Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber Has a New Website
Go to: http://phoenixgaychamber.org/


 

The Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce provides an inclusive business environment by fostering growth, visibility, outreach and professional development opportunities within our LGBT and allied communities. As the oldest non-profit LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the nation, GPGLCC boasts one of the nation’s few local business equality indices.
This was their webste for several years.Content is from the site's 2013-2018 archived pages providing a glimpse of what the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce offered its community and readership.

If you have inadvertantly reached this site while looking for information about the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber, their current website is found at: http://phoenixgaychamber.org/

 

The Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce provides an inclusive business environment by fostering growth, visibility, outreach and professional development opportunities within our LGBT and allied communities.

As the oldest non-profit LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the nation, GPGLCC boasts one of the nation’s few local business equality indices.

GPGLCC promotes business development to increase economic opportunities for our members, the LGBT community and all who support business equality.

GPGLCC is the oldest non-profit LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the nation, celebrating our 35th anniversary in 2015. We are proud and honored to be the recipient of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Chamber of the Year Award. To be known as the best LGBT Chamber of Commerce out of the over 42 in the United States is a real tribute to the dedication and involvement of the LGBT community of Greater Phoenix.

Representing over 2000 members and individuals in our community, GPGLCC enjoys a national reputation for being one of the most successful and fastest growing chambers according to the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s mission is to provide an opportunity for gay and lesbian business owners and their straight allies to form enduring relationships through professional programming, mixers, networking events, business activism and by supporting Phoenix charitable organizations.

Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce member benefits include:

Events

  • Monthly – First Friday Lunch and Networking Event
  • Monthly – Third Thursday, Member Hosted Evening Networking Mixer
  • Special Events & Partnerships
    • LGBT Nights Out (Ballet Arizona, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Suns, etc.)
    • Annual Festival of Trees
    • Annual Biz Bowl
    • GPGLCC Awards

Business Development

  • Monthly Luncheon professional development
  • Member Directory visibility
  • Integrated website advertising
  • Web sponsor ads
  • Event sponsorship opportunities
  • E-Blast updates & news
  • Professional development partnerships (i.e., ASU School of Business)
  • Committee and volunteer opportunities
  • LGBT community outreach

Bottom Line Benefits

  • Member discounts LGBT Nights Out and other events
  • Connecting to the LGBT community, non-profit organizations, and other LGBT and allied businesses
  • Employee Resource Group (ERG) partnership opportunities
  • Visibility through our online Member Directory
  • Phoenix LGBT Community Calendar, and the ability to add your events
  • Job Postings to recruit LGBT candidates

 



 

2018

Changes and growth…

This past year has been filled with significant growth and change for our LGBT and allied communities unlike any we’ve seen in recent history. As we celebrate the first 35 years of GPGLCC, as the nation’s oldest LGBT non-profit Chamber of Commerce, we keep our sights ahead to the next 35 years full of hope, determination, progress and continued success.

We do business with people we know, like and trust and our Chamber provides many opportunities to grow your network. From our monthly Luncheons where you can mix and mingle to our informal monthly Networking Mixers, the Chamber presents numerous opportunities to grow each others’ business.

We’ve also fostered great partnerships with our fellow non-profit and community-based organizations, building better relationships to grow and better promote the community. Our LGBT Nights Out bring a new level to meeting people who are business-minded in a social setting with the arts, sports and other events. Our annual Biz Bowl, held every July, gives the community a chance to play, have fun and make a difference in a non-profit organization’s success. Holiday cheer wouldn’t be the same without the fabulous Festival Of Trees, another annual chance to get a perfect tree, wreath or menorah for your home or business while helping a charity. We are proud and thankful for the support and involvement of our member businesses who make these events a success for GPGLCC and our beneficiaries.

I personally invite you to join the 300 other businesses and nearly 2000 Phoenix community members who call our Chamber “their” Chamber, and experience the difference that persity, inclusion and equality can bring to your business’ success. Attend a Luncheon, LGBT Night Out, or a NetMixer; or simply sign up for our e-newsletter on our homepage. I look forward to having you involved in our continued success.

Respectively,

Fred Delgado

Chair – Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

 

 



 

HOW CAN WE HELP?

  • Join the Chamber

    JOIN THE CHAMBER

    Join a network of more than 450 members, working together to heighten the economic strength of LGBT owned, friendly and allied businesses within the Greater Phoenix area.

     

    GPGLCC sponsors one of the nation’s only local Business Equality Indices in the nation.  Similar to national rankings and indices from other organizations, GPGLCC provides businesses and organizations with a base or footprint of operation in the greater Phoenix area the opportunity to share their efforts toward LGBT equality in our community; for their employees and the surrounding community.  Results are typically communicated mid-year following the survey.

    PHOENIX GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER RELEASES
    BUSINESS EQUALITY SURVEY

    Six-month study reveals findings about work environments for LGBT workers

    PHOENIX (April 15, 2013)–Today the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (GPGLCC) announced the results of its six-month survey measuring how equitably local business treat their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) employees. Valley businesses with up to 500 employees, government agencies with more than 500 employees and local offices of larger companies were invited to participate. Nineteen employers scored a 100 on the survey and 45 scored an 80 percent or higher. In addition to publishing the results, the GPGLCC has produced a buying guide of companies that embrace diversity.

    This is only the second time in Arizona state history that such a study has been performed and one of only a few similar studies ever conducted in the United States. The survey was partially funded by Phoenix Pride Community Foundation, a donor advised fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.

    More than 2500 companies were asked to participate in the Business Equality Index survey. A total of 93 employers responded to the invitation. The organizations receiving the highest rating are ACE Publishing, Inc. dba Echo Magazine, Aetna, Inc, Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC) Camelback Retirement Planners, Campbell Law Group, Chartered, City of Phoenix, Community Tire Pros & Auto repair, Just A Great Massage PLLC, KEO Marketing Inc, Kustom Karaoke, LLC, Land of Ahhs Consignment, Liberty Mutual Insurance, MassMutual, Arizona, North Valley Mechanical, Open Wide Dental, Schiliro & Pouquette Insurance Agency Schuster Printing and Marketing, Sonoran Business Solutions, Tony Felice PR. The join previous perfect scorers Arizona State University, City of Tempe, City of Scottsdale and companies Campbell & Mahoney and Land of Ahhs Consignment Stores.

    Among the findings, 98 percent of small employers (less than 20 employees) actively promote diversity, between 80 and 90 percent of medium sized business and large business actively promote LGBT diversity. Less than half of small employers provide domestic partner benefits, while around 60 percent of medium and large sized businesses offer benefits to same sex couples.

    Among the medium and large sized respondents, the survey found that the majority have written policies protecting LGBT workers and an overwhelming number are active in the gay community.

    The survey comes on the heels of the recent City of Phoenix ordinance making discrimination of the LGBT community illegal.

    “This is and always has been an economic development tool,” said Kathleen Osborn, Chair of the GPGLCC. As the City of Phoenix and the more than 100 cities in America who’ve adopted the policy know, it’s good for business and this survey reflects companies who know that.”

    Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton responded to the report saying, “It’s clear that more and more companies recognize that being LGBT inclusive is more than a social responsibility, it is a critical part of making Phoenix a world-class city and doing good business.”

    Tony Felice, the Project Manager of the Survey and Diversity & Public Relations Chair of the GPGLCC was encouraged that the number of respondents was about double those from last year but cited the Valley’s lack of understanding of what being recognized as diverse can be.

    “When you look at it in terms of dollars, so many LGBT individuals have thousands of friends and family. When you multiply those numbers, you’re talking about a sizeable market and some companies are leaving a lot of money on the table. Studies show that the gay community has between $700 and $800 billion in buying power and when you include those friends and family, the money is staggering.”

    Felice also cited social media which has shown, especially with the recent red equal sign campaign on Facebook (for marriage equality) that a vast number of straight supporting friends are really becoming vocal about equality.

    “What this means is that when they find out that a company is LGBT supportive, chances are they will buy from that company and be loyal.” Recent backlash among companies who have demonstrated to be anti-LGBT seem to strengthen that argument.

    The LGBT community is historically very brand-loyal. A recent Harris Poll national survey among 2,357 US Adults found that nearly three-fourths (74 %) of LGBT consumers are likely to consider brands that support nonprofits and/or causes that are important to them as a LGBT person, an increase from January 2007 when 62 % reported they were likely to consider those brands. A significant portion of these adults, two-fifths (41 %) say they are extremely likely or very likely to consider these brands. Even in a struggling economy, LGBT consumers express an unmistakable and stronger sense of brand loyalty to companies that support their community,” said Wes Combs, President of Witeck-Combs Communications. “Maintaining this trusting and sensitive relationship requires a sustained effort to incorporate diversity, fairness, and inclusion into a company’s DNA.”

    With its “Legalize Love” campaign, Google became the latest in a fast growing number of companies to publicly take a LGBT supportive stance. Martha White in a recent New York Times article echoes this sentiment. “Far from being simply feel-good initiatives, these moves are highly calculated, marketing experts say. Companies may be embracing the rainbow, but the motivating color is still green.

    Felice promises the GPGLCC will continue to produce a written document that demonstrates (or not) the diversity of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. He said their wish is that such a document can be used for economic development purposes, in attracting employers who seek a diverse region in which to establish their business. Typically, these employers bring a high knowledge workforce and high wage jobs, all of which can contribute to economic stability.

    A broader national survey is conducted each year by the Human Rights Campaign, which looks at companies with more than 500 employees. Many of the companies scoring a 100% on that survey have a presence in the Valley and are listed on the GPGLCC Survey.

    For more information and to download a copy of the final report, visit www.phoenixgaychamber.com and click on the Business Equality Index link. For information about diversity training and consulting available for your company, please contact the chamber office at 602.266.5055 or exec@phoenixgaychamber.org For interviews with any of the sources identified, please contact Tony Felice at 480-567-6890.

     

    •  

      MEMBER DIRECTORY

      Our members are as perse as the jobs they hold. Use this handy directory whenever you need services of any kind. Help support the community by supporting those who support you!

       

    • Events

      EVENTS

      Come join us at a monthly luncheon, net mix, happy hour or training class. We have something going on almost weekly and you do not have to be a member to attend!

    • Relocation Information

      RELOCATION INFO

      Phoenix has exploded to become the nation's fifth largest city with over 1.6 million residents. Unlike other cities that have grown slowly over time, Phoenix catapulted to this position in a relatively short time.

    2018 Upcoming Events

    Events List Navigation

    Lip Sync Battle | Spring Edition

    March 2 @ 8:00 pm - April 6 @ 10:00 pm

    The most fun you'll have at a fundraiser! Friends and community members battle it out for Lip Sync supremacy. The fun starts at 8pm on Friday, March 2nd at Kobalt.…

     

    LGBT Day at the Renaissance Festival Bus Trip/images

    March 31 @ 9:30 am - 6:30 pm

    Hello all, its that time of year again. Join Bunkhouse & Bears Of The West for our annual trip out to the Renaissance Festival, Saturday March 31st 2018. This is…

     

     

    Showtunes Night

    March 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Recurring Event

    Join us at Phoenix's longest running showtune night every Saturday from 6pm-9pm. Sing along to your favorite musical clips. Also featuring comedy and unique Broadway related featurettes.

     

    Broadway Brunch

    April 1 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Recurring Event 

    Enjoy your Sunday Funday at Diablos and sing along to your favorite showtunes! We'll feature videos & clips from Broadway, movie musicals and more. Diablos features Phoenix's best bloody mary…

     

    Naughty or Nice Drag Bingo

    April 2 @ 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm

    Recurring Event 

    This is truly the most unique Bingo Night in Phoenix. There is NO cost to play. This is an alternative to your grandma's bingo night. Play for a chance to…

    Songo: Music Trivia Bingo

    April 3 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

    Recurring Event

    Join us for the Music-Trivia-Bingo Madness of SONGO! ** EVERY Tuesday Night from 630p-830p **, *** *** *** Stacy's @ Melrose *** *** *** Come! Play one, two, three or…

     

    Trivia Tuesdays

    April 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Recurring Event 

    Are you a master of random, useless knowledge? Show off your smarts every week with host Bobby Gordon as inpiduals and teams compete for the top prize. Topics include Broadway,…

     

    Chamber Luncheon April 2018

    April 6 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

    Join your Chamber colleagues for our monthly luncheon at The Gladly.  Our luncheons offer members and guests the opportunity to network, explore professional development, and learn more about GPGLCC. RSVP…

     

    Phoenix Pride 2018

    April 7 - April 8

    Save the Date April 7-8 2018

     

    Showtunes Night

     

    April 7 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Recurring Event

    Join us at Phoenix's longest running showtune night every Saturday from 6pm-9pm. Sing along to your favorite musical clips. Also featuring comedy and unique Broadway related featurettes.

     


PhoenixGayChamber.com