Straight Talk is a new conference series designed by dot429 to engage LGBTA thought leaders and the dot429 audience in conversation about provocative ideas in business and the LGBT community.

Join us as industry insiders explore current issues in business, media, entertainment, design, retail and politics.  Social media coach and talk show host, Cathy Brooks, will moderate the conversation and challenge both speakers and audience to discuss penetrating topics pertinent to our community. Our first Straight Talk series will take a look at three industries, fashion design and retail, politics and current affairs, and media and entertainment. We will explore how AUTHENTICITY and TRANSPARENCY impact and inform the future of each of these industries, in particular from an LGBT perspective. In each of the industry discussions we will take a deeper dive on an additional theme: TRUST for Politics and Current Affairs, IDENTITY for Fashion Design and Retail, and PRIVACY for Media and Entertainment.

“The LGBTA community faces myriad issues that, whether taken individually or as a larger picture view, speak to the need for industry leaders to take a long hard look at the way they do business,” said Brooks. “Straight Talk will serve as a non-partisan platform, bringing together some of the greatest minds in industries that employ and affect this community with a focus on moving the conversation towards change and growth.”

WHO

Politics & Current Affairs: Lt. Dan Choi, Kerry Eleveld

Media & Entertainment: Lisa Sherman, Jane Velez-Mitchell

Design & Retail: Suzanne Johnson, Simon Doonan

Straight Talk Schedule of Events:

12:00 -12:45  Registration/ Press

1:00   - 2:00    Politics & Current Affairs

2:30   - 3:30    Media & Entertainment

4:00   - 5:00    Design & Retail

5:00   - 5:30    Closing Discussion

6:00   - 9:00    Cocktails (Available for separate purchase)

dot429 hopes this will be the first of many conferences bringing together leading professionals from every industry to discuss topics which are relevant and contemporary today, adding to the greater dialogue and growth of society at large. dot429 is excited to inspire and engage entrepreneurs and professionals to think outside comfort zones, both on a personal and professional level. “Straight Talk will not only engage the community in frank conversation on topics pertinent to LGBTA business professionals, it will also explore trends across industries and provide insight in how together we can achieve even more.” Sabrina Riddle, dot429 Chief Creative Officer.

A cocktail event follows the Straight Talk conference, providing all in attendance the opportunity to connect and network with the speakers and further elaborate on the ideas explored.

The price of the conference is $150, conference and the Cocktail Reception (held at the Tribeca Grand from 6-9pm) is $175. You can also purchase a ticket for the Cocktail Reception separately for $40.