This is my first column as your 2016 Chamber president, and I must say it is an honor and privilege to represent our community’s leading business organization.
     And I have a tough act to follow - Sharon Casey, past Chamber President - did an excellent job leading the Chamber to make a positive impact on the community. During Sharon's term of office, the Chamber was restructured to make the most efficient use of its members' contributions. She had to make some tough decisions, and we applaud all her efforts on behalf of the Bartow business community!
    As we begin the new Chamber year, I urge each of you to take advantage of the many opportunities to network and support each other. Keep in mind that when you or your business make a purchase, it is important to support your fellow Chamber members. The Chamber is the best source of networks, support and ideas. The Chamber Board of Directors, staff and many volunteers work hard to serve and support our members.

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

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

FEBRUARY
Thursday, February 4, 5:15 p.m.
CHOCOLATE, CHARMS & CHAMBER
SPATH JEWELERS FUN THURSDAY
1360 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow 33830

Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 a.m.
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Friday, February 12, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE OF 100
Health and Life Center
Hwy. 17 & Main Street

Friday, Saturday, February 12-13
LB BROWN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
L.B. Brown Avenue, Bartow

Tuesday, February 16, 2:00 p.m.
BOARD RETREAT
FIPR Boardroom

Thursday, February 18
LEADERSHIP ED DAY

Thursday, February 18
BARN BOOGIE
Leland Young's Barn
2905 Central Ave., Alturas 33820

Saturday, February 20
SY SATURDAY BARTOW
Downtown Bartow

Wednesday, February 24, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMAT BIRTHDAY PARTY

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE.

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:

Thursday, February 4, 5:15 p.m. at
SPATH JEWELERS
This is a very popular FUN THURSDAY and you are invited!! Fabulous prizes for men and women, dark blue gemstone necklaces and a chocolate smorgasbord for you!

Left to Right: Owners Virginia, John and Tasha Harrison; Chamber membership services director, Barbara Adamson.

Business of the Month for February:
MAIN STREET COMICS & MEMORABILIA
415 E. Main Street, Suite C, Bartow, FL 33830, 863-537-7703
SEE ONLINE.
Polk County's newest and best Comic Book Collector's Shop! Located in Bartow, Florida on historic Main Street, on the corner of Main and Florida Ave. Main Street Comics carries everything the comic fan needs . . . and more! The Harrisons invite everyone to come visit the store at 415 E. Main Street, Suite C, in Bartow. For more information, call 863-537-7703.

CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS!

When the Mayor’s Sunrise Prayer Breakfast was first conceived, it was agreed it would be a time of early morning prayer to begin the day. Somewhere along the line, the event became a luncheon. This year, for the first time in a long time, the time of prayer is switched back to the traditional early morning event.

City of Bartow Mayor A.J. Jackson cordially invites you to the 31st Annual Mayor’s Sunrise Prayer Breakfast, on Wednesday, March 24, 2016, at the Bartow Civic Center beginning at 7:00 a.m. Doors open at 6:30 a.m.

Guest speaker is Polk County Sheriffs Office Chief  Joe Halman, Jr.

Outranked only by Chief of Staff Steve Lester and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Chief Joe Halman, Jr, as chief of the Department of Law Enforcement, oversees more than 650 sworn officers in five divisions. If civilians are included in that number, Halman is responsible for more than 1000 total personnel.

Halman earned his bachelor’s degree from Warner Southern College in 2003 and received his master’s from Southeastern University in 2008. He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1985. He had served in the Army National Guard, before being honorably discharged in 1990.

Halman is also senior pastor at Greater Works Ministries in Winter Haven, with his wife of 25 years, Debra. The two have four children and two grandchildren.

Call the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, (863) 533-7125 to reserve your seat.  Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Bartow Chamber, or from a Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee Member.
 

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:

• February 13^th – Darwin Manzueta
• March 12^th – Mariah Andresen-Otten
• April 9^th – John Abad
• May 14^th – Jude Dauphin

For more information, contact: Virginia Condello at the Chamber, (863) 533-7125 or email virginia@bartowchamber.com

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, February 12, 2016, 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.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: March 5, 6, 2016:



BARTOW ANTIQUE FAIR FEBRUARY 13             
          Main Street Bartow, Inc.’s next monthly Antique Fair will be on Saturday, February 13, from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. along Main Street in downtown Bartow.
          Booth spaces are $20.00 each and can be reserved by contacting Irene at 863-646-0644 or the Main Street Bartow office at 863-519-0508. The Antique Fair is held the second Saturday of each month.