Timeline
The Tampa Bay Business Guild was founded in 1983 as a networking group for LGBTQ+ professionals. In 2011 the Guild became an official Chamber of Commerce, as the Tampa Bay Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and an affiliate member of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. In 2018 the Chamber hired its first full-time President & CEO, in preparation to host the NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference. In 2020 the Chamber started doing business as the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber to coincide with NGLCC, and other affiliates across the country. To this day, the Chamber is the only advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ people in the Tampa Bay Region.
2024
- The Chamber welcomes Rene Cantu as new President and CEO.
2020
- The Chamber changed its name to the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber, to better represent the business community that it serves.
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The Chamber was added to the Tampa Bay Chamber memorandums of understanding (MOUs). Together, with eight other MOUs, the Chamber is proud to advocate on behalf of over 4,200 collective members throughout Tampa Bay.
2019
- The Chamber hosted the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, International Business and Leadership Conference. This globally recognized conference is the largest LGBT business event on the planet. More than 1,500 LGBT and allied business leaders attended that year, with an estimated economic impact of $7.8 Million to the Tampa Bay region.
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The City of Tampa, under the direction of Tampa’s first openly LGBT Mayor, Jane Castor, made history signing an executive order to add NGLCC’s LGBTBE certification and welcome LGBT business owners into city contracting and economic development opportunities.
2016
- The Chamber became the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce, and created the Diamond Scholarship Foundation
2011
- The Chamber evolved with the current times to Tampa Bay Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, which also was to show similarity to its affiliate, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, also known as NGLCC.
2004
- Hillsborough County Commissioners unanimously vote to repeal the ban on gay pride displays — Tampa Pride was later formed.
2003
- St. Pete Pride was established by members, local business owners and community leaders.
1995
- Hillsborough County Commissioners vote to repeal its version of the human rights ordinance that included sexual orientation
1992
- Hillsborough and Tampa voters repeal the 18-month old amendment to the Human rights ordinance that included sexual orientation.
1991
- Hillsborough and Tampa adopt measures in a join meeting adding sexual orientation to an existing human rights ordinance.
1990
- Tampa Bay International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival was founded, as a expansion from The Tampa Bay Business Guild (TBBG).
1983
- The Tampa Business Guild was created. This would later become the Tampa Bay Business Guild, later merging with the Pinellas County Business Guild to better support the Tampa Bay Region.