IT’S NOMINATION SEASON!
      Polk County is fortunate to have many amazing leaders living and working here.
     One of the reasons we have these great leaders is that we have great Leadership programs throughout our county. Of course, my favorite is the Bartow Chamber’s Leadership program, which is a 2-year program that covers not only the great City of Bartow and Polk County, but also includes visits to Tallahassee and the opportunity to go to Washington, DC as well.
     Our current Leadership Bartow class, Class XVI, will be graduating in May. That means it is time to start accepting applications for our next class, Class XVII! Applications and additional information about the program are Applications and additional information about the Leadership Bartow program are available on the chamber website. I encourage you to look at this information, and consider applying for this amazing program.
     The (3) Chamber Young Professionals groups in our county – ENGAGE (Bartow), EMERGE (Lakeland), and ENDEAVOR (Winter Haven) – have opened nominations for the annual Polk Emerging Leaders Awards. You can read more about this nomination process and nominate an emerging leader between the ages of 21-42.
     Finally, Leadership Polk, a program of Polk Vision, is accepting nominations for Leadership Polk Class X. To be eligible for this program, you must be a graduate of a City’s leadership program (like Leadership Bartow). You can nominate someone for this class or self nominate here.
      All three of these Leadership programs work to enhance the civic participation of emerging leaders throughout Polk County. The lasting networks created by completing a leadership program are essential to creating vital, positive community for current and future generations.
      Have a great week, and don’t forget to nominate!
 
Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016

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 14^th – Jude Dauphin

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

Want to find a retail or service business? 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:

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

APRIL
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
1380 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow

Thursday, May 5, 5:15 p.m.
THE VILLAGES AT LAUREL MEADOWS FUN THURSDAY
"Cinco de Mayo:
Fiesta Like There's No Manana!"
100 Laurel Circle, Bartow

Tuesday, May 10, 9:00 a.m.
WENDY'S RIBBON-CUTTING
AND RE-OPENING CELEBRATION
1520 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow

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

Tuesday, May 24, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMATS BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday to
Dot McCroan
Jane Meadows &
Rhoda Whitten

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

PAINT YOUR WORLD PURPLE!

RELAY FOR LIFE BARTOW & LAKE WALES
      American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Bartow & Lake Wales is Friday and Saturday, April 22, 23, 2016, beginning Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Bartow High School Football Field. Entertainment, live music, food and more are featured. All are welcome to join the fight against cancer.
     For more information, please contact Caitlin Simmons, 863-688-2326, ext. 5508 or email caitlin.simmons@cancer.org. Or, please visit the Relay website, here.

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.

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.

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

Restaurants
Wendy’s
Mr. Martin Phillips
1520 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 853-8838

Restaurants
City Star Family Restaurant
Bill Nasralla
1037 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 800-3083

FINANCIAL PLANNING
Core Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Angela Newell
231 N. Kentucky Ave., Suite 217
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 904-4745
www.corewealthadvisorsinc.com

Wednesday, May 11, 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.

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, May 13, 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 group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at 863-533-4196.
Click here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

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.

IT'S TIME TO NOMINATE AN EMERGING LEADER!

Tuesday, August 16,  6:00 PM Bartow Civic Center  2250 Floral Ave Bartow, FL 33830

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE AN EMERGING LEADER.

Could it really be time for a new Leadership class? The current Leadership Class XVI is graduating May 19, 2016, at Polk State College Advanced Technology Center, so it's true!

If you are interested in joining the more than 450 individuals who have completed the Leadership Bartow program, acquiring the skills, knowledge and passion necessary to participate fully in the life of our community, read the brochure below; and sign up online today. Leadership Bartow continues to be a vital part of the overall effort to ensure that the pool of talent from which the community can draw its future leaders continues to be renewed.
For an electronic application for Leadership XVII, click here.

 

WHY ARE THEY SMILING?? Dr. Kenneth Stephens from Southeastern University led the discussion on Multiculturalism at Thursday's Community Relations Committee's "Salad Summit," held at the Bartow Library. Heads of Bartow civic clubs, City government and other organizations were invited to make a salad and talk about Diversity and how Bartow can make inroads for future dialogue and understanding among its citizens.

'RETURN OF THE JEDI' IS APRIL 29 MOVIE ON THE LAWN
     The final movie in the original Star Wars trilogy, “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi,” will be featured at Main Street Bartow’s next Movies on the Lawn on Friday, April 29. The movie will be shown at dark on the northwest corner of Wilson Avenue and Main Street.
     "After rescuing Hans Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star. Meanwhile Luke Skywalker struggles to make Darth Vader return from the dark side of the Force."
     There is no charge to attend, and concessions will be available. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and insect repellent.
            Movies on the Lawn is generally held on the fourth Friday of the month, and is sponsored by Main Street Bartow, Inc. For further information call the Main Street Bartow office at 863-519-0508.