G MONEY: STRAIGHT TALK ON GAY MARKETING

PRESENTED BY MANHATTAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S LGBT-2-B COMMITTEE

An Insider’s Look At How Businesses Can Tap Into $600 Billion Spending Power of LGBT Community

How your business can tap into the $600 billion spending power of the LGBT Community will be the subject of an upcoming panel, led by New York Times’ Advertising Columnist Stuart Elliot.

The event, presented by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce’s LGBT-2-B Committee -- a group created to customize the rich array of Manhattan Chamber services to professionals in the LGBT community -- will take place on Monday, March 23, 2009, from 6-9 p.m. at the Con Edison offices, located at 13 Irving Place, New York.

Also serving on the panel, along with Mr. Elliot, are Randy Griffin, Senior Director of Sales for Affinity, Government and Small Business marketing segments, Marriott Hotels; Howard Buford, CEO & Founder, Prime Access; Rashad Robinson, Senior Director of Media Programs, GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and Amy Wigler, Vice President Marketing, Logo by MTV Networks.

Tickets are $15 for MCC Members, and $20 for Non-Members, and can be purchased at (www.manhattancclgbt.org) or at the door. Tickets at the door are $5 more.

“From small businesses to major corporations, many companies perceived to be gay-friendly are already reaping the varied and numerous benefits of working with the LGBT community,” commented Nancy Ploeger, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “We expect this panel of distinguished experts to generate some lively and important dialogue about how businesses can develop powerful and profitable partnerships with the LGBT community.”

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce advocates for positive business legislation, sponsors educational seminars and networking events, markets its member companies and encourages global business. The MCC also hold street fairs, volunteer expos and supports the non-profit community in its quest to improve the quality of life in its neighborhoods. The organization represents the voice of over 100,000 companies in Manhattan and partners with over 300 diverse business organizations in the city.

The LGBT-2-B Committee is chaired by David Reid, Director of Corporate Relations at The Asia Society, and Allan Fried, an Executive & Career Coach and is comprised of a talented group of New York City entrepreneurs, corporate executives and non-profit sector leaders. The LGBT-2-B network is intended to maximize the economic growth of New York City’s LGBT-owned businesses by creating partnerships and business development opportunities.

Panelist Biographies

Stuart Elliot, Advertising Columnist, New York Times (moderator)

Howard Buford, CEO and Founder, Prime Access

Randy Griffin, Senior Director of Sales for Affinity, Government and Small Business marketing segments/Marriott Hotels

Rashad Robinson, GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation)-Commercial Closet, Senior Director of Media Programs

Amy Wigler,Vice President Marketing/Logo by MTV Networks