GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU APPOINTS RICHARD GRAY AS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR LGBT MARKET

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (December 3, 2012) - The Rainbow Flag of the LGBT community will unfurl with a new shade of Gray in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Hospitality executive Richard Gray has been appointed managing director for the LGBT Market for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. In his new position, Gray will be responsible for LGBT sales and marketing.

"Richard has been one of the most experienced and influential individuals in Greater Fort Lauderdale gay tourism and hospitality, and it is a great win for us to have him part of the team," said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. "For us the LGBT market is not a niche market but a market in its own right. With Richard's background as both a local proprietor and advocate for LGBT travel and tourism in the region, we feel the timing is right to make this next important step for us and this destination."

Gray will serve as official representative for the LGBT market in Greater Fort Lauderdale, developing and implementing short and long term strategic plans to increase meeting room nights and global travel and tourism.

Gray was previously owner of The Royal Palms Resort & Spa, which set new standards for LGBT accommodations, both locally and worldwide, and was the first gay guest house in the destination to achieve a five-star rating. In 2007, Gray was named a member of the Broward County Tourist Development Council, a group of influential officials and business owners that provide leadership on tourism growth in the destination. His return to Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT tourism marketing coincides with the CVB's expanded push to capture a larger slice of the LGBT travel market as part of its "Hello Sunny" 2013 Marketing Plan.

As a CVB that tries to stay ahead of the curve, Greater Fort Lauderdale has and continues to be a cutting edge and aggressive CVB enjoying many "firsts" in the LGBT market. The GFLCVB was the first CVB in the US to launch an LGBT campaign in 1996, and today is the first to have a designated LGBT-only person to court the LGBT group/meetings, travel and tourism markets, as well as oversee a gaystream marketing initiative including a gaystream TV commercial, another first for a CVB.

"The sands of Fort Lauderdale run through my veins and I've always wanted to be a part of the community since I first moved here more than 20 years ago," said Gray. "Greater Fort Lauderdale has become the top LGBT destination in Florida. With the largest resident lesbian and gay population and more than 150 gay owned and operated businesses, my role is not to rest on our laurels and success, but to grow this affluent market even more."

Gray founded The Royal Palms Resort & Spa in 1991 and helped spearhead Greater Fort Lauderdale's status as one of the leading LGBT travel destinations in the country. He was first appointed to Greater Fort Lauderdale's Marketing Advisory Committee in 2003, and has served on several other high-level committees in the past, including the Broward Country Cultural Council in 2004, and the VISIT FLORIDA's LGBT committee in 2003. He was also an Executive Board Member of the Rainbow Carpet Lodging & Hospitality Alliance.

Gray served as Vice Chair of the Broward County Tourist Development Council and Chair of its Marketing Advisory Committee. He served as Member of the State of Florida Marketing Committee, 2004 - 2007; Executive Board Member and Founding Member of the South Florida Rainbow Alliance; President and Founding Member of World's Foremost Gay & Lesbian Hotels, 2003; Executive Board Member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, 1993 - 2000; and Founding Member, Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Community Center.

Gray has received several prestigious awards and recognitions for his tourism-related achievements, including induction in the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2000, he received a Home Town Hero Award from the Broward County Commissioners for his achievements in gay and lesbian travel, and in 1998 was inducted into PlanetOut's Travel Hall of Fame for outstanding individual achievement in gay travel.

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GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - GFLGLCC AND RAINBOW HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE PUBLISHING FORT LAUDERDALE GAY TRAVEL GUIDE TO BE DISTRIBUTED INTERNATIONALLY

Over the past year, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s “Rainbow Hospitality Alliance” has traveled all over the globe to promote Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination.  Funding to accomplish this has come from specific members sponsoring events where we distribute their business brochures and flyer cards. We have also relied on volunteers to attend the many promotional expo events. Last February, we published a small tri-fold brochure for ITB in Berlin Germany.

Today, we are pleased to announce that we will be publishing the premier edition of the “The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay Travel Guide” in January 2013.  Each hospitality-related member business will receive a FREE listing in the guide. These businesses include hotels, guesthouses, resorts, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, attractions and optionally Realtors, attorneys, etc.

With a minimum initial printing of 64-pages and 10,000 copies, our Guide will be distributed throughout North and South America, as well as Europe. The guide will be pocket-sized at approximately 4.5” by 5.5” and will contain valuable information on Greater Fort Lauderdale, a directory with photos and business descriptions and more. Each member business will have the option to purchase display advertising.  The cost to advertise is only $595 for a full color page and featured listings for $295.  Priority placement and inside/outside cover ads are also available. Money generated by ad sales will be used to print and distribute the guide.

To be included in the guide, you must be a current member of the GFLGLCC.  The cost to join is $250 per year, for a Small Business Membership, for those with less than 10 employees.  That’s just $20.83 a month, or $41.66 for a Corporate Membership ($500 per year) for businesses with 10 or more employees. We also have Corporate Partnership opportunities. Our membership benefits can be found here: http://www.gogayfortlauderdale.com/page.cfm?page=MemberBenefits

Please note that there is currently NO additional cost to Tourism and Hospitality businesses to be a part of our Rainbow Hospitality Alliance - RHA. You also get your business listed on the chamber website, http://www.gogayfortlauderdale.com and the RHA website, http://www.southfloridafun.com/.  

Once published, “The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay Travel Guide” will be available on both websites as a flip-book.

Keith Blackburn will contact all current member businesses with specific details. In addition, he will be reaching out to all eligible businesses within Greater Fort Lauderdale to give them the opportunity to be a part of our guide, the chamber and the Rainbow Hospitality Alliance.  Keith can be reached at GoGayFortLauderdale@gmail.com

For advertising, sponsorship, or membership opportunities
contact Keith Blackburn at 954-523-3500 or Keith@gflglcc.org

Fort Lauderdale Gay Chamber of Commerce Takes Part in Colombian Trade Mission

Fort Lauderdale Gay Chamber of Commerce Takes Part in Colombian Trade Mission

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 ###

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) to Host “Transition Solutions for LGBT Seniors”

Date: August 21, 2012                                                                   

Media Contact:      Keith Blackburn

305-798-5455

GoGayFortLauderdale@gmail.com 

                                                 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to Host “Transition Solutions for LGBT Seniors”

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida) –August 21, 2012–The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC), is excited to announce they will present a Symposium, “Transition Solutions for LGBT Seniors ” to be held on September 13, 2012 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Pride Center at Equality Park, in Wilton Manors Florida.

This inaugural event is presented by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) at no cost to the community.  While it is focused on practical issues facing LGBT seniors, ALL are invited and encouraged to attend.  The Symposium will feature three expert speakers who will offer valuable information to assist the attendees in planning a safe and secure future.  The event will be followed by questions and answers.  Coffee and pastries will be provided by Starbucks.

The Symposium agenda is as follows:

Wanda E. Gozdz, CAPS, eSMM will discuss “Aging in Place”: “Adapting our space to meet our changing needs”

Wanda will discuss “The aspects of aging and how it impacts families psychologically, spiritually and physically.”

Everyone wants to live forever in his or her home.  Come and find out what tips you can use to modify your place so that you can live safely, securely and independently.

Ryan Schultz, ChFEBC, MBA will discuss “Living Comfortably in Retirement:  Financial Tools to Help You Age Gracefully.”

Ryan will cover investment strategies that will help you afford paying for care in your home, maintain your dignity as you age, and not outlast your savings.  Specific items include Long-term Care Insurance, IRAs and Annuities."

Stephanie L. Schneider, Board Certified Elder Law Attorney will discuss “Navigating the Maze:
Estate and Long Term Care Planning Issues Unique to the LGBT Community”

Specific items discussed will include: Why Plan for your Future?  Creating a Management Plan for Incapacity.
 Strategies for Passing on Wealth and Minimizing Estate Tax.  Asset Preservation Strategies for Long Term Care/Medical Needs.   Facilities Visitation Rights.

About the Speakers:

Wanda E. Gozdz, CAPS, eSMM:

Wanda is president and founder of Golden Age Living, LLC and a business owner of 30 years in the information technology field. Gozdz is an author, residential interior designer and expert on Aging in Place. Her company provides transition solutions to Baby Boomers and their families by helping  seniors stay in their homes.  Gozdz conducts a curb to backyard assessment of your place in order to determine if you can live independently,  safely and securely in your home

Ryan Schultz, ChFEBC, MBA:

Ryan is an Insurance & Financial Advisor for the MassMutual/DBS Financial Group.  He holds his Florida 215 insurance license, his FINRA Series 7 & 66 securities licenses, and is a Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant (ChFEBC).  He is also a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Stephanie L. Schneider, Esquire:

Stephanie is a Board Certified Elder Law Attorney by The Florida Bar and National Elder Law Foundation. She is a former Chair of The Florida Bar Elder Law Section and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Her firm specializes in estate & long term care planning, special needs trusts, guardianship (adults & minors), trust & probate administration, and veterans benefits, with a focus on the LGBT Community.

Event Sponsors:  Starbucks, MassMutual/DBS Financial Group, Golden Age Living, LLC, South Florida Gay News and Fast Printz Design Studio and SAGE.

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 ###

Florida Diversity Council's Inaugural LGBT Summit in Fort Lauderdale

Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) President/CEO Keith Blackburn to Moderate at Florida Diversity Council’s Inaugural LGBT Summit in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale – The Florida Diversity Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to personal, political, community, and economic diversity and inclusion, has scheduled its inaugural Diversity Summit for Friday, June 22. The event will consist of three sessions, and will be held at The Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors.

The interactive sessions will include guest speakers and seminars addressing topics including Equality and Fairness in the Florida Workplace, Gender Identity and Expression in the Workplace, and Creating a Strong Ally Culture and Diversity Supplier Relationships.

Keith Blackburn, President & CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC) will moderate the session “Creating a Strong Ally Culture and Diversity Supplier Relationships.” The GFLGLCC is the Greater Fort Lauderdale affiliate chamber of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).  The NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI) offers businesses a tool to make connections and open doors with America's top corporations and each other. The SDI certifies Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender owned Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs) and works to provide opportunities for LGBTBEs to gain exposure within corporate procurement processes.

About Florida Diversity Council:  The Florida Diversity Council was established in 2008. They seek to establish and disseminate best practices and to help other organizations as well as businesses establish and promote policies that foster diversity and inclusiveness. The Florida Diversity Council is affiliated with the National Diversity Council, and has regional chapters in Jacksonville, Orlando, Southwest Florida, Tampa Bay, as well as South Florida.

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 

About National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce:

The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) business owners, corporations, and government, representing the interests of more than 1.4 million LGBT businesses and entrepreneurs. The NGLCC is committed to forming a broad-based coalition of LGBT owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and major corporations for the purpose of promoting economic growth and the prosperity of our members. Additional information can be found at http://www.nglcc.org

The organizers are presently looking for additional event sponsors. Registration for the half-day event is $49. Additional information and online registration forms can be found at glbtsummit.com.

Rainbow Hospitality Alliance Launched

Date: February 27, 2012                                                                                    
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                   
Media Contact:  Keith Blackburn                                                                                                                                                                               
305-798-5455                                                                                         
GoGayFortLauderdale@gmail.com

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Launches the Rainbow Hospitality Alliance to Promote LGBT and LGBT-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality in the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida) – February 27, 2012– Six months after the formation of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC), the Chamber is excited to announce the launch of the Rainbow Hospitality Alliance (RHA).

Fifteen years ago, the Rainbow Alliance (RA) was created to promote LGBT and LGBT friendly tourism in the Fort Lauderdale area,   Due to legal restrictions, the Rainbow Alliance as its’ own organization was unable to expand to include all LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The RA and its corporation was officially dissolved in 2011.

The new Rainbow Hospitality Alliance (RHA) will operate under the current GFLGLCC organization, but will have its’ own identity and will occupy the old Rainbow Alliance website, SouthFloridaFun.com/

The mission of the new RHA is to promote our destination and chamber members in hospitality and tourism related businesses.  The website, SouthFloridaFun.com is set to re-launch in March 2012 and will be targeting LGBT tourists, who are increasingly discovering Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination.

About Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce:
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 ###