The City of West Hollywood will co-sponsor the inaugural LGBTQ Certification Summit, organized by the California LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. The event is designed to empower LGBTQ-owned businesses by providing essential information on certification, contracting opportunities, and strategies for business growth.

The LGBTQ Certification Summit will take place on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plummer Park, Fiesta Hall, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. To participate, attendees must register in advance and pay a nominal fee of $25 to help cover lunch and programming. Please note that no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information, please visit www.lgbtqcertificationsummit.com. To register using Eventbrite, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-certification-summit-tickets-952883639617.

The LGBTQ Certification Summit aims to provide resources to LGBTQ-owned businesses to obtain Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Business Enterprise certification. The event will also facilitate networking and business matchmaking opportunities for these certified businesses. LGBTBE certification is a valuable tool for LGBTQ-owned businesses, as it provides access to contracting opportunities, supplier diversity programs, and other resources designed to support and promote diverse businesses.

There will be three panel discussions including: 1) a panel regarding State Contracting with the state’s Department of Insurance, Department of General Services, and Department of Transportation (Caltrans); 2) a panel about Supplier Diversity with representatives from major corporations; 3) a panel on the topic of Access to Capital. The Summit will also include exhibitors from various companies and organizations supporting LGBTQ businesses.

The California LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce provides resources, events, and programs to support a network of 5,000 LGBTQ professionals and business owners. As a statewide chamber, it empowers California’s LGBTQ business community through connections to corporate partners, public policy advocacy, guidance on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Business Enterprise certification and contracting opportunities, and increasing visibility for LGBTQ businesses. For more information about the California LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.calrainbowchamber.org.

For more information about the LGBTQ Certification Summit, please contact Jennifer Del Toro, the City of West Hollywood’s Community and Legislative Affairs Supervisor at (323) 848-6549 or at jdeltoro@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

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For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or slunn@weho.org.