Gearing up for Connections!2010

Strategic communicator, marketing solutions counselor, social marketing expert and owner of Out to Market Communications, Colleen Dermody holds a master’s degree in public communication, certification as an LGBT-owned business from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and a certification from the Search Engine Academy for search engine optimization strategy.

Dermody is well known and respected for her expertise in women’s issues and progressive advocacy communications through her work with the Feminist Majority Foundation and the National Organization for Women. Her professional experience includes the position of vice president at Witeck-Combs Communications, one of the nation’s premier LGBT marketing communications firms, and as director for communications at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, one of the highest profile health and nutrition advocacy organizations in the U.S.

A former CAGLCC board member, Dermody is playing a major role in the implementation of Connections!2010, CAGLCC’s professional and business development summit on Oct. 23. Dermody is passionate in all of her endeavors.

“Connections!2010 will bring together business executives, government officials and nonprofit mangers in a ‘melting pot’ of business seminars and networking,” she said, adding, “Those of us who are privileged to live and work in metro D.C. know how important it is to maintain connections and make new ones. I expect this business and professional development summit will help my business – Out to Market Communications – make valuable connections with new colleagues and generate potential new business.”

For more information on Out To Market’s services, go here.

CAGLCC Programs and Events

CAGLCC is spearheading what promises to be the largest gathering of LGBT businesses, professionals and allied organizations on the East Coast with Connections!2010: LGBT business and professional development summit. On Oct. 23, the Washington Post building will be filled with LGBT business owners, executives, employees and allies meeting for a day packed with idea sharing, networking and workshops.

In cooperation with Washington Economic Partnership and the mayor’s office, CAGLCC changed the face of what was once the “GLBT Economic Development Summit” and expanded it into the Business Exposition, Procurement Fair and Recruitment Fair.

“We have done incredible business through the CAGLCC in the past year. It makes sense to continue to be visible, and meet others in the LGBT business community through Connection!2010,” says Glen Ackerman, managing partner of Ackerman Legal, PLLC.

Robert Safro, owner of LOGOmotion, Inc, a company that provides customized promotional products agrees. “As a longtime member of PEN and the [Gay] Chamber, and as a past organizer of business expos, I appreciate the tremendous value and opportunity for personal interaction with fellow colleagues in the business community.”

Eileen Kessler, president of OmniStudio, Inc., a provider of communications strategy and design, hopes to get more out of the expo than exposure. “We expect to gain more visibility for our business, especially the launch of our new Creative Staffing service. We also want to recruit creative talent for our new staffing initiative.”

Kenneth White, vice president of branch operations and business development for Signal Financial Federal Credit Union, said, “It is becoming increasingly clear that the demographics for the LGBT community are very much in line with demographics that bankers are trying to reach and now any opportunity to have access and/or a presence in the community is much welcomed.”

Connections!2010 has much to offer businesses and individuals, alike. For more information and to register to be an exhibitor or to attend Connections!2010, go here.

CAGLCC Member News

Glen Ackerman, of Ackerman Legal PLLC, was elected to the Point Foundation National Board of Regents. Point Foundation provides scholarships, mentorship, leadership training and hope to students of merit who have been marginalized due to their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. For additional information, go here.

Doug Nelson was promoted to senior director of client relations at Business Health Services; in addition to designing, implementing, and managing employee wellness programs and employee assistance programs in the metro D.C. region, he now also supervises five directors who manage other territories. For more information on BHS, go here.

PHOTO: Colleen Dermody (Blade file photo)