The GSBA is rolling out the pink carpet for its annual GSBA Impact Awards, dazzling event taking place on March 11, which every year celebrates businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders who have worked to empower and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community.

"We think it's important more than ever to recognize that small business is what really shapes a community or neighborhood, so that's why we recognize these folks," Chris Marcacci, the GSBA's director of marketing, told the SGN. "Not just small businesses, but community leaders and corporate leaders too –everybody who makes this city great and super Queer."

The evening will be hosted by Trae Holiday, who interviews some of the biggest names in pop culture, government, and community on her weekly show; and Besa Gorden, a content creator and on-air personality at iHeart Radio. Instead of having a traditional red carpet, like many award shows do, there will be a bright pink one.

"The main thing that sets us apart as a chamber of commerce is that we do everything with a twist, so it's really just our way of saying that this isn't a stuffy business-dinner sort of event," Marcacci added.

Marcacci said most attendees are customers and supporters, rather than other business owners, and that voting on the honorees is conducted by the public. For example, the nominees for "Capitol Hill Business of the Year" are Nue, a/Stir, Nook & Cranny Books, and Shikorina. The "Non-Profit of the Year" nominees are Reboot Theatre, Gender Justice League, Northeastern University - Seattle, and Pride Across the Bridge. (There are four other categories as well.) Voting closes on March 4.

The Impact Awards event begins at 5 p.m. on March 11 at Seattle's Town Hall.

For more information visit https://thegsba.org/gsba-impact-awards.