Celebrating LGBT Equality Rights on the Global Stage

NGLCC Board member Steven Wozencraft; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; NGLCC President Justin Nelson; and Royal Asscher of America President Lita Asscher

Last Monday night, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Board member Steve Wozencraft, his partner John Evans, and NGLCC co-founder and president Justin Nelson joined a select group of LGBT and allied leaders and philanthropists for a special evening honoring U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sir Elton John and their work on global LGBT equality issues.

Wozencraft and Evans played a central role in the event presented by HRC and the Elton John AIDS Foundation; the elegant gala dinner's main purpose was to bring awareness to the Secretary's Global Equality Fund.

The Fund, announced by Secretary Clinton in Geneva at the United Nations Human Rights Council in December 2011, was created to support programs that advance the human rights of LGBT persons around the world. NGLCC leaders, including Wozencraft, Nelson, and NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO Chance Mitchell, were present in Geneva when Secretary Clinton gave her now historic speech on global LGBT rights, stating "Human rights are gay rights and gay rights are human rights, once and for all."

"It was an honor to be with Secretary Clinton, Sir Elton John, and so many committed individuals here in DC this week who are helping to make the vision a reality," said Nelson. 

The Fund and its message will play an important role in the NGLCC's work to help empower LGBT people around the globe through economics. "As the largest LGBT business advocacy voice in the world, NGLCC will continue to grow throughout Latin America, Europe, and eventually Asia," said Nelson.

Learn more about the upcoming September 2012 NGLCC Trade Mission to Colombia and how we will be bringing LGBT business to the region.

AMERICAN AIRLINES AND STARTUP AMERICA PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH SECOND ANNUAL “FLIGHTS.CAMERA.ACTION.” CONTEST

AMERICAN AIRLINES AND STARTUP AMERICA PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH
SECOND ANNUAL “FLIGHTS.CAMERA.ACTION.” CONTEST

Small- and Medium-Size Businesses Can Enter for a Chance to Win 80 Round-Trip Award Tickets* to Elevate the Success of Their Business

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines is teaming up with Startup America Partnership to launch the second annual “Flights.Camera.Action.” contest to support the growth of small- and medium-size businesses. Eligible businesses are encouraged to submit videos explaining how air travel facilitates important connections for their company through in-person meetings, onboard technology and Wi-Fi; as well as connections made through the travel experience. Video entries can be submitted at www.AA.com/FlightsCameraAction

.

To enter the contest, which runs from July 17 through Aug. 10, 2012, companies are encouraged to submit a one-minute video explaining the importance of connections made through air travel on the contest website. The first 400 businesses to enter the contest through the website, and in compliance with the Official Rules, will receive 300 American Airlines Business ExtrAA^® bonus points, equivalent to an Admirals Club^® One Day Pass. Terms and Conditions apply.

The top nine videos from each of the three contest categories will be displayed on the contest site for public voting from Aug. 28 through Sept. 14, 2012. Each of these 27 entrants will receive 10,000 Business ExtrAA points for their business, redeemable for up to five domestic round-trip Plan AAhead^® award Economy Class tickets. The three distinct categories for entry include:

·        Startups – companies with two to 500 employees that have been in operation for less than five years.

·        Established businesses – companies with two to 500 employees that have been in operation for five or more years.

·        Nonprofits – 501(c)(3) organizations with two to 500 employees with any operational term.

The top three videos from each category, as selected by public vote – for a total of nine finalists – will earn 20,000 Business ExtrAA points for their business, redeemable for up to 10 domestic round-trip Plan AAhead^® award Economy Class tickets, and two complimentary admission tickets to the Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony in Phoenix, where the Grand Prize Winner will be announced.

The First Place Winners from each category, as selected by a panel of judges – for a total of three winners – will receive an additional 30,000 Business ExtrAA points for a total of 60,000 Business ExtrAA points (the equivalent of 30 domestic round-trip Plan AAhead^® award Economy Class tickets). They will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony, including exclusive networking opportunities with iconic startup leaders and various entrepreneurs, and an Admirals Club annual membership for up to two employees.

The Grand Prize winner will receive an additional 100,000 Business ExtrAA points – equivalent to 50 round-trip Economy Class tickets, AAdvantage^® Gold status for up to two employees for one year and exposure in a variety of American Airlines media channels including an inflight video and a feature in the American Way magazine.

“American understands the importance of keeping our customers connected throughout the travel experience, especially businesses that rely heavily on air travel to succeed,” said Derek DeCross, American’s Vice President – Global Sales. “We're excited to work with Startup America Partnership to boost entrepreneurs in their business efforts given their importance to the U.S. economy.”

“The American economy is driven by startups – young, high-growth companies that are the number one job creators,” said Scott Case, CEO, Startup America Partnership. “Travel is a critical component to these companies – it provides the opportunities to make connections with customers and investors that can be game changing. Our partnership with American Airlines, and the “Flights.Camera.Action.” contest, highlights the amazing startups around the country and provides them with a unique opportunity to grow faster.”

Startup America Partnership is dedicated to bringing together startups and local champions from around the country and focuses on creating successful networks for young, high-growth companies to succeed. American offers travel programs specifically designed to benefit small- and medium size businesses, such as Business ExtrAA

and the American Airlines Business Suite™ that includes the AAirpass^® program, which offers discounted fares on last-minute travel with immediate VIP benefits. Other programs include a cash-rebate credit card and discounts for group travel, and there is no cost to join. American’s relationship with Startup America is intended to provide additional value in the form of travel to hundreds of participating small- and medium size businesses.

For more information about the American Airlines suite of business products, visit www.AA.com/Business

. For more information on the “Flights.Camera.Action.” contest, visit www.AA.com/FlightsCameraAction.

Terms and Conditions

*All award ticket counts are based on Economy Plan AAhead ^® award valid for the Continental U.S., Canada and Mexico. All taxes and fees, including reservation fees, assessed at the time of ticketing are the responsibility of the passenger.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle^® and the AmericanConnection^® carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,500 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com^®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld^® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 150 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. AMR Corporation common stock trades under the symbol “AAMRQ” on the OTCQB marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group.

About The Startup America Partnership

The Startup America Partnership is a growing national movement of thousands of funders, experts and resources providing startups access to the corporations, investors, and services they need to grow. Launched at the White House in early 2011, the Partnership brings together startups and local champions from around the country focused on creating successful networks for young, high-growth companies to thrive. AOL co-founder Steve Case chairs the Partnership and the Kauffman and Case Foundations are its founding partners. American Airlines, American Express OPEN, Dell Inc., Intuit Inc., Microsoft and NYSE Euronext are corporate sponsors. For more information on the Partnership, visit www.s.co

 

and follow us@startupamerica and www.facebook.com/startupamerica.

NGLCC Trade Mission to Colombia: Global Opportunities

NGLCC Trade Mission to Colombia: Global Opportunities

As an entrepreneur, you're constantly looking for ways to expand your business to find new customers. For many businesses, moving onto the international stage is a natural step in the growth of a business. But as an LGBT business-owner, you might be concerned about working abroad. You might ask yourself: How accessible are international markets to LGBT-owned small businesses? Learn first-hand by participating in the first ever U.S. Government-certified LGBT trade mission. The NGLCC will lead LGBT entrepreneurs to the Colombian capital of Bogotá, September 11-16, allowing participants to benefit from the recently implemented U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. With the support of the Department of Commerce and many others collaborating partners, NGLCC delegates will work with the commercial attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá and have experts on hand to support your business as you make connections crucial to exporting. Trade mission participants will participate in the following programming throughout the week: U.S. Commercial Service Gold Key Programming, including a high-level economic briefing and pre-scheduled matchmaker meetings with end-users and potential partners; Launch of the Colombia LGBT chamber affiliate; Global workplace diversity panel of multinational corporate leaders; LGBT Summit of the Americas with business leaders representing Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Brazil; Complimentary registration in Expogay, Sept. 15-16; and Exciting receptions and networking opportunities. To learn more about the trade mission and be part of LGBT business history, please contact Joanna Dees or 1-202-234-9181.

Allstate 5th annual Supplier Diversity Exchange

Dear Certified LGBTBE,

The NGLCC and LAGLCC are excited to share the following opportunity with you. Allstate is an exemplary NGLCC Corporate Partner who is committed to including certified LGBTBEs in its supply chain.

This October, Allstate will be hosting its 5^th annual Supplier Diversity Exchange.  

The purpose of the Allstate Supplier Diversity Exchange is to provide an opportunity for businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community to build relationships with Allstate and Allstate’s prime suppliers. The Exchange offers business owners a forum for networking, professional development, and one-on-one discussions with Allstate key influencers responsible for purchasing products and services.

Allstate would like to invite certified LGBT-, minority-, veteran- or women-owned businesses to complete an online application. Applications received by August 15 will be reviewed to determine which applicants will most benefit by attending the Exchange. All applicants will be notified no later than August 30 by email of their status. 

More details, including the application, can be found online. The deadline is August 15. For additional inquiries, please respond to allstate@aplusmeetings.com; our Allstate corporate representative is happy to answer your queries.

We look forward to continually bringing you these opportunities as a valued Certified LGBT Business Enterprise.