Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) to Host Inaugural LGBT Wedding & Business Expo in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale – The GFLGLCC – Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization dedicated to personal, political, community, and economic diversity and inclusion, has scheduled its inaugural Wedding & Business Expo for Saturday, November 12 from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM. The event will be held on the campus of the Sanctuary at 1400 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale FL.

The Expo will include chamber businesses interested in earning the business of the LGBTQ community. They include both business focused businesses and those primarily in the wedding business. Vendors include florists, spas, hotels, catering, transportation, banking, photographers, financial planners and much more! GFLGLCC corporate partner Broward Health Imperial Point will be on hand to provide health screenings as well.

Keith Blackburn, President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) will be on hand to welcome the community at the event. To make it easier for everyone to attend, admission is free and there will be plenty of free parking. Hot Spots Media Group, South Florida Gay News and the Sanctuary are sponsoring this annual event.

About Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce:

The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non Profit organization, which promotes business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community. They are an advocate and resource for all member businesses that promote equality with a unified approach by working with appropriate organizations. Additional information can be found at http://www.gogayfortlauderdale.com

The GLFLCC has limited vendor and sponsor opportunities remaining. Please contact Ronny Nadiv at Ronny@gflglcc.org for details.

Business Connect: Introducing the GFLGLCC’s Exclusive Referral Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

In an effort to continue to enhance the value provided to its members, the GFLGLCC - Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce rolled out some new benefits on June 1. One key item is the exclusive “Business Connect” program -- designed to facilitate strategic connections between members who share common interests and objectives.

To date, the GFLGLCC’s efforts related to connecting members has largely been focused on utilizing the website and events such as monthly mixers and quarterly luncheons. While these provide a “passive platform” through which members can meet and connect, the new Business Connect program takes a more direct “hands-on” approach.

Eligible members interested in participating in the program will first personally meet with the President / CEO of the Chamber or one of its Board Members to identify their business goals and objectives, their ideal client type and their industry focus. That, along with other key drivers will then be analyzed in the context of the GFLGLCC member base to determine the strategic relationships that makes the most business sense. From there, personal introductions are made between members.

To demonstrate exactly how the program will work, consider this fictional example: an eligible member who provides a line of all natural, organic toiletries is interested in expanding business. During the initial planning meeting, it is decided that the best opportunities to grow their business through the Chamber are via hotels and resorts in the area.

With 30+ hotel and resort members at the Chamber, the focus shifts towards identifying those that could mutually benefit from an introduction. It is concluded that an email will be sent to all 30+ hotel and resort members from the Chamber on behalf of the member, followed up with phone calls to a short list of 10 that have the most promise.

How do we arrive at this short list? By considering things like the ability of local management to make purchasing decisions for in-room amenities or gift shop inventories, any “intelligence” related to change that’s happening or anticipated that could result in a requirement for new product options, etc.

Once the 10 have been identified, the goal is to ultimately facilitate an in-person introduction with as many of them as possible. This might occur at one of the monthly mixers, at a quarterly luncheon, at some other local event or at a brief meeting scheduled specifically for the purpose of a meet and greet.

The example doesn’t end there! Through the analysis, let’s say that there are also two hotel management and consulting company members identified. By facilitating an introduction to those two members, additional opportunities may open up via their networks!

As is demonstrated by the specificity of that fictional example, all program details will be custom tailored to each individual member that goes through the program. Great care will be taken to make meaningful introductions that have the potential to benefit both sides. For this reason, the specific number of introductions and approach to facilitating the connections will vary from member to member.

The new program, which is still in the pilot phase, will be offered to its Corporate level members and above as part of their standard membership benefits. For more information and to join the GFLGLCC, please visit www.gogayfortlauderdale.com/ or contact the GFLGLCC at 954-523-3500.

The GFLGLCC is the exclusive Broward County affiliate of the NGLCC - National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Their mission is to promote business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community; be an advocate and resource for all member businesses that promote equality and to promote tourism with a unified approach by working with appropriate and related organizations.

Help The GFLGLCC Match $25,000 to Raise $50,000+ #OrlandoStrong

For Immediate Release THE GFLGLCC ANNOUNCES TITO'S HANDMADE VODKA PLEDGES TO MATCH $25,000 TO RAISE $50,000 PLUS TO ASSIST THOSE EFFECTED BY THE ORLANDO TRAGEDY  The GFLGLCC - Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce board and staff were shocked by the horrific event at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando early Sunday June 12.  On Monday morning, I received a phone call from Grant Portier, the Florida Market Manager of Tito's Handmade Vodka. Last Summer Tito's was one of our sponsors for the NGLCC Welcome Reception which we hosted. It was a great event with 900+ in attendance.  Monday's call was to offer condolences to the LGBTQ community and to ask how they could best help our neighbors in Orlando. Tito's Handmade Vodka proposed matching donations up to $25,000 to help those affected by Sunday's tragic shooting in Orlando.  Grant told me that he and the company recognize and appreciate the support they receive from the LGBTQ community. The one question they had was which organization would be best equipped to facilitate the donation. Without hesitation, I contacted our community partner Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida. Within several hours, we had a solid commitment from Tito's Handmade Vodka. Amy Lukken, head of the philanthropic arm of Tito's stated "All of our family here at Tito's Handmade Vodka are heartbroken over the cowardly act that occurred at Pulse Night Club.  We are responding the only way our family, friends, and fans know how to and that is with love. We desire a world free of hate for all mankind and will continue to support our LGBTQ families. We are making a contribution to Equality Florida and are asking you to join us in donating to them as well.  Tito's will share the love and match dollar for dollar up to $25,000." It gets better. Southern Wine & Spirits (they are the local distributors of Tito's Handmade Vodka) has also committed to matching funds collected from their employees.  All employee contributions, as well as Southern's match, will go directly to help the victims and their families via Equality Florida. The GLFGLCC is proud to work with companies like Tito's Handmade Vodka and organizations like Equality Florida. Please join us and help those in need by clicking here . In the comment box, put "Tito's match", so they can be sure to double your dollar. The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non Profit organization, which promotes business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community. They are an advocate and resource for all member businesses that promote equality with a unified approach by working with appropriate organizations. Additional information can be found at GoGayFortLauderdale.com For further information, please contact Keith Blackburn at Keith@gflglcc.org   http://www.gogayfortlauderdale.com/

Exclusive LGBT Wedding Resource Guide: Just Vows - Love is Love

For Immediate Release

THE GFLGLCC ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE LGBT WEDDING RESOURCE GUIDE: JUST VOWS - LOVE IS LOVE PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACK-TIE PUBLISHING 

Today marks the 1st anniversary of the historic day when marriage equality became law in Florida. The GFLGLCC - Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Black-Tie Publishing to produce our exclusive LGBT Wedding Resource Guide: Just Vows - Love is Love, focused on Broward County.


 

According to the latest US Census, Fort Lauderdale has the highest number of same-sex couple households in the U.S.  Neighboring cities of Wilton Manors and Oakland Park are in the top ten. contributing to our local demographic is a huge wedding destination industry.

Our Wedding Resource Guide will assist LGBT couples looking for “gay welcoming” companies as they plan their wedding.  Our guide is a perfect way for your business to connect with the LGBT demographic. The guide will feature reception sites, restaurants, photographers, event professionals, officiants, health and beauty,  realtors, attorneys, insurance companies, hotels, florists, caterers and more! 

Surveys say that 24,248 same sex couples living in Florida will opt to marry during the next 3 years. If you're interested in reaching this huge market, contact Nancy Feller or Stephanie Bosco-Luca of Black-Tie Publishing. You can reach them at 954-472-6003 or at nancy@justvows.com.

The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non Profit organization, which promotes business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community. They are an advocate and resource for all member businesses that promote equality with a unified approach by working with appropriate
organizations. Additional information can be found at GoGayFortLauderdale.com

For further information, please contact Keith Blackburn at Keith@gflglcc.org  

http://www.gogayfortlauderdale.com/