The Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention is seeking the participation of Certified LGBT-Owned businesses for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. For more information on how you can become a Certified LGBT-Owned business through the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), please click here. IBA Members at Business Level and higher, who meet the qualifications listed here, can begin the certification process, which is free with your IBA Membership ($400 value).
The 2016 DNC Host Committee recently officially launched its vendor and volunteer registration forms, which are available for businesses and individuals interested in getting involved in the Convention. These forms are available on the Host Committee’s website, www.phldnc.com, and allow individuals and businesses to submit contact information and categorical specialties for opportunities related to the Convention.
Diversity and inclusion are extremely important to the Host Committee, and they encourage individuals and business owners from the Greater Philadelphia area, including minority, women, veterans and members of the LGBT and disabled communities, to register for consideration.
Vendors
Prospective businesses interested in being considered an official Democratic National Convention vendor should go to the “vendor” tab at the top of the Host Committee’s website, www.phldnc.com. Registrants will be added to the Host Committee’s 2016 Vendor Directory, which will be used by the Host Committee and provided to the Democratic National Convention Committee to help find suppliers and services for their needs. The directory will also be given to third parties interested in holding events affiliated with the Convention.
The Host Committee’s vendor efforts have already generated attention, including the following stories:
- Al Dia, July 30, 2015: http://aldianews.com/articles/local/philadelphia/democratic-national-convention-looking-diversity-vendors/39985
- Philadelphia Tribune, August 4, 2015: http://www.phillytrib.com/news/business/phila-businesses-encouraged-to-register-for-next-year-s-dnc/article_bdff9731-acc9-520c-9fd0-07537ad467c0.html#.VcuKXHIOSf4.google
More than 600 businesses and suppliers, nearly 50 percent of which are headquartered in Philadelphia, have registered for inclusion in the vendor directory since it was created earlier this year.
In some cases, Convention vendors will be selected through a Request For Proposal, which will be announced as needs arise. Active RFPs will be listed on the Host Committee’s website.
Volunteers
The Host Committee will need thousands of volunteers leading up to and during the Convention.
Individuals interested in volunteering for the Host Committee should got to the “volunteer” tab at the top of the Host Committee’s website, www.phldnc.com, and formally submit their names and contact information into the growing volunteer database.
Volunteers will play critical roles in Convention efforts, and there will be a wide range of opportunities, including event planning, press, operations and logistics, community engagement, business outreach and more, between now and July 2016.
Anyone interested in being part of this historic event, including individuals who are fluent in multiple languages, should apply through the Host Committee website. Individuals will be contacted for available volunteer opportunities as needs arise.