Nashville’s GLBT Chamber of Commerce will move to a new meeting format starting Jan. 1, 2010, in a move prompted by requests from current membership.

The current fourth-Tuesday monthly meeting will be replaced with a “4th Friday after hour’s business mixer.” Those meetings will be held at a member business from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and will include light appetizers and drinks.

“No program and no pressure,” said John Wade, NGLBTCC president. “Just social networking and a good time.”

Wade said the move was prompted by multiple requests from current members as well as surveys conducted during the past year.

“The board of directors have overwhelmingly approved this as a means of increasing business networking and a great way to highlight some of our business members,” Wade explained.

Guests will be required to pay $5 for their first visit and $10 for any other visits. The charge covers the cost of the food and drinks.

In addition to the monthly mixers, the Chamber will hold quarterly education forums at the Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza, its current monthly meeting place. Those forums will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 9, May 11, Aug. 10 and Nov. 9, 2010.

“Each speaker or panel will address timely community and/or business related topics,” Wade said. “Watch your email and read our newsletter. When panel speakers are needed, we will put the word out to members. Speakers will be booked on a first-to-respond basis.”

If your business is interested in hosting one of the 11 monthly mixers, Wade said the following qualifications must be met:

• Hosting is open only to business members. If a member does not have a space to host 50 to 75 people, that member may host at a venue of their choice, but the host is responsible for the venue cost.
• You may partner with another member to host.
• You provide appetizers and beverages. Beverages may be cocktails, wine or both but must include at least one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic choice.
• Host provides registration table and electrical connection.
• Chamber will reimburse up to $200 of actual costs to help defray expenses.

“If you want to host, hurry,” Wade said. “We’re booking now on a first-come basis and there are only 11 slots available (no mixer in December due to their annual holiday party).”

If your business is interested in hosting, contact Joey Leslie, NGLBTCC executive assistant, at joey@nashvilleglbtchamber.org.