MBA Matters October 2010 by Jason Holstein

October 2010

MBA MATTERS

Volume I, Issue 4

A Newsletter for the Central Florida LGBT Business Community

PRIDE 70,000 STRONG. Page 13

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INSIDE? MBA Social What the Prez Sez Chewing the Cud

p. 2 p. 4 p. 7

Destination Marketing RED Testimonial

p. 8 p. 12

let’s go bananas!

The Metropolitan Business Association

november ne tworking/ so cial mixer

fter launching a third successful restaurant, our hosts, Eddie Nickell & Nick Oliveri, welcome you to Bananas, a Modern American Diner. Performances by Bananas hostesses will be a highlight of the evening!

free

Bananas appetizers and Cash Bar

FREE for MBA members

for guests

when Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, 6:30–9:00 pm where 924. N. Mills, next to Funky Monkey Wine Co. MBAOrlando.org

Orlando’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Practically Perfect Promotional Products

Your Ad Here!

Your Promotional & Event Needs Under One Umbrella

Have your ad, web banner and logo grace MBA communications and reach thousands of LGBT business professionals throughout the year.

Event Gifts Awards & Recognition Souvenirs

Contact our Marketing Director for more details:

Small Quantities Quick Service

Jason Fox Holstein

Local Delivery

(407)-949-2111 Jason@MBAOrlando.org

ES TAX

• Payroll, Bookkeeping & Support Services

• Multiple-year late filings/IRS notices

• Financial Statement Preparation

• Effective tax planning

• Financial Planning— Domestic Partners, Individuals, & Businesses

• QuickBooks® Set-up, Training & Support

Leah G James, CPA, MSTax & Judy L Hines Telephone: 407.478.4513 | ContactUs@geckoCPA.com

OFFICIAL CPA & SPONSOR OF MBA/COME OUT WITH PRIDE

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grace MBA communications and reach thousands of LGBT business professionals throughout the year.

Contact our Marketing Director for more details: Jason Fox Holstein (407)-949-2111 Jason@MBAOrlando.org

What the Prez Sez

I often hear the question asked:

“Are Pride celebrations still necessary?” I am aware that many in our community feel that since we have been able to assimilate so much into mainstream culture, perhaps the purpose of the annual pride celebration has lost its meaning and luster. The reality is we need pride celebrations more than ever. With regards to civil rights and full equality, we are only slightly ahead of where we were at the time of the Stonewall riots 41 years ago. Yes, it is no longer “illegal” to be gay, but September 2010 was a month of dark victories for our community: Our leaders in the Senate continued to play political games with each other instead of getting to the real

MBA President Dr. David Baker-Hargrove

work of repealing Donʼt Ask, Donʼt Tell; the fight for Marriage Equality is a battle we must fight daily; it is still considered ok to verbally discriminate against our community in the media. For instance, in the last few weeks the talking heads on CNN were discussing the need for anti-bullying programs, and an anti-gay extremist was boldly stating that “gay” references should be taken out of anti-bullying programs, because if we disallow young people to express their dislike for gays, we are infringing upon their civil rights. Meanwhile two weeks later, a young boy in Texas takes his own life, because he can no longer stand the harassment at school for being considered gay. While it looks very promising that the gay adoption ban in Florida is gone, our detractors are already looking for ways to further adulterate the Florida

PRIDE is Still Necessary. Constitution by placing an amendment on the ballot to ban gays and lesbians from adopting. Also, the day before this court decision, our County Mayor used procedural excuses to purposely keep a county Human Rights Ordinance discussion off of the Commissionʼs working agenda. Every year, local anti-gay groups continue to look for new and inventive ways to put pressure on the City of Orlando to make it increasingly more difficult to hold Come Out With Pride, hoping we will eventually give up and go away. The continual fight against them every year is exhausting, disheartening, and very expensive. Every year, especially in the weeks leading up to Come out With Pride, I ask myself is this really worth it? I get tired of fighting the anti-gay groups; I get tired of being told there is yet another fee or expensive service that I have to find the money for immediately in order for Come Out With Pride to go off as planned; I get tired of seeing my community continually used as a pawn for politicians to play political games with each other; and I think to myself, “if we stopped doing this, would anybody really care?” But then, without fail, every year people tell me that theyʼve attended their very first pride

event and that the excitement and community that theyʼve felt has encouraged them to live openly, be proud, and stand up for themselves and their community. And that is why we need pride celebrations. If we donʼt stand up for ourselves, no one else will. If we donʼt take pride in ourselves and continually remind ourselves that we deserve the same level of respect, protection, and equality as all other American citizens, our businesses, or families, our relationships, and our psyches will suffer. We NEED to come together every year to celebrate what weʼve accomplished and remember how far we still have to go. So donʼt be fooled by the outrageous party trappings frivolous behavior. The deeper meaning is not lost and now more necessary than ever. With Pride, Dr. Dave

2010 Board of Directors President Dr. David Baker-Hargrove BHC Assessment & Consulting Vice President Gina Duncan Wells Fargo Branch Manager Secretary Susanna Garcia Verizon Wireless Account Executive Treasurer - VACANT Business Development Director Mikael Audebert Marketing Director Jason Fox Holstein Foxy Cow Advertising & Marketing President Membership Director Ayr Poucher Walt Disney Travel Co. Sales Agent Programs Director Don Williams Watermark Account Executive Technology Director Troy Cochran Symantec Software, Sr. Principle Engineer Member-at-Large Jeff Buak Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer Attorneys-at-Law Partner Member-at-Large Nayte Carrick Carrick Marketing President Member-at-Large Rose Gamba CPA

Board Bites Scott Pruitt has resigned as Treasurer of MBA. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. If you are interested in becoming more involved with MBA and think the role of treasurer is a comfortable fit for you, please contact Dr. Dave at President@MBAOrlando.org

Chewing the Cud Who Said That? A college friend of mine visited town last week. Heʼs straight. Heʼs Jewish. He accepts me for who I am and had a wonderful weekend with my boyfriend, my boyfriendʼs mother and me. But there was something he said that rubbed me the wrong way. We were talking about Come Out With Pride and the inequities that exist among genders, races and orientations in this nation of ours. He said something along the lines of “I donʼt understand why we have to have parades for every group out there.” Who said that? Surely no friend of mine! I couldnʼt believe my ears. He was speaking more to nationalities and races than he was to sexual orientation, but that didnʼt make it any more right. I further disagreed when he said “these parades help bring about differences rather than unite them.” Who said that? I agreed with him that “it would be nice if groups of people didnʼt feel the need to have these parades and that everyoneʼs rights were recognized equally.” But theyʼre not!

By Jason Fox Holstein

We have children killing themselves in this country because they are made fun of for who they are and how they feel. We have politicians in state capitols across this nation and in D.C. who are advocating for the further stripping of our rights. We NEED Pride parades and parades of every nationality to raise awareness. One of our MBA members volunteered at the parade on Sunday. She brought her husband and two children with her. These kids will grow up to accept their GLBT friends in stride with everyone else. The examples I have come across this weekend at the Come Out With Pride parade prove to me that we are opening up hearts and minds to our cause. Thank you to everyone who sponsored, volunteered and attended. With 75,000 attendees, we exceeded our expectations by 15,000! Next year, bring someone with you to the parade. Maybe itʼs someone like my friend. Someone who you know supports you and your relationship. Perhaps youʼve taken for granted how they feel about more general GLBT issues. Hopefully, weʼll have all of our friends saying “Thank G-d for Pride Parades!”

Our GLBT community is still deprived of some 1,100 rights, privileges and benefits that Las Vegas shotgun newly weds receive. 7

Gay and Lesbian Destination Marketing: EVENT OVERVIEW: Orlando consistently ranks as the number two most visited US destination―but it is also the ninth most visited by gay and lesbian travelers. In fact, gay travel adds more than $2.0 billion dollars and contributes the equivalent of 25,000 jobs to the local Central Florida economy. Unfortunately, only 15 percent of LGBT travelers consider Orlando to be “gay friendly” and recent research shows that all important perception is slipping. What an Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010 opportunity for savvy marketing to increase business! Join the Central Florida Chapter--American Marketing Association, in cooperation with the Orlando Metropolitan Business Association (MBA), for a Signature Luncheon Event and Afternoon Workshop on LGBT marketing. Networking begins at 11:15 and the Signature Luncheon is at 11:45. The Workshop will start at 1:15 pm and last to 3:30 pm. The program will be packed with best case examples and practices of gay destination marketing, tourism initiatives and campaigns. The program venue can accommodate 300 attendees and a sold out event is expected.

11:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando 5780 Major Boulevard, Orlando FL 32819 REGISTRATION LINK: http://guest.cvent.com/d/ 4dqvv9/4W

CONFIRMED NATIONAL SPEAKERS:  Mya Lake Reyes, Director of Diversity Marketing, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority  George Carrancho, Director of LGBT Sales, American Airlines  Josh Rosenzweig, Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Publicity, Here Media  Stephen Murray-Smith, Director at Florida Keys & Key West, Board Member of Key West Business Guild

LUNCHEON PANEL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  Understand the scope and buying power of this increasing market and the additional tourism possible with effective targeting  Discover what influences the LGBT traveler in travel planning  Learn which strategies have been most effective for reaching the gay and lesbian segment  Discover the nuances of communicating with this segment, especially when it comes to positioning accommodations, airlines and attractions as “gay friendly” and inclusive.

This event is officially sponsored by the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando. 8

Big Business Beyond “Mainstream Orlando” WORKSHOP SESSIONS: The workshop portion will consist of two concurrent sessions lead by our national panelists joined by Orlando-area experts on gay and lesbian marketing. Local panelists will share communications, programs and initiatives that have worked here in the Central Florida market. Each attendee will select two of the breakout groups to attend. The three sessions and moderators are: SESSION 1: Public Agency Perspective Selling and promoting a destination:  Courting the LGBT traveler means appealing to all “families”  Straight talk about attracting gay meetings and events  Information websites and internet-based promotions and marketing

Moderated by: Mya Lake Reyes, Director of Diversity Marketing, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority and Stephen Murray-Smith, Director, Florida Keys-Key West Inc.; Board Member of the Key West Business Guild SESSION 2: Product or Service Perspective The corporate value of a targeted sales function  Fostering the gay-friendly reputation-what it means for business  Advertising and sales tracking  Sponsorships, events and community outreach

Moderated by George Carrancho, Director of LGBT Sales, American Airlines SESSION 3: Media and Information Perspective Working successfully with the LGBT Media  Getting a destination on “gaydar”  Press relations and the value of generating unique content  What the most popular LGBT destinations and companies are doing right

Moderated by Josh Rosenzweig, Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Publicity, Here Media

This event is officially sponsored by the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando. 9

ATTENDEE PRICING As a member of the American Marketing Association, Metropolitan Business Association or the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, you can attend either the Signature Luncheon or the Workshop for the discounted rate of $25 for each, or $40 for both. The regular, non-member price is $40 for either event or $60 for both. EVENT DAY SCHEDULE 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Registration & Networking 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Luncheon with Panel Presentation 1 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Break 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Workshop Session (choose one out of three) 2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Workshop Session (choose one out of three)

ABOUT AMA-CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER The Central Florida Chapter of the organization for marketing professionals professional and career development powerful business and collaborative community.

American Marketing Association is the leading in the Orlando area. We are focused on advancing opportunities for our members, while facilitating connections throughout the Orlando marketing

The Central Florida Chapter of the American Marketing Association is comprised of dynamic marketing professionals that represent the industrial and commercial diversity of our region. Our membership area covers Greater Orlando's Tri-County area (Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties), as well as the Space Coast (Brevard and Volusia Counties). The chapter holds Monthly Signature Event Luncheons on the second Wednesday of the month. Attendance ranges from 60 to 125 people and attracts a large number of nonmembers. The 2009-2010 chapter survey indicates that 94 percent of attendees rated the monthly programs as “excellent” or “very good.” When asked how likely they would be to attend another event, the survey indicated that 98 percent responded “extremely likely” or “very likely.” For more information visit www.amacentralflorida.org .

This event is officially sponsored by the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando. 10

What is RED Group? RED Group - Central Meets @ 11:30 a.m. @ The Center Second & Fourth Tuesdays: October 26 November 9 & 23 Contact Carolyn Taylor 407-704-9764 CarolynTaylor.Insurance@gmail.com

RED Group Director Jason Fox Holstein 407-949-2111 MarketingDirector@MBAOrlando.org

www.MBARED.org

RED Group - South Meets @ 11:30 a.m. @ IKEA First & Third Wednesdays: November 3 & 17 Contact Mark Cady 407-404-4171 Mark@WatermarkOnline.com

The Referral Exchange Development Group, affectionately known as RED Group, is a referral based networking organization that is dedicated to helping one another grow our business by creating relationships that most other networking organizations simply cannot provide. We achieve this through a concept called category exclusivity. This means that once you join, you are the only business allowed to represent your profession, essentially locking your competition out of the group. In an organization, like MBA, where there can be a number of companies in any given profession, having this exclusivity can be a distinct advantage in acquiring more business. By understanding other people始s businesses and how to pass referrals, we discover how to better communicate our own business needs to other people and inevitably see the results by the number of referrals that we close. Hence the motto... thinking RED will have your business seeing GREEN.

PRIDE 70,000 STRONG.

THANKS TO YOU.

i had the best time ! it was my fi r s t p r i d e e v e r â&#x2122;Ľ a n d I LOVEDDD it . -- Samantha

Grand Marshal and Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis with MBA Vice President Gina Duncan on the Wells Fargo Stagecoach.

You guys outdid yourselves. The event was amazing. My partner and I took our daughters and we had a great time. There was entertainment for all ages, our girls 7 and 16 both had fun. THANK YOU! -- LuLu So proud to be gay! - Sue we had an amazing and memorable time yesterday...it was my husband and i's first time and we were skeptical at 1st of going bcuz he's straight and im bi but every1 was so respectful and we had a great t i m e ! ! ! w e a r e d e fi n i t e l y attending many more events...muahzzzzzz xoxo and ty - Jeanette

Come Out With Pride staff lead everyone in a moment of silence to honor the recent string of LGBT teen suicides.

Complete Photo Gallery available at facebook.com/comeoutwithpride 13

Just wanted to drop you all a note to let you know that I was really blown away by COWP this year. As someone looking from the outside in I can tell you that the machine seemed well oiled. At one point I turned to my pa r tner Donald and had a moment of awe that this HUGE festival is put on entirely by volunteers. The timing of this massive festival could not have been more perfect as we push our county commission to protect us. Thank you for organizing all year to show in clear terms the power and presence of the LGBT community. - Joe

Martha Wash performing to thousands of fans. Pridols winner Sunshine Mathews singing to the crowd.