OUT Georgia Business Alliance, the only LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce in Georgia, is hosting the 2022 LGBTQ Business Summit and Expo virtually and in-person at Truist Park this week on July 13 and 14.
“OUT Georgia’s 2022 LGBTQ Business Summit and Expo is our opportunity to bring Georgia based LGBTQ and allied business owners, non-profit leaders, and corporate folks together to learn from each other,” Chris Lugo, the Executive Director of OUT Georgia, told Georgia Voice. “This event not only has the moments to shed a spotlight on member businesses that are expoing, but this is also a chance for us to shine a spotlight on their expertise.”
This year’s theme is Power of Connection, which highlights OUT Georgia’s dedication to including and spotlighting the members of the community who most need support.
“This year, we wanted to connect the dots between the business and organizations that are supporting or involved in our community and the folks within our community who most need support or who don’t often get visibility,” Lugo said. “We have an emphasis on elevating and centering our trans, non-binary, and gender expansive voices… We want to welcome in the full array of the spectrum of folks in our community.”
The two-day event will follow a hybrid style; the first day will be held entirely virtually via Hopin, and day two will be in-person at Truist Park, hosted by the Braves (bonus for Braves fans: the 2021 World Series Trophy will be on-site!). However, for those who cannot attend in person, day two will also be broadcasted virtually.
Highlights of the event include keynotes from Candice Blacknall, the CEO and founder of GABA, and athlete and advocate Amazin LeThi, who will discuss championing equality in sports; a trans and gender-expansive business pitch event at the end of the first day, where current and prospective business owners will get the opportunity to receive feedback and information from a panel of entrepreneurs and business professionals; a vibrant business expo on each day with 20+ business and organizations sharing information and product samples (there will even be a queer-owned tequila company hosting a tequila tasting!); and a closing reception, where more than $30,000 will be given to LGBTQ-owned restaurants across Atlanta.
There will also be six panels across the two days: The Current State of LGBTQ Legal and Legislative Fights, LGBTQ Tourism Across Georgia, Beyond Visibility: Exploring What’s Next to Advance DEI and Belonging; Next Level: Inclusive Strategies for Business Innovation and Impact, OUT 4 Good: Businesses and Organizations Making an Impact in Georgia’s LGBTQ Community, and Be Bold: LGBTQ Entrepreneurs and Businesses on the Rise.
“[Attendees are] going to see some really intriguing business leaders and owners and advocates on each of those panel conversations that are going to challenge folks to think differently about each topic,” Lugo said.
Registration for the OUT Georgia’s 2022 Business Summit and Expo is open now.