to boost networking and B2B opportunities. "One of the best things I've seen happen over the last six years is the connection between LGBT businesses that are being suppliers to one another," said Justin Nelson, NGLCC's co-founder and president. "Realizing in these economic times – frankly in all economic times – we really do need to be supportive of our own businesses, of our community's businesses." It was a message that hit home with business owners in attendance, many of which believe their NGLCC certification is vital in making connections with other businesses and in winning contracts with the nation's top corporations.
The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) was the Host Affiliate Chamber for the event and sponsored a kick-off reception at the Space Needle. "The GSBA did a tremendous job helping ensure the 2009 NGLCC National Business and Leadership Conference was a huge success," said Chance Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of the NGLCC. "We are grateful to the entire GSBA team-board, staff and members for helping roll out the red carpet in Seattle."
Conference goers were able to choose from a wealth of seminars, plenary sessions and workshops, each designed to help make sure they remain on the cutting edge of their business. True to past tradition, one of the most popular sessions was the Women's Business Initiative roundtable, which brought together women business leaders and executives to talk about their experiences as lesbians in the work world.
An important ingredient in the LGBT business community is the political landscape. Nelson pointed out the importance of small business owners being active politically to help move LGBT issues through the political arena is especially vital right now given the opportunities available on a national and state level. Conference attendees heard from key elected and appointed officials on the state and federal level, many of whom are in the heat of important legislative discussions on taxes and health care reform-key issues for small business owners. Featured speakers included U.S. Senator Patty Murray, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, Washington State Senator Ed Murray, and Director of Washington State’s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Rogers Weed.
The NGLCC also recognized the contributions and accomplishments of the nation's top LGBT business leaders and local chambers of commerce. Joyce Marieb, CEO of the Greater San Diego Business Association, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while NGLCC leaders also recognized Quorum: Twin Cities GLBTA Chamber of Commerce as the 2009 Chamber of the Year and the Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunities as the Rising Star Chamber of the Year. Additionally, the Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce took away best honors for the 2009 Best Print Publication and the Golden Gate Business Association and San Jose Rainbow Chamber shared the Most Innovative Program of the Year Award for their collaboration on the Bay Area Pride Pages. Rounding out the 2009 Chamber Awards was the GSBA, which walked away with the Community Outreach Award for its scholarship program.
Other sponsors of the conference included Aetna, Ernst & Young, IBM, ING, Wells Fargo, American Airlines, American Family Insurance, Hilton, CVM Solutions, Motorola, RBC Wealth Management, at&t, FunMaps, Continental Airlines, MetLife, Schering-Plough, UPS, The Accomplished Traveler, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, Community Marketing, Inc., Citi, Coors, Human Rights Campaign, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, BIZ, Merck, OmniStudio, RSVP Vacations, OutSmart Office Solutions, Southwest Airlines, Team Photogenic, Witeck-Combs Communications, The Mixx, You Name It Promotions, Champlin Wireless Communications, Echelon, IGLTA, Pink Banana, Seattle Gay News, and Intel.
Photos and video clips from the event can be found at www.nglcc.org.
About the NGLCC:
The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between LGBT business owners, corporations, and government. The NGLCC was founded as the exclusive organization for certification of LGBT owned businesses, and works to foster mutually beneficial opportunities for small businesses and corporate members. As the umbrella organization for 47 state, local and international LGBT chambers of commerce affiliates, the NGLCC is the largest LGBT business advocacy and development organization in the world.
