COMING UP
      We were so excited that Ken Riley and the Bartow Police Department won the coveted C.C. Corbett Diversity Award at last week's luncheon. Can't think of anyone or any organization that is more deserving!
     Our Golf Scramble is coming up October 14, make sure you get your team registered by going online, or calling Virginia, Jeff or Barbara at 863-533-7125. This is one of the most fun events of the year, don't miss it! REGISTER HERE for the Chamber's Golf Scramble.
     Champions Cup awards including the Spirit of Bartow awards is set for October 20th at the Bartow Civic Center. Congressman Tom Rooney, is guest speaker for that great event. This year, the nomination form is easier than ever to complete; and companies and organizations may self-nominate. Are you proud of your company? Tell us about it! Nominated companies actually get two free tickets to the event (worth $100); and the best part? You don't have to pay to nominate your business - we want to hear about it! Do it today . . . who knows, your company may win the Champions Cup!
     The Spirit of Bartow Award winners will be announced the same evening and includes citizens who have gone above and beyond to make Bartow a better place to live. Nomination forms for all of these awards can be found here.
    I've got to mention the A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure's 7th Annual Chili Cook-off to benefit the United Way. It's not a Chamber event, but we help with it - it's such a worthy cause. Mark your calendars for November 4, 2016, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at ACT, 1875 W. Main Street, Bartow.
     The Hometown Heroes committee are planning a wonderful event for our local Veterans, to be held 11-11-16. Doors open for the luncheon at 11:00 a.m., with the program beginning at noon. This allows the Veterans and a guest to get a chance to speak with their peers. A speaker from MacDill's Special Ops unit will be on hand. Veterans and a guest are free; $25 for others, as space allows. Forms to register for the luncheon are available at the Chamber; or on the Chamber website. If you need assistance in obtaining a form, call the Chamber, 533-7125, and we'll make sure you get one; or click here to register online!
     There's lots more coming up - it's the busy season at the Chamber. Hope to see you at any or all of these great events.

Until next week,
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.

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, October 14,  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.

Entertainment/Educational Services/Video Production
The Edge Theatre Company, Inc.
Mr. Marcus Wehby, Executive Director
1367 Laurel Glen Dr., Bartow
(205) 243-0194, (863) 640-1029
www.edgetheatreco.org

Individual Members
Ms. Roberta Massey
1165 Lee Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
 

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

Carla Meeks serves all of Central Florida, but is proud to call Bartow her home! Left to right: Lenton Meeks; Madison Meeks; Katelyn Meeks; Barbara Adamson, Chamber Members Services Director; Carla Meeks; and Mark Meeks.

October Business of the Month
________________________________________

Carla J. Meeks
Realtor, Web Pro Realty, LLC
863-604-9287
homesbycarla.com

You don’t get to be one of Central Florida’s top Realtors by chance. It takes experience, knowledge and a track record of satisfied clients that help tell your story. With Carla Meeks, you get a seasoned professional who takes a personal approach to helping her clients realize their real estate goals. From the sale of a current home, the purchase of a new home, to REO/foreclosures and short sales, to vacant land sales and purchases, Carla knows her business, and welcomes any questions you might have. However, it’s the personal approach and her passion that makes the difference, and has made Carla one of the area’s top Realtors.

Not just a Realtor... she is your Realtor!
    

WANT TO FIND OUT HOW TO BECOME
THE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH?
Contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Services,
863-533-7125 or email
barbara@bartowchamber.com
 

CHAMPIONS CUP
COMING UP: OCTOBER 20, 2016
NOMINATE FOR CHAMPIONS CUP AWARD HERE.
GUEST SPEAKER: Congressman Tom Rooney
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:

More than 250 people were on hand to see KEN RILEY and the BARTOW POLICE DEPARTMENT win Diversity Awards at last week's luncheon. Guest speaker Willie E. Gary urged Bartow to "keep doing what you're doing" to make Bartow a better place to live.

BARTOW FORD PRESENTS THE
CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE:

Coming up in October is a very fun event, The Annual Chamber Golf Scramble, October 14, 2016, with a shotgun start of 1:00 p.m. Sign up your team today!

SPONSORS TO DATE:
GOLD SPONSORS: A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure, Evolve Professional Landscape Management, Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
SILVER SPONSORS: Mosaic, Polk State College Foundation
BRONZE SPONSORS: Bank of Central Florida, BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center, KC Bouchillon PA, CenterState Bank, City of Bartow, PalletOne Inc., Polk County Sun & Democrat, Polk Power, Spherion Staffing, State Farm Insurance Michell Githens, Stingray Chevrolet, Sunbelt Forest Products
PRIZE SPONSOR: ASHLAND
ON COURSE FOOD SPONSORS: CenterState Bank, Mosaic
CONTRIBUTORS: Beef O' Brady's, Cruise Planners, Spherion Staffing, Tim Jones Barbershop, The Villages at Laurel Meadows
HOLE COURTESY TENT: The Villages at Laurel Meadows

Don't miss some of the best chili this side of the Rio Grande! A-C-T's 7th Annual Chili Cookoff is November 4, 2016 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Chili Entries FREE! $10 AYCE Chili Lunch. Mark your calendars and we'll see you then! Sponsored by A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure, 1875 W. Main Street, Bartow. 100 percent of collected funds go directly to: UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. #ACTChili

Call Mainstreet Bartow, Inc. to save your spot now! 519-0508


RED, WHITE AND COMPASSION HONORING SHERIFF JUDD
 Red, White & Compassion ~
An Americana Evening honoring Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd
Thursday, October 13, 2016
For more information contact:
Susan Sartain
Regional Development Director
Cornerstone Hospice Foundation
863-291-5562
ssartain@cshospice.org
You are invited to an evening beneath the stars as Cornerstone Hospice celebrates the spirit of America. Red, White & Compassion ~ An Americana Evening, will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2016 and all proceeds will benefit Cornerstone Hospice. The evening will be filled with live music, food, fun and a special tribute to Sheriff Grady Judd. To purchase your tickets contact Susan Sartain at ssartain@cshospice.org or 863-291-5560. For more information on Cornerstone Hospice and the services they provide in our community visit CSHOSPICE.org

Wednesday, October 12, 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.

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

OCTOBER
Wednesday, October 5, noon
AMBASSADORS/DELEGATES LUNCHEON
at TERRIE LOBB CATERING

Tuesday, October 11, 6:00 p.m.
MAIN STREET BARTOW ANNUAL MEETING:
THE ROASTING OF SL FRISBIE
Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, October 13
LEADERSHIP CULTURAL ARTS DAY

Thursday, October 13, 5:00 p.m.
KELLEY BUICK GMC FUN THURSDAY
255 W. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow

Friday, October 14, 1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE
Bartow Golf Course

Tuesday, October 18, 3:45 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
BOARD / EXEC MEETING

Thursday, October 20, 6:00 p.m.
CHAMPIONS CUP AWARDS
Bartow Civic Center

Wednesday, October 26, noon
DIPLOMATS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Happy Birthday to: Ortelle, Carolyn, Tommie, Marietta, Sherry, Sally and Dianne!

Thursday, October 27, 4:00 p.m.
CRICKETTE CLUB PARADE & CARNIVAL

Wednesday, November 2, 9:30 a.m.
RK&K NEW LOCATION RIBBON-CUTTING
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP
402 S. Kentucky Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801

FRIDAY, November 4, Noon
A-C-T's CHILI COOKOFF
1875 W. Main Street, Bartow

Wednesday, November 9
HAPPY BIRTHDAY A-C-T, 30th YEAR!

Thursday, November 10
LEADERSHIP XVII EDUCATION DAY

Friday, November 11, 11:00 a.m.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Bartow Civic Center

Saturday, November 12
HONEY BEE FESTIVAL & FALL CRAFT FAIR

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

BARTOW
WALKING TOUR
Fort Blount Park
Bartow
Friday, October 28
10:00 a.m.
You are invited to join the Polk County History Center, the Polk County Historical Association, the Florida Humanities Council and the City of Bartow for the official launch of the newest tool for enjoying the Polk County Heritage Trail, the Florida Stories Bartow Walking Tour.
Developed through a generous grant from the Florida Humanities Council, the Florida Stories Walking Tour is a free application designed for a smart phone or tablet that takes you on a narrated, self-guided tour of historic sites across the state of Florida. Visitors and residents of Polk County will have the opportunity to explore not only Bartow, but Lake Wales as well. The Lake Wales Walking Tour will be available Oct. 29.
Enjoy music from the Sweet Teas, join us for the ceremonial download and then explore one of the sites a short distance from the park.
Parking is available at the Polk County History Center and in the
Oaks parking lot at the corner of E. Parker St. and S. Central Ave.