L ights! Camera! Action! The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will host our annual Chairman’s Reception at the Biltmore Hotel on Thursday, September 10th, at 6:00 p.m. The event will be a showcase of local Chamber businesses, as well as a spotlight of home-grown Chamber talent as we offer Karaoke during the annual table-top extravaganza. “Attendees will have the opportunity to see first- hand the excellent products and services many of their fellow Chamber members offer,” said Sarah Artecona, who will be introduced as the new Chamber Chair during the reception. In addition to showcasing businesses, the Chairman’s Reception gives members a chance to become involved and encourages new members to get engaged in the Chamber. By joining committees, members work closely with others and build relationships that will create business opportunities for them. “Through active involvement, each member will see the fruits of their labors in new and exciting ways,” said Artecona. “During these challenging economic times, you can rely on the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce to continue delivering high- quality events and programs that will directly benefit your business,” said Artecona. “A little effort can go a very long way.” Tickets to the event have been lowered this year to $30 for Members and $40 for Future Chamber Members. Table -Top displays are $250 for Members and $350 for Future Chamber Members. For more information, contact the Coral Gables Chamber at 305-446-1657. www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 IN THIS ISSUE: • Chairman’s Remarks • President’s Perspective • Trustee Talk • Diamond Award • Sponsor Opportunities • Gables BID Corner • Calendar of Events • Sponsor Recognition page 2 page 3 page 4 page 5 page 5 page 6 page 7 page 8-9 DEVELOPING BUSINESS ♦ BUILDING COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | 2009 2009 CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION & TABLE-TOP EXPO - YOUR CHAMBER’S GOT TALENT! LARRY M. NOLAN Coral Gables Chamber CHAMBER TO INSTALL NEW CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS LARRY M. NOLAN Coral Gables Chamber Chamber Print and Web Advertising Opportunities! Please take advantage of our special Chamber member pricing for your communication needs through the Chamber: - Direct Web Marketing to our membership database of over 1,400 active emails - Advertising in a Chamber-focused Newspaper pull-out section of the Coral Gables News-Tribune - Advertising in our online version of the Coral Gables Newsletter, the Chamber Connection For further information on how to take your membership and your business to a new level, please contact Director of Communications Larry Nolan at [email protected]The membership of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce elected five new members to the Board of Directors this past Spring. Those elected to the Board for a three-year term are Gabe Castrillon, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables; George Feliciano, Bay Plumbing Company; Drew Kern, EWM Realtors; Maria Llorca, Village of Merrick Park and Marti Mang, TotalBank. These members of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will serve on the Board of Directors through August 31, 2012. In addition, the following members of the Board were nominated and approved by the current Board of Directors to the following positions: Chair-Elect: John O’Rourke, Montica Jewelry Treasurer: Raquel Hickey, Coconut Grove Bank Parliamentarian: Gail McQuilken, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Vice Chair - Int’l Affairs: Deirdre Nero, Nero Immigration Law Vice Chair – Economic Development: Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects Vice Chair – Member Affairs: Luis Alvarado, AXA Advisors Vice Chair – Special Events: Claire Lardner, FrameWorks Vice Chair – Gov’t & Legis.: Jim McCoy, Holly Sime Realty Vice Chair - Community Affairs - Frank Fernandez, U.S. Century Bank Chairman’s Appointee: Manuel Alvarez, International Finance Bank Our new Chair Sarah Nesbitt Artecona has also appointed to the Board: Nick Deas of Northwestern Mutual; OJ TURN TO PAGE 5 Artecona The season is just beginning and the Chairman’s Reception provides an excellent opportunity for all of us to showcase ourselves and our companies. Sarah Nesbitt Artecona Chamber Chair
Transcript
Lights! Camera! Action! The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will
host our annual Chairman’s Reception at the Biltmore Hotel on Thursday, September 10th, at 6:00 p.m.
The event will be a showcase of local Chamber businesses, as well as a spotlight of home-grown Chamber talent as we offer Karaoke during the annual table-top extravaganza.
“Attendees will have the
opportunity to see first-hand the e x c e l l e n t p r o d u c t s and services many of their fellow C h a m b e r
m e m b e r s offer,” said
Sarah Artecona, who will be introduced as the new Chamber Chair during the reception.
In addition to showcasing businesses, the Chairman’s Reception gives members a chance to become involved and encourages new members to get engaged in
the Chamber. By joining committees, members work closely with others and build relationships that will create business opportunities for them.
“Through active involvement, each member will see the fruits of their labors in new and exciting
ways,” said Artecona.“During these challenging
economic times, you can rely on the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce to continue delivering high-quality events and programs that will directly benefit your business,” said Artecona. “A little effort can go a very long way.”
Tickets to the event have been lowered this year to $30 for Members and $40 for Future Chamber Members. Table -Top displays are $250 for Members and $350 for Future Chamber Members.
For more information, contact the Coral Gables Chamber at 305-446-1657.
Chamber Print and Web Advertising Opportunities!Please take advantage of our special Chamber member pricing for your
communication needs through the Chamber:
- Direct Web Marketing to our membership database of over 1,400 active emails - Advertising in a Chamber-focused Newspaper pull-out section of the Coral Gables News-Tribune - Advertising in our online version of the Coral Gables Newsletter, the Chamber Connection
For further information on how to take your membership and your business to a new level,please contact Director of Communications Larry Nolan at [email protected]
The membership of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce elected five new members to the Board of Directors this past Spring. Those elected to the Board for a three-year term are Gabe Castrillon, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables; George Feliciano, Bay Plumbing Company; Drew Kern, EWM Realtors; Maria Llorca, Village
of Merrick Park and Marti Mang, TotalBank.
These members of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will serve on the Board of Directors through August 31, 2012.
In addition, the following members of the Board were nominated and approved by the current Board of Directors to the following positions:
Chair-Elect: John O’Rourke, Montica Jewelry
Treasurer: Raquel Hickey,
Coconut Grove BankParliamentarian: Gail
McQuilken, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton
Vice Chair - Int’l Affairs: Deirdre Nero, Nero Immigration Law
Fall always reminds me of the same things; kids are back in
school, football season begins, the hot weather finally comes to a close and another Chamber year begins! I am excited about the many things on our horizon in the coming year.
First, the positive. Our “Great Expectations” Goals Conference exceeded budget and broke attendance records. The one-day event proved to be successful as we were mindful of members’ budget and time constraints. Our goal setting sessions were in some cases standing room only and our speakers timely in their remarks. Mayor Don Slesnick, Commissioner Ralph Cabrera, City Manager Pat Salerno, County Manager George Burgess, Commissioner Carlos Gimenez all joined us for part of the day, our largest attendance by our government officials in recent years.
Goals also gave us the opportunity to network and reconnect with Chamber businesses. In the months ahead, I’ll take the opportunity to remind everyone “Chamber First.” That means doing business with your fellow Chamber members. Please call them first for any of your needs. If you don’t know who to call, your Chamber office is just a phone
call away and Sharon or any of the staff can help you find the business you need. During difficult times, we need to join our forces together and help one another.
During the last several months, I’ve been asked by members what they can do to improve their bottom line. How they can stand out? How can the Chamber help them?
Step 1 - First, come to Chamber events! Make a point of attending the Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast. Become active in a committee. Sponsor an event. And once you collect those business cards, connect by LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter; take the next step and find out more about those companies and make an effective follow up call.
The second way to help your business is to stand out in a crowd. A business owner recently told me he was not getting any Chamber business and yet when I asked him if he had attended events, met new leads, or sponsored any events, he told me no. If fact, he couldn’t name one person he knew in the Chamber! If you share this member’s concerns, take note. Come to Good Morning Coral Gables September 17 and follow Step 1! Then repeat!
Our Small Business Czar John Knowles and Brian Barakat, Committee Chair for RE-Connect (formerly the Business Builders Group) have some great new programs for our membership that we will launch in September, as well.
I look forward to seeing you at a Chamber event or business!
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PHOTO BY LARRY M. NOLAN | CORAL GABLES CHAMBER LEFT TO RIGHT: Pat Morgan, Nancy Perez, Chamber Chair Sarah Nesbitt Artecona, Honorable Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, Elizabeth Gonzalez-Laza and Mark A. Trowbridge
Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEOCoral Gables Chamber of [email protected]
Happy New Year Chamber members! September marks the beginning of our fiscal year, as well as the opportunity
to welcome our new Chair, Sarah Nesbitt Artecona, to the helm of the Chamber.
Sarah has served in a variety of capacities in the Chamber over the past few years on her pathway to the Chair role, including serving as Chair of the Council of Trustees, as well as various positions on the Executive Committee.
Sarah and her Board will be sworn in officially at the September 17th Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast, where the Mayor will give his annual State of the City address. In addition, on Thursday, September 10th, Sarah will serve as host of our annual Chairman’s Reception, which this year celebrates an action-packed three-for-all: networking reception, committee sign-up and the ever-popular Fall table-top business expo.
These are exciting times in our Chamber, with our leadership and volunteers engaged in numerous activities that will impact our business community significantly over the next year. With a refined focus on local, state and federal issues affecting businesses of all sizes, to new events that explore our real estate, green and international markets, the Chamber is committed to our members and helping you grow your businesses.
A few changes are on the horizon, as well. You will note that our newsletter will now be produced and e-mailed on a bi-monthly basis (September/October, November/
December, etc.). This is one of our efforts to become more green and cost-conscious as a Chamber. We will continue to have our 6-page spread in the Coral Gables Tribune, our local community newspaper that will run in the months we do not e-mail a newsletter (October, December, etc.).
We also will have a new presence in the Miami Herald’s Neighbors section. Very attractive advertising rates will be available to members, as well as featured space for Chamber advertorials. This guarantees a wider circulation beyond our membership and helps us achieve our goals of communicating regularly with our members. We believe this to be a good business practice and appreciate your support.
Even in a sluggish economy filled with tremendous uncertainty, the Chamber is the one constant – a place to make meaningful connections that will lead to new business, new partnerships, and even new friendships. Now is the time to renew your membership, get more strongly engaged, and find the right spot in the Chamber that will help you be successful.
Our new Chair has focused her year on Great Expectations, with our members squarely at the top of our organization chart. It is our goal each day to be responsive to our members, our community, and our businesses. This requires a total team effort, each of us excelling in our respective roles and committing fully to developing business and building community.
As I begin my fourth year at the helm of the Chamber, I am constantly reminded how fortunate I am to lead a Chamber that is truly dynamic and diversified, committed and community-oriented, responsive and relevant, as well as in-touch and in-sync with the needs of our members. Thank you for your confidence and commitment to our Chamber.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY LARRY M. NOLAN | CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OUR SUPERSTARS: Chamber President & CEO Mark A Trowbridge, Above left: Patrick Harris, WLRN and above right: Terrence “TL” Brown, Great Florida Bank
PHOTOGRAPHS BY LARRY M. NOLAN | CGCC
GIVING IT HIS ALL: Patrick Harris perfoming his rendition of Mountain Music!
OUR CHAMBER SHOWS OFF ITS TALENT!
PHOTOGRAPHS BY LARRY M. NOLAN | CGCC
GOOD TIMES: Mark and Board Member Maria Llorca of The Village of Merrick Park enjoy the talent show!
Alan RandolphThe Bank of MiamiCGCC Trustee Council [email protected]
Dear Trustee MembersAs the new chair of the Trustee Council, I
would like to first thank our Chair Sarah Nesbitt Artecona for asking me to lead this dynamic group of business leaders in the Coral Gables
community. I look forward to building upon a great foundation that has been established by so many past Chairs since the inception of the Coral Gables Chamber in 1925.
With the challenges we have experienced in our professional careers over the last 12 months, I thought it was only appropriate to set a new theme for the upcoming year for the Diplomats and the Trustees Council. My primary focus will center around the tagline “Back to the Basics: Introductions and Building Relationships”. The first Chamber of Commerce was established in 1768 to create an association of businesspersons for the promotion of commercial interests in your community. This year, it is important that the Trustees focus on the value of their membership through introductions and by building new
relationships within their business, their community and your Chamber.As Chair, our first Trustee luncheon will be held on September 23rd
at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables with Leonard Abess Jr. as our keynote speaker. If you remember, Mr. Abess was so generous to his employees who worked for him and with him for the growth and success of City National Bank, later to be sold to Caja Madrid. His story is inspiring and ties directly to the Coral Gables community.
This year, I plan to look for new venues for our Trustee networkers, to find dynamic speakers for our monthly luncheons and to partner with other committees and organizations. I need your help and your ideas. My philosophy is always with an open door policy for all Trustees to answer questions, assist them with their businesses, exchange conversation and grow through a consensus of thinking. Also, cultivating new leadership through the Trustees experience will ensure the future success of the Diplomats and the Council. And don’t forget in October to join us for our Trustee Reception at Flemings, sponsored by Bay Plumbing Company and the Trustee Luncheon featuring Juan del Busto of the Federal Reserve.
I look forward to meeting each of you and don’t be surprised if I call you asking for a suggestion. Let’s make it fun and build strong relationships together.
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TRUSTEE INVITATIONAL & INTERACTIVE LUNCHEON
TRUSTEE TALK
FOOD! FOLKS! FUN!: TOP: Marti Mang follows the recipe. TOP LEFT: Eric Swensson, Mark A. Trowbridge and Leslie Lott. TOP RIGHT: Leslie Lott mixing it up! MIDDLE LEFT: Spectators eagerly await their colleague’s culinary creations. MIDDLE RIGHT: Claribeth Valencia looks like a pro with a spatula. BOTTOM LEFT: Past-Chair Sergio Barerra sharing his trademark smile with the table. BOTTOM RIGHT: Mark A. Trowbridge with Chef Nino Pernetti of Caffe Abbracci and Past-Chair Marc Berenfeld. BOTTOM: Chef Nino instructs the eager “cooks” in the crowd.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALBERTO ROMEU | ALBERTO ROMEU PHOTOGRAPHY
THOUGHTS FROM SOME OF THE NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce has a large cache of sponsorship opportunities available for the upcoming year!
Monthly events like Good Morning Coral Gables and our very popular Women’s Business Network Luncheons are vehicles that will be sure to help drive your business into the spotlight of the Coral Gables business community!
Included with these monthly
events, like Wind Down Wednesday and Trustee functions, the Chamber also hosts larger events throughout the year.
The Businesswomen of the Year Awards, Diamond Awards, Holiday Party, Real Estate and International Forums and Goals Conference all create and broaden ways to educate the Chamber community about your company and ultimately create better business opportunities for you.
With more than 100 networking programs annually
hosted by the Chamber, there is truly something for everyone! The Chamber is focused on providing a platform from which strong business relationships can be formed.
Along with sponsoring events, there are many other ways to market your company through the Chamber.
We can help you find the right Chamber event, publication, online platform or other activities to help cultivate and grow your business.
In our Sponsorship Opportunities Handbook and
on our web site we have a list of sponsor benefits for each event that outlines the many ways the Chamber promotes your business through sponsorship and advertising. Our staff is available to answer any questions pertaining to event sponsorships or our publications.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND AT THE CHAMBER NEXT YEAR!
CHAMBER TO HONOR OUTSTANDING BUSINESSES FOR OUR DIAMOND AWARDS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT - BOARD INSTALLATION TO BE ON SEPTEMBER 17
Mendoza of AETNA; Martha de la Pena Rojas of BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, Ari Rollnick of kabookaboo Marketing and Perry Adair of Becker & Poliakoff.
These new members of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, along with new Chair Sarah Nesbitt Artecona, will be officially installed by Judge Federico Moreno on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at the Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast.
“I’m excited about our 2009-10 Board of Directors. They are a group dedicated to the Chamber and bring energy and insight to the table, ” Artecona said about the upcoming year.
I want to provide the
best networking opportunities for businesses of all
sizes. Focusing on small businesses
makes sure we help them get the most out of their
membership. I also want to try to find
a way to offer more benefits with your membership and
have all businesses feel like we offer a
great value.
LARRY M. NOLANCoral Gables Chamber
I hope to play a key role in
connecting people with each other and maintaining
a very welcoming and friendly
atmosphere at all of our gatherings.I also want to build closer connections
with the Coral Gables community,
as this is one of the primary communities
served by TotalBank.
My goal as a returning board
member is to help the Coral
Gables Chamber of Commerce
as it continues to support its members and
local businesses to position
themselves to best capitalize on the opportunities
presented by our recovering
economy.
MAR
TIM
ANG
DREW
KERN
GEOR
GEFE
LICI
ANO
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the 12th Annual Diamond Awards.
Presented by Montica Jewelry, the Coral Gables Chamber’s Diamond Awards were created in 1997 and annually honor businesses in our community that achieve luminous success.
The criteria used to judge the applicants are excellence
in business achievement, business engagement, corporate citizenship, customer service and workplace environment.
The Diamond Awards will take place on Friday, November 13th at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables.
The applications are due by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 1st.
The application is available
on our web site: www.coralgableschamber.org.
For additional information, contact Erica Dominguez at the Chamber at 305-446-1657 or via e-mail at [email protected]
Our title sponsor, Montica Jewelry, offers the best styles and designs in fashion-forward fine jewelry and specializes in diamond trends. With more than 25 years of experience in the jewelry business, their dedication to stellar customer service sets Montica apart from the pack. Owners John and Marichi O’Rourke enhanced the Montica Experience in 2006 when they moved to Miracle Mile. It has been a brilliant success ever since!
LARRY M. NOLANCoral Gables Chamber Applications are due
Get fresh and to the minute scoop on the lastest sales, events and happenings in Downtown Coral Gables by becoming a fan on Facebook and also
following us on Twitter. You’ll be the first to hear about events and special offers in Downtown Coral Gables, as well as making new friends with fellow
Coral Gables enthusiasts. We look forward to being your friend!
www.facebook.com/shopcoralgables
www.twitter.com/shopcoralgables
Downtown GablesBID INSIDER
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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
SPONSORSHIP/INVESTOR HALL OF FAMEthrough 08/31/09
$5,000 and aboveThe Allen Morris CompanyAXA Advisors, LLCBaptist Health South FloridaBay Plumbing CompanyBerenfeld Spritzer Shechter & Sheer LLPThe Biltmore HotelCity of Coral GablesCoconut Grove BankColliers Abood Wood-FayGulliver SchoolsHyatt Regency Coral GablesInternational Finance BankMontica Jewelry TotalBankUniversity of Miami
$2,500 - $4,999Aetna, Inc.AT&T
Becker & PoliakoffBlueCross Blueshield of FloridaBusiness Centers InternationalBusiness Improvement District of Coral GablesFlorida Power & LightGables Financial Group, Inc.Junior Orange Bowl Committee Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, P.A. Mercantil Commercebank, N.A.Miami Christian SchoolNew England FinancialResponse Publishing GroupTurner Contruction CompanyVictoria & Associates Career ServicesWalmart
• AAA Auto Club South• Abern Financial
• ASAP Services, LLC. • Big Game Liquors• Bioseafood, LLC• Bovis Lend Lease
• Caffe Abbracci• Colossal Multimedia, Inc.
• D&B Tile• Designer’s Specialty Millwork
• Don Chile• Ecolo Blue, Inc.• Estrada Roofing
• GlobalBiz Tax & Business Consuting
• Hugo P. Arza, P.A.• Joffe & Joffe LLC
• Malloy & Malloy, P.A.• Ecolo Blue, Inc.• Mark Johnson
• Michele V. Johnson/Attorney• Nero Immigration Law, P.L.
