NGLCC Global kicked off the fall season in the Dominican Republic, where from September 2nd to 4th the team made significant advances on its project in partnership with the US Agency for International Development and the US Embassy in Santo Domingo. In addition to two days of dynamic meetings and workshops on themes such as implementing inclusive development and addressing vulnerable populations. During the visit, team NGLCC Global also led a strategic round table meeting with representatives from NGLCC corporate partner, Marriott International, from the company’s Renaissance, Courtyard, and JW brands, in order to discuss best practices in corporate diversity and inclusion in the Dominican Republic and ways to collaborate on this project to create an LGBT chamber of commerce in the Dominican Republic. NGLCC Global finished out the week by facilitating a leadership training and board meeting with the newly constructed board of directors for the Dominican Republic LGBT Chamber of Commerce (CCLGBTRD). While the primary focus of the meeting was to build the capacity of the board to lead supplier diversity efforts and LGBT economic advancement in the Caribbean, the meeting also served to initiate preliminary plans for the chamber’s launch in March 2016.
NGLCC Global also partnered with the Peruvian GLBT Chamber of Commerce (CCGLPE) on its first official Road Show. From September 14th to 18th, the team traveled to three important cities in the north of Peru—Trujillo, Chiclayo, and Piura—to meet with LGBT and allied entrepreneurs and members of the local communities. Since the chamber’s launch at the 3rd LGBT Summit of the Americas in Lima in May of this year, CCGLPE has brought together over 150 small and medium size business owners from across the country. This tour sought to expand the footprint of the chamber outside of Peru’s capital city and provide much needed resources and support to members of the LGBT business community in other regions of Peru. NGLCC was also proud to work with founding corporate partner and 2013 Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year, Wyndham Worldwide, to host these three events. The Road Show was a tremendous success, reaching over 60 potential new members. As one attendee shared, “The information discussed during this event was really interesting—I never realized the amount of businesses that make up the LGBT community.” Events such as these are critical in educating audiences on the economic influence of the LGBT community and changing the perceptions around what it means to be LGBT.
Finally, NGLCC Global is proud to welcome the newest international affiliate to its network this month, the Costa Rican Diverse Chamber of Commerce (CCDCR). As the first and only LGBT business organization in both Costa Rica and in Central America, CCDCR will contribute to the business development of both its members and the country in general by promoting values and programs that benefit its partners and, in particular, by promoting trade. In terms of bilateral trade, Costa Rica and the United States have a strong relationship, having exchanged USD$19.1 billion in total goods and services in 2013. CCDCR will hold a public launch event in October, and NGLCC looks forward to working with this new chamber as a regional leader in diversity and LGBT inclusion in order to generate new opportunities for trade with LGBTBEs and US-based businesses.