IBA News

2018 NGLCC Conference To be Held in Philadelphia

Posted on May 18, 2017 by The IBA

Philadelphia, PA (May 2017) – On Wednesday, May 10 at the Independence Business Alliance 10th Anniversary Celebration, it was announced the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) will host their 2018 International Business & Leadership Conference in Philadelphia, PA. This world-renowned conference provides networking and engagement opportunities for business owners in the LGBT community. Philadelphia won the 2018 bid over other cities nationwide with the help of the IBA, PHLCVB, PHLDiversity, and Visit Philadelphia.

“This is an incredibly meaningful honor for our organization and for the Greater Philadelphia Area that we serve,” IBA Board President, Rich Horrow remarked. ” As an organization that has provided countless business opportunities for LGBT and allied businesses in the region, we will be thrilled to host affiliates, businesses and entrepreneurs from all over the country and world to share in the business equality movement.”

Founded in 2002, the NGLCC was created as a resource to supports LGBT business and showcase the diversity of talent, skills, and expertise in the LGBT community. The 2017 NGLCC Conference is being held in Las Vegas, NV from August 1-4, registration is available here. More than 1,000 entrepreneurs, corporate decision-makers, affiliate chamber leaders, and government officials from across the country and around the world are expected to attend. NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson is excited to bring the same exciting experience and opportunity to Philadelphia.

“We are elated to bring the 2018 NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference to Philadelphia, and to partner with the Independence Business Alliance and our presenting sponsors to continue expanding the reach and impact of the largest LGBT business event on the planet,” said Nelson. “Solidarity and success in our community has never been more vital that it is now, and so it’s fitting that we bring the entire NGLCC family to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection in 2018 to create unprecedented opportunities for LGBT-owned businesses to thrive.”

For more information about the Independence Business Alliance (IBA) visit https://www.thinkiba.com/. Be sure to like the IBA on Facebook and follow along on Twitter and Instagram @Think_IBA. Learn more about the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) at www.nglcc.org, and find them on social media, @NGLCC.

About Independence Business Alliance

The Independence Business Alliance (IBA) provides opportunities, access, and resources to LGBT professionals and allies in the Greater Philadelphia area. The organization promotes economic development, growth, diversity, and leadership throughout the region. The IBA is a membership-based business advocacy organization, dedicated to making the Philadelphia region an influential and diverse LGBT community with an impact on economic development, equal rights, and policy issues. The IBA is an official affiliate of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

ABOUT NGLCC:

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. www.nglcc.org

IBA Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Posted on May 18, 2017 by The IBA

Video by Valley Creek Productions

Philadelphia, PA (May 2017) – The Independence Business Alliance held their Tenth Anniversary Celebration (IBA10) presented by PNC Bank at the Down Town Club on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. In previous years, the IBA hosted an annual Business Leaders Luncheon, but this year, they commemorated 10 years of growth and achievement in the Greater Philadelphia LGBT business community with a record-shattering evening gala.

The evening featured a presentation of the 7th annual PNC Bank $10,000 LGBT Business Award, given by PNC Bank to an LGBT or allied IBA-member business that is poised to grow, innovate, and give back to the community. This year marked the first transgender winner – Jayne Keyser of Bustard Advertising.

Past IBA Board Presidents, Bill Gehrman and Evan Urbania were honored in the IBA10 program, with Gehrman receiving an official proclamation from the City, presented by LGBT Affairs Director Amber Hikes.

MSNBC and Washington Post journalist Jonathan Capehart was honored with the first IBA Influencer Award for his contributions to the LGBT business community nationally.

Before the evening concluded, Co-Founder and President of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Justin Nelson, joined the IBA to announce Philadelphia as the host city for the 2018 NGLCC Conference!

Wells Fargo and NGLCC Award $5,000 to IBA for Supplier Diversity Initiative

Posted on August 25, 2016 by The IBA

The Independence Business Alliance (IBA) is proud to announce that the chamber was awarded a $5,000 grant on Thursday, August 25th at the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s (NGLCC) 2016 International Business & Leadership Conference in Palm Springs, California.

Funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by the NGLCC, this grant was awarded to expand capacity and offer technical assistance to the IBA ConnX Supplier Diversity Initiative. The main goal of the program is to foster the development, growth, and sustainability of certified LGBT business enterprises (LGBTBEs®).

“The IBA ConnX Supplier Diversity Initiative has become a vital resource to our members as they develop their businesses and engage in strategic planning,” said Rich Harrow, IBA President. “The program supports our mission of supporting our members through business growth, education, and advocacy. We are thrilled to receive this generous grant from Wells Fargo and NGLCC which will allow us to expand and enrich our program.”

“Wells Fargo is a proud, long-time supporter of NGLCC, and we share their commitment to helping small business owners succeed financially,” said Lisa Stevens, head of Small Business for Wells Fargo. “We are dedicated to providing funding that will support their entrepreneurship and leadership training programs, along with educational tools and resources to help diverse-owned business in communities across America grow and thrive.”

“The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is excited to see the Independence Business Alliance grow as an organization and a voice in the LGBT owned and allied businesses community. They have shown tremendous growth in the size of their business membership and outreach programs, embodying the mission that NGLCC has continuously strived for,” said Sam McClure, NGLCC Senior Vice President.

NGLCC Honors IBA with National Chamber Excellence Community Impact Award

Posted on August 25, 2016 by The IBA

Philadelphia, PA – The Independence Business Alliance (IBA) is proud to announce that the chamber was honored for excellence in community impact on Thursday, August 25^th at the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)’s 2016 International Business & Leadership Conference in Palm Springs, California.

“We are proud to receive recognition for both our Awards and Philanthropy Initiative as well as our Women in Business program,” said Zach Wilcha, IBA’s Executive Director. “Every year, we work hard to make a difference in our community. We’ve collaborated with small businesses, corporate partners and philanthropic groups in order to shine a light on the importance of diversity and giving back to the community and we don’t plan to stop now. We look forward to growing these programs so that we can leave an even greater impact on our community.”

NGLCC recognized the IBA for its Awards and Philanthropy Initiative, a program of awards dedicated to shining a spotlight on the local Greater Philadelphia LGBT business community, giving back to the community at large and building the leaders of tomorrow. In that effort, IBA has partnered with various community, philanthropic and corporate partners to create an exemplary awards program that includes an annual LGBTQ Scholarship in partnership with The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, the LGBT Business Award in partnership with PNC Bank, the Business Integrity Award in partnership with Integrity Staffing, and many other empowering endeavors. “NGLCC affiliate chambers like the IBA are using their relationships with corporate partners and advocacy groups to open doors for LGBT professionals creating more inclusive communities,” said Sam McClure, NGLCC Senior Vice President. “It is what makes IBA a role model for other LGBT Chambers.”

NGLCC also recognized the IBA for its Women in Business (WiB) program, designed specifically to increase the involvement of women in IBA activities and programs as well as the LGBT community at large. Over the past three years, the number of women who have join the IBA has risen exponentially greatly increasing the visibility of LBT women in IBA and the LGBT business community at large.

2016 DNC: Commitment to Diversity and Opportunity

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Zach Wilcha

As the 2016 Democratic Convention draws nearer, the DNC Host Committee has been putting on events, webinars, and town halls to engage the Philadelphia business community in their efforts. While many of the opportunities for local vendors are yet to be announced, the DNC Host Committee is laying the foundation for a successful convention by preparing local businesses now.

Tiffany Newmuis of the DNC Host Committee says, “We are committed to working with local vendors to fulfill specific service needs for the Convention. Some needs will be publicized via a Request for Proposal and some will be made known as the need arises. It is our goal to communicate appropriate opportunities with the local business community as much as possible. We look forward to working with many organizations from throughout the Philadelphia region, including diverse vendors and contractors. We encourage such business owners – including minorities, women, veterans, and members of the LGTB and disabled communities – to register for contract consideration. “

The best way to get involved in potential opportunities is to register for the 2016 Vendor Directory. The process for doing so is simple: go to the DNC website, www.phldnc.com and click on the “vendor” button at the top right of the page. That will take you to a form asking you to provide your contact information, the name of your business, the kind of services you offer, and similar details.

Currently there are 1,500 vendors registered in the Host Committee vendor directory. Of those, 35% vendors identify as diverse. 68% are based in Pennsylvania, and 45% are based in Philadelphia. The vendor directory will be used by the Host Committee and the DNCC for needed services to help present the Convention. It will also be provided to third parties that may be interested in holding events during Convention week, and that have contracted needs in order to put on those events.

From services, the DNC Host Committee will go through the RFP process but it is their goal to communicate these needs in advance of opening the RFP so that interested businesses have the time and information that they need to submit a proposal for the RFP. RFPs will be announced and then posted to the Host Committee’s website at www.phldnc.com. When a registered applicant matches a need of the DNC Host Committee, they will get a notification.

Once the Convention ends, the vendor directory will be provided to local partners such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Philadelphia, and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity for future contract needs. This is why it’s very critical for businesses to register even if you do not think your business will be able to offer services needed specifically for the Host Committee’s needs or the DNCC’s needs.

Not only will the directory provide the Convention team with suppliers leading up to and during the event, but it will also offer a comprehensive listing of vendors that can be used for a variety of events and by an array of entities beyond this event.

IBA members should take advantage of this incredible opportunity today. The DNC website will be constantly updated. The DNC Host Committee is committed to making the Philadelphia Convention the best in history, but they can’t do it without the help of our local business community.