The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce's (NGLCC) family of chambers has grown significantly in the first half of 2009 with the addition of five new chambers nationwide.

The new affiliate chambers include the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce (SALGBTCC); the Metro Detroit Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC); the Greater Boston Business Council (GBBC); 3 Degrees GLBT Business & Professional Network in Reno, Nev.; and the Kentuckiana Rainbow Chamber of Commerce (KRCC) representing Louisville, Ky. and Southern Indiana. This brings the total number of NGLCC affiliate chambers to 56, 44 of which are in the United States.

Each chamber will be represented on the NGLCC's Council of Chambers and Business Organizations (CCBO), an NGLCC body that facilitates communication among local LGBT chambers and the NGLCC. The CCBO is also a platform for affiliate organizations to provide guidance and best practices to one another to improve the growth and success of the LGBT business movement across the United States.

"We are pleased to see the LGBT business movement continue to grow," said Kate Karasmeighan, NGLCC's chief of staff and director of affiliate relations. "It is clear that LGBT businesses of different sizes and locations are recognizing the importance of organization and a national connection to the broader LGBT business movement."

The GBBC-one of the largest LGBT chambers in the country with 2,220 members-has placed particular emphasis on their connection to the national LGBT business movement through the NGLCC.

"The Greater Boston Business Council is proud to be one of the NGLCC's newest chambers," said Ed Travers, president of the GBBC. "The GBBC not only hopes to gain great chamber experiences from our fellow chamber members, but also to offer our 20 years of experience as a successful LGBT chamber in our own right."

Travers added that knowledge-sharing is "key" to the LGBT business community, and the addition of the GBBC to the greater LGBT chamber network will provide learning opportunities for all affiliate chambers.

"We are honored to welcome these new chamber affiliates and their quality leaders to the NGLCC family, and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure increased connections and opportunities for all LGBT businesses," said NGLCC co-founder and president Justin Nelson.