Women's Counsel - New Name, New Chair

Andrea Meyerson, new Board Member of the LAGLCC, founder of Women On A Roll and President of All Out Films, is the Chair of the LAGLCC's newly created Women's Inspiration Network (WIN).


WIN provides the opportunity to meet, mingle and network with a group of dynamic women and hear from some inspiring speakers.


Maria's Italian Kitchen is the sponsor for the newly formed WIN! And this month our guest speaker will be Maddy Alfano, owner of the Maria's Italian Kitchen Chain. Maddy will share her incredible success story as a restaurateur and entrepreneur! Please join us at the launch and welcome Maria's to the Chamber!


The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18th. There is a listing above in the Events at a Glance section of this newsletter, and more details can be found on the LAGLCC website.


WIN will meet for dinner the third Thursday of every month and alternate between three locations: West Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.


click here for more information.

A Note From Your Vice President - Anthony Vulin

It has been an honor to serve on the Board of Directors of the LAGLCC for 5 years.  In 2008 I served as Vice President, 2009 as President and again this year as Vice President.  I have watched our chamber evolve over the years and I am excited to see so much happening.  


In 2010, I encourage you to join a committee and become more involved.  The more you put into this organization, the more you will get out of it.  I can attest to this by the many real estate referrals I have received through the Chamber.  


The LAGLCC is growing rapidly but still needs your help.  Help us all to spread word of the chamber. Invite your friends to attend our mixers, our educational programs, and to join our facebook group.  Then take it a step further and encourage them to become members.


Last but not least, give business referrals to other members. After all, isn't that what the LAGLCC is all about?

A Note From Your Treasurer - James Holchin

As your second term Treasurer for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, I serve as the Chief Financial Officer and am responsible for both the safekeeping and the proper disbursement of all funds received by the Chamber.

Last year, I also served as Co-Chairperson for the Community Outreach Committee. This year I became the Chairperson of that committee. 


In 2009, the Community Outreach Committee introduced a series of "Getting to Know You" mixers with several other non-profits and community organizations.  To date, we've had these events with The Trevor Project, GLAAD, Lamdba Legal, Friends of Project 10, the Lesbian and Gay Lawyers of Los Angeles (LGLA) and more..  


The purpose of these mixers is to proved an opportunity for chamber 
members to meet members from other organizations and to learn more about them. Plus, these Getting to Know You mixers serve as excellent networking opportunities.  


This year, you can look forward to networking with even more non-profits, including community organizations that serve our entire, diverse LGBT community.    


If you are interested in serving on the Community Outreach Committee or in volunteering, please contact me at: jholchin@laglcc.org.


Our first "Getting to Know You" mixer of the year is listed in this newsletter, our website and on our Facebook Page.

A Note From Your Secretary - Amanda Williams

This January, it was with tremendous pride I accepted my second term as Secretary of the LAGLCC. Given our chamber's recent, rapid growth under former President Randy Malmud, the position of Secretary has grown to one of even greater importance. So now, along with my fellow board members, I move into 2010 with an eye on continued growth under the exciting leadership of our newest President, Matt Skallerud. 

As Secretary, it is my responsibility to ensure that accurate  documentation exists to meet all legal requirements in order to maintain our status as a not for profit chamber of commerce. This includes recording when, how, and by whom the board's business is conducted. These responsibilities are spelled out fully in our by-laws.

January 2010 Updates

We start this new year and this new decade with an air of excitement and promise not seen in quite some time now… with our new board members in place, we have, as a team, put together some ideas which can take our association to a whole new level this year! These ideas and changes include hiring a new, full-time Director of Development this year, overhauling the look and feel of our website, and putting together a whole new business event which takes our annual gala and expands upon that with a business conference and expo as well. We'll also be sending out a survey to members and potential members, so that you all can tell us what we've done right, where we can improve, and how you would like to see the LAGLCC grow to best serve your business needs in 2010!

Matthew Skallerud
President, Board of Directors

Beloved Television Icons Help To Honor Los Angeles Gay Businesses at 2009 LAGLCC Gala

Eighty years after setting the stage for the first-ever Academy Awards, the Blossom Ballroom of Hollywood’s prestigious landmark, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Blvd.), will now play host to another significant awards celebration, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Gala, on Oct. 4.

The much-anticipated event will celebrate the achievements of L.A.-area businesses and organizations that have helped to garner or maintain a positive reputation as a member or ally of the LGBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender) community.

Scheduled to take place from 5 to 9 p.m., attendees of the 2009 Gala will catch prized glimpses of numerous television personalities, including Desperate Housewives’ Kathryn Joosten, Dallas’ Charlene Tilton, The L Word’s Daniela Sea, and Jennifer Elise Cox, well known for her over-the-top, comedic portrayal of Jan Brady in the Brady Bunch movie series. Guests will also be invited to view exclusive live musical performances by American Idol’s Frenchie Davis, out Latin singing sensation Ben Roman and True Blood composer Nathan Barr and vocalist Lisbeth Scott.

Other appearances throughout the night include performances by the Bollywood Step dance troupe and the Balliamos Dance Studio, the country’s first same-sex dance studio; and a special presentation of the Raytheon Community Advancement Award by the founder of the NOH8 Campaign, Adam Bouska. Additional celebrity appearances will be announced at a later date.

In addition to a presentation of the Bud Light Young Business Professionals Scholarship, four major awards will be presented, including the Raytheon Community Advancement Award, Corporate Partner of the Year, Outstanding Fundraiser and Business of the Year. A cocktail reception will start at 5 p.m., with the dinner and awards ceremony scheduled to run from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost to attend is $100 per ticket, and tickets can be purchased on LAGLCC’s official Web site, www.laglcc.org.

The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (LAGLCC) is an organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and gay-allied businesses, professionals, and individuals, who have joined together to effect positive growth in ourselves, our work, our community and our future. Members are committed to supporting one another and building trusting, long-lasting relationships through attendance of evening mixers, networking breakfasts, educational workshops, quarterly dinners, joint activities with other organizations and community involvement. The LAGLCC strives to connect members of the community to strengthen LGBT spending and increase purchasing power of business owners.

US Govt Job Opening in LA Area: Partnership Specialist

Ability to develop relationships and productive partnership agreements with leaders in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender community.

http://www.laglcc.org/pdf/PAR-06037-LGBT-09-78s-Ext-07May09.pdf

LAGLCC-IGLTA-GayTravelocity Reception @ Custom Hotel

We had a wonderful evening reception at the Custom Hotel in LA, hosted by an incredible staff. Over 75 people were in attendance for our first event bringing members together from LAGLCC (www.laglcc.org) and IGLTA (www.iglta.org) and sponsored by GayTravelocity.com

Links to photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattskal/sets/72157617138719277/

LAGLCC Updates for March 2009

LAGLCC Breakfast
Thursday May 14, 2009, May Networking Breakfast - 7:30 a.m.
The French Market - 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046
Join the Chamber for our monthly Breakfast Networking Mixer. Only 20 spaces available. RSVP today: events@laglcc.com
$20 - Members; $30 Guests

Thursday March 12, 2009, March Networking Breakfast - 7:30 a.m.
Aroma Café - 4360 Tujunga Ave. Studio City, CA 91604
Join the Chamber for our monthly Breakfast Networking Mixer. Only 20 spaces available. RSVP today: events@laglcc.com
$20 - Members; $30 Guests

Educational Seminars: 
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm 
Where: Plummer Park Community Bldg. 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. WEHO 
ONLINE Gay Marketing and Web 2.0 
Certainly, everyone is aware of the gay market - and also of the power of the Internet. But how to HARNESS that power to grow YOUR business? How can you use Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other Internet Social Networking sites? Do you know how to use keywords and video to get your business or domain to the top of a Google search? 
Then join us at this fun and informative seminar to learn just how to do all that, and take your business into the fastest part of 21st Century Marketing. Web 2.0 is where it's at. You should be too! 
Presenter: Matt Skallerud - Pink Banana Media (www.pinkbananamedia.com)
Seating is Limited. RSVP to Julie at 323-874-5854. Cost: Members $10 Non-members $20 
For more information, Click Here.

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm 
Where: Plummer Park Community Bldg. 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. WEHO 
The Power of Email Marketing
Building relationships with your current customers is key to growing your business. Reach them with professional email communications that make you look great! And without using your personal email program/server & entering every email address separately each time…
This workshop covers the basics of what email marketing is, why it works so well, and how to use it in your business planning and strategy to achieve specific goals. 
Presenter: Kelly Flint - Constant Contact's Regional Development Director, Los Angeles 
Seating is Limited. RSVP to Julie at 323-874-5854. Cost: Members $10 Non-members $20 
For more information, Click Here.

Professional Women's Luncheon
Date: March 26, 2009
Time: 11:45 am networking, 12:00 - 1:00 pm power lunch
Where: Isla Cantina, 8788 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
   (Corner of Palm)
Come and network with other interesting successful women in our community. Learn to build a sales team to grow your business while helping each other. If you know powerful business women outside the chamber, please invite them to our lunch.
Chamber VIP's $20.00; General members and guests $25.00
RSVP to Maureen at moe225ste@msn.com

LAGLCC Updates for January 2009

The LAGLCC has had a round of new board nominations and elections and there's a great new team on board, including Randy Malmud, the new Chamber President, Anthony Vulin, the new Chamber Vice President, James Holchin the new Treasurer and Amanda Williams the new Secretary. In addition, Doran Farnum of Frontiers News Magazine is also a new member of the board as well. JD DiSalvatore has also recently come on as a new board members, and other board members include Jason Miller, Financial Advisor with Prudential Securities,Maureen Steinberg, Realtor with Keller Williams, Julie Falen, Real Estate Solutions Entrepr

eneur/Owner, Big Fiddle Properties, Peggi Garvey, Frontiers Magazine, Kirkland Tibbels, Founder/President Funny Boy Films and Dawn Ackerman, Co-CEO OutSmart Office Solutions and Immediate Past President, LAGLCC.

For more information on this organization, including an update on all of the ways the LAGLCC can help you grow your business with education, networking and more, please check out and join us at http://www.laglcc.org/.

Also, be sure to attend our upcoming First Thursday Mixer, the premier GLBT business networking social event, at OBar, 8279 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, Thursday, February 5th from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. $5.00 cover charge only, and the drink prices are fantastic!
To RSVP, Click Here.

:: Southern California GLBT Business Online Resources ::

LAGLCC.org Social Networking Site
Be sure to check this site out... it allows all of us in the Southern California GLBT Business Community to network amongst each other using some of the latest social networking and Web 2.0 tools available today.

Also, find the LAGLCC Online At: