April 11, 2016

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

JENNIFER HALL, SEMCO Construction

     This month’s Business After Hours will be held at Bartow Community Healthcare Foundation’s (BCHF) Health and Life Center (the old Hospital), this Thursday, April 14.
     The Chamber's Business After Hours event is always a fun evening of networking, food, and drink; but at the BCHF event, we also get to meet with several members of other businesses who occupy that building – Peace River Center, Good Shepherd Hospice, Terrie Lobb Catering and Heartland for Children.
       I want to highlight the amazing work BCHF does with challenge grants for our community nonprofits. I have the honor of serving on the BCHF board, and I am amazed at all the help BCHF gives to our local groups.
      A Challenge Grant is a way that donors can give to a 501(c) 3 organization (BCHF), and double the benefit to the local organization, like The Orpheum Theatre. (BCHF currently has a $25,000 challenge grant for The Orpheum Theatre.) If you don’t already know, The Orpheum Theatre project includes restoring an historic building on Main Street with the primary goal to revive performing arts in Bartow. If someone wants to contribute to the challenge grant, donors may make checks payable to BCHF, with The Orpheum Theatre in the memo line to designate the funds.
     Then, something AMAZING happens – BCHF matches the donation, dollar for dollar, up to the $25,000 challenge grant, and The Orpheum Theatre receives double the amount of the donation!
     Another challenge grant BCHF has right now is for HELP of Ft. Meade. You may have heard about the fire that destroyed the HELP thrift store. BCHF has offered a $5,000 challenge grant to assist HELP in their recovery efforts. Additionally, Church Service Center here in Bartow has already sent bags of groceries to Ft. Meade for HELP clients.
      These challenge grants are a wonderful opportunity to give back to our community, and receive the benefit of a 501(c) 3 donation. If you would like to help out either of these challenge grants, or find other organizations that benefit from a BCHF donor match, please contact Brian Hinton, Executive Director of BCHF, at (863) 533-4196.

Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016

CHAMPIONS CUP

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:
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS:
Tindale Oliver
SERVICE/PROFESSIONAL:
Bartow Regional Medical Center
RETAIL BUSINESS:
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure
NOT FOR PROFIT/ COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY:
Bartow Rotary Club
MAIN STREET BUSINESS:
Travel Leaders / International Sun Travel
EMERGING BUSINESS:
Broadway Diner

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE:
Don Wilson


Click here to see past winners of this prestigious award.

CHAMBER EVENTS

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

APRIL
Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 a.m.
Business 2 Business
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Wednesday, April 13, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMATS' BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday Jo Robertson and Fred Egli!

Thursday, April 14, 5:15 p.m.
BARTOW COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE
FOUNDATION FUN THURSDAY

(At the Old Hospital)
Health and Life Center, 1239 E. Main St.

Tuesday, April 19, 3:45, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD/EXEC MEETINGS

Wednesday, April 20, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Polk State College Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, April 27, 28, 29
LEADERSHIP BARTOW XVI
TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON DC

MAY

Wednesday, May 4, noon
AMBASSADORS, DELEGATES LUNCH AT BROADWAY DINER

Thursday, May 5, 5:15 p.m.
THE VILLAGES AT LAUREL MEADOWS FUN THURSDAY
"Cinco de Mayo", 100 Laurel Circle

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 a.m.
Business 2 Business
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Wednesday, May 11, 9:30 a.m.
JUST SAY NO PARADE & RALLY
All Main Street business owners asked to come out and support the 5th Graders.

Friday, May 13, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE OF 100
Health and Life Center, 1239 E. Main St.

Tuesday, May 17, 3:45, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD/EXEC MEETINGS

Thursday, May 19, 6:00 p.m.
LEADERSHIP BARTOW XVI GRADUATION
Polk State College Advanced Technology Center

Friday, May 20, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN WITH BILL MUTZ: "TIME MANAGEMENT"
A-C-T- Environmental and Infrastructure

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!

SUPPORT OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS!
















WANT YOUR COMPANY
LISTED HERE?
Contact Barbara@bartowchamber.com

BARTOW COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION FUN THURSDAY

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: CRUISE PLANNERS







Left to Right: Jean Hornbeck and Ruthelise Anderson of Cruise Planners; and Barbara Adamson, Chamber Membership Director.




BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL, 2016:
Cruise Planners Ruthelise Anderson

5015 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33813
Phone: 863-644-1014 - 844-722-6342
reanderson@cruiseplanners.com


Experience what the world has to offer! Ocean and river cruises; all-inclusive resorts and hotels; weddings at sea and at destination; group travel & incentive programs; air, car rental and travel protection; escorted, hosted and independent land programs.

Two incredible Wine Themed River Cruises with AmaWaterways.

An AmaWaterways Wine Cruise is a fantastic way to add a unique, epicurean dimension to itineraries on legendary rivers such as the Danube and the Rhine. Enjoy sightseeing in grand capitals and charming villages and shared on specially designed excursions through the rich and renowned Europe’s wine regions.

Join Ruthelise A. Cruise Planners for an exceptional experience, whether you are a wine connoisseur or simply indulge in a sip here and there. Join a group!

Romantic Danube (Vilshofen to Budapest)

AmaViola – 11.03.16 – 7-night cruise

Enchanting Rhine (Basel to Amsterdam)

AmaSonata – 08.05.17 – 7-night cruise

Call them today to reserve your stateroom and secure your promotion! Space is limited. Subject to availability. License FST # ST39068 / CST#2034468-50

THE RED LETTER HAS ARRIVED! SAY YES TO JSN




It's that time of years again! JUST SAY NO is coming up May 11, 2016. Wouldn't you like to participate? Hard copy RED LETTERS are available here in the Chamber, or print the one attached here, make your donation and send to CenterState Bank, checks payable to JUST SAY NO, Attention, Anita Stasiak. Thanks for your involvement in this wonderful program to get the JUST SAY NO message to all area 5th graders.

NEW MEMBERS

Engineers/Surveyors/Planners
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP (RK&K)
Ms. Kimberly Warren
101 W. Main St., Suite 240
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 682-4081
www.rkk.com

Employment/Staffing Services
AARP Foundation
Ms. Sandra Swanson
1959 E. Edgewood Dr., #101
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-1290

Restaurants
Urban Oak
Mr. Tom Bos
135 E. Main Street
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7205

Event Supplies
Fitted Fancy Chair Covers & Photo Chocolate Favors
Ms. Ivy Patrick
Auburndale, FL 33823
(863) 845-5451
(321) 682-8825
www.fittedfancychaircovers.com

B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE APR. 13!



Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
MORNING BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Plenty of coffee and fellowship with your fellow member business owners. Bring lots of business cards and give everyone two - one for them and one for a friend. Hope to see you there! NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY.

COMMITTEE OF 100

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, April 8, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. Bartow City Planner, Bob Wiegers, is guest speaker.
      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 here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

HELLO BARTOW! MEMBERS PARTICIPATE FOR FREE



ROI ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!

We've established a new perk to your membership. Now, as a member of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, you may include a promotional item for your business in the HELLO BARTOW! welcome baskets for new residents. PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE! If you are interested, contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Director, (863) 533-7125, or reply to this email.

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

50 YEARS
Peterson Cleaners

35 YEARS
Frost Van den Boom, PA

10 YEARS
Julie Clark

5 YEARS
Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing

MEMBER MICRONEWS


POLK STATE COLLEGE CAREER FAIR
Polk State College would like to personally invite you as a vendor to its annual Career Fair. This event will be held outside in the Student Mall on April 14, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Your company will have the opportunity to advertise any vacancies or internship opportunities to our students and alumni. Tables and chairs will be provided and there are no fees for your participation. If you would like to join us please email pmjones@polk.edu and state how many people will be attending.

Event Location
Polk State College
3425 Winter Lake Rd.
Lakeland, FL 33803

read more...

FORTRESS FITNESS PROMOTES FAMILY FITNESS

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:
  • May 14th – Jude Dauphin

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

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jennifer Hall, President
    SEMCO Construction
Sharon Casey, Immediate Past President
    Retired Banker
Clint Edwards, President-elect, Vice President
    Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LIST

REACH 22K HOMES WITH YOUR MESSAGE

 Reserve your space now in the Spring Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 22,000 households for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information.

SEE US HERE!

Newsletter1 - April 11, 2016