Probably you or someone you know have been through the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. Did you know that Leadership Bartow was established in 1984 to enhance the civic participation of emerging leaders within the Greater Bartow Area?

Every two years, Leadership Bartow selects the best and brightest individuals in the Bartow area to participate in the two-year program oriented to developing leadership skills, fostering understanding of the major issues facing the Bartow area, improving the communications network among leaders of disparate backgrounds and interests and, most importantly, motivating them to contribute through voluntary participation in civic activities.

       Since its inception more than 450 LEADERSHIP BARTOW CLASS MEMBERS have graduated, acquiring the skills, knowledge and passion necessary to participate fully in the life of our community. Moreover, the program has brought together individuals ranging from corporate executives and entrepreneurs, to educators, non-profit managers and public servants. These individuals have created lasting networks that have proved essential to creating a vital, positive community for current and future generations.

      We are currently on Leadership Bartow Class XVII, with 26 students among the brightest and best in the County, finishing up their first year this Thursday with City Government Day, Part I. After a second year retreat, they will begin the final leg of their leadership experience. Have fun, Guys!
Until next week,
CLINT EDWARDS

Congratulations to the 2016 Champions Cup Winners

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

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Clint Edwards, President
Emily Spath Clark, Incoming President
   Spath Jewelers
Jennifer Hall, Immediate Past President
    SEMCO Construction

Left to right: Piano Alley owner, Richard Lane and Chamber Membership Services Director Barbara Adamson

May Business of the Month
________________________________________
Piano Alley
2810 S. Florida Ave., Suite A, Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 583-4320, Fax: (863) 583-4590
email: lakelandpianos@gmail.com
website: www.lakelandpiano.com

EXCLUSIVE AUTHORIZED KAWAI DEALER
     You are invited to visit the new showroom featuring a full line of KAWAI products. From Keyboards to Concert Grands, including all the new Digital Pianos. Piano Alley offers other new and pre-owned instruments as well. Trade-ins welcome.
     Piano tuning, repair, and moving services available; also, in-house digital piano and organ service. Private and group instructions with a certified teaching staff for all levels of accomplishment are offered for your convenience.

 
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

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.

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

Wednesday, May 10, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Polk State College Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center

Wednesday, May 10, parade begins 9:30 a.m.
JUST SAY NO PARADE & RALLY

Thursday, May 11, 8:00 a.m.
LEADERSHIP BARTOW XVII CITY GOVERNMENT DAY

Thursday, May 11, 5:00 p.m.
A-C-T ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUN THURSDAY
 - celebrating their first 30 years! -
1875 W. Main Street, Bartow

Tuesday, May 16, 11:30 a.m.
BARTOW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING
Polk State College Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center

Tuesday, May 16, 3:45 p.m.
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 16, 4:00 p.m.
CHAMBER BOARD MEETING

Friday, May 19, 6:00 p.m.
FRIDAY FEST
Downtown Bartow

Tuesday, May 23, 7:00 a.m.
SOARING EAGLE AWARDS BREAKFAST
Honoring Ernest Cooper
Bartow Civic Center

Wednesday, May 24, noon
YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC LUNCHEON
Bartow Civic Center

May 24-29, 2017
YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC
featuring Women's Tourney, Men's Classic & Lots of Fun Activities
Bartow Golf Course
 

A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure's Fun Thursday is set for May 11, 2017, located at 1875 W. Main Street, Bartow, at 5:00 p.m. This time of live music, networking, good food and fun is part of A-C-T's corporate headquarters celebrating its first 30 years. Come help us celebrate with them!

AQUI CHIROPRACTIC NEW CHALLENGE BEGINS MAY 10




CLICK BELOW TO READ ABOUT THE UPCOMING
FLORIDA SHERIFF'S YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC AND MORE!

Travel Agencies
Good Life USA
Mr. Charles Gaines
4334 Stephanie Way
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 633-9700
Visit Website here.

Financial Planning
CPS Investment Advisors
Rick Bernard
205 E. Orange Street
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 688-1725
Visit Website here.

Retail Stores
Queens Fashions and Gifts
Ms. Jennifer Camp
320 E. Summerlin Street
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 245-7163

Restaurants
Marco’s Pizza
Ms. Kelly Popp
1775 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 457-4900

JOIN ADAM PUTNAM FOR A
FLORIDA GROWN HOMETOWN BBQ
DOWNTOWN BARTOW

     The Bartow CRA sponsored an enlarged reproduction of two vintage Bartow citrus labels at Boswell & Dunlap, LLC; a site now placed on the Polk County Citrus Label Tour.
     The Tour, a project between partners Polk County History Center, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and Visit Central Florida, explores part of the historic marketing portion of citrus through the artistic labels that once adorned the old wooden crates used to ship fresh fruit off to northern markets in the early 1900s.
     Enlarged reproductions of the vintage labels will be found on various buildings and sites in Polk County. Bartow now has two. The other site is on the northeast side of the Polk County History Center. The Boswell & Dunlap site is at 245 S. Central, on the southeast corner of the block.