According to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), supplier diversity is a hallmark of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) standard. It is a business strategy that involves incorporating diverse-owned businesses, suppliers, and vendors into a company’s supply chain and business practices. 

The NGLCC’s Supplier Diversity Initiative (SDI) is the exclusive third-party certifying organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-owned Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers. The SDI’s primary goal is to connect eligible LGBT-owned businesses that wish to pursue contracting opportunities within the corporate supply chain. 

A diverse supplier is a business owned and operated at least 51 percent by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or underserved group. 

Some best practices for supplier diversity initiatives include:

• Establishing corporate management support
• Developing a supplier development plan
• Creating an internal and external communications strategy
• Mentoring current and prospective suppliers
• Instituting a workplace diversity steering committee
• Tracking the management of supplier diversity program

According to the Fdic, supplier diversity can produce measurable results for businesses in terms of:

• Efficiency and innovation
• Improving customer relations
• Promoting growth and development
• Supporting job creation and economic development in communities 

Become an LGBTBE Supplier today; https://thepridechamber.org/program/supplier-diversity/

Pride Chamber of Commerce member benefit – Chamber members have the NGLCC certification fee waived!

TENTATIVE AGENDA –

• 8:30am – Registration Begins
• 9am – 10am – How to Begin LGBT BE Certified
• 10am – 11am – Panel Discussion Moderated by Orlando Health & National Entrepreneur Center
• 11am – 1pm – Expo, Networking and Lunch