For the first time, the local LGBT chamber of commerce will combine its monthly networking mixer with a health fair.
Through a partnership with health-insurance agency Independence Blue Cross, Independence Business Alliance’s inaugural Health Fair will feature exercise demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, vendors and medical testing. The Oct. 17 event will be held in conjunction with the organization’s monthly LGBT mixer, ConnX.
IBA Executive Director Zach Wilcha said Independence Blue Cross, an IBA corporate partner, has wanted to present a health fair for the LGBT community in conjunction with IBA. Wilcha said the event “fell into place” now that IBA has two staff members and the health-insurance agency owns Independence LIVE, the health fair’s location.
“We also thought it would be a really great idea to pair it with our ConnX since we already have such a large following of people coming to that every month,” Wilcha said. “This is an additional bonus.”
The executive director said wellness has been a general concern of IBA but the organization has only approached the topic from a “business and economic perspective.”
“When it comes to LGBT wellness, there are so many different factors that contribute to that,” Wilcha said. “We wanted to actually bring in the health-related concerns too since we had such a great partnership with Independence Blue Cross. It made sense that expanding the definition of wellness beyond just business and economic [factors] was the perfect opportunity to do that for this type of event.”
Wilcha noted that attendees will have a “great opportunity” to see what the Independence LIVE venue can provide. The space offers fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, a kids’ activity zone, customer support and a variety of other services.
He added that IBA has never had a ConnX event with multiple activities occurring simultaneously. He anticipates it will be enjoyable as attendees “hop to different parts of the event as the evening goes on.”
“It’s going to be very fun because not only do you get the networking that normally comes with an IBA event, but you’re also going to be able to learn a lot about LGBT health and you’re going to see exercise demonstrations and a fun cooking demonstration,” Wilcha said. “And if you have any insurance questions, there are going to be people on hand for IBX that are going to be able to answer them for you.”
The IBA Health Fair will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 on the second floor at Independence LIVE, 1919 Market St. Visit http://bit.ly/2wX1wY3 for more information and to register.