CHAMPIONS CUP
Champions Cup was created to recognize and honor businesses and organizations that have championed exemplary best practices, and have had a positive influence on the economic well being of the area's business environment. Congratulations to the 2015 Champions Cup Winners! Here they are:

SBDC Is Available At
The Chamber On
December 10th
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 December 10, 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.

The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, December 11, 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 grouip, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at 863-533-4196.

Click here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

Gift Boutique
The Krazy Kricket
Ms. Lee Putnam & Ms. Susan Blenk
115 E. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-3141
www.krazykricket.com
 Join date: 10/06/2015

Churches
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Pastor Jonathan Horsman
390 E. Parker St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 512-3652
Join date: 10/06/2015
 
Apparel
LegaCy Unique Designz
Sylvia W, Mildrena D, Jennifer C
195 S. Central Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7422
Join date: 10/08/2015

Restaurants
Mosaics Community Café
Ms. Elizabeth Combee
315 E. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-3000
Join date: 10/21/2015
 
Car Wash/Express Tunnel
Super Suds Car Wash of Bartow
Mr. Brian Briggs
1025 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-7628
Join date: 10/21/2015

Looking for a commercially zoned lot, building for rent or to buy for your business? Please check out this site :

You'll get to create an account for free and check out MLS commercial listings for Bartow.
For a downloadable CRA District map, click here, scroll down and look under IMPORTANT LINKS in the right hand column of the Chamber's website.

$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.

Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

     In 1882 the citizens of Bartow, Florida decided because of the drunken brawls going on in their horse and buggy town, they needed a Marshal.
     C.C. Gresham was elected as the first Marshal of Bartow on July 1, 1882, at that same time Bartow was incorporated.
     After 15 years, Bartow switched to a system whereby the Marshal was appointed rather than elected.
      Times have certainly changed over the years, but one thing for sure is that we Bartowans have a lot to be grateful for in our Bartow Police Department. Our police department has grown from that time in 1882 from one Marshal to a staff of 41 sworn and 26 non-sworn personnel and a dedicated police chief, Joe Hall.

Left to Right: Cristian Bruno, Dana Mooers, owner Mike Patel, Elsa Reyes, all of The UPS Store; and Barbara Adamson, Bartow Chamber membership director.Call or email today for online printing, and check out the website for all products and services offered. https://bartow-fl-3115.theupsstorelocal.com/

Business of the Month for November is . . .
The UPS Store
115 E. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow
Phone: 863-519-0800
store3115@theupsstore.com
Call Mike today! He's offering a great special throughout the month of November for Chamber members: 29 cents only for color copies, 8-1/2 x 11 throughout November, 2015.

FORTRESS FITNESS IS SECOND SATURDAY

     The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce presents “FORTRESS Fitness,” a program to promote family fitness began in September at Fort Blount Park.
      “FORTRESS Fitness is a community-wide outdoor workout program for all fitness levels, all ages, and it’s absolutely free,” said Marie Wilmot, organizer of the new program. Wilmot is a wellness and fitness enthusiast, instructor of Pilates, kickboxing, Zumba and other cardio-fitness programs Please mark your calendars for these second Saturdays:

• December 12^th – Olly and Anitra Goddard
• January 9^th – Greg, Rick & Krissy
• February 13^th – Darwin Manzueta
• March 12^th – Marie Wilmot
• April 9^th – John Abad
• May 14^th – Jude Dauphin

     “Whether it’s just you, grandparents and grandkids, or your whole family, you are welcome to join us,” Wilmot said. For more information, contact: Virginia Condello at the Chamber, (863) 533-7125 or email virginia@bartowchamber.com. 
 

We have an exciting Chamber trip coming up:
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?  Call Barbara Adamson, 533-7125, for more information and to secure your seat.

MOVIES ON THE LAWN IS "A CHRISTMAS STORY"
Friday, November 27, dark-thirty.
At Grassy Lot, Downtown Bartow
"A Christmas Story"
     Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.The movie begins at dark. Grab a pizza from Palace Pizza of Bartow or any of our downtown restaurants or enjoy our concessions.

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)

NOVEMBER

Tuesday, November 17, 3:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 17, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Thursday, November 19, 3:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Bartow City Hall

Friday, November 20, 6:00 p.m.
MAGIC ON MAIN - FRIDAY FEST
Downtown Bartow


DECEMBER

December 3, 5:15 pm.
LEADERSHIP SOCIAL
Harmony Haven - Highland City

December 4, 6:00 p.m.
DANCING UNDER THE STARS
Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, December 10, 5:15 p.m.
SUNSHINE BANK FUN THURSDAY
Mulligans Restaurant - at the Golf Course

Friday, December 11, 6:00 p.m.
LIGHT UP BARTOW CHRISTMAS PARADE

Tuesday, December 15, 3:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 15, 4:00 pm.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS


JANUARY

Friday, January 8, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
BARTOW CHAMBER JOB FAIR
Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, January 14, 5:15 p.m.
SACKETT RANCH FUN THURSDAY
Highland City

Friday, January 15, 6:00 p.m.
FRIDAY FEST DOWNTOWN

Tuesday, January 19, 3:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 19, 4:00 pm.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Saturday, January 23, 6:00 p.m.
BARTOW CHAMBER ANNUAL EVENT
TOTALLY AWESOME 80S
Bartow Civic Center

Left to right, Leadership Bartow Class XVI members Kathryn Bevilacqua-Ely, Roxanna Tovrea, Sherrie McCullough and Barbara Adamson.

  This year's Rudolph Roundup is a project of Leadership Bartow XVI,  and the class has plans to make this year the best yet!
     Did you know that there are more than 3,200 children in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties that have experienced abuse and/or neglect? We need your help to provide holiday gifts for these children in foster and shelter care, or with relatives or non relatives, many times away from family and friends. Won’t you help the Bartow Chamber fill Santa’s sleigh?
How you can help
     Bring an unwrapped toy(s) to the Chamber at 510 North Broadway Avenue by noon on December 7th. Heartland for Children will pick up the toys from the Chamber office. For a PDF of the most needed items, click here.

The Krazy Kricket owners Susan Blenk and Lee Putnam cut the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce ceremonial ribbon on November 10. The store's namesake chirped in when the owners accepted the first clear dollar of profit from Chamber president Sharon Casey during the event. The Krazy Kricket is located at 115 E. Main Street. Call 533-3141 for more information.

FREE CAREER EVENT - ARE YOU LOOKING FOR QUALITY EMPLOYEES? Your search could end here. The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce is holding a job fair, giving quality job seekers access to more than 30 employers throughout the Polk County area. Want to participate as an employer? Contact Barbara Adamson, 863-533-7125 or email: barbara@bartowchamber.com for more information. Presenting Sponsor: Spherion Staffing Services
BARTOW CHAMBER JOB FAIR
Friday, January 8, 2016, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Bartow Civic Center, 2250 South Floral Ave.

     More than 300 attended the Nov.11 Hometown Heroes, where Pastor David Groves was keynote speaker. Bartow was fortunate to have 14 World War II Veterans in attendance, also. Thanks to our sponsors: Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Bartow Ford Company, Kelley Buick GMC, Stingray Chevrolet Bartow! Also, thanks to the City of Bartow, Mosaic's Freda Ridgway (Chairman) and the rest of the Committee for making this happen. Thanks also go out to our list of community sponsors: Mosaic, American Legion Post #3, ACT, Air Methods, Rep. Ben Albritton, ASHLAND, Bartow Community Healthcare Foundation, Bartow Regional Medical Center, Thomas E. McMicken, MD, MidFLORIDA Credit Union, Spherion Staffing Service, Sunshine Bank, Allen & Co. of Florida, Mike and Susan DeNeve, DMAR, Kimley Horn & Associates, Orange Industrial Services, Tindale Oliver and American Legion Auxiliary.

Hope you had a chance to attend the Bartow Regional Medical Center Fun Thursday. CEO Phil Minden and Susan Sartain did an excellent job of making us feel welcome and providing food and drinks for a nice evening of networking and learning about BRMC.