The Independence Business Alliance has been named the top LGBT chamber of commerce in the nation.
In an announcement made Thursday at its Business & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce named IBA the 2014 Chamber of the Year.
IBA serves 11 counties in the greater Philadelphia region. NGLCC represents 52 affiliated chambers throughout the nation.
“The IBA is excited to share this honor with the local LGBT and allied business community we serve,” said IBA executive administrator Tom Cavanaugh. “We aim to promote growth and economic development in our region. It is an honor to be recognized for our hard work, and we hope to inspire Philadelphia for years to come.”
To garner the top award, a chamber must illustrate sustained growth, relevance to the LGBT community and engagement in local and national policywork, the LGBT business-certification effort and overall business equality.
NGLCC co-founder and president Justin Nelson said IBA is “developing innovative ways to engage with their community.” Nelson noted that board president Rich Horrow, along with IBA board and staff, “truly embody the spirit of national/local partnership. Their work partnering with major corporations, their extensive educational and outreach programming and their engagement with the local business community is consistent and impressive.”