A new gay and gay-friendly business association is aiming to make its mark by representing a wide range of sectors in Greater Victoria.
Island Community in Business Society is revving up with a membership drive after officially obtaining its non-profit status in May.
"We really want to be as inclusive as possible," Janeen Sam, ICIB chair and an Investors Group consultant.
The association started informally about a year ago, graduating to three meetings per month, which includes a social club, and staging its first business fair in November.
More than 20 businesses signed up for the organization's second business fair yesterday, called "Pizzazz for Pride" at the Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St.
"This evening is a culmination of all that has happened since the last fair," said Johanna Godliman, ICIB media liaison and board member. "People were motivated and starting to come to meetings."
Participants included a mortgage broker, lawyer, interior designer, massage and art therapist, life coach, counsellor, insurance representative, real estate agent, financial adviser, and web designer and graphic artist.
Membership benefits include promotion and links to their business and the society's upcoming website, Godliman said.
In addition to offering memberships at last night's event, the ICIB will also have a table at the Pride Picnic at Fisherman's Wharf on July 5. The ICIB is taking part in the noon Pride parade, she said.
Godliman, a self-defense instructor, and a member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, said that business owners don't have to be gay to join ICIB.
Lis Wooton, an ICIB board member, said events such as business fairs, "present our gay and gay-friendly businesses to the community.
"We hadn't any organization to make contact with one another and be supportive of one another," she said. "It's really great to talk business with liked-minded people in an environment where I am not marginalized for being lesbian."
Wooton said she has made business contacts that will help her companies. She heads Ready Edit, offering printing and publishing services, and Rest Assured, estate and home relocation specialists.
