We’re a Finalist for Best LGBT-Owned Business in DC? We Feel Like Winners Already.

Sometimes it really is an honor to be nominated. I should know. On Monday of this week, I was notified that RENEWPR is a finalist in the category of Best LGBT-Owned Business for the 2018 Best of Gay DC Awards sponsored by The Washington Blade. Wow. I had no idea we’d been nominated so I was floored when I found out we were finalists. Really, I feel like we’ve already won. I’m proud of our LGBT Business Enterprise certification from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and being called out as one of the best LGBT-Owned businesses in DC by one of the nation's leading LGBT news outlets is a wonderful validation of the decision to seek certification and make that part of our business strategy.

So yes, I’m so honored to be a finalist. But, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to win. You may have already seen a post on our Facebook page, a tweet from @RENEWPRAgency or an update on our LinkedIn page encouraging you to vote for us. If you live in DC you may have also seen a Facebook ad or two. If so, I hope you’ve already voted and will continue doing so once per day (per email address) until Wednesday, September 26 when voting closes. If not, please vote for us.

I understand that just my asking may not be enough for you to vote for us. If you need a little motivation or just want to know why we're worthy, here are fifteen reasons to vote for RENEWPR for Best LGBT-Owned Business in DC:

RENEWPR is a certified LGBT Business Enterprise by the NGLCC - The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
RENEWPR President and owner Ben Finzel volunteers his time on an NGLCC committee and supports the #DC #LGBT business community.
RENEWPR President and owner Ben Finzel is a native Washingtonian and his professional career includes more than 28 years of work in the city.
RENEWPR President and owner Ben Finzel was a founding member of the Lesbian and Gay Congressional Staff Association more than 20 years ago.
RENEWPR President Ben Finzel is actively involved in the LGBT community: he co-founded the first global LGBT communications practice at an international PR firm in 2003 (FH Out Front at FleishmanHillard).
RENEWPR President and owner Ben Finzel is actively involved in the LGBT community: in 2006 while at FleishmanHillard, he co-developed and launched the public relations industry’s first gay and lesbian communications blog – the Out Front Blog.
RENEWPR President and owner Ben Finzel is actively involved in the LGBT community: he led an FH Out Front team that provided pro bono services to PFLAG for their Stay Close campaign launch in 2005.
RENEWPR President Ben Finzel is actively involved in the LGBT community: he served on the Victory Fund Campaign Board for 10 years (2007-2017).
RENEWPR gives back to the LGBT community: we are sponsors of Serving with Pride: OutServe-SLDN's 25th Anniversary Year Kickoff Event at Arena Stage on Wednesday, October 3rd.
RENEWPR supports the DC and LGBT communities: to celebrate our third anniversary in January of this year, we made $1000 donations to Alliance to Save Energy, National Parks Conservation Association and OutServe-SLDN.
RENEWPR works for the LGBT community: in 2015 and 2016, we provided communications counsel and outreach support to the Gill Foundation.
RENEWPR works for the LGBT community: in 2015, we provided media outreach support to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for their historic tour of Cuba.
RENEWPR promotes the LGBT community in the PR industry: in 2017 and 2018, President and owner Ben Finzel participated in keynote panel discussions on diversity at the PRSA Counselors Academy conferences in Seattle and Toronto.
RENEWPR works for the LGBT community: President and owner Ben Finzel in 2018 launched DC Family Communicators, the first professional networking group for LGBT communicators in Washington.
RENEWPR President and owner Ben Finzel is a proud gay man and native Washingtonian and he would like your vote for his firm as Best LGBT-Owned Business in DC.