THE GFLGLCC ANNOUNCES 2019 CHAMBER HERO AWARD WINNERS

Chamber Hero Awards to be presented by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla (August 21, 2019) - The Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce has chosen 5 outstanding members to receive the inaugural Chamber Hero Award. The awards will be presented by Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean J. Trantalis at a luncheon event which takes place at the new Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery on September 5th. The event is sponsored by Capital One. Everyone is welcome, but advance registration is required. Details and registration links are located by clicking here.

The 2019 Chamber Hero Awards will be presented to:

• Jungle Queen Riverboats – Jeffrey Kaplan
• Northwestern Mutual Striano Financial Group – Linda Buccilli
• Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor’s Bureau – Richard Gray
• Freedom Travel – Richard Safaty
• Reyka Vodka – Paola London

"Jungle Queen Riverboats has shown support for our chamber and the LGBT+ community by hosting our annual holiday parties for the past 3 years in a row. The 4th one is scheduled for this December. Not only has Jungle Queen Riverboats donated the boat and crew, but Jeff and his team have always been there to greet our members and to personally assist" said Keith Blackburn, President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

"Linda and Northwestern Mutual has supported the chamber and is the exclusive presenting sponsor of our quarterly breakfast events. Linda has been an amazing ally to our community. In addition to the chamber, she has supported fundraisers, like the annual Bowling to Fight Hunger, Florida AIDS Walk and more said Keith Blackburn, President / CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

"Our partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau - CVB is critical to our tourism-related efforts. The CVB partnership supports our chamber and our LGBT+ Visitor Center. With the CVB's partnership and Richard's personal commitment, along with the full support of his CEO, Stacy Ritter we have been able to make a huge impact" said Keith Blackburn, President / CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

"Soon after Freedom Travel joined the chamber, we were strategizing how to create a unique experience while raising money for the chamber.  Rich quickly got approval from Celebrity Cruises to host a Sunday lunch on the Celebrity Silhouette. This event was used to showcase our first chamber cruise, which sets sail on September 7th on the Celebrity Equinox" said Keith Blackburn, President / CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

"I first met Paola in 2015 when I was planning the Welcome Reception for the NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference, which took place in Fort Lauderdale. The event was huge with 1000+ expected attendees. Paola and her team donated the product and created an amazing and unforgettable Reyka Waterfall. That event led to our ongoing partnership, with Reyka Vodka as our monthly mixer sponsor" said Keith Blackburn, President / CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

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About the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce - GFLGLCC

The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non-Profit independent organization affiliated with the NGLCC – National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to promoting business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. To 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.

For more information, contact the GFLGLCC - Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce at +1-954-523-3500 or visit www.GFLGLCC.org. Get social and engage with Greater Fort Lauderdale on social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

PRESS CONTACT:
Keith Blackburn, 954-523-3500 / Keith@gflglcc.org

NGLCC - NATIONAL LGBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE AS HOST DESTINATION FOR 2021 NGLCC INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

World’s Largest LGBT Business Event Brings Thought Leaders Together to Greater Fort Lauderdale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 14, 2019) – The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) has chosen Greater Fort Lauderdale as the host destination for the 2021 NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference, the world’s largest LGBT business event. The event will take place on August 8-14, 2021 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida.

“We are thrilled to bring our 2021 International Business & Leadership Conference to the cosmopolitan Greater Fort Lauderdale and the beautiful Diplomat Beach Resort,” said Justin Nelson, co-founder, and president of NGLCC. “The destination not only offers a thriving LGBT scene, but it also offers event organizers and attendees with stunning beaches and a variety of world-class museums, culinary experiences, and unique attractions.”

“We last hosted the NGLCC in 2015 and are extremely excited to be bringing them back again in 2021,” said Keith Blackburn, president, and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is the LGBT capital of Florida, has the highest concentration of same-sex couple households in the country and has hundreds of gay-owned and operated businesses. The destination also welcomes 1.5 million LGBT travelers annually and has been proactively targeting and welcoming the LGBT market since 1996.

“Greater Fort Lauderdale is very proud to be seen as one of the global leaders in welcoming LGBT travelers, and we are very much looking forward to hosting NGLCC attendees in our destination where diversity shines,” said Stacy Ritter, president, and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to the largest LGBT business organization in Broward County, the GFLGLCC – Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce.  The GFLGLCC also operates an LGBT+ Visitor Center, located in the heart of Wilton Manors.

More than 1,400 LGBT and allied business leaders will gather for innovative leadership programming, networking and engagement opportunities. Greater Fort Lauderdale served as the host destination for the 2015 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference.

“We are thrilled to welcome back NGLCC for another fantastic conference,” said Richard Gray, senior vice president of Diversity & Inclusion of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We strongly value our partnership with NGLCC, and we look forward to wowing all the thought leaders and attendees at this globally recognized conference on our sunny shores.”

The NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference will include workshops, seminars, performances, panels, entertainment and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the destination.

“Greater Fort Lauderdale is world-renowned as a progressive destination and understands the importance of the LGBT traveler and LGBT business community,” said Chance Mitchell, co-founder, and CEO of NGLCC. “It is the perfect fit to bring our conference to Greater Fort Lauderdale, where attendees will learn about business success, make new connections, and hear from inspiring and unforgettable keynote speakers in a truly authentic, welcoming and inclusive destination.”
 

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About the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce - GFLGLCC

GFLGLCC - Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce:
The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non-Profit independent organization affiliated with the NGLCC – National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to promoting business and economic opportunities for the LGBT and LGBT-friendly community in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. To 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.

For more information, contact the GFLGLCC - Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce at +1-954-523-3500 or visit www.GFLGLCC.org. Get social and engage with Greater Fort Lauderdale on social media channels including Facebook and Twitter

PRESS CONTACT:
Keith Blackburn, 954-523-3500 / Keith@gflglcc.org