Sascha

published on behalf of organizers / cudos to Mark Weeks Photography www.markweeks.com

UK's top gay business leaders look to the future at star-studded London meeting

The leaders and entrepreneurs of Britain's pink economy from the industrial, business, financial, service and creative sectors of the gay industry held their first meeting of 2011 at a prestigious London hotel to discuss ways of taking the best advantage of the post recession economy and to boost the pink pound.

They were joined at the glittering event in the Hotel Verta1, Battersea Wharf, part of von Essen Hotels2, by an array of gay or gay-friendly celebrities and served drinks and canapés by the hunky boys of Globestar Management's Pearls and Pecs in their uniform of G-strings, aprons, boots, socks, and pearls.

Among the 150 guests was singer-songwriter David Jordan who said: "It was an honour to be invited to such a prestigious venue, by a community I feel is completely undervalued by the UK market. It was a fabulous event and an honour to be part of something that is such a significant part of developing the future of equal rights and gay community. I met many creative minds that inspired my music, in a feeling a strength, beauty and battling all odds."

The event was hosted by the Hotel Verta's general manager, Andrew Thomason, and was organised by Jean-Francois Dor, of the Gay Professional Network3, and film producer Matthew John, of Olympus Productions. The Hotel Verta, at London's Vertical Gateway, provided the guests with stunning night views across the River Thames and London as a backdrop to their discussions.

Also present was soul singer Nate James who is one of the world's most successful independent recording artists. He said: "Equal rights is something that is very important to me. As an artist I believe I find inspiration from life experience and diverse cultures. The gay community has been very good to me, nurturing my creative talent and opening my eyes.  But above all, the gay community has great strength as the pink pound and the community rely on the strength of themselves."

This was the first time the Gay Professional Network, which organises regular seminars and workshops and which seeks to help LGBT businesses cope with the economic recession, had met at the Hotel Verta. Commenting on what he saw as the outstanding success of the evening, Andrew Thomason said: "Right from the launch we wanted our hotel to be different. Not just different but better. We're a sensational hotel situated at London's Vertical Gateway: The London Heliport. That really is something unique. And that's why everything we do has to go above and beyond what is expected."