The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the International Franchise Association Announce Programmatic Partnership
Contact: Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766
[email protected]
@franchising411
February 7, 2019 – The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and the International Franchise Association (IFA) have announced a partnership to further the organizations’ shared missions of creating business opportunities for all Americans and cultivating diversity and inclusion within the franchising industry. This partnership is NGLCC’s first programmatic partnership with a trade association.
“For the past sixteen years, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce has created opportunities for the LGBT business community to gain representation within the larger business community,” said NGLCC Co-Founder & President Justin Nelson. “The United States is home to an estimated 1.4 million LGBT business owners, many of whom own all or part of a franchised business. NGLCC’s partnership with the IFA will bring these LGBT franchise owners one step closer to having their voices heard and securing the LGBT business community an equitable seat at the table.”
In addition to its partnership with NGLCC, IFA will be recognized as a Trade Association Sponsor at the 2019 National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC) Best-of-the-Best Awards. Spearheaded by NGLCC in 2011, the NBIC is a coalition of national diverse business organizations, including the United States Black Chambers, Inc., Disability:IN (formerly USBLN), the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, WEConnect International, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
“The story of franchising is one of opportunity, job creation, and community support,” said IFA President & CEO Robert Cresanti. “Americans from all walks of life turn to franchising to find first jobs, start new businesses, and learn skills that lead to successful careers. We are excited to partner with the NGLCC to advance the implementation of pro-growth policies that benefit Americans of all identities, backgrounds, and beliefs. Together, we are taking a thoughtful approach to workforce development and connecting business owners with opportunities that will help their businesses grow.”
As part of their partnership, NGLCC and the IFA will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate on issues relevant to the LGBT business community, including advocacy on the state and federal level, as well as programming at each organization’s respective events.
Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. www.nglcc.org @nglcc