SCORE ROUNDTABLE IN BARTOW COMING UP
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FREE to Business Owners and those interested in starting a business, on the second Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Chamber: The popular SCORE Roundtable for businesses! Join us the 2nd Thursday of every month as we explore various topics of interest to our members. Chamber Business Roundtable is brought to you through the partnership between SCORE, Polk County SBA Center and the Chamber. To register, go to www.bartowchamber.com, or you may click here.
NEXT ROUNDTABLE: The Essentials of Social Media
25th ANNIVERSARY OF JUST SAY NO
It's hard to believe, but on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, we'll be celebrating 25 years of the Community-based public education effort, JUST SAY NO to drugs. If you'd like to donate to help fund this program, send your check payable to "JUST SAY NO" to CenterState Bank, ATTN: Anita Stasiak, 1375 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. Thank you for your consideration to help support this struggle against drugs!
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Orpheum Theatre and Academy of Performing Arts
Ms. Jenny Heidtman
Bartow, FL 33830
(718) 408-0653
website
Join Date: 03/12/2015
INSURANCE AGENCIES
LegalShield
Mr. Clive Harding
Winter Haven, FL 33884
(863) 324-1058
website
Join Date: 03/13/2015
ASSNS, CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
Mid-Florida SHRM
Ms. Andrea Prather
(863) 640-2459
website
Join Date: 03/30/2015
BOTTLED WATER & FILTER COOLER SYSTEMS
Water Boy, Inc.
Mr. Scott McLaughlin
1808 Olive St.
Lakeland, FL 33815
(800) 346-6080
website
Join Date:04/01/2015
ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING/ TAX SERVICE
Small Business Accounting
Ms. Sheree Vickers
1135 W. Clinton St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 712-0894
Join Date:04/13/2015
CHAMBER EVENTS & MEETINGS
Meetings are at the Chamber unless listed otherwise.
APRIL
Wednesday, April 29, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Professional Development
Academy
Sherran Spurlock
Small Business Development
Polk State College Clear Springs
Advanced Technology Center
310 Technology Dr., Bartow MAY Dates here.
COMMITTEE OF 100
The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, May 8, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Committee of 100 meetings are held at the Health and Life Center (old Hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at (863) 533-4196. CLICK FOR A LIST OF MEMBERS
CLASSIFIEDS
$25 per run (up to 35 words), call 533-7125 or email Virginia.
COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE Furnished: $2500 square feet; $250,000. 690 E. Davidson Street, Bartow, FL 33830. Former law office in excellent condition, only 6 blocks from the Polk County Courthouse. Large foyer and central work area with multiple high-end filing cabinets, surrounded by 6 private offices and library/conference room, with built-in bookshelves, kitchenette, 2 ceramic tile bathrooms, 1 shower stall, cable, and security system. Corner lot with plenty of off-street parking. Excellent location in County Seat for any enterprise dealing with state and local government. Contact Chuck Bentley at (863) 533-7733 or email Chuck.
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sharon Casey, President
Community Southern Bank
Myrtice Young, Immediate Past President
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Jennifer Hall, President-elect, Vice President
SEMCO Construction
Gail Smith, Treasurer
Community Southern Bank
Emily Spath Clark, Vice President
Spath Jewelers
Clint Edwards, Vice President
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Rob Clancey, Vice President
Polk State College
Carole McKenzie, Vice President
Polk County Farm Bureau
Shannon Medley, Vice President
Florida Industrial and Phosphate
Research Institute
DIRECTORS
David Carmichael
Boswell & Dunlap, LLP
Lennon Jordan
Madrid Engineering Group
Jeremy M. Katzmann, MD
Watson Clinic
Jeff Kincart
A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure
J.C. Martin
Kelley Buick GMC
Phil Minden
Bartow Regional Medical Center
Callie Neslund
Mosaic
Josh Palmer
Palmer Insurance Agency, Inc.
Freda Ridgway
Mosaic
Carlos Sandoval
Bartow Ford Company
David Sandow
Spherion Staffing
Anita Stasiak
CenterState Bank
Lea Ann Thomas
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Valerie Tillmon
Citizens Bank & Trust
RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW FOR THE MAGAZINE
 Reserve your space now in the Summer Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 20,000 households for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information. |
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
We're very excited that the upcoming SCORE / Chamber Business Roundtable will be about Social Media and how it may be used to grow your business.
I have seen subtle and not so subtle ways a business can pin, post, share and tweet without actually hawking wares, and thereby avoid becoming an unwelcome intrusion to the audience.
I appreciate a business using quotes from its industry leaders in social media. This is an incredibly subtle way to pair itself with the ones who drive thought leadership in a business field. The company's name becomes synonymous with success by associating with top influencers. Nice.
I've seen a local company offering prizes for sharing positive experiences about it on Facebook. The clever company is making its audience work for it, and I bet sales have picked up.
Another company, also local, lately offered a contest that was both interesting and lucrative. The winner received a fabulous prize; and a large number of people on Facebook wanted to be involved.
Sign up today (the link is in this newsletter) for the SCORE/Chamber Business Roundtable coming up May 14. I'm sure SCORE will offer many more examples.
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015
SPIRIT OF BARTOW 2015
The May joint civic club luncheon, the annual Spirit of Bartow Awards, is set for Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at the Bartow Civic Center, where individuals and/or groups will be honored for their contributions to the Bartow community and whose accomplishments made a positive impact on the area’s quality of life.
Recognized at the luncheon will also be the Bartow Chamber Diplomats, a special group of volunteers who donate their time to operating the Chamber’s Visitors and Welcome Center. Some Diplomats work in the front office, while others continue to help with the newsletter, special projects and events.
Public safety professionals of the year for EMT, firefighter and Bartow police officer will be given awards.
The event, including lunch, is $10. Watson Clinic and the Center for Cancer Care and Research are luncheon sponsors.
The serving line opens at 11:45 a.m., and the program begins at noon. For more information, please contact Linda Holcomb at the Bartow Chamber, (863) 533-7125.
NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR SPIRIT OF BARTOW HERE.
Carver Young receives a Spirit of Bartow award from another winner of the award in 2014, Dr. Thomas McMicken.
ORDER PIG OUT! BARTOW MEALS HERE
CLICK ON THE PIG AND ORDER YOUR MEALS TODAY!
SIGN UP AT THE CHAMBER WEBSITE!
Polk State Corporate College, Bartow Chamber
Partner for Professional Development Academy
Polk State College and the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce are partnering to create a series of seminars and classes for local professionals.
The Greater Bartow Chamber Professional Development Academy's next workshop is at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at the Polk State Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center, 310 Technology Drive in Bartow.
The initial installment of the Academy, “Business Development and Marketing Tips for Small Businesses,” will be presented by Sherran Spurlock, a Consultant and Business Development Trainer. Cost is $39 per person.
Click here to sign up today!
MEMBER MICRONEWS
BARTOW HIGH SCHOOL SEEKING MENTORS
Bartow High School is in need of mentors from the busioness community. Mentors can help students to be able to: brainstorm positive behavior choices; take responsibility for homework, attendance, class participation; speak confidently about home or school issues; engage in activities that build character, job or college preparation skills, service ethic, and citizenship roles; and academic support. Mentors will also receive training by the district personnel.
Please keep in mind that to become a mentor, you must comply with the school board’s policy of background check requirements by submitting a volunteer application with a $25.00 money order for a Florida Department of Law Enforcement background check. Volunteer applications can be found at the School Board website.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor at Bartow High School, please email the program coordinator, Mrs. Ola Harb, ola.harb@polk-fl.net. --- School address is 1270 S. Broadway St. Bartow, FL 33830. Phone number is (863) 534-7400. Please leave Ola Harb a message if you call. read more...
ENGAGE FAB FRIDAY COMING UP!
MAY 15, 2015, 5:00 p.m: Fab Friday for our Chamber Young Professionals is coming up! If you are between the ages of 21 and 42 and are interested in networking with other young professionals, please come to the ENGAGE social, Fab Friday. For information about ENGAGE or if you'd like to sign up as a member, check out the Chamber's website, www.bartowchamber.com. FAB FRIDAY will take place at The Villages at Laurel Meadows, 100 Laurel Circle, Bartow, FL 33830.
POLK EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY FOR
POLK EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
Tuesday, August 11, 2015 - 6:00 PM - Bartow Civic Center - 2250 Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
The annual Polk Emerging Leaders Awards will once again be a collaborative event of the three young professional groups in Polk County. Continuing a new era of collaboration and blurring the east/west dividing line, the awards have been established to annually recognize five young professionals between 21- 42 who have made significant contributions and commitment to the Polk County community.
To nominate an individual for the Polk Emerging Leader Awards, simple fill out the form below between April 13 and May 31, 2015. The nominee will be notified of the nomination and asked to complete an application to provide more information. The nominee will be emailed the application but it can also be downloaded here.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
40 YEARS
The Style Shop
15 YEARS
Carolyn's Gallery
Highland City Elementary
10 YEARS
Simpson's Pest Control
Rogers Upholstery
5 YEARS
Perkins and Marie Callender's, Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS HELP IS ON ITS WAY
Florida SBDC Is Available At
Bartow Chamber On May 14
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida, assists existing and emerging businesses in Polk County, through no-cost confidential business consulting, and low-cost training. Consultants can assist entrepreneurs in a variety of business topics, including: marketing, business certification, capital access, market diversification, developing strategic business plans, export services, and web optimization. A consultant will be at the Chamber on May 14, 2015 and available to Chamber Businesses. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bartowchamber.com and follow the links on the home page, or call (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.
CONTRACTORS - WANT TO WORK FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD?
Rodda Construction and the Polk County School Board are sponsoring a meet & greet to share information with YOU!
Topics to be discussed: Contract opportunities on the new K-8 School Project and How to Do Business with the Polk County School Board. Network with decision makers and hear about M/WBE Supportive Services provided by Blackmon Roberts Group.
BARTOW CIVIC CENTER, Room #2
THURSDAY, APRIL 30th, 10 a.m. to Noon
RSVP BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK!
If you are in the following trades, meet us there!
BIKE TO WORK DAY
The Bartow Warriors, the unofficial cycling group of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the Friday, May 15, 2015 Polk County Commuter Services Day, "National Bike To Work Day" event. Here's the scoop:
Polk County Commuter Services Day and National Bike to Work Day - Friday, May 15
Event times: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Partner and vendor setup: 9:30 am
Event Details: • Interactive bicycle course, FREE helmet fittings*, Participation from local businesses, organizations, county offices and elected officials • Learn the rules of the road, transit information, and other activities • Freebies, prize drawings, free lunch and goodie bag donated by local organizations, commuter challenges, and more. Call Christine Diaz at the number below if you'd like to participate.
For more information, please contact Commuter Services at 1.866.585.RIDE (7433), CustomerService@CommuterServicesFL.com or visit CommuterServicesFL.com
INTERESTING IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS FUN DAY? EMAIL virginia@bartowchamber.com
BIZ KIDS GEARING UP FOR A GREAT SUMMER!
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