Our October 2013 e-Newsletter From the GFLGLCC

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 theGLBT 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" Please vote for us - Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce - GFLGLCC under BEST BUSINESS GROUP! 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! Dunham Insurance is officially certified as an LGBT Business Enterprise® (LGBTBE) through the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative  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 Join us on December 11-13 at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa  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 All GFLGLCC members save $200 on the the Conference registration! Please click here to download the registration 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

OUTreach Public Relations Partners with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce - GFLGLCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2012

Fort Lauderdale, FL – OUTreach Public Relations is proud to announce its recent partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce - GFLGLCC.  Under the new agreement, members of the chamber will have access to OUTreach’s services at an extremely discounted rate. 

“Many small businesses in Fort Lauderdale cannot afford to retain a public relations firm full-time, so this partnership is a great way for these businesses to reach local media and gain valuable exposure,” states Joey Amato, founder of OUTreach PR.

Earlier this year, Amato launched OUTreach Public Relations; a company created to help businesses connect to the lucrative LGBT market.  Since then, OUTreach has been retained by a variety of clients ranging from hotels and resorts to visitor’s bureaus and non-profit organizations. 

Some clients that have used their public relations services include: OASIS SENS resort in Cancun, Stonewall Pride, Carma Productions, AIDS Walk Orlando and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“The initial response to OUTreach has been overwhelming,” states Amato.  “Being one of select few firms in the country specializing in LGBT public relations has proven to be very beneficial.”

OUTreach Public Relations provides traditional public relations services in addition to social media marketing and consulting.

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 promotes 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 http://www.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

For more information, please contact:

OUTreach Public Relations:

407-496-8751     

outreachpublicrelations@gmail.com   

www.outreachpublicrelations.com   

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2012 Year-to-Date Highlights from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce – GFLGLCC

2012 was a busy and highly productive year for the GLFGLCC – and we still have a month to go!  While our membership grew, we maintained 8 Media Partners and 9, 501 (c) 3 Community Partners.  Our unique relationship with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, NGLCC allowed us to offer many unique benefits and opportunities to our members.  Take a look below for a sampling of what we’ve accomplished:

January 2012:

·         Moved to our new office!

·         GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn took part in a teleconference with senior Obama Administrations official, Export Import Bank Chairman, Fred Hochberg, and NGLCC Co-Founder & President, Justin Nelson after his meeting with Vice President Biden, to discuss major economic themes from the 2012 State of the Union address and what they mean for the LGBT and allied business community.

February 2012:

·         Sponsored the 2012 GLBT Travel Expo Tour Fort Lauderdale at the Pride Center. GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn attended and promoted our member businesses at our chamber booth.

March 2012:

·         GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn and Board member Alan Beck attended Palm Beach Pride, where we promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our member businesses.

·          Board member Alan Beck represented us at his Fun Maps booth at the GLBT Expo in NYC -- promoting our chamber and distributing our Rainbow Hospitality Alliance brochures.

·         GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn traveled to ITB in Berlin, Germany to promote LGBT travel to Greater Fort Lauderdale. We created a sponsored brochure, which was distributed in the “Pink Pavilion” in conjunction with the IGLTA and throughout Berlin.

April 2012:

·          The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) invited us to participate with them at the annual Cruise 3Sixty Trade Show, April 27-28, 2012 at the Broward County Convention Center. NGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn, along with FAB2GO-VIP2GO attended and promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our sponsor businesses at our booth.

  

May 2012:

·          NGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn took part in an NGLCC Real Estate Teleconference. On the call, diversity and industry experts from JPMorgan Chase, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae, discussed how businesses within the real estate industry can benefit through participation in the Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI).  Great insights were gained, which could greatly benefit those in the real estate industry. This includes Realtors, attorneys and any business which takes part in the real estate process.

·          We participated in a hand-delivered letter to President Obama -- with the NGLCC and other affiliate chambers, thanking him for his support of Marriage Equality.

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn attended the CVB Tourism Appreciation Luncheon with the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, County Commissioners, CVB President, Nicki Grossman and many others.

·         We sponsored “Beach Bear Weekend” which helped raise money for Sun Serve, while promoting our member businesses.

·          Board member Steve McAleer along with Roger Handevidt represented our members at Miami Beach Gay Pride, where they promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our member businesses at our booth.

·         GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn attended Gay Days Orlando Expo, where we promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our sponsor businesses at our booth.

June 2012:

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn, along with Roger Handevidt and Mago Sosa attended the St. Pete Pride event, where we promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our member businesses at our booths.

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn, along with Board member Alan Beck attended Stonewall Summer Pride, where we promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our member businesses at our booth.

·         Hosted a packed launch party for SouthFloridaFun.com at Dapur

·         GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn moderated a session, which discussed "Diversity Supplier Relationships and Creating a Strong Ally Culture." This was at the Florida Diversity Council’s Inaugural GLBT-Allies Diversity Summit, which took place at the Pride Center. 

July 2012:

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn attended the July 4^th Tea Cruise for the Brian Neil Fitness and Health Foundation, where we promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our member businesses at our business table.

August 2012:

·         Roger Handevidt represented the GFLGLCC and Rainbow Hospitality Alliance at the Poverello Bowl-A-Thon, where we promoted our member businesses at our booth.

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn and Board Members Steve McAleer, Alan Beck and Todd Bludworth attended the NGLCC National Business & Leadership Conference in Chicago.

September 2012:

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn took part in the historical, first LGBT Trade Mission and the inaugural LGBT Summit of the Americas in Bogotá Colombia.  GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn met with Michael McKinley, U.S. Ambassador to Colombia.

·          We presented the inaugural symposium, “Transitions Solutions for LGBT Seniors” at the Pride Center as a free informative event for the community. Board member Steve McAleer represented the GFLGLCC and our members.

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn attended the Gay Days Las Vegas Trade Expo, where we promoted Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT travel destination and promoted our sponsor businesses at our booth.

October 2012:

·          Sponsored the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

·          Held a fund raiser and social, to benefit for the Stonewall National Museum and Archives at the iL Lugano Hotel and Residences.

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn and Board member Steve McAleer, along with Roger Handevidt promoted the GFLGLCC and our members at our booth at the annual Oktoberfest in Oakland Park.

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn attended the 13^th Annual Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) Conference in San Francisco with GFLGLCC Board Member, Alan Beck and Rickard Gray, newly appointed Managing Director of the LGBT Market for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). While there, we promoted the Greater Fort Lauderdale as THE LGBT travel destination.

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn with Roger Handevidt and VIP2GO/FAB2GO participated with the City of Fort Lauderdale’s free Business Education Seminar, designed to help your business grow.  We displayed members’ business collateral in our booth space.

November 2012:

·          GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn and Board members Steve McAleer and Alan Beck attended the first-ever Federal Procurement Fair for LGBT businesses at the Department of Commerce in Washington, DC. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank spoke to the attendees. 12 Federal agencies were represented -- all looking to do business with our LGBT Certified members. Met with the Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator, Eugene Cornelius Jr.  The Federal Procurement Fair is designed to connect LGBT-owned businesses with the over $400 billion the federal government spends annually on goods and services, of which nearly $100 billion is with small business suppliers. At the fair, NGLCC announced significant memorandums with federal agencies, deepening collaboration with government leaders to bring resources, access, and new opportunities to your business. 

·         GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn along with Board members Todd Bludworth, Steve McAleer and Alan Beck attended the NGLCC's 10th Anniversary National Dinner: Beyond Expectations in Washington, DC at the National Building Museum. GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn met briefly with Congressman Elect Patrick Murphy. Board members Todd Bludworth, Steve McAleer and Alan Beck were present.

·         GFLGLCC President/CEO Keith Blackburn and Board member Steve McAleer attended the official opening for the NGLCC Supplier Innovation Center, where U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen Mills performed the ribbon cutting honors. 

·         Teamed up with the NGLCC and Small Business Saturday to promote our chamber and small business owners.

Announced that our inaugural “Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay Travel Guide,” which will have a circulation of 10,000 copies and a worldwide distribution.