Kansas City’s newly launched chapter of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is hosting its inaugural business conference on Nov. 8.

The conference is only open to Mid-America Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce members, so this would be the perfect time to join and network with other LGBT-supportive businesses in the metro and nationally.

“We’re going to have some folks from the Washington, D.C, national affiliate,” said executive director Michael Lintecum.

Organizers said that companies are quickly joining the group. “We have over 80 members already,” said board member Josh Strodtman, and “honestly, we have not aggressively pushed it.”

The MAGLCC, spearheaded by Board President Dan Nilsen, had its kickoff party in May. More recently, the board has been actively planning not only this conference, but also networking events.

“Everything we do is first-time and new, and it’s got to be vetted over and over,” Lintecum said.

Here is the schedule for the Business Equality Conference, which will be at Studio Dan Meiners, 2500 W. Pennway St., Kansas City, Mo.:

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Lunch and keynote address by Tara Centeio, vice president for platform consumer solutions & Hispanic champion at Hallmark Cards Inc. Centeio will speak about the company’s aspiration to reach the emerging Hispanic market.

1 pm - 5 pm—Three sessions:

“How to Get the Most Out of the MAGLCC” — Board member Danny Zaslavsky, along with other MAGLCC board members, will provide a thorough overview of the group’s goals for the next 18 months.

“Social Networking” — Special guests Anthony Shop and Thomas Sanchez of Social Driver in Washington, D.C., share proven methods to grow your business using social media and talk about what you should be doing as a business on the Internet.

“Supplier Diversity” — This session will be conducted by Sam McClure, director of affiliate relations with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. LGBT-owned businesses and supplier diversity representatives from our area’s corporations are invited to attend.

MAGLCC members can attend the Business Equality Conference for only $35, which includes the complimentary lunch and all three sessions. Registration must be received no later than Nov. 6. Register online at www.maglcc.org.

For more information, visit www.maglcc.org, email info@maglcc.org or call 816-474-3558.

B2B Network

That evening, from 5:30-7:30, MAGLCC will hold the November B2B Network at the men’s department of Hall’s on the Country Club Plaza. The B2B Network is a great opportunity for MAGLCC members to network with other members and learn from some of Kansas City’s most successful business people. Free for MAGLCC members; $10 for prospective members. There will be a complimentary hosted bar and light snacks, courtesy of Hall’s. Register for the B2B Network at www.maglcc.org.