Globinar The LGBTQ+ Community as an Emerging Market for Multinational Companies

Globinar The LGBTQ+ Community as an Emerging Market for Multinational Companies

• Thursday, June 26th at 9am PT / 10am Mexico / 12pm ET / 4pm Accra / 5pm London / 6pm CET / 7pm Tel Aviv + Kiev + Nairobi / 8pm Dubai / 9:30pm Mumbai
• Friday, June 27th that 12am Singapore / 1am Seoul + Tokyo / 2am Sydney

Join Global Chamber® for an insightful and forward-thinking webinar exploring the LGBTQ+ community as a powerful and growing multinational market. As global demographics shift and younger generations embrace more inclusive identities, understanding the economic potential of LGBTQ+ consumers is more important than ever for forward-looking businesses.

According to recent research by Ipsos, approximately 9% of adults worldwide identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, or asexual—with Generation Z showing even higher levels of identification. This reflects not only a social evolution but a major economic opportunity: the global LGBTQ+ community now commands an estimated $3.9 trillion in annual purchasing power. In the United States alone, LGBTQ+ consumers account for $1.4 trillion in annual spending—comparable to the GDP of entire nations like Spain or Australia.

This webinar is designed for business leaders, marketers, and global executives seeking to understand the scope, influence, and unique characteristics of the LGBTQ+ market. Learn how to authentically engage, support, and grow with this vibrant global community—while positioning your brand as a leader in inclusivity and innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the demographics and economic power of the global LGBTQ+ community

• Learn why inclusivity is a competitive advantage in international markets

• Discover best practices for engaging LGBTQ+ consumers authentically

• Explore case studies and insights from companies leading the way

Don’t miss this opportunity to align your global business strategy with one of the most dynamic and influential consumer segments of the 21st century.

Speaker:

Sam Santiago, CDE® - Certified Diversity Executive | Co-founder, President, and CAO of Grupo Sant Cobián

Sam Santiago, CDE® is a Certified Diversity Executive with over 30 years of experience spanning the airline, hotel, logistics, retail, entertainment, spirits, and hotel trade association industries. He is the co-founder, president, and chief administrative officer of Grupo Sant Cobián—a dynamic startup corporate group focused on artistic talent management, concerts, musical events, spirits, event planning and production, a new-to-market artisanal tequila brand, and the development of a global boutique hotel community.

Throughout his career, Sam has been a passionate advocate for minority communities around the world. At organizations such as American Airlines, the American Heart Association, Ross Stores, and various nonprofits, he has been a leading voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion—designing and implementing global learning initiatives, mentoring programs, and inclusive policies across the human resources, health, retail, arts and culture, and nonprofit sectors.

Sam lives and works in Mexico with his husband, Enrique, and their four Pomeranians. He is an active member of the Global Chamber, where he also serves as a Global Advisor.

Andrés Mejía – Commercial Director at Mexitours DMC

Andrés Mejía is a prominent figure in the Mexican tourism industry, with over 15 years of experience in international promotion, product development, and executive leadership. He currently serves as the Commercial Director of Mexitours DMC, a company with over 45 years of history, nationwide operations, and its own transportation fleet—recognized as one of Mexico’s leading inbound tour operators.

With a strategic and inclusive vision, Andrés has spearheaded key initiatives within the company. In 2012, he launched Leemba, Mexitours’ LGBTQ+ division, becoming a pioneer in this niche within the DMC sector. In 2019, he created Mexincentive, the company’s meetings and incentives division, specializing in corporate travel, incentive programs, congresses, and conventions—solidifying Mexitours’ presence in the MICE market. That same year, he was named by Expansión Magazine as one of “The 41+1 Executives Out of the Closet”, a national recognition celebrating LGBTQ+ leaders who champion inclusion in Mexico. His leadership positioned Mexitours among global powerhouses such as Facebook, Walmart, P&G, and Mastercard in the conversation around diversity and visibility.

From 2016 to 2017, Andrés led the Tourism Cluster of the Mexican Federation of LGBT+ Entrepreneurs (FME LGBT+), advocating for inclusion and professionalization within the travel industry. His impact has been acknowledged by leading media outlets including Forbes, Food and Travel México, Entrepreneur, Invertour, and Ladevi, which have spotlighted his commitment to innovation and equality in tourism. In 2020, Andrés became one of the youngest members to join Skål International, the prestigious global network of tourism professionals. In 2024, he joined the Board of Directors of MPI Mexico Chapter, reinforcing his leadership in the meetings and events industry on both a national and international scale.

Beyond the boardroom, Andrés has also become a powerful voice in the digital space. Thanks to his charisma, entrepreneurial spirit, and authentic passion for travel, he has cultivated a community of over 313,000 social media followers, reaching more than two million monthly interactions through content that promotes Mexico, inspires global travelers, and drives inclusive tourism forward.

Andrés Mejía embodies a new generation of tourism leaders—committed to inclusion, innovation, and elevating Mexico as a diverse, competitive, and world-class destination.

About Global Chamber

Global Chamber® is a diverse, innovative and positive worldwide platform for CEOs, executives, investors and industry leaders across 195 countries and 525 regions around the world to find opportunities and effectively empower growth, success and progress. We're the only chamber of commerce operating in hundreds of locations that delivers strategic connections, information and resources to facilitate exporting, importing and investing across regions and borders, while addressing climate change and advancing sustainability. Be global and UNSTOPPABLE! Global Chamber® is a registered trademark of Global Chamber, LLC since 2014.