Hurricane Memories
Last week was a very hard week.
On a positive note, the Chamber staff worked to put good information out to the general public, and try to find help for those in need. The City of Bartow, Board of County Commissioners and the Chamber worked hand in hand to keep its Citizens informed.
We'd like to thank City Clerk, Jacki Unger Poole, who sent out day by day progress reports on recovery from Hurricane Irma. We'd like to thank WBF for hosting a daily, and sometimes hourly report of progress from City of Bartow's head of electrical utilities Brad Hiers and others - to let our community know where work was being done, and when to expect electricity and/or clean up. Thanks to Polk County's Board of County Commissioners for continually emailing releases on where to get aid, safety tips, and offering to position MREs and water stations to help those who need food and water.
Thanks to our member businesses, who went above and beyond to offer aid. Tree trimmers, restaurants, electrical contractors, hair salons - it seems that everyone pitched in to help.
We'd like to thank the Bartow Civic Center group - what a terrific job of hosting the staging area for local linemen and out of towners. Good job.
And we'd like to thank the entire community for your patience, good nature, helping hands, positive words and acts of kindness shown during this very difficult time.
Thanks to individuals and organizations who washed linemen's clothing, prepared food and served and just did whatever it took to help your neighbors in this hour of our need. Thanks to individual citizens who set up areas to feed our workers, and really, just anyone who was (and is) in need of a meal.
Jay Robinson, Fire Chief of Bartow, gave an extensive thank you to the different City of Bartow departments and believe us, it was all hands on deck as they worked and worked to help get Bartow on its feet again. Thanks to our Leaders - Jay, Chief Joe Hall, our Bartow City Commissioners, our Polk County Commissioners and City Manager George Long.
Thanks to our Out of Town helpers! You guys spread out and worked hours and hours for the Citizens of Bartow. We will forever be grateful to you.
There are so many to thank for all that was done, and we've only scratched the surface. There were other counties who helped us, and we helped other counties. We guess that whenever a devastating event occurs, the cream will rise.
It's not over yet, but we are well on the road to recovery. And when the dust settles, there are stories to be shared of lives saved, helping hands, love and kindness, bittersweet moments and togetherness and caring. Hang in there, Bartow - we are brave, we are resilient, we are generous, we are proud, we are unstoppable. We are Bartow!
Click here on facebook; or go to the new Chamber website to read about Bartow on the CAPITAL CITY TODAY Newsfeed.
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.
MEMBER MICRONEWS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
FOOD TRUCK RALLY AT BAYCARE
BARTOW REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Wednesday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
2200 Osprey Blvd, Bartow
This tasty food truck rally will be rolling your way soon! Enjoy a wide variety of delicious treats, and all the eating you do will help support the Polk County Heart Walk. Ten percent lof all food truck proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association! read more...
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
40 YEARS
Edwards Professional Alarms & Video, Inc.
20 YEARS
IBS at Bartow High School
15 YEARS
American Legion Post 3
10 YEARS
Southern Homes of Polk County, Inc.
5 YEARS
James E. Stephens Elementary
CHAMBER QUARTERLY HAS 40K READERSHIP
Reserve your space now in the Fall Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 40,000 readers for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY II
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MEMBER PERK FOR YOU OR YOUR EMPLOYEES:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
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SEPT. BUSINESS: Broadway Diner
Left to right: Chamber Membership Services Director Barbara Adamson and Dino Sakelliadis, Owner.
SEPTEMBER Chamber Business of the Month:
Broadway Diner
1380 North Broadway Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7647
Broadway Diner has become Bartow’s favorite place to eat. With a menu of upscale comfort food with a Mediterranean flair, Broadway Diner is the locals’ choice. With a passion for consistent quality, presentation and customer service, Dino Sakelliadis and Bill Gergatsoulis use a hands-on approach to make sure their customers have a great dining experience. Don’t take all of Bartow’s word for it, stop in and try it for yourself. See why Broadway Diner is Bartow’s favorite place to eat.
Open 6am - 2:30 pm seven days a week. Breakfast served anytime!
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
WANT US TO TEXT YOU ABOUT EVENTS?
Free TEXT ME!
Chamber Members:
We are offering a new feature of your membership, absolutely free to you! If you would like to get a text message about upcoming events, call or email Barbara Adamson, Chamber Membership Services Director, today! barbara@bartowchamber.com or 863-533-7125.
CHAMBER WILL PUT YOU ON THE MAP!
LIMITED NUMBER OF SPACES AVAILABLE, first come, first served. Call Barbara Adamson today! 533-7125.
NEW MEMBERS
Child Care Services
C&J Performing Arts Institute & Learning Center
Shayla Jones
301 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-0341
Recruiter – US Army
United States Army
Staff Sergeant Richard Williams
936 Eagle Ridge Mall Dr.
Lake Wales, FL 33859
(863) 679-3106
Auto Dealers – New & Used
James Crews Automotive LLC
James Crews
690 E. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 800-9650
Computer Services
Affordable Computer Geeks
Mark Stone
410 Cypress Gardens Blvd.
Winter Haven, FL 33880
(863) 294-4335
www.acgeeks.com
Dance Studios
LEGACY DANCE STUDIO LLC
Amanda Cabanas
325 N. Fleetwood Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 698-1440
2017 DIVERSITY LUNCHEON POSTPONED
The Diversity Luncheon, which was set for Wednesday, September 20 is postponed to a date that will be determined. All tickets already distributed will be honored at the later date. Thanks for your patience!
DON'T MISS FORTRESS FITNESS FOR OCT.!
This is a great time of exercise for the whole family! Marie Wilmot, local fitness guru, has designed a program for the Chamber to help the community get fit! Find out what types of exercise suit your needs by coming out to Fort Blount Park on the second Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m., beginning in September, 2017. You can experience a different kind of exercise in each class. It's a blast!
SCHEDULE:
Oct. 14 – Kelly Epley (HIIT Bodyweight Workout)
Nov. 11 – Darwin Manzueta (Fit Camp and Fit Dance)
Dec. 9 – Marcus Flournoy (FloFitness Circuit Training)
Jan. 13 – Greg, Rick & Krissy (UFC Box & Burn)
Feb. 10 – Tammi Green (Empower Fit Dance)
Mar. 10 – Mariah Andressen-Otten (Yoga)
Apr. 14 – Juanita Pullum (Boot Camp)
May 12 – Jude Dauphin (Uptown Fitness)
CHAMBER EVENTS
(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)
SEPTEMBER
Wednesday, September 20, 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.
BayCare BRMC FOOD TRUCK RALLY
TO BENEFIT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
In the Hospital Parking Lot
Thursday, Friday, September 21, 22
LEADERSHIP BARTOW XVII 2nd YEAR RETREAT
Harborside Suites, Ruskin, FL
Wednesday, September 27, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
MEET AND GREET WITH ARMY RECRUITER
Chamber Boardroom, Staff Sergeant Richard L. Williams will be available to answer questions on opportunities with the US Army.
Wednesday, September 27, 3:45 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
3:45 p.m. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
4:00 p.m. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OCTOBER
Wednesday, October 4, noon
AMBASSADORS / DELEGATES LUNCHEON
Friday, October 6, 1:00 p.m.
CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE
Bartow Golf Course
Saturday, October 7, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
UNITY DAY FESTIVAL
MOSAIC PARK & BANDSHELL
Wednesday, October 11, 7:30 a.m.
DE-STRESS THE MESS
Professional Development Academy
Polk State College Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center
Thursday, October 12
LEADERSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL DAY
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 3:45 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
3:45 p.m. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
4:00 p.m. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tuesday, October 17, 6:00 p.m.
CHAMPIONS CUP AWARDS DINNER
Bartow Civic Center
Thursday, October 19, 4:00 p.m.
US ARMY RECRUITING CENTER RIBBON-CUTTING
936 Eagle Ridge Mall Dr.
Lake Wales, FL 33859
SEE OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON YOUR CHAMBER WEBSITE
CHAMPIONS CUP, SPIRIT OF BARTOW
We are the Home of the Champions.
The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its 8th Annual Champions Cup Business & Industry Awards.
The purpose of this program is to recognize and honor businesses/organizations that have championed exemplary best practices, and have had a positive influence on the economic well-being of the Bartow area business community.
Keynote Speaker: Glenn Waters
Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for
BayCare Health System
Glenn Waters is the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for BayCare Health System, a leading, not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 14 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. BayCare’s inpatient and outpatient services include: acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, fitness and urgent care centers.
As EVP/COO, Waters is responsible for the operations, strategic planning and clinical integration of BayCare’s hospitals, ambulatory care and behavioral health services, and the administrative management of BayCare Medical Group, the region’s leading multi-specialty physician group with over 500 providers practicing in more than 160 locations in 45 specialties throughout the Tampa Bay area.
SIGN UP TO ATTEND OR SPONSOR HERE.
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE CHAMBER BUSINESS IN ONE EASY STEP.
All nominations are confidential to the selection committee only.
Awards will be presented on October 17, 2017 at the Bartow Chamber’s Champions Cup Business and Industry Awards at the Bartow Civic Center.
The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 8th Annual Champions Cup Business & Industry Awards, and Bartow’s Spirit of Bartow Award.
Starting this year, any Chamber Member can nominate any fellow Chamber Member for the following categories.
Service/Professional Business of the Year
(includes non-retail professional businesses such as banks, insurance companies, medical professionals, accountants, attorneys, construction companies, etc.)
Retail Business of the Year
(includes any business that sells merchandise directly to the public such as gift shops, auto dealers, restaurants, etc.)
Emerging Business of the Year
(any start-up company in business less than three years – cannot be a buyout of an existing company)
Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year
(any non-profit business/organization)
Community Service Business of the Year
(includes all non-retail businesses that have contributed through donations of time or financial resources to improve the area’s quality of life)
Spirit of Bartow Award
All awards will be judged by a blue-ribbon committee of Chamber members based upon the following criteria:
Business & Industry Awards
The mission of the Champions Cup Business & Industry Awards is to recognize businesses/organizations that have championed exemplary best practices in the areas of customer service, sustainability, employee retention and opportunity, reputation and positive influence on the economic well-being of the Bartow area business community.
Spirit of Bartow Awards
Nominees for this award should be individuals or groups that have significantly contributed to the Bartow community and their individual accomplishments/contributions made a positive impact on the area’s quality of life.
NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE CHAMBER BUSINESS IN ONE EASY STEP.
MEMBER NEWS
Food Truck Rally coming to BRMC
Help us raise money for the upcoming Polk County Heart Walk while sampling some of the best eateries in the area!
BRMC is hosting a food truck rally on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ten percent of the proceeds from the rally will be donated to the American Heart Association.
Among the trucks that will make a stop that day are Drica’s Favorites Specialty Coffee, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Express, All Racked Up BBQ, Doughlicious Edible Cookie Dough and Bakeshop and The Cheesesteak Truck.
The rally will be set up the hospital parking lot.
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