For as long as Rich Horrow has been Board President at the IBA, a goal of his was to bring the NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference to Philadelphia. His years of coalition building, networking and connecting have paid off. Thanks to Rich’s efforts, along with their Conference, the NGLCC will be bringing countless opportunities for diverse businesses, significant economic impact to our city, and close to 1,500 attendees and visitors. In recognition of this accomplishment, Rich will be honored with the 2018 PHLDiversity “Bring It Home” award, presented to individuals that support PHLDiversity’s mission by working with the PHLCVB to bring a diverse and multicultural convention to Philadelphia.
“Meetings mean business; and over the next ten years, meetings and conventions are projected to infuse more than $2 billion into the local economy,” says Greg Deshields, PHLDiversity Executive Director. “The ‘Bring It Home’ award is presented to individuals who support PHLDiversity’s mission by working with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) to bring a diverse convention to the city. Rich Horrow and IBA have been great partners, working alongside PHLDiversity in our continued efforts to expand our reach into the LGBTQ meeting and convention market and drive more business to Philadelphia. We are proud to recognize this great partnership, and are excited for Rich to join past recipients that include former Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Congressman Bob Brady, and former Governor Ed Rendell.”
We’re thrilled that PHLDiversity has chosen Rich for their “Bring It Home” award. While we’re very proud of Rich, we can’t say that we are at all surprised. Rich’s work ethic, ability to bring folks together around a common goal, and dedication to the expansion and inclusion of LGBT business have made any organization or project he’s part of more successful and sustainable by leaps and bounds.
PHLDiversity will also be honoring President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Rodriguez, for her efforts in bringing the USHCC 2018 National Convention to Philadelphia. The awards will be presented at the 2018 PHLDiversity Business Opportunity Luncheon, on February 14th at the Rittenhouse Hotel in Center City, Philadelphia. This dynamic program awards business leaders for outstanding contributions and provides vendor opportunities, access, and specific insights into contract needs for upcoming diverse meetings and conventions. Proceeds of the luncheon benefit the Philadelphia chapters of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) as well as the Jack P. Ferguson MPI PHL Scholarship.