Florida Agenda

By Cliff Dunn

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – On Monday, Feb. 13, the Wilton Manors City Commission approved a motion to allow the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) to host the city’s annual Stonewall Street Festival on Sunday June 24. The RBC was launched in 2010 as an association of LGBT businesses and community leaders to serve both residents’ and merchants’ interests in promoting sustainable economic growth as well as market reach and share for its members.

The Stonewall Pride event, in one form or another, has taken place in South Florida every year since 2000, when the not-for-profit Pride of Greater Fort Lauderdale (PGFTL) was formed to produce the first local Stonewall Street Festival. The event and its yearly sequels recall the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, which represent the beginning of the fight for LGBT rights in the U.S.

Reece Darham, co-chair of the RBC, says the organization and its members take the heritage event with which they have been entrusted very seriously. Darham says that the community’s businesses are also uniquely positioned to make the event a hoped-for success.

“Wilton Manors is a unique setting, and the businesses here—bars, restaurants, and the numerous vendors and merchants who support them—have hands-on experience in knowing what works and what doesn’t work to attract both locals and visitors to a major event of this undertaking.

Darham and the RBC cut their collective teeth last year in event planning and management when the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) held its annual global convention in Greater Fort Lauderdale, with Wilton Manors serving as “ground zero” for many of the largest social events and activities, including an outdoor concert at the city’s Hagen Park.

“The business leaders of our community did a superlative job in bringing world-class entertainment to our little corner of paradise, and after 12 years of local Stonewall events, we know and understand the demographics of these things, as well as how they positively—and negatively—impact the community.

One example of the kind of operational changes that Darham, RBC co-chair Jason Tamanini, and their colleagues are bringing to bear is the organization’s negotiations with liquor brand representatives to develop a price-point for the sale of liquor at outdoor “satellite” bars during the event, which will be called Stonewall Summer Pride.

“The advantage of RBC dealing with liquor vendors for the street bars is that the prices in these satellite bars will be consistent, as will the product they will sell,” Darham explains.

This means that if Bar X has a street-side, satellite bar during the Sunday festival, it will be selling the same liquor brands as Bar Y and Bar Z, and at the same prices. These brands will be consistent with the event sponsors’ brands, but won’t impact what an establishment sells inside their permanent locations, or the pricing.

“We want people—customers as well as hospitality vendors—to know that whosoever is selling to the public from street side will be doing so from the same page as everyone else,” Darham added. One result will be the bars will only be competing with each other, rather than with each other and the event’s organizers.

Another advantage of this business model is that it encourages the participation of smaller establishments, as well as those businesses that are not located on Wilton Drive.

“Let’s face it,” Darham adds, “there are many terrific businesses, hospitality and otherwise, that participate in the joys and sorrows of our community which aren’t located in the ‘downtown’ area. Ken and Lloyd from Scandals Saloon and The Stable were especially ‘key’ in ensuring the success of the IGLTA convention last summer. They and many others are very much a part of what makes this such an amazing place to live and work. We want them to get the same benefit from this heritage festival as will Jackson and Mark [of Bill’s Filling Station and Georgie’s Alibi], Craig [of Boom], and our city’s other bar owners and restaurateurs. And the bars on Federal Highway like Mona’s, Cubby Hole, The Depot—just ask their customers: they are as gay as any bar on the Drive,” he adds with a laugh.

The organizers plan for Stonewall Summer Pride to take place on Wilton Drive as well as at the city’s Hagen Richardson Parks between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. on June 24. Committees have been established to oversee marketing and publicity, logistics and site planning, sponsorship opportunities, vendor relations, as well as the parade, which will take place from NE 20th Street to Five-Points and be held around dusk, with the exact time to be determined.

Something else that’s new for 2012 is the organizers’ desire for Stonewall to be a truly community-wide affair. “This is not going to be solely a ‘Gay’ Pride event,” Darham notes. “This is a ‘Community’ Pride occasion, and to that end we want to encourage the participation of the traditionally ‘straight’ bars and nightspots to help promote our entire community.”

Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street, Inc. couldn’t agree more. “This community is turning a page in its maturation,” he notes. “We have such a unique mixture of talented individuals, gay and straight, who have shown time and time again that they can come together and build memorable and lasting creations, whether it’s a park or an annual destination-event.”

Manners adds that the RBC has some Aces up its sleeve. “When you have the support of bars and business owners as well as that of the city, you have two key components for organizing and holding a successful event on the Drive.”

Darham and his RBC associates have hopes that success for Stonewall Summer Pride will resonate in the months after the event is finished. “A profitable Stonewall means that RBC will have sufficient funds to hold future community events, as well as paying for things like closing the Drive for ‘Wicked Weekend’ on Halloween, and New Year’s, as well.”

What about a plaque to honor the group’s first chairperson? “Get out,” Darham says, only half joking. “I have work to do.”

Photo: In times past, Stonewall Pride sustained businesses in the summer.

Now we may get to see if the reverse is also true.

WILTON MANORS, FL – The Rainbow Business Coalition will be holding regular business networking luncheons starting with their first luncheon on November 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost of the networking luncheon is $30 per person and the featured speaker will be Bacardi USA Ambassador, Gina Campaz, Senior Vice President of Business Analytics and Consumer Insider.

She will be discussing how to position your brand to succeed in difficult economic times, and will focus on social media. The luncheon will be held at the Manor Entertainment Complex, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. For more information and/or to RSVP by email, contact Jason@rainbowbusinesscoalition.com.

LGBT Greater Fort Lauderdale:  The Future is in Your Hands

Part 6 of 6

By BOBBY BLAIR & CLIFF DUNN

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.”
– Abraham Lincoln

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers…”
– William Shakespeare, Henry V

One of the last century’s great economists said that good ideas have to be relearned anew by each successive generation. Those of us in LGBT media know (and often quote the stats) that most gay men and women prefer to buy products from, or do business with, businesses and companies that support LGBT causes and that do outreach through various LGBT-themed media forms.

But there is an inverse side to these numbers.

A now-infamous Web posting that went semi-viral last year concerned the owner of a short-lived Wilton Manors business who announced his store’s swansong on his business’ site with a posting that was more accusatory than informative [“We were here for you.”]. To further drive home the none-too-subtle point, the message states, with finality and a tone that is sweeping in its indictment: “Due to the lack of business and SUPPORT from ‘our community’ the [business] has no toher (sic) choice but to close!”

The haranguing tone of the post notwithstanding, it is hard not to sympathize with the sense of disappointment that was surely conveyed: part Jeremiad, part cry for help, part reminder that we are all of us to some degree or other in this thing together.

In Wilton Manors over the past 18 months, 17 businesses have closed their doors; as many as 10 more are projected to do likewise in the next few months. And many owners are facing the possibility of forced relocation for their businesses in response to what they perceive as egregious increases in their rent by landlords with unknown agendas.

And yet, business remains an exercise in cooperation. This involves, to a large degree, getting large numbers of strangers to trust one another.

It means persuading large numbers of people – bosses and employees, stockholders and suppliers, to say nothing of customers – to work together towards a common purpose.

The Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale began as a group of likeminded business owners and community leaders who wanted to pool their individual ideas and best practices (hence the original working name, the “Think Tank”) in cooperation to achieve mutual goals.

“The RBC endorses, sponsors, and promotes opportunities that benefit business,” offers Reece Darham, owner of Island City Health & Fitness in Wilton Manors and the current chair of RBC. “Sometimes an opportunity may be to promote a type of industry; sometimes an opportunity may be to promote across the business spectrum.”

In its sophomore year, the group has been granted such an opportunity The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) decision to hold its 28th Annual Global Convention in Greater Fort Lauderdale represents an important short term economic fix that could bestow the benefits of long term, sustainable business opportunities.

The Convention, which began on Tuesday, May 10, will include seminars and meetings for IGLTA members, as well as a number of events for delegates to interact with Greater Fort Lauder-dale’s gay locals and scene. The largest of these is expected to be Friday’s Consumer Trade Show in Hagen Park, next to Wilton Manors City Hall. The Trade Show, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m., will befollowed by a free live concert featuring Billboard recording artist Kristine W.

By Darham’s best guess, “the IGLTA convention is estimated to bring in $1.3 million in the short week they are here, and has the potential to generate millions more in the months and years to come.”

He recognizes, too, the long term impact to the entire area. “As a Travel and Tourism convention,” he notes, “this is even more salient for Fort Lauderdale in that we are a tourism destination and many, if not most, businesses rely on the additional influx of tourism dollars in season to carry those businesses in the off-season.”

Both the Trade Show and concert have been underwritten by the RBC, which translated means its member business owners, and in some instances sponsors who have donated cash, product, or both. Darham insists that the owner/members have given “each according to his or ability,” and cites as standouts Jackson Padgett and Mark Negrete, owners of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s in Wilton Manors, who absorbed the costs for the concert and entertainers, including travel expenses, as well as Ken Kelley and Lloyd Pagels, the owners of Scandals Saloon in Wilton Manors and The Stable in Oakland Park.

“I don’t think Jackson knows the meaning of ‘no’,” Darham laughs. “Ken and Lloyd have been tremendous: not only will they be donating $3,500 in beer, but they have also secured Barefoot Winery as the wine sponsor.” He adds: “They will be the alcohol vendors for the event, giving the RBC 100% of all proceeds from sales.”

Darham notes that Brown Forman Brands, makers of Chambord Vodka, “also gave a $3,000 cash donation and an additional $1,500 in-kind donation to the event and will be the sponsor of the VIP tent for the IGLTA delegates.”

The business and community leaders who are investing their time, energies, and a-not-inconsiderable amount of money in the enterprise are upbeat and optimistic.

“With so many nations represented at the convention, this event may very well secure Fort Lauderdale as a premier gay destination of choice for international traveler,” says Scandals’ Kelley. “We have a unique opportunity to let the world know that Florida is not just Miami. The potential economic impact will hopefully be realized, not just during this weekend, but for many years to come.”

The Alibi’s Padgett agrees. “I believe the community will begin seeing some immediate financial influx of international dollars being spent over the next several months, but more importantly over the years to come.”

In the end, how the community responds to this unique opportunity to meet new friends from exotic places and encourage them to make Fort Lauderdale a regular part of their – and their clients’ – travel plans will determine in large measure what the long-term payoffs will be.  As Dr. Seuss wrote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” Another good idea it’s time to relearn.

Anticipation, Expectations Build in Run Up to Delegates Arrival for Summit

Part Two of a Six-Part Series

By Cliff Dunn

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote gay-owned businesses in Broward County, the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale is partnering with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) to welcome the delegates for the latter organization’s 28th Annual International Convention – dubbed “Lauderdale Unleashed” – which kicks off on Tuesday, May 10, and continues through Sunday, May 15.

The RBC has planned several activities and events for the delegates, along with a Welcome Guide, which includes maps of Broward County and Greater Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, information and facts about South Florida’s “gay history,” a directory of RBC members and a personalized ID card which doubles as a luggage tag. Several days of educational seminars and classes will culminate in a Friday evening Consumer Expo and Trade Show in Wilton Manors (and a post-expo concert featuring entertainer Christine W headlining and some other performers, to be announced).

Organizers believe a key to the success of the week’s events will be interaction between the local gay community and the delegates from more than 80 countries who will be in attendance. Greg Hardy, Vice President at Solutions Insurance Services in Oakland Park and an RBC board member, says that after all is planned and made ready, getting locals – individuals and businesses alike – excited and involved will be job one.

“Our number one goal,” says Hardy, “is for the IGLTA delegates to feel welcomed to our great city.”

On the business side, “we’d like to see the local tourism businesses register for the convention to network with our global attendees,” notes John Tanzella, President and CEO of the IGLTA. “We hope that [the community-at-large] will extend a warm welcome.” He says that the Friday night Consumer Expo and Trade Show, which starts at 6 p.m., “was specifically created to support and interact with the local community, and the RBC has been instrumental in building a wonderful evening of free entertainment.”

Business and community leaders alike know that these activities will provide the framework for what they hope will be a community-wide effort to make the delegates feel at home.

“In the long term, the delegates’ opinions and reactions to our destination and our people will surely determine our future,” offers Jennifer Morales, who serves as the RBC’s secretary and is also the Director of Marketing for Sidelines Sports Bar, which is co-owned by her partner, Laurie Whittaker. “Whether it’s a year from now, five years or even ten years from today, these delegates have the power to ensure that our city flourishes and grows to be the number one LGBT tourism destination,” she adds.

Tanzella says that IGLTA is grateful for the opportunity to meet, socialize, and play under the sunny South Florida skies. He notes, too, that his organization makes an effort to reciprocate to its host cities.

“We always give back to a local charity,” says Tanzella. “This year we’re presenting a donation to Father Bill Collins and The Poverello Center at our gala dinner and party on May 14.” The gala is another way for locals to mix with the visitors, with tickets available for purchase by non-attendees.

Of the convention and its effects, Chris Dunham, President of Fort Lauderdale-based Dunham Insurance Services, has his eye on the long view.

“This is like dropping a pebble into the water,” Dunham offers. “What’s under that stone feels only the first impact. Those ripples go on even beyond your ability to see them.

One conventioneer this year comes back with three friends next year, and buys a house off the beach the following year, that’s money in the bank for all kinds of businesses for years come.”

“Let’s not screw this up,” he adds sagely.

Fort Lauderdale Gay-Owned Businesses Seek to Attract International LGBT Dollars

By CLIFF DUNN

In recent months,

the nation’s fragile economic state has shown small – in some instances, very small – indicators of recovery and even growth.

According to Intuit’s Small Business Employment Index, last month small businesses nationwide created approximately 50,000 new jobs, a smallish 0.2% increase from February, but an annual growth rate of nearly 3%. The Index also shows that small firms have created 820,000 new jobs since the job market started recovering in October 2009.

Perhaps most impressive, there were 565,000 new businesses created each month of the past year. That translates into a notable 6.8 million new businesses opening their doors. The flip-side of these laudatory stats, of course, is that most of these firms will fail before their first birthday. That downside is reflected close to home: in Wilton Manors alone, 17 businesses have ceased operations since January 2010; another ten are projected to close their doors in the coming months.

The challenges facing small business was one reason for the creation of the Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale, an alliance of gay-owned businesses and community leaders with a mission to promote new business opportunities, drive sustainable economic growth and expand market reach and market share for the area’s LGBT businesses, of which more than 90 are RBC members.

Reece Darham, the group’s chair and owner of Wilton Manors-based Island City Health & Fitness, says of RBC: “Our strength truly lies in the collective bargaining and influence our combined businesses yield.”

The challenge for Darham and other business and community leaders has been to translate that influence and clout into tangible market share.

South Florida’s economy remains one driven, in large measure, by tourism dollars, and area businesses are doing what they can to tap into those resources that are making themselves available. Last week, The Miami Herald reported that local tourism officials are launching efforts to claim their share of the nation’s $74 billion wedding industry. But although many LGBT-owned businesses are subsumed by or allied with that industry, the overall market is one which serves a largely heterosexual consumer group.
How, then, to encourage a large – and sustainable – infusion of gay tourism dollars into the gay business community at a time when it most needs the injection?

Enter the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), which selected Greater Fort Lauderdale as the site for its 2011 Annual Global Convention. Beginning May 10, between 800 and 1,000 travel agents from 84 countries will descend upon Broward County for nearly a week.

The purpose of the convention depends upon who you ask. Says John Tanzella, President and CEO of IGLTA: “We want our attendees to find the convention valuable because of the networking opportunities and the extensive educational programming, the most ambitious in our 28-year convention history. We’re bringing in industry leaders from Google, TripAdvisor, [and] IBM.”

RBC’s Darham sees the additional benefits. “Whenever an international convention comes to town, there is an immediate economic impact,” he notes. “The IGLTA convention is estimated to bring in $1.3 million in the short week they are here, and has the potential to generate millions more in the months and years to come.”

RBC and its business affiliates plan to ensure those delegates are left with sustainable memories they can take home to their cities and countries of origin, planting the seeds for their own clients’ future travel plans to the Gold Coast.

“Fort Lauderdale is still a hidden gem in the national and international LGBT community,” says Darham. “It is time to change that, and the IGLTA convention is a marvelous way to do just that.”

RBC and its members are planning to welcome the international travel agents by hosting what they hope will be a well-received and well-remembered event. “Celebrate Fort Lauderdale” will be held in Wilton Manors on Friday evening, May 13, at 6 p.m. On the heels of the IGLTA Consumer Trade Show, the RBC will honor the convention delegates with a flag ceremony along Wilton Drive in which Mayor Gary Resnick will the lead the Parade of Nations. The parade will terminate at Hagen Park next to city hall, and be followed by a free live concert featuring Billboard recording artist Kristine W.

Darham predicts that the good will engendered will be well worth the meticulous planning going into the event. “The convention impact is far beyond travel and tourism,” he notes. “Restaurants, bars, retail outlets, spas, real estate agencies, gyms, and more all benefit economically from the attendees. These delegates have the ability to economically impact all of us into the future.”

New Organization Launches Website & Selects Interim Chairpersons

Fort Lauderdale, FL  – One only has to hear the initials “R”, “B”, and “C” to know that something is stirring in the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT community. The Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) is proud to announce the formation of its new organization comprised of LGBT businesses and community leaders.

Understanding the vital need to come together as a unified community with a common voice, communicate & network to promote the Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier LGBT community and destination, and leverage the strengths and collective business acumen among its fellow members, the Rainbow Business Coalition or “RBC” was formed.

The formation of the RBC began in November of 2009, when a small group of LGBT business-minded individuals got together to outline a grassroots effort to bring about change by gathering up the community’s resources to actively promote and support the LGBT market.  These individuals were determined to generate awareness of Greater Fort Lauderdale, the 2nd most popular gay destination in the country and increase its economic growth.

Since the start of this newly named coalition, the RBC has now flourished into a legitimate and purposeful organization, one with a mission statement, an organizational structure, membership guidelines, and business plans for future growth. The City of Fort Lauderdale and other government bodies and municipalities are highly supportive of the RBC’s initiatives and plans.  Even in its early stages of development, after months of planning, the RBC has launched their Web site: www.RainbowBusinessCoalition.com.

The Web site is the product of carefully planned research and design.  Tommy Forcella, webmaster of the RBC highlights the site’s features.  “The Web site was designed as an informational tool and will be accessible to RBC members to be used in a business-to-business manner.”  Furthermore, the Web site contains a Community Event Calendar which can be utilized by both members and the general public to post non-profit and educational events benefiting the LGBT community.

In addition to the site launch, Lori Deak of The Pride Factory and Reece Darham of Island City Fitness have been selected as Interim Co-Chairs of the organization. Founding members Peter Clark, Jennifer Morales, Terry DeCarlo and Joe Van Eron, will now lead the organization’s advisory board.  “We are all proud to have played our part in the development of the RBC.  I have been inspired by the leadership and determination of the group thus far in recognizing the potential that exists in Greater Fort Lauderdale’s gay business community,” states Clark.  Morales adds: “I am confident that our new Leadership Team will continue to advance the RBC’s mission for growth and unity.”

About the RBC
Greater Fort Lauderdale has developed as a world-class LGBT community and destination.

The Rainbow Business Coalition is an association of representatives of LGBT businesses and community leaders that serve both residents and visitors. The primary mission of the Coalition is to unite the LGBT community by leadership and advocacy. RBC priorities include focusing on communications and networking, promoting new business opportunities, driving sustainable economic growth while expanding market reach and share for the overall benefit of the LGBT community of Greater Fort Lauderdale.

www.RainbowBusinessCoalition.com
www.Facebook.com/RainbowBusinessCoalition