GSDBA 2009 Business Resource Directory - (Page N) N FROM THE GSDBA BOARD CHAIR MICHELLE BURKART to present to you the 2009 30th Anniversary Edition of the Greater San Diego Business Association Directory. Our organization’s vision of Building Community Through Business is at the heart of this premiere publication. For 30 years the Directory has remained the number one source for connecting people with the quality products and services that our LGBT and supportive businesses provide. To enhance the visibility of the already 30,000 copies distributed yearly, this Special Anniversary Edition can also be viewed in digital format on the GSDBA website. Since our inception in 1979, the GSDBA has grown from a charter membership of 12 businesses to become the second largest LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the nation with over 900 members, affiliates, and corporate partners. Through the leadership of our CEO Dr. Joyce Marieb and her staff and through the tireless volunteer efforts of our Board of Directors, our Committees and our members, we were well represented at community events, citywide festivals, allied diversity chamber programs, mixers, business networking venues and trade shows. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone personally for their participation in promoting the GSDBA and its continued relevance in the advancement of business equality. As you read further in the Directory about GSDBA, you will find an organization with a rich history of firsts in leading the LGBT community to Economic Empowerment. This would not have been possible without the support of the founding members and all those who have committed their time to the organization over the years. In 2008, we met our first year’s strategic plan goals and began the execution of our second year’s strategic goals. We formulated the core values for GSDBA of Economic Empowerment, Stewardship, and Advocacy. We continued to expand our marketing campaign of Friends Do Business with Friends to support our members in the promoting their businesses. We developed an advocacy policy and committee to deal with issues of business equality that impact our members and their rights. We developed an investment policy to ensure that our financial foundation continues to be sound for future growth. Our corporate partnership program has grown exponentially as companies begin to recognize that it is simply good business to support the advancement of the LGBT entrepreneurial and professional community. We planned our anniversary signature event “30 Years of Building Community and Inspiring Wealth” which will also launch our annual LGBT Business Awards program. One of the ways one can gauge the strength and effectiveness of any business chamber is to look at how involved and visible its members are in the community and how well they take care of each other. The GSDBA has become a strong voice and connecting point for the LGBT business community and all those who strive for equality. We invite you to become a member of GSDBA, to be a part of our celebration and to help us to grow into our next decade of service to the LGBT business community. We are extremely proud . . .
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