More companies move to sponsor gay chamber

[kweerwolf]

Seattle's gay and lesbian chamber of commerce is enjoying a significant increase in corporate sponsorship that is adding to the gay community's already growing economic -- and political -- clout.

Through the first five months of this year, the 921-member Greater Seattle Business Association has secured $150,000 in corporate sponsorships, a level approaching double last year's take of $87,500 and is nearly triple 2004's $51,500.

<snip>

"It just makes perfect business sense to say this is a community I want to market to," said association Executive Director Louise Chernin. Because gays and lesbians typically have more disposable income, are more likely to own a home or business and are widely seen as loyal to supportive companies, sponsors are increasingly wanting to reach them, Chernin says.

This year, gay and lesbian buying power is projected to top $640 billion, according to an analysis by Witeck-Combs Communications and Packaged Facts. That spending power is on par with African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12793917/

OK ... 'fess up! Which one of you is using my buying power? ... I'll just stand here with my hands on my hips and stamping my size 12 Prada knock-offs from K-Mart until you confess!:grr:

[msongs]

1. are they right wing fascists like the regular chambers of repubcommerce?

the chamber of commerce is a mouthpiece for the republicrap party.
Msongs
www.msongs.com
batik & digital art
mugs and shirts

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Speaking as a member of the GSBA...

Well, former member actually (my business closed and I didn't renew this year), but I knew people would jump to conclusions if I put a subject line that read, "Speaking as a former member of the GSBA" :hi:

Anyway, the Greater Seattle Business Association is not, in any way, associated with the Chamber of Commerce. It is an association of businesses that A) are owned by members of the GLBT community, B) cater to members of the GLBT community and C) wish to do business with, market towards or otherwise associate with the GLBT community. They stay out of advocacy politics but all of the members I've met lean heavily towards the social liberal side of the spectrum, and if there are any Republicans, they keep very quiet. I have enjoyed being associated with them, and it has led to numerous business contacts that I hope to use again soon.

The group's website is www.thegsba.org