| News and Updates | October 2013 | |
Greetings!
Summer is gone and people keep telling me how busy things were. Gone are the days when much of Greater Fort Lauderdale closed shop and took an extended vacation. Did you have a busy summer?
I'm very excited to tell you that after a lot of careful discussion, we have teamed up with Lipton Toyota as our newest Corporate Partner. Lipton wants to do more than just sell cars. They are giving back to our community by offering a $300 donation to any of our Community Partners. This offer extends to our members, family and friends and includes new car leases or purchases.
Our last luncheon had a record turn out, thanks to the great food and hospitality at da Campo Osteria and the iL Lugano Hotel.
We are now in the process of choosing a location for the DecemberMetLife/GFLGLCC Quarterly Networking Luncheon. Stay tuned for details.
To support LGBT tourism, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau - CVB recently joined forces with us at the Gay Days Las Vegas Expo. This followed the hugely successful Gay Days Orlando Expo.
We're excited to be a Sponsor for CMI's 14th Annual International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism, December 11-13 at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa.
On the day after the conference -- December 14th, we will be sponsoring the GLBT Travel Expo, also at the Westin. If you're interested in participating, please let us know.
Please take a few minutes to look scroll down and read our latest. As always, please send an email with any questions about what we're doing or how we can help your business to prosper!
|
| Lipton Toyota in Partnership with the GFLGLCC is Giving Back to the Community One Non-Profit at a Time |
|
 An Exclusive Cash-Back Donation Program Benefiting our Community Partners has Begun The GFLGLCC will work with our Community Partners (501-c-3 organizations) to manage an ongoing promotion where Lipton Toyota will make a $300 donation on behalf of GFLGLCC member's family and friends, who lease or purchase a new car from Lipton Toyota.
All donations shall be endorsed directly to the customer's Community Partner(s) of choice and delivered via the GLFLGCC.
Our Community Partners include the following organizations:
o South Florida Symphony Orchestra
o Island City Stage
o Poverello
o Stonewall National Museum and Archives
o The Pride Center at Equality Park
o Sunserve
o PYP Foundation
o Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida
o Our Fund, Inc.
o World AIDS Museum
We encourage everyone to mention this to business colleagues, family and friends. This program must be mentioned at the time of lease or purchase. Please contact Keith Blackburn here with questions. |
| SFGN Offers GFLGLCC Huge Member-Only Discounts on Display Ads for Our New Full Page Business Directory |
|
Starting at Only $30 Per Issue, this is a Great Opportunity to Get Your Message Out. Email Adrian Evans Here for Details |
| Reach the Women's Market: She Magazine Offers Exclusive GFLGLCC Members-Only Display Ad Rates |
|
Place 3 Ads (1/4 Page or Larger) and Receive 4th Ad FREE. You Will Also Receive Added Value. Email Maria Espinal Here for Details
|
| Please Vote for the GFLGLCC Under "BEST BUSINESS GROUP" in SFGN's "Best of Gay Friendly South Florida" |
|
 Vote in SFGN's annual Best Of contest and you may just walk away a winner yourself, with hundreds of dollars in prizes being given away to entrants.
Please click HERE to vote |
| Congratulations to Dunham Insurance! |
|
 Christopher Dunham has been a Florida insurance agent for 17 years. After a successful career with one of the top insurance companies in the country, Chris discovered the need for a more personal approach. In 1997 he founded Dunham Insurance Services as a family business. Today, Dunham Insurance is a respected leader among Florida insurance agencies. Dunham Insurance sets the gold standard for excellent customer service by "protecting the lifestyle to which you are accustomed." |
| Your GFLGLCC is a Sponsor For the 14th Annual International Conference on Gay & Lesbian Tourism Presented by CMI. GFLGLCC members save on "TAG Approved" membership and Conference registration |
|
Over 30 speakers! The tourism industry's premiere marketing, sales, public relations and research forum to help you reach LGBT travelers.
Every year, CMI brings together leading tourism professionals to learn about the gay and lesbian market from the experts - the people behind the success stories. Perfect for marketing and sales executives of tourism boards, CVBs, DMOs, accommodations, tour operators, events, agencies and meeting planners.
Topics include: Internet, print and direct marketing, research trends, LGBT niche segments, sales techniques and ROI tracking, community involvement, press relations and more.
All hotels are encouraged to become TAG Approved. GFLGLCC members get special pricing: $99 for small hotels & Guesthouses (less than 30-rooms),or $129 for large properties. Please click here to download the form
|
| We've joined the ACLU and 10 other major LGBT groups in signing a joint statement on the fight for marriage equality in Florida |
|
 Please help us to educate Floridians. The following is the text from our joint statement:
As organizations that work together for LGBTQ equality and justice, achieving our right to marriage is a top priority. There is a strong coalition of local, state and national organizations actively planning and executing a strategy to capitalize on the recent Supreme Court decisions.
We are writing to clarify that our organizations are not affiliated with the recently declared efforts to put a marriage amendment on the ballot in 2014. We believe that the timing is premature, because the intensive work that would make victory possible has not been done and that a failed effort would set us back at a time of tremendous momentum.
In consultation with state and national legal and political experts, we believe that the fastest path forward involves shifting public opinion and charting a strategy to achieve victory through the courts.
We are investing our time in these strategies. Nearly 500 couples have signed up as plaintiffs for a potential lawsuit. A ballot measure should be a last resort, not a path taken hastily. And a deep investment would be required to lay the groundwork for success, especially in our state where a 60% majority is required to amend the constitution.
We are not closing the door entirely on a future ballot fight. Fundamental rights by their very nature should not be subject to a public vote. But in a state with a hostile legislature and a challenging legal path, we must consider the possibility of returning to the ballot box to undo the harm. The timing and resources needed to win must be a part of the strategy.
We must enlist thousands of marriage equality advocates to join a public education campaign aimed at shifting public opinion in our favor. Our success will determine if and when it would make sense to return to the ballot and will strengthen the chances that a legal challenge will prevail. |
| GFLGLCC "Gay Travel Guide" Offers Wide Distribution | |
 We just returned from Gay Days Las Vegas! The Second Edition of our Gay Travel Guide was recently distributed at the LGBT Travel shows in New York and Chicago. We were also in Seattle, Vancouver, Gay Days Orlando, Las Vegas and Key West Pride, promoting our tourism and hospitality members. The Gay Travel Guide is pocket sized and features maps, a complete listing of our hospitality and tourism related business members, cultural events and more. The 64-page publication is fully funded by display advertising. To learn more about this, please send an email. You can also view an electronic "flip Guide" on our website.
|
| Your GFLGLCC is Seeking a Few Good Members | |
 Would you Like to Serve on a Counsel or Board? We'd Like to Hear From You. As our Chamber grows, we have more needs in various areas. We are currently seeking volunteersto use their passion, talents, and expertise to help us grow. If you're interested in learning more, please send an email to Keith Blackburn. |
| Annual Member Survey Needs Your Input | |
 We Want to Know What You're Thinking The GFLGLCC opened our Annual Survey last month. We encourage you to participate. We also invite you to offer suggestions, so that we can bring you what you want. Your opinions count, so please be candid. Please click here to participate in the survey. |
| NGLCC News | |
 Attend the 2013 NGLCC National Dinner and Policy & Procurement Forum November 22 at the National Building Museum Washington, DC | Monthly Teleconferences for Certified Members Did you know that The NGLCC is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of the LGBT business community? Your GFLGLCC is the exclusive Fort Lauderdale and Broward County affiliate chamber -- offering you NGLCC benefits at no additional cost of membership. Presented in conjunction with the 11th Annual National Dinner, NGLCC is excited to announce the first-ever Washington, D.C.-based program dedicated to navigating the shifting diversity certification conversation at the federal level and advancing the future of LGBT-owned business around the world.
The NGLCC Policy & Procurement Forum: Vision for the Advancement of LGBT-Owned Businesses will take place November 21 and 22 in Washington, D.C. This event will bring together NGLCC corporate partners, government affairs leaders, federal contracting representatives, local affiliate chambers, Members of Congress, and certified LGBT Business Enterprises® (LGBTBEs®) dedicated to expanding discussions around important policy concerns, procurement, and international expansion possibilities.
The forum will conclude with our gala at the National Building Museum, where we will celebrate the achievements of courageous women and men in the business equality movement. Please RSVP for the National Dinner
Is your business Certified as an LGBTE? Have you wanted to be Certified, but haven't had the time to complete the application? Did you know that there is NO additional charge from the NGLCC as long as your membership is active with the GFLGLCC? We encourage you to consider the options. If you'd like to know more, have questions, or want assistance, please contact Keith Blackburn at Keith@GFLGLCC.org today!
The NGLCC recently began a monthly teleconference series, "I'm Certified, Now What?" Email invitations are sent to all Certified businesses, so be on the lookout for the next one. Calls specifically discuss how to use your certification to a.) maximize your growth potential and b.) engage our corporate partners to the best of your abilities. Other subjects and guest speakers will be announced. |
|
If you're not currently a member of the GFLGLCC, please take a moment to see the many benefits we offer our members. Sincerely,
Keith Blackburn
President / CEO
GFLGLCC |
|
|
