2023 Focused Business Event
Canada's 1st LGBTQ+ Trade Mission to Vienna
March 20th 2023
10:00 – 12:30 CET | 14:00 – 16:30 CET
Vienna Business Agency, Schmerlingplatz 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria
About the Event
On March 20th the Canadian LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) was on a historic Trade Mission to Vienna. This mission represented a unique opportunity to learn about supplier inclusion & diversity, about building an LGBTIQ-inclusive business environment and access a network of certified Canadian LGBTQ+ businesses that are eager to connect and do business.
This Trade Mission was open to corporations, international businesses as well as any businesses who are looking to grow their network, explore new business opportunities, and support supplier diversity. It gave the opportunity to meet and engage with Canadian suppliers, attend business-to-business matchmaking sessions, and network with other top industry professionals. This was a historic moment for Canada and we are proud that East meets West was selected as hosting partner for their mission to Vienna, Austria, and with this we continue leading the way in promoting and supporting the growth of LGBTQ+ businesses. There were only two stops of this Trade Mission - the United Kingdom (London) and within the European Union Austria (Vienna).
About the LGBTQ+ Trade Mission
It was the very first CGLCC Trade mission not only to Europe, but also to Vienna. This gave the one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about supplier diversity, access new certified suppliers, and strengthen connections with top industry professionals. Why people attended this Canadian LGBTQ+ Trade Mission?
Getting to now the Canadian LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, their work and their rich program offering
Meeting East meets West and their work as LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce in Austria and the CEE (Central & Eastern Europe) region
Exploring innovative business ideas from diverse Canadian businesses
Networking with an active Canadian LGBTIQ Business community
Finding partners for your existing or future business activities in Canada
The Program and Presentations
On Supplier Inclusion & Diversity and LGBTIQ Business Chamber programs:
Pavel Subrt and Ludo Swinnen, Co-founders East meets West and the European LGBTIQ Chamber of Commerce (EGLCC) || PRESENTATION
Darrell Schuurman, CEO at Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) || PRESENTATION
About the Canadian - Austrian trade and what support Vienna and Austria offer to new business ventures:
Ronan Caillo, Counsellor and Senior Trade Commissioner at Embassy of Canada to Austria || PRESENTATION
Ute Stadlbauer and Karin Zeltner from Vienna Business Agency || PRESENTATION
Michaela Laussegger, Director the Americas at ABA-Invest in Austria || PRESENTATION
On procurement and supply chain excellence:
Jan Janek, Director Procurement Excellence at Deloitte – on supply chain excellence || PRESENTATION
And finally the innovative business ideas from diverse Canadian businesses:
Barnes Management Group (management consulting)
Gardner Productions (advertising and video, event and commercial production and post production)
Skymattix (marketing / promotional / advertising services)
Framework Leadership (consultancy)
UpHouse Inc. (marketing / promotional / advertising services)
Winston-Wilmont, Inc. (marketing / promotional / advertising services)
Growing Greener Innovations (clean energy, tech.)
Warshield (indigenous community consults)
BrainWorks Marketing Inc. (branding / marketing/ strategy)
Fifth Floor Capital (freelance / consulting / copy editing)
About the CGLCC
The CGLCC is the Canadian LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 2002, the CGLCC brings people together and highlights the right resources for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to be even more successful. They exist because LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs already have a huge impact on the Canadian economy, though with barriers. Let us see what this kind of thriving made possible in an inclusive Canada when barriers are removed.
The CGLCC often gets the question: why do you exist? There are Business Chambers at the regional and national level, and the corporations’ support for LGBTQ+ initiatives is on the rise. It’s easy to give a by-the-numbers response. Canada is home to over 100,000 LGBT+-owned businesses. These businesses generate over $22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians. In other words, LGBTQ+ business is big business.
However, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs still face barriers. Nearly half of them still hide who they are in business dealings to avoid losing opportunities, and more than a third have lost opportunities due to being LGBTQ+. There is a growing number of organisations looking to change these stats – one connection at a time. A community of LGBTQ+ businesses, government liaisons and even diverse procurement practices are helping tip the scales. The CGLCC is a coalition of all of these positive forces advocating for change to make a more inclusive Canadian economy possible.
Connect to CGLCC on LinkedIn
Supporting Partners
Organising this special East meets West event would not be possible without the kind help of the many supporting contacts in our East meets West network.