Dear Members,

Thank you for your continued participation and involvement in our LGBT business community.

In order to ensure continued growth of our organization for the benefit of our member businesses, the Board of Directors must evaluate chamber expenses and its membership structure from time to time. At the October board meeting, the Board voted to increase annual dues effective January 1, 2012 for renewing members and effective November 1, 2011 for new members. Current MBA Orlando members will have until December 31st of this year to renew their membership at this year's membership levels. This will add an additional 12 months to whenever your current membership is scheduled to renew.

As many know, MBA Orlando has proudly served our LGBT business community since 1992 without an office or place from which to conduct business. Our physical presence this year in Downtown Orlando has allowed us to better market our member businesses, gain more attention for our community's needs and hold more events to connect like-minded business professionals than we ever have before. Since moving into our new building, MBA Orlando's membership is at the largest it has ever been.

The value that an MBA Orlando membership delivers to our members is higher than it has ever been before. Since affiliating with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, all MBA Orlando members will be listed on the NGLCC web site and LGBT-owned businesses have the opportunity to certify their business and earn more lucrative corporate contracts.

The number of benefits we provide our members have greatly increased since moving into office space.

• People call our office number every week asking for referrals to LGBT-friendly businesses.
• Walk-in visitors ask for referrals
• Display your business cards and other marketing materials at MBA Orlando HQ
• Hold small meetings at MBA Orlando HQ instead of loud coffee shops and restaurants.
• Twice-monthly Cocktails and Conversation at 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd & 4th Friday of the month.

FACTS ABOUT THE NEW MEMBERSHIP PRICING

The new memebership structure is changing as follows:

Gold membership - Increase from $300 to $400 annually.

Silver membership - Increase from $100 to $200 annually. This is now the basic membership level for any business member with retail or office space OR more than 1 employee.

Bronze membership - A new level of membership that will be $125 annually. This level of membership is only for businesses that are sole proprietor business owners AND are a home based business.

Social membership - Increase from $50 to $75 annually.

PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE

This is only the second increase in membership dues in MBA Orlando's 19 year history. This change to our membership level structure will help raise an anticipated $9,000-$11,000 in additional revenue to help help the chamber to expand its programs and services to our members. Our membership levels continue to be more cost effective than most other chambers of commerce in our area and around the country.

NEXT STEPS

We believe that we have created a membership level structure that will allow for the continued growth of our chamber of commerce and will not necessitate additional dues increases in upcoming years.

We continue to build upon the foundation that past LGBT business leaders have laid before us. This upcoming year will mark our 20th anniversary as a chamber of commerce and what I anticipate will be the most successful one yet for our chamber and your business. Your continued participation in and support of MBA Orlando and our initiatives are critical to the chamber's capacity to reach our goals. I and our board members are available to discuss this or any other questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us at any time at 321-800-3946 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Thank you for your continued support.

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