LGBT is not only an acronym for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, but also it stands for a new fundraising initiative that kicked off early this month for the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC). “Let’s Go Buy Tiles” is an opportunity for LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations and individuals to support MDGLCC community programs and events, while at the same time leaving a permanent symbol of that support on a 10-foot “Community Wall” inside the LGBT Visitor Center, sponsored by MetLife.
The 6″ x 8″ full-color tiles will act as mini-billboards inside the LGBT Visitor Center, on display for the thousands of tourists who will visit the Center as well as for locals who visit the MDGLCC’s offices or attend Chamber events. In addition, the tiles act as a focal point for guests who attend the many community events that take place throughout the year inside the space.
A total of 194 tiles remain available for a one-time investment of $250 for MDGLCC members, or non-members can purchase a tile for $500, which will also include a one-year business-level membership in the Chamber. Up to two tiles may be purchased to create an even bigger impact on the “Community Wall.” Businesses that took advantage of tile pre-sales included Pizza Fusion, In the Glaze, Arndt Strategies, MiamiArtZine, GMV Graphics & Signs Inc. and Heather Davis Productions.
“The ‘Let’s Go Buy Tiles’ program is a great business showcase opportunity in front of a very influential target audience,” said Steve Adkins, president of the MDGLCC. “Not only is the LGBT community intensely loyal to businesses that support it, but also research has shown that the LGBT community has a local buying power of $8 billion and a national buying power of $743 billion. Those are pretty powerful statistics for a company looking to sell a product or service.”
Money raised from the “Let’s Go Buy Tiles” effort will help sustain operations at the Chamber as well as provide funding to help underwrite new programs and services to meet the ever-increasing demands of the Chamber’s rapidly expanding membership.
“We’re anxious to see how creative the community gets with their tile designs,” Adkins said. “Businesses can reproduce their business card, print a visual of their product, or create a scannable QR code that links to a website. Individuals can print their picture or create a message to a loved one. Who knows, if the response from the community is overwhelming,” Adkins added, “we might just consider tiling the ceiling, too.”
The MDGLCC opened the country’s first-ever Chamber-sponsored LGBT Visitor Center last November. The Center is open to the public five days a week and has been the venue for special events for the MDGLCC, MetLife, Florida Grand Opera, Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and Miami Beach Gay Pride, just to name a few. The LGBT Visitor Center is located in Miami Beach’s Old City Hall at 1130 Washington Avenue, 1st Floor North, Miami Beach, in the heart of South Beach.
To purchase a tile, visit the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce website at www.gogaymiami.com to download an application, or contact Michael Vita at 305-673-4440 or mdglcc@bellsouth.net
