The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has selected Dallas as the city to host its summer 2013 National Business & Leadership Conference — and the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel as the venue.
The 10th anniversary conference will come to Dallas four years after local controversy over Dallas’ city-operated Omni offering domestic partner benefits. Dallas Voice raised questions about the hotel not offering DP benefits in 2009 after the city signed a 15-year operating agreement with the company for the $500 million hotel.
Omni is one of the few major hotel chains that doesn’t offer domestic partner benefits to its employees throughout the U.S. Omni is also owned by Oak Lawn-based TRT Holdings, whose CEO, Robert Rowling, has contributed millions to Karl Rove’s super PAC, American Crossroads.
The convention center hotel later announced it would offer DP benefits when it opened last fall after Mayor Tom Leppert convinced the company to do so, even though it hadn’t been considered as part of the operating agreement between the city and the hotel.
Omni is now a member of the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce.
“The North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce is honored to be hosting the 2013 NGLCC Business & Leadership Conference,” President & CEO of the North Texas GLBT Chamber Tony Vedda said in a release. “Dallas is a city of entrepreneurs and innovation; two words that are synonymous with the NGLCC. It seems only fitting that Dallas should host the NGLCC’s 10th anniversary conference.”
The conference will be from July 30 to Aug. 2. Registration begins Feb. 1.
Read the full press release below.
NGLCC Goes to Dallas for 2013 Conference
American Airlines Comes On Board as Event Presenting Sponsor
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that the 2013 National Business & Leadership Conference will be held from July 30 to August 2 in Dallas, TX at the Omni Dallas Hotel. American Airlines is the official presenting sponsor for this event, which is expected to draw more than 700 attendees this year.
“After a sell-out conference earlier this year, we are committed to again bringing strategic programming and outstanding networking opportunities to our attendees in Dallas,” said Justin Nelson, NGLCC President and Co-Founder. “We are thrilled to have American Airlines as our presenting sponsor; and our 2010 Chamber of the Year, the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce, is ready to turn out the local members.”
Packed with educational sessions, keynote speakers, world-class networking, and special events, the conference offers incredible exposure and opportunities for LGBT-owned and -allied businesses to build relationships with more than 130 corporations, federal government agencies, and each other. More than 550 attendees participated in the 2012 NGLCC conference in Chicago this past August; as excitement and momentum continue to build, the upcoming conference is certain to break attendance records.
“The North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce is honored to be hosting the 2013 NGLCC Business & Leadership Conference,” said Tony Vedda, President & CEO of the North Texas GLBT Chamber. “Dallas is a city of entrepreneurs and innovation; two words that are synonymous with the NGLCC. It seems only fitting that Dallas should host the NGLCC’s 10th anniversary conference.”
Home to almost 2 million people, Dallas is known for a diverse racial makeup, low cost of living, and a young median age of only 30. A recent report by the Kauffman Foundation found that Dallas is in the top three cities that retain entrepreneurs and founding leaders of successful companies.
Registration will open on February 1st, 2013 with early bird discounts. Be sure to check www.nglcc.org frequently for updates on the 2013 NGLCC National Business and Leadership Conference.
