The Philadelphia Business Journal’s annual Top LGBT-Owned Company Awards return this fall, accompanied by a new batch of awards honoring individuals.
Presented in partnership with PGN, the program has traditionally recognized the largest LGBT-owned businesses throughout the region, ranked by number of employees. The new Top LGBT Business Advocate Awards will also honor those who promote LGBT inclusion in business sectors.
“We want to recognize people who’ve really tried to empower the community in business,” said PBJ editor-in-chief Craig Ey. “It’s important to call out individuals who are doing a great job because that encourages more advocacy in the future.”
The inaugural Advocate Awards will likely be given to about 10 recipients, Ey said. Interested applicants can nominate themselves or others through Sept. 4 at www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/nomination/75292.
The community is invited to a reception honoring the winners Nov. 3 at Union Trust, and the full list of awardees will be unveiled in the Nov. 6 edition of PBJ.
The LGBT awards program is now in its fourth year, and Ey said it has continued to grow with each incarnation.
“It absolutely has, which is why we added more awards,” he said. “Last year’s event was sold out and was fantastic. I have to say out of the awards programs we do, and we do a lot, the folks in that room last year for the LGBT awards really seemed the most appreciative of the awards and the recognition. That makes us want to come back and do it again.”