Thoughts from the Chair Page 2 President’s Perspecve Page 3 Trustee Talk Page 4 Upcoming Special Events Page 5 Membership Highlights Page 6 Calendar of Events Page 7 Sponsor Recognion Page 8 ON YOUR MARK... GET SET... GO! IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014 Have YOU heard? Starng Thursday, June 19 th the Chamber is making it all about YOU! We will kick-off the fesvies with the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence dinner, presented in partner- ship with The Allen Morris Company. Each year the Chamber recognizes five individuals who have emulated George Merrick himself, dedicang their life’s work to the growth and prosperity of The City Beauful. A new addion to this year’s program is the Merrick-in-the- Making Awards, presented by City Naonal Bank. Merrick- in-the-Making will recognize an emerging leader in the fields of innovaon, entrepreneurship and community building. On Friday, June 20 th the revamped Annual Conference will get underway. We’ll start off a full day’s worth of acvies with a Breakfast of Champions, featuring former profes- sional athlete Walter Bond, a.k.a. Mr. Accountability. Spend the day at the new Student Acvies Center located at the University of Miami. The Annual Conference luncheon will feature Your Chamber Speaks, our version of the extremely popular TED Talks... and that’s just half of it! A full day of learning, fun networking opportunies and out- standing speakers are on YOUR conference agenda. For more informaon, contact the Chamber. YOU owe it to yourself to aend! We’ll be there... will YOU? With the Corporate Run in our rear- view mirror and our runners high at its peak, it’s me to boost your com- pany morale and keep those corporate teams moving and grooving! The 19 th Annual Bapst Health Tour of the Gables 5K will hit the pavement on Saturday, May 17, 2014. This run takes you on a scenic route throughout The City Beauful, beginning and ending in front of City Hall, located at 405 Bilt- more Way. Get warmed up at 7:00 AM and get moving with a shotgun start at 7:30 AM. Keep your corporate dream team to- gether! The largest corporate team registered will take home the coveted Chairman’s Cup, presented annual- ly in partnership Miami’s Community Newspapers. A big high-five to this year’s great group of sponsors: Bapst Health South Flori- da, Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Aor- neys at Law, the City of Coral Gables, Bunge, Coral Gables Athlec Club, Epi- cure Gourmet Market and Cafe, MAP- FRE Insurance, Mercanl Commerce- bank, N.A., Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Florida Blue, Miami’s Commu- nity Newspapers and Smiles and Son- risas. We look forward to seeing you all on race day! To register visit teamfoot- works.org. IN THIS ISSUE: !
Transcript
Thoughts from the Chair Page 2
President’s Perspective Page 3
Trustee Talk Page 4
Upcoming Special Events Page 5
Membership Highlights Page 6
Calendar of Events Page 7
Sponsor Recognition Page 8
ON YOUR MARK... GET SET... GO!
IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
Have YOU heard?Starting Thursday, June 19th the Chamber is making it all about YOU! We will kick-off the festivities with the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence dinner, presented in partner-ship with The Allen Morris Company. Each year the Chamber recognizes five individuals who have emulated George Merrick himself, dedicating their life’s work to the growth and prosperity of The City Beautiful.
A new addition to this year’s program is the Merrick-in-the-Making Awards, presented by City National Bank. Merrick-in-the-Making will recognize an emerging leader in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship and community building.
On Friday, June 20th the revamped Annual Conference will get underway. We’ll start off a full day’s worth of activities with a Breakfast of Champions, featuring former profes-sional athlete Walter Bond, a.k.a. Mr. Accountability. Spend the day at the new Student Activities Center located at the University of Miami. The Annual Conference luncheon will
feature Your Chamber Speaks, our version of the extremely popular TED Talks... and that’s just half of it!
A full day of learning, fun networking opportunities and out-standing speakers are on YOUR conference agenda. For more information, contact the Chamber. YOU owe it to yourself to attend! We’ll be there... will YOU?
With the Corporate Run in our rear-view mirror and our runners high at its peak, it’s time to boost your com-pany morale and keep those corporate teams moving and grooving!
The 19th Annual Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K will hit the pavement on Saturday, May 17, 2014. This run takes you on a scenic route throughout The City Beautiful, beginning and ending in front of City Hall, located at 405 Bilt-more Way.
Get warmed up at 7:00 AM and get moving with a shotgun start at 7:30 AM.
Keep your corporate dream team to-gether! The largest corporate team registered will take home the coveted Chairman’s Cup, presented annual-ly in partnership Miami’s Community Newspapers.
A big high-five to this year’s great group of sponsors: Baptist Health South Flori-da, Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Attor-
neys at Law, the City of Coral Gables, Bunge, Coral Gables Athletic Club, Epi-cure Gourmet Market and Cafe, MAP-FRE Insurance, Mercantil Commerce-bank, N.A., Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Florida Blue, Miami’s Commu-nity Newspapers and Smiles and Son-risas.
We look forward to seeing you all on race day! To register visit teamfoot-works.org.
IN THIS ISSUE:
!
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEChairman:
Perry Adair (Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.)Chair-Elect:
Linda Knudsen, (Baptist Health South Florida)Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev:
Barbara K. Norland (The Women’s Fund of Mi-ami-Dade)
Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs: Patrick O’Connell (Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell
Realtors)Vice Chairman-Community Affairs:
Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers)Vice Chairman-Member Affairs:
Commissioner Frank C. Quesada City of Coral Gables
Cynthia Birdsill (Economic Sustainability Department)Coral Gables Community Foundation
Mary SnowMiami-Dade Beacon Council
Nelson Lazo
2013 - 2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
THOUGHTS FROM THE CHAIR
NOTICE TO OUR MEMBERSHIP
Dear Chamber Colleagues:
At the time I am writing this note, we are less than one week away from our Washington, DC Fly-In. In total, there are 16 members in our Fly-In delegation. This is the largest delegation the Chamber has ever sent on a DC Fly-In. The level of participation demonstrates the
Chamber’s dedication to establishing and maintaining strong relationships with our elected representatives at all levels, for the benefit of our members. There are just over four months remaining in my term as Chairman. This is a good time for me to say thank you to my Vice Chairs, committee and task force chairs together with all of the committee and task force members. Your contribution to the success of our Chamber cannot be overstated. It is also a good time for me to say I look forward to working with you over the next four months to finish the Chamber year strong and to make as much progress as possible on the Chamber goals we set for ourselves. The ideas, initiatives, improvements and changes we have developed over the past eight months will serve the Chamber well going forward. We will build upon what we have accomplished as we close out the year. For any member considering getting involved in one of our committees or task forces- it’s not too late. Getting involved now will help you hit the ground running next year when my friend Linda Knudsen assumes the position of Chair. Some of our biggest events are just around the corner. The Baptist Tour of the Gables 5K, the Golf Classic and our re-vamped Annual Conference, which all take place between now and the end of June. All of which are in addition to all of the other programming and events. I encourage all of our members to get engaged in these events not only by attending, but also by encouraging people who are not yet members to take part. Those are my thoughts and as always... Think BIG!
Please be advised that the annual process of electing officers and direc-tors for the Chamber is underway. Beginning in mid-May, Chamber Board elections will be hosted online through a secure voting resource, Ballot Bin (www.ballotbin.com).
Once the “bin” goes live, all Chamber members will receive an e-mail with a login name and password that can be used to vote for those individuals you believe will best serve the Chamber on our Board of Directors.
If you have recently updated your contact information, please notify the Chamber today so we ensure that you have the opportunity to vote on the Chamber’s leadership.
Please contact the Chamber at (305) 446-1657 if you have any questions.
The nominees for the 2014 - 2017 Board of Directors are:� Humberto Comellas, ulltium consulting, Inc. � Andria Hanley, Camillus House � Raquel Hickey, City National Bank � Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel � John Lukacs, Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP � Yesenia Moreno, Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc.� Barbara Norland, The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade� Al Peraza, Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. � Marianne Sioli, Filer Insurance, Inc. � Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - BYE BYE GROUNDHOG DAY
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
Mark A. TrowbridgePresident & CEOCoral Gables Chamber of [email protected] I come into contact with all types of people in my job as Chamber presi-dent.
For nearly eight years, no day at work has been like any other, mostly due to the people I meet, connect with and try to assist in one way or an-other. Many of these good folks are true characters and part of the fabric of our great community. It may seem exhausting to the casual observer to al-ways be engaged in a “let’s go” mode with the “how can I help you” button stuck permanently in the “on” position. But, I actually find it invigorating and where I derive much of my boundless energy. Sure, there are the long days that never seem to end; but for the most part, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to help others, influence decisions and advocate for our membership.
Having just returned from Washington, DC, you will be pleased to know that the task of serving our stake-holders was in full bloom, just like the cherry blossoms that line the National Mall each Spring. In truth, many of our conversations with our elected leaders required the same diligence and care that these beautiful, yet fragile, blooms demand. Whether it was comprehen-sive immigration reform, health care implementation, flood insurance or small business support, we covered every angle in DC with great aplomb.
We began our focused legislative advocacy work eight years ago with a partnership with our sister Chamber. This year, we took the show on the road solo – storm-ing The Capitol with a group of 16 of our leaders and members.
Programs like this are what keeps our Chamber – and our dynamic and diverse membership - lively and fresh. The needs of no two members are alike, much like the fact that no two days are never the same. There’s no Groundhog Day here, my friends.
With the arrival of a new City Manager later this sum-mer, as well as a new BID Director last month, there is change in the air in the Gables. It is worth noting that our five-year relationship with Pat Salerno was one of great productivity and inclusiveness. At no time during my tenure here was our relationship with the City stronger – with special thanks to Pat, his directors and of course, our elected officials.
I will also be thankful to Pat for his engagement with our Chamber and for keeping us top-of-mind on issues affecting businesses in The City Beautiful. We were always in the loop and for this, I am most grateful. I wish Pat and his wife Suzy all the best for the future, just as I do Marina Foglia as she takes over the reins of our downtown BID.
Partnerships are what make our Chamber stronger and one can only hope that one continues to endure and the other strengthens. April showers do indeed bring May flowers and on this May Day, we have much to be thankful for.
We live, work, play and learn in a dynamic City with exceptional services and enduring beauty. Businesses are starting to thrive again and our Chamber contin-ues to grow. Thus, it is our singular goal to make sure that our efforts continue to over-deliver and that no day is like Groundhog Day.
KTHI BIG!
TRUSTEE TALK
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
Springtime Greetings, Fellow Trustees!
As we enjoy the refreshing (but short-lived) and balmy South Florida Spring, please wel-come the newest Trustee members of the
Chamber – DIAGEO, FALCON AMERICAS, INC., JAG INSURANCE GROUP, PS FINANCIAL SERVICES and PETE DE LA TORRE ENTER-PRISE!
Our March Trustee Reception was sponsored by our friends at Doctors Hospital. Highly regarded for their expertise in Sports Medicine, it was quite fitting, and no surprise to the large gath-ering of Trustees, when mascots from several of our local sports teams made guest appearances and happily posed for photo opps. Sports-themed centerpieces on the high top tables, terrific food and fine wine all combined to make the evening relaxing and en-joyable!
You may have met some of our newest Trustees at the March Trustee Luncheon, sponsored by City National Bank. Authors Dr. Sharon Salzberg and ABC news anchor Dan Harris, discussed, with a touch of humor and perspective, “Happiness in the Workplace.” Harris, who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career and pres-ently is co-anchor of ABC’s “Nightline”, brought a terrific sense of ironic humor to his observations, while being both candid and lighthearted. Both Sharon and Dan’s books are “must reads”!
Despite a torrential downpour, we had a great turnout at our April Trustee Reception, sponsored by Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc. at RightSpace2Meet. If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit RightSpace2Meet, take a moment to do so the next time you’re on the Mile. Trustees comfortably mingled, enjoyed delicious ap-petizers courtesy of Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill, and felt quite at home in the inviting setting. This was another great opportunity to get to know your fellow Trustee members!
Looking ahead to the May luncheon, Joe Natoli, C.F.O. of the Uni-versity of Miami will be our much anticipated speaker…and it’s not too soon to mark your calendars for the annual Trustee Invita-tional and Interactive Luncheon at the Biltmore Hotel, scheduled for August 29th. One of the Chamber’s signature events, keep your eye out when reservations open – this will definitely be sold-out quickly! Individual seats and VIP tables will also be available…so stay tuned!
Last, but certainly not least, a tremendous thank you to one of the finest group of Trustee Diplomats ever. Our team never ceas-es in their efforts to ensure that the Chamber’s Trustee members get the most from their investment in the Chamber. Don’t be sur-prised if you hear from one of us to find out how we can enhance your Chamber experience…and, not to be forgotten, lots of special
appreciation to the Chamber staff, whose behind-the-scenes ef-forts make all these events flow seamlessly!
On behalf of the Trustee Council, we look forward to seeing YOU at the next great Trustee Event!
John AllenChair, Trustee CouncilHome Financing Center, [email protected]
TRUSTEE RECEPTIONMarch 11, 2014
Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hos-pital, poses with Mark A. Trow-bridge, President & CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Com-merce at the reception he hosted.
Things just got a little bit hotter! Miami Dolphins mascot T.D. is pictured with four of the Miami Heat Dancers.
Marianne Sioli of Filer In-surance enjoys an exciting evening with friends Drew Kern, Past Chamber Chair-man with Esslinger-Woo-ten-Maxwell Realtors and Amy Donner of Miami’s Community Newspapers.
The evening was complete with live music. Join us at our next Trustee Reception on Tuesday, May 13th at Sushi Maki!
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS @ OUR CHAMBER
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAMEThrough April 2014
$5,000 and Above $2,500 - $4,999
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS
New MembersSince last publication
345 Caffe ItalianoAlexander J. Alfano
Area Stage CompanyBevintel of MiamiBevintel of Miami
Blue Pearl Therapeutic P.A.Camillus HouseCatalyst Miami
Export Trade BrokersF.I.U. - TRAC
Falcon Americas, Inc.George Lakis LLC
Grove Networks, Inc.HKS Architects, Inc.
Iron Tribe Fitness Coral GablesJAG Insurance Group
Junior League of MiamiLeviton Manufacturing
Love is BlindMAPFRE Insurance
Melissa AguilarMiami Model Citizens
New York LifePete De La Torre Enterprise
Pincho FactoryPrestigious Image Barbershop and Spa
Professional BankPS Financial Services
Risk Management Intelligence, Inc. (RMI)Ronald McDonald House CharitiesSesDerma Urban Spa & Skin Shop
Sukol Corp.Unlimited Title Group
W South BeachZoom Locker
*BOLD denotes Trustee Member
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
May 7th
Rising Star Awards Signature Soirée - 5:30 PMBacardi USA│2701 Le Jeune RoadSponsor: Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell RealtorsSupporting Sponsors: Bacardi USA, The Biltmore Hotel, DEX Imaging & IPFoneCost: $30 Members; $40 Guests; $100 for 4 admissions
May 16th
Commercial Real Estate Outlook Breakfast - 8:00 AMWestin Colonnade Coral Gables│ 180 Aragon AvenueGame Changers! The People, the Projects and the marketPlace! Sponsored By: TotalbankSupporting Sponsors: The Allen Morris Company, Blanca Commercial Real Estate & Miami TodayIn Partnership With: CREW-Miami, Miami Association of Realtors & Realtors Commercial AllianceCost: $35 Members; $45 Guests; $350 VIP Table of 10May 17th
Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K - 7:00 AMShotgun Start - 7:30 AMCity Hall│405 Biltmore WayPresenting Sponsor: Baptist Health South FloridaSupporting Sponsors: Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Attorneys at Law, City of Coral Gables, Bunge, Coral Gables Athletic Club, Epicure Gourmet Market and Cafe, MAPFRE Insurance, Mercantil Commercebank, N.A., Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables, Florida Blue,Miami’s Community Newspapers & Smiles & SonrisasTo register visit teamfootworks.org
May 22nd
Good Morning Coral Gables - 7:30 AMBiltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue
Sponsor: Miami HeraldSpeaker: Alexandra Villoch, President & Publisher, Miami Herald
Topic: Transforming the Miami Herald Media Company - the New Media World
Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 5/9; $35 Late & On-Site Members; $45 GuestsMay 29th
Sponsor: Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.Partners: Chamber South & Doral Business Council
Topic: Join us for a re-cap of the 2014 legislative session that just ended in Tallahassee. Hear from experts on how decisions made and bills
recently passed will affect your business.Cost: $25 CGCC, Chamber South & DBC Fee by May 23rd;
$30 Late Member Fee; $30 GuestsJune 19th
George E. Merrick Award of Excellence Dinner - 6:30 PMThe Biltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue
Sponsored By: The Allen Morris CompanyJune 20th
It’s all about YOU! - Annual Conference - ALL DAYUniversity of Miami - Student Center│1330 Miller Drive
Presented By: Baptist Health South Florida
• AXA Advisors, LLC• Bacardi USA• Baptist Health South Florida• Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. - Miami Division• Brown-Forman Beverages• Cherry Bekaert LLP• City of Coral Gables• City National Bank• Credomatic Merchant Services• Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors• Doctors Hospital• Florida Blue• Home Financing Center, Inc.
• Mercantil Commercebank, N.A.• Miami Herald• Logistical Outsourcing, Inc.• Photo Offset, Inc.• RightSpace2Meet• South Florida Business Journal• University of Miami• U.S. Century Bank
• The Allen Morris Company• AT&T• Bay Plumbing Company• Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.• Comcast Business• Coral Gables Hospital• Florida Power & Light• Gulliver Schools• Intermedia Touch, Inc.• Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Attorneys at Law• Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables• Montica Jewelry• South Motors• TotalBank• United Way of Miami-Dade
‘14EVENTS CALENDAR
May │ June
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
28 29 30 1 2
5 6 7 8 9
12 13 14 15 16/17
19 20 21 22 23
26 27 28 29 30
2 3 4 5 6
9 10 11 12 13
16 17 18 19 20
23 24 25 26 27
8:00 AMGlobal Business Affairs
Committee Meeting
12:00 PMRE-Connect Luncheon
5:30 PMRising Star Awards
Signature Soirée
8:00 AMChairman’s Ambassadors
Committee Meeting9:00 AM
Women’s Business NetworkCommittee Meeting &
Health Care Task Force Meeting
8:00 AMYELP! Seminar
5:30 PMTrustee Reception
8:00 AMBusiness & Gov’t Affairs
Committee Meeting8:00 AM
Small Business Committee Meeting
9:00 AMCultural Affairs
Committee Meeting
8:00 AMM-Team Committee Meeting
9:00 AM Tech Task Force Meeting
8:00 AMS.E.E. Green
Committee Meeting11:30 AM
WBN Luncheon
8:30 AMIMPACT: A Seminar Series
for Small Business
7:30 AMGood Morning Coral Gables
(please note date change)9:00 AM
20/30 Group Committee Meeting
11:45 AMTrustee Luncheon
8:00 AMBusiness & EducationCommittee Meeting
8:00 AMGlobal Business Affairs
Committee Meeting
12:00 PMRE-Connect Luncheon
5:30 PMWind Down Wednesday
8:00 AMChairman’s Ambassadors
Committee Meeting9:00 AM
Women’s Business NetworkCommittee Meeting
8:00 AMGolf Classic
9:00 AMCultural Affairs
Committee Meeting
8:00 AMM-Team Committee Meeting
11:30 AMWBN Luncheon
9:00 AMHealth Care Task Force
Meeting
11:45 AMTrustee Luncheon
6:30 PMGeorge E. Merrick Award
of Excellence Dinner
8:00 AMCommercial Real Estate
Outlook Breakfast7:00 AM
Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K
ALL DAYAnnual Conference
9:00 AMChamber 101
8:00 AMBusiness & EducationCommittee Meeting
MEMORIAL DAYCHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
9:00 AMChamber 101
8:00 AMLegislative Round-Up
3:00 PMRestaurant Meeting
@ SWINE
11:30 AMChow Down
With the Chairman
Washington DC Fly-In • Washington DC Fly-In • Washington DC Fly-In
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION
WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON TRUSTEE RECEPTION
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
AXA ADVISORS BUSINESSWOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
TASTE OF THE CHAMBER GREEN MEANS GREEN AWARDS
MARCH APRIL MARCH APRIL
MARCH APRILAPRIL
MARCH APRIL
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
