NGLCC Announces Out for Business! 2010, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke Confirmed to Speak

8/24/2010
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Friedland, TrendyMinds
efriedland@trendyminds.com
Phone: 317.926.1727 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Announces Out for Business!
November 18 – 20, 2010 in Washington, D.C. 

United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke confirmed to speak 

Washington, D.C. – AUGUST 25, 2010 -- The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) announces the 2010 NGLCC National Business and Leadership Conference: Out For Business! and National Dinner: An Evening of Courage!, November 18-20 in Washington, D.C. The conference, now in its 7th year, brings together leaders in business, government and public policy to celebrate diversity and promote the economic growth of LGBT business owners.

Out For Business! is a three-day event, including a series of exciting business symposia, engaging keynote speakers, thoughtful panel discussions and special events designed to educate and connect attendees. The NGLCC's relationship with the current White House administration, Capitol Hill and several federal agencies will provide attendees a wealth of political insight from elected and appointed officials who bring their influence to the LGBT business movement. Confirmed to speak is United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke.

Locke was appointed by President Obama, and was sworn in on March 26, 2009. In his position at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Locke is responsible for helping to implement the president's business and economic agenda. Former governor of Washington state and now Secretary, Locke has been a leader in promoting positive outcomes for America’s small and large businesses and proven his staunch support of civil rights and equality.“Out For Business! is a fantastic convention for LGBT business owners and corporate partners committed to inclusive business practices. It gives them a unique opportunity to network and grow their companies,” says NGLCC co-founder and president, Justin Nelson. “Though the U.S. economic climate is looking up, it’s still incredibly important for business owners to make connections that can continue to help their businesses grow. We’re happy we can assist our LGBT business owners in this effort.” Robust programming is designed to meet the interests and needs of LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs, allied companies and NGLCC affiliate chambers from around the country. Sessions include diverse topics, including:

• First Time NGLCC Conference Orientation & Supplier Diversity 101  
• Exporting and International Trade: Your Connection to the Global Marketplace
• Diversity Full Circle
• Going Green
• Doing Business With Corporations
• WBI Round Table
• Bringing Your Business To Scale

The Out for Business! conference will also connect local and national LGBT businesses with NGLCC's corporate partners for contracting opportunities. Among the more than 120 NGLCC Corporate Partners represented are: IBM, Aetna, American Airlines, Ernst & Young, Hewlet Packard, Intel, JPMorgan Chase, Merck, AT&T, UPS, Wells Fargo and Hilton, just to name a few.  The NGLCC National Dinner: An Evening of Courage! will be held Friday night during the conference.  The black-tie event will celebrate the accomplishments of those making a significant impact in the LGBT business movement. Awards presented include:

• NGLCC/American Airlines ExtrAA Mile Award

• Chamber of the Year Award

• Courage In Business Award

• Corporation of the Year

• Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year Award

• NGLCC/Wells Fargo LGBT Business Owner of the Year Award 

“The national conference is always an amazing time,” said Chance Mitchell, co-founder of the NGLCC. “There’s no other conference like it for LGBT business owners. It’s the perfect opportunity to network, expand skills sets, and meet other businesses and corporations committed to diversity. It’s truly a can’t-miss event.” For a complete schedule of events, ticket and travel information, visit www.nglcc.org/DC2010. Those who register before Friday, September 10th will receive special "Early Bird" pricing. In addition, rooms booked at the host hotel, the Capital Hilton, receive an additional $100 off published registration pricing. About the NGLCC:

The NGLCC is the business advocate and direct link between LGBT business owners, corporations and government. The NGLCC represents the interests of more than 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses in the United States and is the umbrella organization for 61 state, local and international LGBT chambers of commerce and business organizations. For more information on the NGLCC, to learn how to become a NGLCC certified business or for information on becoming a corporate partner, please visit www.nglcc.org or call 202.234.9181. Follow the NGLCC on Twitter @NGLCC or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nglcc.