LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Celebrates 25th Anniversary with New Brand from Strategic Partner TimeZoneOne

CHICAGO - The LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (LGBTCC) is celebrating 25 years of advocating for LGBTQ+ businesses by unveiling a refreshed brand and logo created by its creative agency of record TimeZoneOne (TZO) a global creative communications agency in Chicago. LGBTCC is a business/membership organization that supports and promotes the LGBTQ+ business community statewide and champions LGBTQ+ business interests to the state and city government.

LGBTCC’s new 25th anniversary brand and logo designs are reflective of the core values that represent the LGBTCC mission: unity, community, embracing equality and diversity. The new tagline: Your Business Voice for 25 Years recognizes LGBTCC’s longstanding commitment to bring diverse voices together. TZO also created a secondary tagline for LGBTCC: "Challenge. Champion. Change.” which will support the chamber well beyond its 25th year. This line summarizes exactly what the chamber does: Challenge norms. Champion LGBTQ+ businesses and their voices. All with the goal of inciting change throughout the community. 

“We are beyond excited to mark this milestone anniversary by sharing the Chamber’s new look with all of our members in the LGBTQ+ business community,” said Jerome’ Holston, Executive Director, LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois. “We are grateful to our strategic partner, TimeZoneOne for its creative vision to honor the Chamber’s mission of building awareness for Illinois’ LGBTQ+ business community and empowering the LGBTQ+ community, both socially and economically.”

Founded in 1996 by Chicago LGBTQ+ activists and journalists Tracy Baim and Kevin Boyer, LGBTCCIL has grown its membership from 80 businesses in its early days to over 300 members in 2021, with new businesses joining almost daily. 

“To witness the Chamber grow and thrive over the past 25 years has been a wonderful privilege,” said Tracy Baim, the Chamber’s co-founder and co-founder of Windy City Times. “We celebrate all business owners and organizations who work tirelessly to heighten awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and successes in our state, helping to promote unity and inclusion.” 

For 25 years, the LGBTCC has been a dedicated voice and resource for the LGBTQ+ business community and looks forward to building its membership while serving and empowering the LGBTQ+ community both socially and economically.

“As we celebrate how far we’ve come as an organization, we look forward to a bright, prosperous future for all Chamber members,” said Rico Ricketson, marketing and website chair of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “The key to this vision is unity, which we continue to foster through promotional, networking, and advocacy programs.”

LGBTCC and TZO are committed to growing its strategic partnership as valued business partners to support the chamber’s programs to foster pride in diversity, equality and inclusion. 

LGBTCC also recognizes and is grateful for continued support from its 25th anniversary partners, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Events With A K.

To download the new LGBTCC 25th anniversary logo click here.

About LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois: For 25 years, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (LGBTCC) has been a true voice and dedicated resource for the LGBTQ+ business community statewide. Currently LGBTCC serves more than 300 members throughout Chicago and the state. Members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) business owners, as well as gay-supportive businesses. Together these businesses employ over 2,000 people statewide in the Chicago area, with gross revenues that exceed $200 million. To learn more visit lgbtcc.com. 

About TimeZoneOne: TimeZoneOne is a community of Strategists, Storytellers, Creators & Marketers. A global agency with an un-agency approach. Historically, we’ve done a lot of work in tourism. But, there’s so much more to our story. From retail and CPG to sports, education and membership marketing, our team has vast experience creating inspiring work across a variety of industries. For us, it’s not just what we do. It’s how we do it. Founded in New Zealand in 1994, TimeZoneOne's global headquarters is in downtown Chicago, with offices in New Zealand and Canada. Industry recognition includes Communicator Awards, PRSA Skyline Awards, PCC Skyline Awards, Telly Awards, an Effie, Mercury Award, W3 Awards, and Davey Award. To learn more visit timezoneone.com. TimeZoneOne is part of the Schafer Condon Carter Family.