Join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois at our 2021 Illinois LGBTQ+ Business Roundtable. This annual half-day workshop provides LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and business owners with networking, professional development, and training to grow their business. 

The 2021 Roundtable will provide LGBTQ+ and inclusive business owners with the tools and strategies to advocate for the LGBTQ+ business community. We will hear from advocacy experts as they share outreach and talking point tips,  learn about policy decisions that impact diverse-owned businesses, champion LGBTQ+ voices and their desire for inclusion, as well as learn about evolving trends and benchmarks that your company should be measuring and reporting to win future contracts. 

Review our March LGBTBE:Now What discussion for a better overview of the LGBT Business Enterprise Certification. 
 

10:00 – 10:15am	Welcome
10:15 – 10:45am	Policy Updates - Colette Holt (Colette Holt & Associates), Elliot Richardson (Small Business Advisory Council)	Update on opportunities impacting LGBTQ+ owned businesses.
10:45 – 11:15am	Advocacy 101 - Mike Ziri (Equality Illinois), Jonathan Lovitz (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce)	Learn tips and best practices to engage elected official on LGBTQ+ business issues.
11:15am – 11:45am	Break/Optional Networking	Take a 30 minute break or participate in an optional networking activity.
11:45am – 12:45pm	LGBTBE Certification & Inclusion - Jackie Richter (Endurance Utility), Roxanna Daniels (TAJ Development Company), Vince Williams (Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council), John Lashmett (iCandee Marketing)	LGBTQ+ business owners are leaders in various industries that move Chicago and Illinois forward. Join as business leaders talk about certification and why government inclusion matters.
12:45 – 1:00pm	Break	Break
1:00 – 2:00pm	Evolving Expectations: Supplier Benchmarks  - Tim Frick (Mightybytes), Cynthia Johnson (Women's Business Development Center)	Government and corporate clients are moving past only asking about the diversity ownership of your company. Today, they are also asking about the diversity of your team, your commitment to the environment and social justice, and other factors that impact their own goals and commitments. Are you ready for this change? Join us as business leaders share insights and ideas to help you make this transition.