On May 11th the IBA hosted the 2015 Business Leaders Luncheon at the Hotel Sofitel Philadelphia. The sold out event, presented by West Laurel Hill, was attended by over 225 members, guests and community leaders, including Nellie Fitzpatrick, Director of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, Councilman Mark Squilla, and Tiffany Newmuis, Director of Diversity & Community Engagement for the DNC Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee.
PNC Bank President, Paula Fryland long-time Corporate Partner and loyal friend to the IBA, presented the 2015 PNC Bank LGBT Business Award to IBA Members, Holly Johnson & Stacey Vey of Stir Lounge.
One of the many highlights of this year’s luncheon was the keynote address given by Justin Nelson, Co-Founder & President of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Nelson has used his background in small business and issue advocacy to help build a national organization that has given a much-needed commercial identity to the LGBT community. The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender-owned businesses.
This was the 5th year for the Business Leaders Luncheon and by far the most well attended and biggest success yet. The theme for this year’s luncheon—“Business. First.”—was carried throughout the event by all who addressed IBA Members and guests.
A huge thanks goes out to all who made this event possible, in particularly our Luncheon Sponsors, Corporate Partners, the staff of the Hotel Sofitel, Mark Beyerle & his amazing team from Specialty Productions, JPG Photography and all those who helped make the day a true celebration of the achievements of the LGBT Business Community in the Greater Philadelphia Region.