Our Mission
The Greater Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce exists to ADVANCE the various interests of GLBT owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and consumers for the purpose of promoting economic growth and prosperity of its members

The Greater Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce is an Affiliate Chapter of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) in Washington, D.C. Its purpose is to advance the various interests of Gay and Lesbian owned and friendly businesses, professionals, and consumers for the purpose of promoting economic growth and prosperity of its members.

Founded by local business owners in the Metropolitan Memphis area, the Chamber's focus is to work to benefit the long-term profitability and success of the GLBT Community by investing in its economic sector.

By affiliating with the NGLCC, the Memphis Chapter retains local governance and receives the benefits of the National umbrella of this organization that acts as a clearinghouse of ideas and information by and between businesses and organizations

There are many exciting ways to become involved with The Chamber including Networking Meetings & Social Mixers. You can even have your business or profession featured at one of our regular Meetings.
If you are a Consumer, you can request services of one of the Chamber’s GLBT/GLBT-ally vendors.

We invite GLBT and GLBT-ally Business Owners, Professionals, and Consumers with similar interests to attend the Chamber's Events. Bring a friend! So join us in making a difference in Our Community in the Greater Memphis Area!

Hello and Welcome to YOUR Chamber of Commerce!

The Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce was organized by Jeff Childress & Rick Johns who are both business owners in the Greater Memphis Area

We are excited about the formation of this important organization to serve our Community and we have joined forces with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce , (“NGLCC”), based on Washington, D.C. and is comprised of over 45 Affiliate U.S. Chapters and 9 International Chapters.

By Affiliating the NGLCC, you as a Member have the opportunity to participate locally and nationally and receive the Benefits afforded at every level.

We hope that you are as excited as we are about The Chamber and want you to feel a part of the growing commitment in the Memphis GLBT Community.

Remember, the Chamber is open to ALL Businesses, Professionals and Consumers that are GLBT/GLBT friendly and our meetings are not a secret - so bring a friend to share the experience!

Please feel free to contact us at anytime.

Sincerely,
Jeff Childress & Rick Johns
Co-Founders
Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce

Our Purpose is to provide GLBT and GLBT-ally Business Owenrs, Professionals, and Consumers an opportunity to network and provide resources to its own community.

Your Membership and the level of participation is strictly at your discretion - our group is seeking input from you on how to better expand our economic focus and impact in the Greater Memphis Area.

The Chamber offers you an opportunity to network at Monthly Meetings, feature your Business or Event, and/or list with the Chamber's Business Directory.

Our Mission is for the Chamber to “Work to benefit the long-term profitability and success of the GLBT Community by investing in its economic sector.”

NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

DUPONT CIRCLE
2000 P Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. 202.419.0440
Fax 202.419.0443
www.nglcc.org
August 22, 2006

Jeff Childress & Rick Johns
Memphis Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Memphis, TN

Dear Jeff & Rick,

I am pleased to welcome the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to our family of chambers! When you are part of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), your members are joining a network of 45 state and local LGBT chambers and business organizations across the United States - - as well as nine international affiliates. The NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the world and advocates on behalf of an estimated 800,000 -1.4 million LGBT owned businesses in the United States.

As a result of your affiliation with the NGLCC, your members now have a national business voice in Washington, DC and are connected to LGBT owned and allied businesses across the country and around the world. Additionally, members will have the opportunity to take advantage of great affiliate benefits such as business and service discounts, special pricing on travel and lodging, conferences, and other NGLCC programs and initiatives designed to strengthen and grow their businesses. The Memphis G&LCC’s members will also receive an affiliate listing in the NGLCC’s National Online Business Directory – the largest online directory of LGBT owned and friendly businesses!

I would also encourage your members to learn more about our Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI). The NGLCC is the exclusive certification agency for LGBT owned businesses, and serves as the bridge between Corporate America and LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs). This initiative means that America’s top corporations are seeking to do business with LGBT owned companies, just as they do with ethnic minority and women owned businesses. Since the SDI’s pilot in 2005, more than $75 million has been spent with NGLCC certified suppliers. You are our local partner that brings this opportunity to your members and the direct link between LGBT area businesses and the NGLCC SDI! Furthermore, your members have the opportunity to become certified with

the NGLCC and to do so at a discounted affiliate rate - - all because of your affiliation with the NGLCC!

Once again, welcome to the NGLCC family! You will find that the network of chambers and businesses available to you is one of the most useful resources you could have. I applaud you in taking this step to organize the Memphis area LGBT business community and I look forward to working with you. Together we will achieve great things!
Warm regards,

Justin G. Nelson

Justin G. Nelson
America’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Co-Founder & President

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) has selected us to join their efforts by becoming an Affiliate Chapter of their National organization based out of Washington, D.C.
The NGLCC is committed to forming a broad-based coalition, representative of the various interests of GLBT owned and friendly businesses and professionals to promote economic growth and prosperity of its members.
Most importantly, the NGLCC is the premier advocate on behalf of the GLBT owned businesses and professionals that share in the desire to expand the community’s financial opportunities, economic growth, continued innovation, and equality.

By affiliating with the NGLCC, we retain local governance of our group and receive the benefits of the National umbrella of this organization acting as a clearinghouse of ideas and information for and between businesses and organizations.

For more for information, www.nglcc.org

By being a member of The Greater Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce, you have the opportunity to also join as a Member at the National level of the NGLCC which gives you access to several important benefits, including discounts on GLBT supplier diversity certification as well as National and Pioneer Memberships.

There are many great reasons to belong to the NGLCC. In addition to business opportunities and community networking, you’ll receive:
Discounts on select NGLCC events
Discount on GLBT supplier diversity certification
A company listing in our online directory
Current news and legislative action alerts
Representation of GLBT-owned and GLBT-friendly businesses
An Advocate for promoting economic growth
Member discounts on travel

• Facilitates cooperation among state and local GLBT chambers and business groups
• Provides the ability to collect and disseminate news and information central to the success of GLBT businesses and professionals on a national level
• Partner with the financial services sector to enhance opportunities for members to start or grow their business.
•Work with corporate partners, other organizations, the community at large to ensure increased opportunity and equality for GLBT professions.
• Provide supplier diversity certification to help GLBT businesses gain more procurement opportunities: local, state, and federal levels
• Stay on the forefront of legislative issues and provide strong lobbying efforts for GLBT business causes and non-discriminatory affairs.

For more information, check out NGLCC for comprehensive discussions on these topics

Networking opportunities
• Business after hours mixers
• Member chamber newsletter

Business Assistance and Business Development
• Business Counseling or Mentoring
• Business leads and referrals
• Marketing support
• Small business seminars and programs
• Online job postings

Advertising
• Listing in online membership directory for local and national exposure
• Recognition in chamber newsletter
• Inclusion in online searchable directory
• Discounts on newsletter advertising

Chamber Involvement and Participation
• Leadership roles within the chamber
• Invitation to all chamber events
• Opportunity to serve on chamber committees
• E-mail updates of chamber activities

Community Involvement and Awareness
• Online calendar of events

Ribbon cuttings and ground-breaking ceremonies

under construction

Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce
Information Summary

How was the Memphis GLBT Chamber formed?

The Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce was founded by Rick Johns and Jeff Childress, who are both business owners in Memphis. We are an Affiliate Chapter of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, based in Washington, D.C.

What is meant by GLBT owned and friendly businesses?

The Memphis GLBT Chamber of Commerce is comprised of not only GLBT business owners and professionals but also those that are GLBT friendly as well - together our spending makes a significant impact in the Memphis economic sector - we need to reward our fellow members through our expenditures.

What is the Mission of the Memphis GLBT Chamber?

OUR MISSION is to ADVANCE the various interests of GLBT owned and friendly businesses and professionals for the purpose of promoting economic growth and prosperity of its members.

What is the continuous goal of the Memphis GLBT Chamber?

“Working to benefit the long-term profitability and success of the GLBT Community by investing in its economic sector”

Why NGLCC?

In 2006, the Gay/Lesbian Community reached an estimated buying power of $ 641 billion, with 69% of Gay people fiercely loyal to companies with progressive work policies

What are the benefits of the NGLCC?

First and foremost is the ability of the Memphis chapter to govern locally with the back-up of resources from the National Chapter - we control our own destiny with the power of the NGLCC behind us!

Additionally, the NGLCC is America’s GLBT Chamber of Commerce and through its network of Affiliate Chambers, such as the Memphis Chapter, and the National Members, it is a total commitment to expanding economic opportunities and advancements of the GLBT business community.

Furthermore, the NGLCC is the only national not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding the economic opportunities and advancements of the GLBT business community.

Seeing new opportunities for community advocacy, specifically in the economic arena, the NGLCC was founded as the exclusive organization for certification as a GLBT-owned business enterprise.

The NGLCC is the direct link between Corporate America and GLBT businesses and entrepreneurs.

How many chapters?

There are 45 state and local GLBT Chambers and Business Organizations as well as 9 international affiliates!

Where are the closest chapters to Memphis?

Nashville and Atlanta

Where are the largest chapters?

Seattle was founded over 25 years ago and the San Diego Chapter has been meeting for over 30 years ago!

What do I have to do to join?

Your participation in joining others to impact the economic sector of the Memphis GLBT community is the first step.

Additionally, by belonging to the Memphis Chapter, you are automatically eligible to take advantage the great Affiliate benefits such as business and service discounts, special pricing on travel and lodging, conferences, and other NGLCC programs and initiatives designed to strengthen and grow their business. You will also receive an Affiliate listing in the NGLCC’s National Online Business Directory - the largest online directory of GLBT owned and friendly businesses - imagine the impact on your business!

***The Memphis Chapter will handle all of the details for your membership locally and with the NGLCC.

What about Member Directories?

The Greater Memphis GLBT Chamber offers Business Directory listings for its Members to be published on its Website. Additionally, you are eligible to be listed on the NGLCC’s National online Business Directory.

What is the Website for more information?

Questions should be sent to memphisglbtchamber@yahoo.com or info@memphisglbtchamber.org

The NGLCC Website is www.nglcc.org

How often will the Memphis Chapter meet?

The Chamber hosts regularly scheduled Meetings that are presented by GLBT and GLBT-allies in our Community. If you are interested in presenting, please contact the Chamber!

How do I arrange having my business spotlighted at one of the regular meetings?

Please contact Jeff or Rick at memphisglbtchamber@yahoo.com or info@memphisglbtchamber.org

How much are dues?

Please contact Jeff or Rick at memphisglbtchamber@yahoo.com or info@memphisglbtchamber.org