About
OVERVIEW
The International Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (IGLCC) was founded in 2006 in Hamburg, Germany and is based in Montreal, Canada.
The IGLCC is the world’s leading international LGBT business network with members in 15 countries:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Our network connects business leaders locally and worldwide. Together we represent millions of LGBT business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals and consumers.
With its 15 member countries, the IGLCC represents:
– 55 million LGBT consumers 1
– US $2.1 trillion in purchasing power 1
– the equivalent of the world’s fifth largest economy: the United Kingdom 2
1 Based on estimates by Double Platinum / BC 3 Strategies.
2 Based on UK population and GDP. Source: IMF
Mission
The IGLCC is dedicated to create a diverse international coalition to defend the interests of the LGBT business community worldwide and to contribute to its social-economic development.
Vision
The advancement of diversity in the business world through initiatives that promote equality and the creation of opportunities for the members of the international LGBT business community.
HISTORY
2005
With the Quebec LGBT business community onboard, Pascal Lépine, president of Atypic and the President of the Quebec Gay Chamber of Commerce (CCGQ) travels in North America and Europe to invite other business professionals to participate in what would become the first truly international LGBT business conference and to further advance his idea of creating an international LGBT business organization.
2006
Over 400 professionals coming from all around the world accepted the invitation and gathered in Montreal, Canada, were in July the Out for Business Conference is held as part of the World Outgames 2006, to discuss the challenges that we were facing as LGBT employees, business owners and consumers. Ultimately the conference was also a forum to discuss the vast opportunities for our community.
Later in October in Hamburg, Germany, the IGLCC is officially created by the national LGBT business organizations and national LGBT Chambers of Commerce of the following countries: Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.
2007
In April, the IGLCC started officially operating from its head office in Montreal, Canada, under the leadership of Founding President & Secretary General Pascal Lépine and thanks to the great support of Montreal International.
September marks the first IGLCC Global Summit in Barcelona, Spain.
2008
In early April, in partnership with BC3 Strategies, the IGLCC unveils its First LGBT Market Overview covering its 13 member countries.
Later in the month, coinciding with its first anniversary, the IGLCC hosts its First Annual Congress in Montreal, Canada. During the Gala Dinner a series of awards recognizing leadership is given to the following individuals and organizations:
Xarxagay, The LGBT Professionals (Spain)
Juan Julia, owner of Axel Hotels (Spain)
IBM Corporation
Cynthia Wade, documentary producer and 2008 Oscar winner for Freeheld (USA)
The City of Montreal (Canada)
In September, in partnership with the Affiliate Member from the United Kingdom, The Gay Business Association, the IGLCC hosts its Second Global Summit. The launching of demo versions of the International Business Equality Index and the International LGBT Business Data Base mark the event.
2009
The IGLCC partners with its Netherlands’ Affiliate Member The Company Pride Platform Foundation to hold its Second Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. The congress is part of the Out for Business track of the Second World Outgames Human Rights Conference. The series of awards for 2009 is presented to the following recipients:
The Company Pride Platform Foundation (The Netherlands)
KPMG
His Excellency Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil (Brazil)
Matthew Mitcham, Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer (Australia)
In July the results of the First International Business Equality Index were announced in Copenhagen. The top 3 corporations were BT, IBM and The Dow Chemical Company.
The official version of the International LGBT Business Data Base is online in November of 2009.
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