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lgbt* chamber lgbt* chamber president paul hesse (left) and director of membership patrick o'reilly celebrate at the 25th anniversary event. Photo by Darcy Finley open market Chamber inCreases aCCess to lgbt* businesses T he city's status as a stronghold of diversity is being bolstered even further, thanks to the recent reboot of a long-running network of LGBT business owners, professionals and allies. The newly launched Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce seeks to build a strong and inclusive local economy — one that's both supportive of and supported by diverse communities. Formerly the Lambda Business Chamber, the organization used its 25th anniversary as an opportunity to rebrand itself and renew ties to the community. "This is the evolution of an organization that's existed for 25 years," says chamber president Paul Hesse. "We're relaunching that organization in a new form and as a new entity." Formed in 1988, Lambda at first had only a handful of members, who provided moral and strategic support via informal meetings at a local restaurant. Over the years, it's helped lay the framework for a far more structured — and visible — lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender business community. While society has grown more inclusive, the chamber's director of membership says there's more need for a network now than ever before. "Regardless of how much we all acknowledge our equality, there are also distinctive differences in various markets," says Patrick O'Reilly, owner of Padraig Coaching & Consulting. 8 | WINTER 2013 'peg biz by David Schmeichel "Businesses have differentiated markets for hundreds of years, and LGBT consumers are a big market. "As we become better integrated into everyday life, it doesn't change the fact there are some aspects that make us unique. An LGBT chamber really helps businesses work with that market segment." Membership benefits include networking opportunities, seminars and member-to-member discounts. Partnerships with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce are being explored, and discounted participation is available in the supplier diversity program managed by the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. "Chambers in general are important because they allow businesses to connect with each other and build on each others' strengths," O'Reilly says. "We bring certain things to our members that they won't find elsewhere, including increased access to LGBT markets — both to the knowledge and understanding of how to reach LGBT markets, and also of how to be very LGBT-positive." Recent statistics and news stories support his case for getting involved. Despite the fact Canada's LGBT travel market is valued at $7 billion annually, a 2011 survey of 50 Winnipeg hotels found fewer than 20% were open to helping guests find out about LGBT events, while only one identified publicly as

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