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Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA)

Established in 1981, the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) is the largest LGBT and allied chamber of commerce in North America. We represent over 1,100 small business, corporate and nonprofit members who share GSBA’s values of promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.

GSBA is known nationally for its effectiveness in marketing and providing business development for small businesses, connecting community through business, advocating for civil rights and business, promoting LGBT tourism through Travel Out Seattle, and investing in the next generation of leaders through the GSBA Scholarship Fund.

 

GSBA’s Executive Director, Louise Chernin, serves as the WBA’s Chief Facilitation Officer!

North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce (NTGLBTCC)

Since 2005 the North Texas Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Chamber of Commerce has been the premier business organization for the GLBT community in north Texas. The Chamber is focused on the economic vitality of our area, our community, and the success of our members. It works to improve the economic vitality of our region and support the positive attributes of a diverse workplace, supply chain, and community. The Chamber brings together a diverse community of business people who offer a wide array of products, services, skills, and expertise.  

 

The North Text GLBT Chamber’s mission is clear: to foster an inclusive business community that promotes economic vitality, connects members, and advocates on their behalf. We work to achieve equality through business. They envision a global society where individuals and businesses have equal rights, equal representation, and equal opportunities.

 

The NTGLBTCC also works collaboratively with the Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Tony Vedda, the NTGLBTCC’s Executive Director was once the Executive Director of the GGBA in San Francisco and is one of the most highly decorated Chamber of Commerce executives in the United States.

Los Angeles Gay/Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (LAGLCC)

Since its founding in 1979 as the Valley Business Alliance, the Los Angeles Gay/Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (LAGLCC) has become, and remains, a potent voice in the GLBT community, and their contributions back to the community remain a source of pride for their members. The LAGLCC promotes business networking among its members and within its community at large. This network fosters a sharing of information, ideas, contacts and product and services, and so strengthens and expands our businesses, careers and their community.

 

In a city characterized by congested freeways and increasing “disconnect,” LAGLCC members are committed to supporting one another and building trusting relationships. With evening mixers, networking breakfasts, educational workshops, dinners, joint activities with other organizations, and community involvement, the LAGLCC strives to connect members of their community and unite them for success both personally and professionally.

 

LAGLCC members live and work throughout the greater Los Angeles area – The San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, West Hollywood, the Westside and Santa Monica, Glendale, Pasadena, Silverlake, Downtown, and many other neighborhoods.

 

The LAGLCC is managed by a Board of Directors, elected annually by our membership. We are non-partisan, but will always remain politically concerned, especially regarding health, equality, justice, fairness, and the many civil rights issues that impact the GLBT community.

 

The LAGLCC will continue to grow to meet the changing needs of its membership, and to showcase bright successful GLBT professionals as exemplary citizens and role models for a budding generation.

Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce

The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is a regional chamber of commerce serving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender business owners, professionals and allies in the seven-county Greater Sacramento region. The SRCC’s mission is to encourage and support small businesses in the LGBT and allied communities, to foster economic prosperity in the Greater Sacramento region, and to promote diversity, and inclusion and equality for all.

 

Like any chamber of commerce, the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber provides programming and services designed to help member businesses succeed and grow, including monthly networking mixers, educational and professional development workshops, government contracting opportunities, and partnerships with other community and business organizations.

 

In addition, Rainbow Chamber works closely with government agencies and community-based organizations to help build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous business environment in Sacramento and California. The Chamber also works to build relationships with other diversity organizations and to support policies and laws that promote LGBT equality. The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is one of seven LGBT chambers in California affiliated with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA)

Founded in 1979, the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) continues to support small businesses in San Diego while advocating for mainstream acceptance of diversity.

 

GSDBA is one of the largest specialty chambers in San Diego County. GSDBA prides itself on outreach to other business chambers and to society at large. In 2000 GSDBA was the first LGBT chamber in the nation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Small Business Administration, recognizing GSDBA’s status as a minority business association.

Diversity is the ground of creativity and strengthens us as an association. Membership in GSDBA is a powerful choice. We encourage and welcome membership from anyone who supports equality for all people and seeks the opportunities GSDBA can provide in business support, networking, advertising, professional growth and business resources.

Portland Area Business Association (PABA)

In late 1991, a group of three business people, Deborah Betron, Rick Schmidt and Fred Elledge, met to discuss forming a business networking group in Portland, Oregon. As their discussions continued, they became more convinced of the need for an organization to support Gays and Lesbian business people.

 

The goals for this new group were to strengthen business within the Gay and Lesbian community, to be a visible sign of support to its members and to have a positive impact on the Portland metropolitan area.

 

Soon other business people were invited to help breathe life into what is now known as PABA, the Portland Area Business Association.  Tremendous effort and guidance were given by Lonnie Lusardo and the Greater Seattle Business Association. The success of the GSBA and its impact on Seattle has been PABA's model and motivation.

 

PABA's first official meeting was held in October 1992. Since then, PABA members and their guests have attended many entertaining and enlightening monthly luncheon meetings. PABA also reaches its members through its monthly newsletter, The PABA Advantage, special events and after-hours receptions.

 

PABA's focus is business; its goal is to help its members achieve success in business. PABA is meant to be inclusive. Everyone with an interest in business and an interest in bettering the community is welcome to be a part of this dynamic and rapidly growing organization. 

Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley (RCCSV)

Established in 1999 to give exposure to the LGBT business community, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley (RCCSV) is the largest not-for-profit corporation in greater Silicon Valley for LGBT businesses comprised of LGBT and LGBT-supportive business owners and professionals.

 

With over 100 members the RCCSV has continued to grow and develop member benefits to serve the needs of our dynamic membership. Led by a strong visionary Board of Directors the Chamber has boldly transformed from a grass roots coalition into a polished, professional business association.

 

The RCCSV’s mission is to create a vibrant LGBT supportive business community through development, education, promotion and advocacy. Their vision is to be the leader in diversity, innovation and philanthropy within the LGBT-supportive business community in the greater Silicon Valley.

 

The values of the RCCSV include equality, diversity, inclusivity, community, service, integrity, vision and leadership. The RCCSV is inclusive of all business people whether gay, straight, lesbian or transgendered. We strive to treat all equally and provide a place we can come together for the mutual benefit of all members and the community at large.

Desert Business Association (DBA)

The Desert Business Association (DBA) has been committed to the promotion of LGBT and allied businesses since 1979. We are the Coachella Valley’s only gay business association. We assist members in the promotion and development of their businesses by providing networking opportunities, educational seminars, advertising opportunities, a member business directory, member promotions and discounts, events and event participation.

 

DBA relationships reach throughout Southern California, as well as all eight communities of the Coachella Valley. We encourage members to actively participate in our organization and leverage their existing DBA relationships which, in turn, will help them build new relationships needed to expand and flourish.

 

In addition to our business-centric goals, the DBA works closely with many local 501(c)3 charitable organizations serving our communities. Charitable work in the Coachella Valley is important to our quality of life and critical to the LGBT community.

 

DBA relationships reach throughout Southern California as well as all eight communities of the Coachella Valley. We encourage members to actively participate in all the benefits we offer by leveraging their existing DBA relationships which, in turn, will help them build new relationships needed to expand and flourish.

Long Beach Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (LBGLCC)

The Chamber was founded as the Long Beach Community Business Network in 1992 by a group of gay and lesbian business owners to serve as a networking and support organization for gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses within the greater Long Beach area. Since then they have grown to include businesses from surrounding areas as well. In 2001 they changed their name to the Long Beach Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

 

The LBGLCC’s Mission and Vision is to have a positive impact on the LGBT business and professional community and its allies. Our mission is to increase their visibility as a powerful economic force within their LGBT community and the Greater Long Beach Area. Goals for the organization include the marketing and promotion of member businesses to the community as well as helping new businesses establish themselves in the area. In partnership with other gay and lesbian nonprofit organizations in Long Beach, LBGLCC contributes to the energy and quality of life within the city and surrounding communities.

LOUD, Vancouver, British Columbia

Thirty years ago, the Gay Lesbian Business Association of British Columbia printed its first directory. Over time, the organization has grown into a more diverse organization, creating opportunities for professionals and entrepreneurs within the LGBTQ community to network, learn and grow — both professionally and personally in the Vancouver region.  Known as LOUD (which stands for Leadership, opportunity, and diversity) the organization has become a role model for many organizations.

 

LOUD strives to be the ‘go-to’ organization for LGBTQ consumers looking for products and services. They are an association of professional and ethical businesses that support the LGBTQ community with products and services and they are committed to increase the revenue and reach of their members while working to reduce the operating costs of their businesses.

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MARCH 15—16 2018
SAN FRANCISCO

WBA CHAMBERS

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