The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Named Collaborating Partner in the First Ever U.S. Government Certified LGBT Trade Mission

Date: August 30, 2012                                                                   

                                                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            

Media Contact:

Keith Blackburn

305-798-5455

GoGayFortLauderdale@gmail.com

                                                                                                

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Named Collaborating Partner in the First Ever U.S. Government Certified LGBT Trade Mission

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida) –August 30, 2012–The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC), is excited to announce they have been named a “Collaborating Partner” in the historic first ever U.S. Department of Commerce Certified LGBT Trade Mission to Colombia, taking place this September 11-15.

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) along with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) is inviting its members to participate in the The NGLCC-led trade mission, made possible through the Memorandum of Understanding between the NGLCC and the Department of Commerce, signed last year.

GFLGLCC Chamber President/CEO Keith Blackburn will represent Greater Fort Lauderdale in Bogotá, where he will explore Colombian trade, along with travel and tourism opportunities to Greater Fort Lauderdale.  Blackburn will also participate as a delegate in the Inaugural LGBT Summit of the Americas. 

The Summit is happening in conjunction with the trade mission and will bring together LGBT business leaders from the U.S., Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Uruguay. Invited speakers include The Honorable Angelino Garzón - Vice President of Colombia, the Honorable Peter McKinley, Ambassador of the United States. 

"The support and backing of the U.S. Government gives the mission increased validation as we work with our Colombian counterparts and that's good for our members who will be attending and looking for new and expanded markets," said Justin Nelson, NGLCC Co-Founder and President. "The mission highlights the administration's commitment to a fully-inclusive economic recovery."

The trade mission presents an opportunity for LGBT-certified businesses to meet counterparts, including buyers and business leaders, and to work with the commerce attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota and the Department of Commerce to build connections crucial to international export and import trading.

Background:

The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

On May 15, 2012, The United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force.  The agreement immediately eliminates tariffs and duties on 80 percent of consumer and industrial products sold to Colombia and more than halves those remaining from 10.8 percent to 4.0 percent, making Colombia an incredibly lucrative market for U.S. exporters and providing them an advantage over exporters from non-free-trade countries.

"With the entry of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement into force, great things can happen for U.S. businesses. We're excited to support LGBT businesses abroad as well as at home, and we look forward to working with them to expand their customer base into Latin America," said NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO Chance Mitchell.

About Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC):

The GFLGLCC is a 501 C (6) Non Profit organization, with the following Mission Statement:  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.  To promote tourism with a unified approach, by working with appropriate and related organizations.

For more information about the GFLGLCC, or to become a member, please visit GoGayFortLauderdale.com. For media coverage, press kits, membership kits and live interview requests, please contact Keith Blackburn at 305-798-5455, or via email at: GoGayFortLauderdale@gmail.com ###