Rene Cantu, President, Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber

July 2026 — Over the past year, the Tampa Bay LGBT Chamber has strengthened its role as a vital resource for the region’s LGBTQ+ business community. Under President Rene Cantu’s leadership, the Chamber has focused on easing community concerns amid political shifts, creating new councils to support business owners, and building partnerships that emphasize inclusion and growth. “Our focus has been on easing people’s fears, building a sense of community, and helping everyone feel more comfortable and optimistic about the future of business in Tampa Bay,” Cantu said.

What changes over the past year have impacted the Chamber, and in what ways?

We’ve really continued to work toward becoming that resource in the community for our members and for the LGBTQ+ community in general. Since the last time we spoke, there was an election that’s been very impactful to our community.

We have business owners and others involved in LGBTQ+ activities who are very concerned and growing weary about how things will move forward. That’s really been the focus for the Chamber, trying to ease people’s fears, create a sense of belonging, and help everyone feel more comfortable and at ease about the future of Tampa Bay’s business community.

Could you share some of the most recent initiatives or collaborations the Chamber has launched to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and business development across the region?

One of our biggest initiatives has been creating a council within the Chamber that focuses specifically on LGBTQ+ business owners. Through private conversations, many of them have expressed the need to network with others in similar situations dealing with discrimination or navigating how open they can be about their identity as business owners.

They’ve shared that sometimes they’re not sure how much of their story they can or should share, and how that might affect their ability to do business. We created the LGBTQ+ Enterprise Council so that they can have meaningful conversations and we can begin developing programming that directly addresses their concerns and helps them feel seen and supported.

Another major development was the cancellation of Tampa Pride for 2026. At a time when our community really needs visibility we saw community leaders begin to act. While the Chamber didn’t initiate the replacement event, we’ve been heavily involved in supporting efforts to ensure something still happens. It’s crucial that our community remains visible and continues to have spaces to celebrate and connect.

How are you adapting your strategy to continue advocating for and supporting your members in this environment?

The more we can create spaces for people to come together and have honest discussions, the better. We started with LGBTQ+ business owners, but our next step is creating similar groups for LGBTQ+ members of the corporate community.

We also want to build a network for LGBTQ+ attorneys, not only for them to connect professionally, but also so they can help our broader membership understand legal changes that might affect them. Whether it’s business owners or families, we want to make sure everyone knows what to expect and how to prepare.

Additionally, we’ve been having great conversations with partners like Brian Lowack at Visit St. Pete–Clearwater about the importance of LGBTQ+ tourism. Tourism is a key part of the regional economy, but Florida isn’t currently seen as an attractive destination because of the political climate. We want to build a council focused on tourism within our Chamber to work directly with partners like Visit St. Pete, ensuring that we continue to promote Tampa Bay as a welcoming, inclusive place to visit and do business.

How is the Chamber working with regional employers to advance equitable hiring practices?

Many of the corporate partners that have historically stood by the LGBTQ+ community remain committed to inclusion. Some are broadening their approach to diversity and taking a more general focus while still keeping an emphasis on marginalized communities.

We’re encouraged by that. Our efforts from the past aren’t being lost. We want to continue to be a resource for these companies, helping them maintain equitable practices for both their workforce and their customers.

Where are you currently seeing the most growth among your members, and what opportunities hold the most promise for LGBTQ+ businesses in the coming years?

I’m seeing more companies joining our Chamber from nontraditional industries, especially construction. We now have contractors, roofers, electricians, and others who are LGBTQ+ and want to run their businesses authentically while still facing some stigma within those fields.

It’s encouraging to see them view the Chamber as a space where they can be both business leaders and their true selves. Technology is another area of growth, particularly AI-related companies. That’s exciting because technology is evolving so rapidly, and having those members within our network helps all of us stay informed and competitive.

Looking ahead to the next two or three years, what are your main goals and priorities for the Chamber?

Growth is a big one, expanding our membership base and the number of programs we offer. We also want to focus on leadership development, building leaders not just for our Chamber but for other nonprofits, corporations, and civic organizations. Creating strong, visible leaders within the LGBTQ+ community is essential for our long-term success.