July 19, 2016

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

JENNIFER HALL, SEMCO Construction

Polk Politics is coming up!
This event, held in even-numbered years, features candidates running for local, state, and national elections. It is FREE and open to the public. The spirit of the event is that of an old-fashioned political rally, where those attending have an opportunity to get up-front and personal with each candidate. Approved political groups and organizations lobbying for and against local issues before the Legislature are also welcome to attend.

It's a great way to meet the candidates in Polk County at one location. And, you get a free hot dog! There's also going to be a straw ballot, presented by the Chamber ENGAGE Young Professionals, who will be setting up the voting booths and tallying results, which will be announced at the end of the evening.

The Rally will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. American Compliance Technologies Environmental & Infrastructure (A-C-T) is the presenting sponsor. Other presenters so far include the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, The Polk County Democrat, Citizens Bank & Trust, and CenterState Bank. If your firm would like to help sponsor this event, CLICK HERE.
 
Candidates, if you want to attend (and I know you do), please CLICK HERE to register. Cost for candidates is $100.
 
Need more info? Call the Chamber at 863-533-7125, or visit the Bartow Chamber website at www.bartowchamber.com.
 
Jennifer Hall

Your Chamber President, 2016

2016 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

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.

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

REACH 22K HOMES WITH YOUR MESSAGE

 Reserve your space now in the Fall 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!

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: BARTOW FORD

TIME TO 'STUFF THE BUS'


STUFF THE BUS!

The Bartow ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals' community project is, “Stuff the Bus,” that includes collecting school supply donations for Polk’s students in need. The campaign generally begins mid-July and continues through mid-August - just in time for school. This year, stuff the Bus begins Monday, July 11 and continues through Friday, August 19, 2016.
 
“The number of homeless children and youth in the Polk County School System is growing year after year,” said Dee Dee Wright, Polk County School Board Project Hearth Specialist. “Last year we identified more than 2800 homeless people throughout Polk County,” she said. Homeless children and youth are students who lack a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence. Families are considered homeless who have “doubled up” at a residence, or are living in substandard housing or hotels. Women with children living in a charity home are also considered homeless by Project Hearth - the Polk County School Board’s services department for homeless students. The average age of a school-aged homeless person is nine years old. It has been estimated that at any given time, there are more than 350 school aged, enrolled homeless children in Polk County.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to homeless school-aged children in Polk County may do so by writing a check to the Polk County Education Foundation and writing “Hearth” in the memo line of the check. Checks may be dropped off at the Bartow Chamber, anytime. Donations will be used to purchase caps and gowns for seniors, pay for school physicals and pay for needed birth certificates.

According to Wright, the items most needed this time of year are school supplies including backpacks, zip binders (Trapper Keepers), paper, 3-prong folders, spiral notebooks and calculators (scientific and graphing). In addition, school uniforms, gift cards for food, medical and dental services are much needed. Although hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, hair brushes and feminine products are always appreciated, the most dire need at this time are the school supplies.

For more information on ENGAGE, or the Stuff the Bus campaign, call the Chamber at (863) 533-7125, or email ENGAGE CHAIR, KATHRYN BEVILACQUA-ELY HERE.
Bartow has our very own Economic Development Council! How exciting is that?

ENGAGE SERVES

Already in the Bartow Chamber Young Professionals and you Want to learn more about serving your community?
ENGAGE SERVES SIGN UP FORM
ENGAGE Serves program will be held each of the following Tuesdays: August 23, 2016; August 30, 2016; September 6, 2016; September 13, 2016; and September 20, 2016; from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure Training Center (1875 W. Main Street [Hwy. 60 West]). Attendance to ALL sessions is mandatory for graduation from the program. Classes are free to ENGAGE members.

B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE AUGUST 10



Wednesday, August 10, 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.

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

25 YEARS
Tampa Electric Company

20 YEARS
CareerSource Polk

15 YEARS
Madrid Engineering Group, Inc.
Polk County Supervisor of Elections


5 YEARS
Cross Wired Electrical Services, LLC

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.

CHAMBER EVENTS

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

JULY

BIZ KIDS CONTINUES THRU JULY 19

Monday, July 11
ENGAGE STUFF THE BUS
Now through August 19th

Wednesday, July 13, 7:30 a.m.
BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS
Business Card Exchange

Friday, July 15, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN: DAVID SHEPP
FIPR Boardroom

Tuesday, July 19, 3:45 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, July 20, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMAT BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday, Karen Donhaiser (June), Issie Jencowski (July)!

Tuesday, July 26, 9:30 a.m.
FUSION CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER, LLC RIBBON-CUTTING
680 E. Main Street, Suite 101, Bartow

AUGUST

Wednesday, Aug. 3, noon
AMBASSADORS & DELEGATES LUNCHEON
at JK's Cafe, 211 NW First Ave., Mulberry

Thursday, Aug 4, 6:00 p.m.
KIWANIS CLUB CRYING TOWEL
Bartow Civic Center, tickets at Chamber, $50

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7:30 a.m.
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
Business Card Exchange

Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:00 p.m.
TOM EDWARDS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FUN THURSDAY
1425 W. Main St., Bartow

Friday, Aug. 12, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE of 100
Health and Wellness Center (Old Hospital)

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 3:45 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tuesday, Aug 16, 6:00 p.m.
EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, Aug. 18, 5:00 p.m.
POLK POLITICS CANDIDATES RALLY
Bartow Civic Center

Wedmesday, Aug. 24, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Polk State College Clear Springs Campus
 

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

MEMBER MICRONEWS


NEW BANK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Tracy Wilson has been named to the Board of Directors for Bank of Central Florida.
 
“We’re excited to have Tracy join our Board, as we know she will provide incredible vision,” said Bank of Central Florida Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer Paul Noris.
 
Mrs. Wilson is Senior Vice President, IT Business Planning for Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, having worked for Marriott in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. She is a Child Advocate for the Florida Guardian Ad Litem program and serves on the board of Lakeland Regional Health Systems.

Founded in 2007, Bank of Central Florida was chartered to serve the financial needs of the local marketplace. The Bank is guided by a local Board of Directors with vast knowledge of the local business climate and are driven by their vision for a financial services institution that is focused on client service. This approach has enabled the bank to bring the Art of Intelligent Banking to its clients.


OPEN LETTER TO CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
FROM GRILLS & MORE


Grills & More in Lakeland is closing effective July 30th.  Ron and I want to thank all of our customers for your support and continued patronage over the years.  As the owners of Grills & More, Central Florida’s premier outdoor kitchen and grill store for the past 11 years, we have decided that the time is right to retire in order to spend more time with family and travel again. 
 
ALL merchandise in the store is currently priced at 30-50% off including Green Mountain Grills products. SEE the store for a list of the various discount levels.  Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions – 863-644-0032

read more...

NEW MEMBERS

Restaurants
Lennys Grill & Subs
Mr. James Harmer
485 E. Van Fleet Dr.
Bartow, FL 33830
www.lennys.com

Community Action/Human Services
Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County, Inc.
Ms. Julie Farish, Executive Director
3550 Recker Hwy.
Winter Haven, FL. 33880
863-292-2256
www.habitateastpolk.org
 
Healthcare-General
Fusion Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center
Dr. Brandi Ancrum
680 E. Main St., Suite 101
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7330
www.chirofusionhealth.com

Finkbeiner Photography, Inc.
Ms. Joni Finkbeiner-Tyler
723 S. Missouri Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 687-8986
www.Finkbeinerphotography.com
 
Newsletter1 - July 19, 2016