Tyler Clementi's Legacy

RSVP:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TYLERCLEMTENTIJUNE20 

Tyler Clementi's Legacy

June 20, 2013

noon - 2 p.m.

The New York Times Company

620 Eighth Avenue

15FL Conference Center

NYC

RSVP:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TYLERCLEMTENTIJUNE20

Economic Impact of Marriage Equality Panel Discussion

Economic Impact of Marriage Equality Panel Discussion

June 25, 2013 -- 5:30pm - 8:00pm 

MetLife's Offices at 1095 Avenue of Americas (Bryant Park at 42nd St & 6 Ave)

23rd Floor Auditorium 

MetLife, GLAM (Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Allies at MetLife), Out & Equal Metro NYC and MetLife's Legal Affairs Diversity Committee invite you to celebrate pride month by attending an engaging panel discussion to learn more about the potential financial implications of marriage equality on the public sector, private sector, small businesses and LGBT individuals and couples. 

In light of forthcoming decisions from the United States Supreme Court regarding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Proposition 8 in California, the potential economic impact of marriage equality is a topic that is more relevant today than ever before. With leaders from Human Rights Campaign (HRC), The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and subject matter experts in the areas of employee benefits, personal finance and estate planning, the panel discussion and Q&A session are sure to provide diverse perspectives you won't want to miss. Be sure to RSVP if you'd like to attend, as space will be limited.

Agenda:

• 5:30pm - 6:30pm         Networking & Cocktail Reception 
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm         Opening Remarks & Panel Discussion 
• 7:30pm - 8:00 pm        Questions & Answers 

Opening Remarks: 
Brad Snyder, Executive Director, LeGaL - The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York

Moderator: 
Jeffrey Hollander, MetLife Advanced Markets 
Panelists: 

• Justin Nelson, Co-Founder and President of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
• Deena Fidas, Deputy Director of Human Rights Campaign's Workplace Project
• Joseph Milizio, Managing Partner of Vishnick McGovern & Milizio Attorney's at Law
• Gabriel Blau, Deputy Director of Strategic Advancement of the Family Equality Council

Location & Access:
MetLife's offices at 1095 Avenue of the Americas - 23rd Floor Auditorium. Please click here to RSVP. You will receive an email a week prior to the event confirming you are registered to attend. 

Group Visits to The New York Botanical Garden

Group Visits to The NewYork Botanical Garden

An Unforgettable Departure from the Everyday

Escape from the office to the City’s most serene and breathtaking setting, located just twenty minutes away from Midtown Manhattan. Within this grand 250-acre landscape, you will find a sampling of some of the world's most beautiful natural terrain, including a cascading waterfall, 50 acres of forest, rolling hills, wetlands, and plant collections that include indoor rain forests and deserts. 

The New York Botanical Garden offers a variety of event spaces suitable for all occasions such as meetings, retreats, and parties.  Whether you’re searching for a fun afternoon, or planning an all-day company event, the Botanical Garden has your next special occasion covered. Garden venues available to rent include:

The Lillian and Amy Goldman Stone Mill

Capacity  30-125              

Situated on the banks of the Bronx River at the edge of the 50-Acre Native Forest; this   National Historic Landmark is one of the City’s most unique and intimate spaces. 

Click here for a virtual tour.

The Garden Terrace Room

Capacity  30-300              

Located in the shadow of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the Garden Terrace Room is a   classically elegant space featuring hand painted murals, soaring windows and Palladium

architectural details.  This flexible space works perfectly for both small gatherings and          large events. 

Click here for a virtual tour.

The Leon Levy Visitor Center

Capacity  15-50       

Located at the main entrance where visitors are welcomed to the Garden’s diverse plants, gardens, and exhibitions. This modern space offers stunning views of the adjacent Ross

Conifer Arboretum. 

The Garden’s accomplished and experienced Group Sales Team offers complete coordination of special events, group dining, and guided tours.  Behind-the-scenes access with curators and scientists, team-building exercises with education staff, and Garden Highlights Tram Tours are just a few ways to enhance an experience that your group will talk about for years to come. 

Contact the Group Sales Department, 718.817.868, grouptours@nybg.org for information regarding availability, event options, and pricing. 

Executive Committee Grows

Greetings NGLCCNY Members

As we continue to evolve as a leading LGBT Chamber of Commerce, one of my goals is to keep an open line of communication with our members about the growth and opportunities we face.  I will work hard to keep everyone apprised of things that are going on behind the scenes both here in NY, as well as in DC.  We will work smarter and more collaboratively to provide you with a higher level of service, empowerment and support to help you grow your business.  

Therefore, from time to time you will receive updates from me about our current position and the direction in which the organization is moving.  With that said, we are so excited to announce the appointment of Ingrid Galvez and Glenn Reimer to the NGLCCNY Executive Committee.  They have both been long standing chamber members and have dedicated their time, talent and resources to help grow this organization.  As the chamber begins to write a new chapter, it is imperative that we maintain our established leaders and acquire new leadership moving into the future.

I am pleased to announce the creation of a new Executive Committee Chair position that will focus on Diversity Outreach and Inclusion.  Ingrid will be stepping into this newly created leadership role on the Executive Committee.  You can reach Ingrid Galvez at Ingrid@nglccny.org.

And we are equally thrilled to have Glenn stepping in to fill the role of Events Chair on the Executive Committee.  Glenn has been creating, facilitating and executing amazing events for most of his professional career and has already proven to be an invaluable asset to the Chamber.  Glenn is assuming a most critical Executive Committee Chair position as we produce and co-host a larger number of events each year.  You can reach Glenn Reimer at Glenn@nglccny.org.

Please help me in thanking both Ingrid and Glenn for their continued commitment and support to this amazing organization and welcoming them into their new official leadership roles with NGLCCNY!  If you have any interest in volunteering on either of their committees, please feel free to reach out to them directly.  

There are also a number of other volunteer opportunities available within the NGLCCNY, so please contact me at your convenience to further discuss how you can get involved and engaged in an area that fits your expertise and or interests (Derrick@nglccny.org).

2nd Annual Pride Luminaries Brunch

• Who:
• You, the NYC Pride VIPs
• What:
• 2013 Pride Luminaries Brunch
• A Pride hosted by Mitchell Gold of Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams Furniture, NYC Pride and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce NY
• When:
• Sunday, June 23rd
• 12:00 - 4:00 PM
• Where:
• Hotel Americano
• 518 West 27th Street (between10th & 11th Ave.)
• Why:
• Complimentary delicious SKYY Vodka cocktails, ill issimo and Barefoot Wine
• Delectable baked goods from Betty Crocker
• Art of Shaving giveaways
• A gift bag for all attendees packed full of goodies from AT&T, Art of Shaving, Coca Cola, and more!
• Passed brunch hors d'ouvres
• A suggested $20 donation at the door goes to benefit NYC Pride and other local non-profits in the NY Metro area
• How:
• RSVP at brunch@nycpride.org

RSVP For Pride Luminaries Brunch

Volunteer Spotlight: Michael Hudson

Michael Hudson is a man on the move! In addition to Michael running his own thriving business called Site Search & Select, he is also Chair of the Chamber Ambassadors and member of the NGLCCNY Executive Committee.

I recently spoke to Michael about his business, his position with the chamber and a few personal things about his life.

Vaughn: Michael, what is Site Search & Select all about?

Michael: Site Search & Select is a global sourcing and strategic meeting management company specializing in conferences and events for Fortune 1000 companies and national associations that take place outside the United States.

Vaughn: How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Michael: After a decade of working in national sales for global hotel companies, I established a firm that represented hotels outside the US. These hotels lacked marketing in North America. In time, my multi-national, corporate customers indicated to me that my services would be of even more value to them if I could contract any hotel or venue in the world – not just the ones that my firm had on retainer. This was around the time when global meetings were increasing tenfold out of the US, and many of these corporations didn’t know how to begin the process of planning events outside the US. They trusted me to guide them with my vast destination knowledge and international business protocol. In short, they knew I had the knowledge to navigate them into new global environments. Suddenly, a new business was established.

Vaughn: How did your past experience as president of Meeting Professionals International’s Greater New York Chapter benefit Site Search & Select?

Michael: My experience as president helped me to understand how to elevate my business to the top of a very competitive landscape. It also taught me how to build upon my leadership skills which were essential for volunteer association management.

Vaughn: Who is your ideal client?

Michael: Any individual or company that is swimming in unfamiliar waters and understands how worldwide outsourcing can ultimately benefit their business relations.

Vaughn: What sets Site Search & Select apart from other companies with a similar business model?

Michael: Personalized service, global knowledge and an understanding that each project is equally important to us whether we’re presenting a conference meeting with 25 or 250 attendees.

Vaughn: How do you attract new business? 

Michael: I am proud to say that it’s usually through word of mouth from satisfied clients.

Vaughn: How has being a member of NGLCCNY benefited you in establishing business

connections?

Michael: Being a certified NGLCCNY business has allowed me to work with clients that I have been trying to work with for much of my professional career. These businesses are willing to start a dialogue because NGLCCNY offers a win-win scenario for both parties.

Vaughn: Speaking of  NGLCCNY, how are you enjoying your position as Chair of the Chamber Ambassadors and member of NGLCCNY Executive Committee?

Michael: I feel truly blessed in this leadership role. I am able to lend a helping hand in mentoring potential leaders as the organization continues to grow, evolve and prosper. Being part of such a sustainable, grass roots movement is such a honor as well as a gift to me.

Vaughn: By the way, thank you for letting me work for your business as a photographer. How have you been able to use other members from NGLCCNY?

Michael: In addition to doing work with your business, (Vaughn Stewart Photography) I had Graham Murray design my awesome new website through his company Lookit Design. I’m also sourcing out other projects to other LGBT businesses as we speak. Yes, the entrepreneurial and creative spirit is certainly alive and prospering in NGLCCNY. 

Vaughn: How would you suggest members of NGLCCNY establish business relationships amongst other members?

Michael: The first thing that I would say is to get involved in the Chamber -- it keeps you visible among other members. Next, become certified! That alone has helped me to establish many corporate partnerships that I would have never been able to do otherwise. It really is the most important weapon in my arsenal.

Vaughn: I know that Bill Finklea belongs to the NGLCCNY and is Vice President of Operations and Sourcing for Site Search & Select. What do you discuss with Bill when it comes to moving the business forward? 

Michael: Usually we discuss ways to keep Site Search & Select on the cutting edge so it maintains its relevancy as a business.

Vaughn: I know that you have accomplished a lot in your life in regards to business -- is there one thing that you feel most proud of?

Michael: I feel proud of how I have been able to reinvent myself and stay flexible in many types of situation, especially when it comes to being a gay businessman in corporate America.

Vaughn: How about personally? 

Michael: Showing my LGBT pride! It feels good going to sleep at night knowing that I have helped to make a difference by impacting so many individuals through all the knowledge I have obtained over the years. It is unbelievably gratifying!

Written by Vaughn Stewart., NGLCCNY Volunteer Correspondent, Media Communications Committee. Vaughn is Principal and Chief Photographer at Vaughn Stewart Photography.

Executive Director: Derrick Brown

I can’t tell you what an incredible honor it is to be appointed as the Executive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce NY.  I step into this role with a great deal of humility as well as excitement about the opportunity we have to write the next chapter of this Chamber’s incredible history.

Outstanding leaders have guided this organization for many years, so I have the privilege of building on a strong existing foundation.  That said, I have always been a believer in continuous improvement and pushing the envelope, so my goal is to add new pillars to our foundation that will elevate the NGLCCNY to an even higher level.

Over the coming months, I am committed to pursuing several key initiatives.  At the top of my list is adding more business members, community partners and corporate allies.  These are the lifeblood of any Chamber, and we should always be seeking every opportunity to expand our membership ranks and influence in the business community.

Of course, in order to grow, we must ensure that we are providing a great return on our member’s investment in the Chamber and fulfilling our mission to the best of our ability.  With that in mind, I will work with the Chamber staff and our member volunteers on several specific objectives, including:

• Enhancing and expanding our member benefits;
• Providing exceptional services to every member;
• Increasing the number of LGBT Certified Businesses;
• Maintaining and retaining these businesses in our supplier diversity pipeline; and,
• Improving our collaboration with community and business partners alike.

I believe that if we achieve these goals, we are assured not only of the Chamber’s growth, but we will collectively increase the economic and social influence we wield across the state.  Having a greater voice will enable us to advance our cause and make further strides throughout the LGBT and Ally business movement. 

In short, I want the NGLCCNY to set the standard for Gay and Lesbian Chambers across the nation, pursuing best practices and providing a model that our sister organizations will seek to emulate.

My experience serving on the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for seven years – three of them in the Chairman’s role – has prepared me well for this challenge.  I have seen firsthand how an active and engaged membership can make a profound difference in the business community, and I am eager to apply the lessons I learned in North Texas to my new role in New York.

I am also proud to have spent the past 8 years serving as the Executive Director of the Kraddick Foundation in Dallas, where I managed a $3.8 million annual budget and was accountable for virtually every aspect of the organization’s operations, administration, marketing and events.  The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Kidd Kraddick, award-winning radio personality and host of Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, the most-listened-to contemporary morning program in the nation.  The Foundation was created to make a difference in the lives of children with special medical needs.  Over the past 21 years, its Kidd’s Kids program has treated thousands of terminally/chronically ill and physically challenged children and their family members to a once-in-a-lifetime Walt Disney World vacation.  It is not only a life-changing experience for them, but for each of us involved as well.

Now I take on an equally exciting and worthy challenge, and I genuinely relish the opportunity. 

I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can in the weeks, months and years ahead; and I invite you to contact me at any time to offer your suggestions, share your constructive criticisms or simply to say hello.

Best regards,

Derrick