LEADERSHIP BARTOW!
     This Thursday, May 19th, our Leadership Bartow Class XVI will graduate. These business and community leaders have spent the last two years meeting monthly, and learning more about the great city of Bartow and Polk County.
     Class sessions have ranged from a visit to the Central County Jail, climbing the steps to Bartow's sewer plant, and experiencing the affects of schizophrenia with Peace River Center.


     Recently, the class members had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC. They saw various memorials, Arlington Cemetery and the Washington Monument, and were treated to a private tour of the Capitol building, hosted by Congressman and Mrs. Dennis Ross.
     I tell you all this to remind you that now is the time to apply for Leadership Class XVII. The class is filling up fast. If you, or another member of your company have not had a chance to participate in this amazing program, please CLICK HERE for an electronic application for Leadership XVII.
     CONGRATULATIONS to LEADERSHIP CLASS XVI!
Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016

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.

Wednesday, June 8, 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.

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.)

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

Wednesday, May 18, 9:30 a.m.
JK'S CAFE RIBBON-CUTTING
211 NW 1st Avenue, Mulberry

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

Wednesday, May 25,7:30 a.m.
Professional Development Series:
MARY OWENS: COACHING
Location Change:
Polk County Safety Center
(Next to Sheriff)
1891 Jim Keene Blvd.
Winter Haven, FL 33880

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

FREE EVENT, MAY 20, 2016, 11:45-1:00 p.m., A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, 1875 W. Main Street, Bartow 33830, not just for ENGAGE members! Engage/Bartow Chamber Young Professionals presents an up-close and personal chat with one of the area’s most accomplished community leaders. These sessions will give participants a chance to reflect on new and creative ways to achieve professional leadership goals based on the best practices from the area’s most respected business professionals. After a short presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in a round-table format. Don’t miss this great opportunity for professional growth.
ENGAGE Lunch & Learn: "TIME MANAGEMENT" with BILL MUTZ
Time management is something we all struggle with at some point and time. It is a skill that you have to learn, and is a lifestyle. It involves behavior changes in order to get everything done and still allow time to do things that make us happy. It is juggling your job and career with home and "me time." It can be done. Join us for a relaxed, informal chat with one of the area's top community leaders.

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 here; 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.
 

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

Restaurants
City Star Family Restaurant
Billy Digino
1037 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 800-3083
www.citystarbartow.com

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

Construction-Contractors
Lake Wales Building Trades Center, Inc.
Mr. Kevin McCollough
107 W. Orange Ave.
Lake Wales, FL 33853
(863) 676-2221

Retail Stores
Mattress Firm
Mr. Chuck White
475 E. Van Fleet Dr.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-3530
 
Restaurants
Lenny’s Grill & Subs
Mr. James Harmer
485 E. Van Fleet Dr.
Bartow, FL 33830
www.lennys.com
 

     Wendy's celebrated a re-grandopening and ribbon-cutting last Tuesday to celebrate the remodeling of its Bartow location and the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce board members, friends, staff, Diplomats, Delegate and Ambassadors were on hand to help them celebrate. Cassandra Banning, Franchise Owner/Director for Wen-Lake Corp. dba Wendy's, cuts the ceremonial red ribbon.


 

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.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES: COACHING
5/25 - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Coaching by Mary Owens
May 25, 2016, 7:30 a.m.
NEW LOCATION: Polk County Safety Center
1891 Jim Keene Blvd.
Winter Haven, FL 33880

This proactive coaching session builds on participants’ communication skills through exploration of the tools used to coach employees. Effective coaching aims to maximize the performance of those associated with an organization (e.g., employees, managers, customers, and suppliers). Workplace coaching enables employees to guide and support one another in working toward—and achieving—top performance. This session helps participants recognize daily opportunities to coach the people they work with and provides participants with the coaching skills they need to bring out the best in everyone. THIS CLASS TAKES PLACE AT THE POLK COUNTY SAFETY CENTER, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33830 (next to Sheriffs Office). At this venue, refreshments will not be served and participants are asked to make sure any beverages brought in with them have covers.

53rd YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC:
YVC JOINT CIVIC CLUB LUNCH IS MAY 25TH
     The annual Joint Civic Club Lunch to celebrate the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches Youth Villa Golf Classic is set for noon, May 25, 2016, at the Bartow Civic Center. Call Karen Guffey at Gibson & Wirt, 125 E. Main Street, Bartow, FL, 33830, 863-533-3131, for ticket information for the luncheon.
    Your support and participation in the Bartow Youth Villa Classic enables the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches to continue the mission of preventing juvenile delinquency, and developing lawful, productive citizens through a broad range of family-centered services.

Youth Villa Classic Golf Tourney

Bartow Golf Course, Bartow, FL

http://www.cityofbartow.net/index.aspx?page=116

COMING UP!