National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce New York (NGLCCNY) Helps LGBT Businesses Make Corporate Connections
Online, June 4, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce New York held its first ever "matchmaking" event on Tuesday, May 15, bringing certified LGBT suppliers together with global procurement officers at a Fortune 500 firm. The event, hosted with Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., a global professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in risk, strategy and human capital was by invitation only to suppliers in industry verticals corresponding to the Companies' procurement needs. Representatives of nineteen LGBT Business Enterprises were in attendance.
"Marsh & McLennan Companies was pleased to collaborate with NGLCCNY on this event and to provide certified LGBT suppliers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with our business, and to meet with our executives," said Laks Natarajan, the company's Chief Procurement Officer. "We're committed to creating value for colleagues, clients and the communities in which we operate by supporting Diversity and Inclusion initiatives like these."
The direct-connection structure of the event was a first for NGLCCNY and the local LGBT business community. Following a formal presentation on doing business with Marsh & McLennan Companies, each business owner participated in structured ten-minute interviews with procurement officers during which they were able to share highlights of their past work and their unique capabilities.
"Today I went directly to a table with procurement officers of a global corporation interested in doing business with me," said Graham Murray, President of Lookit Design. "For me, as a small business owner, this high-level direct access is incredibly valuable."
"This program underscores our effectiveness at creating opportunities for LGBT-owned businesses," said David Ricciardi, NGLCCNY Supplier Diversity Committee Chair and owner of Proximo Consulting Services. "Given the positive response to this program, we are already working on plans to roll it out to other corporate partners that actively source LGBT suppliers."
