On the evening of Aug. 21, the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois held its 15th annual networking and fundraising event NetWERQ on Lake Michigan.
Members of the group boarded the cruise ship Spirit of Chicago for a night of social connections, professional networking, a full course buffet dinner, dancing and a performance by Dida Ritz of Rupaul's Drag Race. The event also featured a silent auction.
Before the ship left dock, new and recent members of the Chamber gathered at Chef Art Smith's restaurant Reunion for a mixer. The guest speaker for the mixer was Matt Day of Premier Team Building.
Items up for auction included a Chicago Gay Men's Chorus subscription; a two-night stay at the Royal Sonesta Hotel; an Odyssey Chicago river brunch cruise; a one-night stay at the Drake Hotel; a one-night stay for two at Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee; a two-dinner dining gift at Fogo de Chao Restaurant; and a bucket of wine.
All funds from NetWERQ went toward supporting new memberships and the LGBTQ business population, while providing opportunities for skill advancement, development, grants, advocacy, scholarships and LGBTBE certifications.
For more information on The LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, go to www.lgbtcc.com .