NEW YEAR'S NETWORKER RETURNS! There's no better way to get back-to-business than by attending our 5th Annual New Year's Networker. Take in the panoramic sights of The City Beautiful from the rooftop terrace at The Lennar Foundation Medical Center. Attendees will enjoy bites from some of our City's trendiest and tastiest restaurants, including: American Harvest, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill, Son Cubano, Plomo Taco Bar, Copper 29, Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar, SUSHICLUB Coral Gables, Pollo Tropical, GustoFino, PizzaRev Coral Gables, LA Sweetz and Seasons 52, in addition to
limitless libations courtesy of Bacardi USA. Boost business and company morale by bringing your entire team to enjoy this sleek and stylish night of networking under the stars! In the meantime, check out these scenes from last year's event, then head on over to coralgableschamber.org and register today. Tickets are limited! SCENES FROM 2016:
IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from our Chair Page 2 President’s Perspective Page 3 Trustee Talk
Page 5
Upcoming Events
Page 6
Membership Highlights Page 8 Calendar of Events
Page 9
Sponsor Recognition
Page 10
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR Martha de la Peña Rojas
Chair of the Board, CGCC Florida Blue Martha.DelaPenaRojas@bcbsfl.com
“To Improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often” - Winston Churchill As we conclude another amazing year, this is a great quote from the indomitable Sir Winston Churchill in an article I read recently and something I would like our great Chamber and its membership to continue to strive for. With the dawn of 2018 mere days away, and with the business and community environment continuously evolving, we are challenged as leaders to continually innovate and create relevant change. This year has seen much transformation, from the external forces that impact our businesses to the internal programs that we produce to serve our members. Our singular goal is to provide relevant content that is of significant value, while being a leader among our peer organizations. As we continue to design and update the Chamber’s strategic plan, with a focus on our mission and vision, we lay out a roadmap for the next five years. This is not an easy task in the dynamic environment that we operate in, where change is omnipresent. But, we are committed to continuing to provide strategic, resilient programs focusing on the local business climate, innovation and corporate social responsibility. Please join me, Mark and the entire Chamber team, in welcoming 2018 and celebrating our Chamber’s 93rd year of developing business and building community! With your support, involvement and engagement we will take the Chamber far beyond “Better Business, Better Community, Better You”! Thank you and Happy New Year!
Martha de la Peña Rojas Chair, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
2017 - 2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board Martha de la Peña Rojas (Florida Blue) Chairman-Elect Patrick O’Connell (EWM Realty International) First Vice Chairman Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.) Treasurer Ana Chaoui (Grove Bank & Trust) Parliamentarian Carolina Rendeiro (World Strategic Forum) Immediate Past Chairman John Allen (Home Financing Center, Inc.) Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs Arthur Freyre (Poblete Tamargo) Vice Chairman-Community Affairs Jon Ridley (Johnson Controls) Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev. Nicole Waters (Bill Ussery Motors) Vice Chairman-Member Affairs Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers) Vice Chairman-Special Events Jessica Wilcox (J. Wilcox Consulting) Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs Efrain Sora (Sora Global Insurance & Consulting) Trustee Council Chair Tom Weinkle (Vortex Communications) Chairman’s Appointee Yesenia Moreno (Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc.) President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2018 Thad Adams (The Allen Morris Company) Charles Knight (Florida Power and Light) Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Rene Negron (AXA Advisors, LLC) Christopher Spuches (Ehrenstein Charbonneau Calderín) Elected-term expires 2019 Pilar Baena (Smiles & Sonrisas) Christie Grays (Baptist Health South Florida) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA) Elected-term expires 2020 Andria Hanley (Camillus House) Alex Jimenez (Apollo Bank) Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Nelson Lazo (Doctors Hospital) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects) Chairman’s Appointees-term expires 2018 Chris Colston (Second Chance Credit LLC) Nicolas Eterovic (Edward James) Jorge Martinez (The Conroy Martinez Group) Cristina Miller (Intermedia Touch, Inc.) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables Vice Mayor Patricia Keon Business Improvement District Mindy McIlroy, Terranova Corp. Coral Gables Community Foundation Mary Snow, Executive Director
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - A PIECE OF THE PIE Mark A. Trowbridge
President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org
This past November, I was invited to Lakeland, Florida to meet with senior leaders from Publix Super Markets and a few of my fellow Chamber presidents from around the state. While I have been to Lakeland before, it has been quite some time since I visited and I had no idea how much Publix truly “owns” this charming Central Florida town. The gleaming green glass Publix headquarters located along the main parkway shimmers in bright contrast to the company that George “Mr. George” Jenkins founded in 1930. While he has been gone for over 20 years, his presence looms large in today’s culture and the pride exhibited by the current employee owners of this venerable grocery store chain is palpable in every move they make. Mr. George began his career as a grocer at the Piggly Wiggly after graduating from college. After a turn of events, he decided to step out on his own, leave Piggly Wiggly, and founded Publix, opening right next door to his old employer. His goal at the time was to grow the company to 100 stores. Today, Publix boasts more than 1100 locations across Florida and the Southeastern United States. One small idea has now blossomed into a big success. If you know me, you know that I love Publix. I love the BOGO’s, their own brand of diet sweet iced tea and of course, their famed bakery. Now that they have partnered with Shipt, I can order my groceries on-line and have them delivered to my office in less than two hours. Simply amazing! Now, I am not sure if Mr. George ever envisioned such things when he departed the Piggly Wiggly, but he was the first to offer air-conditioning in his stores, installed the automatic doors that parted like the Red Sea when you arrived and of course, their famous focus on customer service and attention to detail. These ideals remain today as cornerstone values of Publix. About the only thing not original at the grocery giant is the name, generously “borrowed” by Mr. George from a series of movie houses of the same name. No harm, no foul, no worries. Following our meetings was what excited me most. The behind-the-scenes tours! During our visit to the dairy (no photos allowed, sadly), we got an up-close and personal view of their operations. And while our South Florida Publix stores receive their products from a dairy in Deerfield Beach, the concept is much the same. In fact, the dairy is not only responsible for those amazing ice cream flavors (Moose Tracks, anyone?), they also assist the company in gearing up for hurricanes in their service area. That’s right, the dairy begins stockpiling water in April in advance of storm season and potential threats. Clearly, this effort was essential for Hurricane Irma, a storm that ultimately affected the entirety of Publix’s footprint, from the Keyes to the Carolinas. In contrast is the bakery, where employees work each day to tweak and perfect the recipes that are as familiar to us as mom’s apple pie. Think about their glorious muffins and cookies, along with their incredible sheet cakes topped with that amazing only-available-at-Publix icing. The day we were on property the team was hard at work on a number of items, including rye bread (don’t forget the caraway seeds), pumpkin pie and of course, chocolate chip muffins. I scored a four-pack right of muffins right off of the cooling tower that were absolute perfection. (that pic is included). Beyond the amazingly fresh flavors and deliciously eye-popping creations (such as the carrot cake bar), most of the work is still done by hand along a conveyor belt, leading to the employment of thousands of dedicated team members across the state. There is no lack of pride in these folks, especially when you consider their longevity with the company that is beyond impressive. Most of the folks we met along the way had been with the company 15+ years and are not only tenured staff, but highly invested stockholders in the company. That’s right, Publix is owned by its employees. And it shows! As we left our tours and corporate meetings, I was reminded of one simple fact. We are blessed as a state to have companies like Publix creating jobs and contributing to our economy. But, we are even more fortunate for the way they give back and make our neighborhoods an even better community! Thank you, Publix. You are truly a pleasure!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
TRUSTEE TALK Tom Weinkle
Principal, Vortex Communications tweinkle@vortexmiami.com
Coming down to the New Year's wire, Trustee members have enjoyed a great series of events from the Rooftop Reception at Mercantil Bank to an illuminating luncheon interview featuring Dr. Julio Frenk, President of the University of Miami, to a special tour twilight curatorial tour at the Coral Gables Museum.
A special recognition was paid to one of our newest Trustee Members MG Developer as part of our November Trustee Luncheon. Pictured is our Chair of the Board Martha de la Peña Rojas, the CEO of MG Developer Alirio Torrealba and our Chair of the Trustee Diplomats, Tom Weinkle.
Trustee membership has a lot of value. Consider the access for up to five of your organization’s team to exclusive events with connection and exposure to our community’s business leaders. Add a healthy non-pressured networking environment, intellectual stimulation, business intelligence on a scale that makes the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce unique. Want to find out more about the advantages of Trustee membership? Contact me today!
SCENES FROM OUR TRUSTEE EVENTS November - December
Trustee members rejoiced in the sights and sounds of The City Beautiful from the balcony of Mercantil Bank at the November Trustee Reception.
Attendees enjoyed an insightful and impactful luncheon featuring University of Miami President Dr. Julio Frenk, in conversation with NBC6 Anchor Jackie Nespral at our exclusive Trustee Luncheon in November. Joined by Vice Mayor Patricia Keon.
Our last Trustee Reception of the year took place at the Coral Gables Museum. Not only were attendees given a private tour of the Museum's exhibits, they were able to expereince the vibrant works of master Carlos Cruz-Diez. It was a night of connection and culture!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS
Meet the Author + Discussion | Jan. 10, 2018 | 8 AM coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES Wednesday, January 3, 2018 - Noon RE-Connect Luncheon Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Barakat Law, P.A., EPGD Business Law, Michael Forman, DOM, P.A., Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Speaker: Raquel R. Hickey, Gables Living Online payment and registration is required in advance! Wednesday, January 3, 2018 - 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Location: Bocas House Coral Gables 2 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: The Law Offices of Justin B. Stivers, LLC In Partnership With: Coral Gables Bar Association Cost: $25 Chamber, CGBA & #YoPro Members by 12/29; $35 Members & Guests After 12/29 Tuesday, January 9, 2018 - 5:30 PM Trustee Reception The first of the New Year! Sponsored & Hosted By: UF Coral Gables 1 Alhambra Plaza, Suite 5, Coral Gables Complimentary registration for all Trustee & GEM Level Members Don’t fret over parking, take the Freebee! Wednesday, January 10, 2018 - 8:00 AM Meet the Author Location: Books & Books Coral Gables 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Keynote Speaker: Jason Altmire, Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives & Author, “Dead Center” Cost: $25 Registration fee - or - $45 Registration fee, including your own signed copy of Dead Center Thursday, January 11, 2018 - 5:30 PM New Year’s Networker Join us as we taste our way through some of our City’s trendiest restaurants and toast to a fruitful 2018! Hosted By: The Lennar Foundation Medical Center 5555 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables, Rooftop Presented By: UHealth Supporting Sponsors: Bacardi USA, Benjamin Douglas Consulting, EWM Realty International Participating Sponsors: Benefit Life, INFINITI of Coral Gables, J. Wilcox Consulting, Smiles & Sonrisas, 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon Participating Restaurants: Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill, Son Cubano, Plomo Taco Bar, Copper 29, Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar, SUSHICLUB Coral Gables, Pollo Tropical, GustoFino, PizzaRev Coral Gables, LA Sweetz, Seasons 52, American Harvest Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests; $100 for 5 Admissions (saves $25); $200 for 10 Admissions (saves $50) Friday, January 12, 2018 - 8:30 AM Trow Knows... CEOs Host Sponsor: Infiniti of Coral Gables 2701 S. LeJeune Road, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Apollo Bank Featuring: Julio Rojas, CEO, BAC Florida Bank Cost: $25 Registration Fee - Limited to the first 25 guests Tuesday, January 16, 2018 – 11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsor: Michael Forman, DOM, P.A. Speaker: Allie Martinez, Interim Director, Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade Topic: Pay Equality Cost: $40 Chamber Member Registration Fee by 1/12; $50 Guests & On-Site Registration Wednesday, January 17, 2018 – 3:45 PM IMPACT: A Seminar Series for Small Business Host Sponsor: Coral Gables Muesum 285 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Speaker: Lillian Ser, Ser & Associates Topic: Expanding Your Markets With Government Contracting and Minority Certification Sponsored By: Mercantil Bank Bites Provided By: Vicky Bakery of Coral Gables Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests Thursday, January 18, 2018 – 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: City National Bank Speaker: Evan Benn, Editor-in-Chief, INDULGE Magazine Topic: South Florida's Foodie Scene In advance of the release of the Food & Wine issue of INDULGE Magazine Cost: $25 for Chamber Members Registered by 1/12; $35 Member On-Site Registration & $40 Guests
Wednesday, January 24, 2018 – 11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon Host Sponsor: The Palace Coral Gables 1 Andalusia Avenue, Coral Gables Cost: $45 Chamber Members; $55 Guests Tuesday, January 30, 2018 – 5:30 PM New Member Mixer Meet the movers, shakers and decision makers from our Chamber! Sponsored & Hosted By: AmTrust Bank 2701 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Complimentary registration for all members who joined our Chamber in 2017! Wednesday, January 31, 2018 - 8:00 AM NAFTA 2.0 Location: Hyatt Regency of Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsored By: NERO Immigration Law, Poblete Tamargo LLP, Florida Chamber of Commerce Panelists: Honrable Susan Harper, Consul General of Canada in Miami; Honorable Horacio Saavedra, Consul General of Mexico in Miami; Alice Ancona, Florida Chamber of Commerce Cost: $35 Chamber Members; $45 Guests Friday, February 2, 2018 - 8:30 AM Trow Knows... CEOs Host Sponsor: Infiniti of Coral Gables 2701 S. LeJeune Road, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Apollo Bank Featuring: Justin Irizarry, CFO, OrthoNow Cost: $25 Registration Fee - Limited to the first 25 guests Wednesday, February 7, 2018 - 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Location: Marion Miami 1111 SW 1st Street, Miami Sponsored By: The Law Offices of Justin B. Stivers, LLC Cost: $25 Chamber, CGBA & #YoPro Members by 2/2; $35 Members & Guests After 2/2 Friday, February 9, 2018 - 9:00 AM Chamber 101 Want to learn more about YOUR Chamber? Then join us at Chamber 101! Get information about the many programs and services that the Chamberoffers and meet Chamber leaders, staff and other members! Location: Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 224 Catalonia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Mercantil Bank Complimentary registration for all new Chamber members Thursday, February 15, 2018 – 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Cost: $25 for Chamber Members Registered by 2/9; $35 Member On-Site Registration & $40 Guests Tuesday, February 20, 2018 - 11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon Celebrating American Heart Month! Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsor: University of Miami Speaker: Dr. Cindy Munro, Dean and Professor of the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies Cost: $40 Chamber Member Registration Fee by 2/16; $50 Guests & On-Site Registration Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – 3:45 PM IMPACT: A Seminar Series for Small Business Host Sponsor: Coral Gables Muesum 285 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Mercantil Bank Bites Provided By: Vicky Bakery of Coral Gables Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests Thursday, February 22, 2018 - 8:00 AM 10th Annual International Business Forum Location: UF Coral Gables 1 Alhambra Plaza, Suite 5, Coral Gables Sponsors: NERO Immigration Law, P.L., Poblete Tamargo LLP, UF Coral Gables Speakers: Dr. Philip J. Williams, Director, Center for Latin American Studies & Professor, Political Science, University of Florida; Dr. Brian Gendreau, Clinical Professor & Richardson Fellow, University of Florida, Warrington College of Business - Department of Finance, Insurance & Real Estate Topics: Latin American Business Environment Report 2018 Cost: $25 Chamber Members & UF Alumni; $35 Guests
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS
November - December 2017 AGG Miami Realty Bocas House Coral Gables Brown Harris Stevens Coral Gables Preschool DLE Legal (Process Servers & Court Reporters) Equinox Hospitality Vendors Network Johnson Controls, Inc. JOSEN PREMIUM LLC KC Rhino Legacy Fit LewisFox Michael Forman, DOM, P.A. Midwest Software Specialists, Inc. Nova Southeastern University Paychex, Inc. Plomo Taco Bar Prestigious Image Barbershop & Spa Pullman Miami Airport R-A Pinnacle Group, Inc. Real Property Management Sunshine Singer Xenos Schechter Sosler Wealth Management Socially Intuit Staybridge Suites Miami International Airport Stearns Weaver Miller Wissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A. V&T Wealth Strategies WeWork Worth Real Estate Company The World Happiness Summit (WOHASU)
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through December 2017
$5,000 and Above • The Allen Morris Company • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • BankUnited • Brown-Forman Beverages • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank • Doctors Hospital • Ehrenstein Charbonneau Calderín • EWM Realty International
• Florida Blue • Florida Power & Light • Gulliver Schools • Home Financing Center, Inc. • Mercantil Bank, N.A. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • Photo Offset, Inc. • Samuel Adams Boston Lager • South Motors BMW • Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill • University of Miami • UHealth
$2,500 - $4,999 • Apollo Bank • Flor de Caña • G-Force Waterproofing & Restoration • Grove Bank & Trust • Southern Audio Visual
*BOLD denotes new Trustee member *BOLD denotes new GEM Level Member
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
EVENTS CALENDAR
‘18
January | February
Monday
1
Tuesday
Wednesday
2 8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
8
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
9
12:00 PM RE-Connect Luncheon
8:00 AM Meet the Author feat. Jason Altmire
15 16 11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon
22
23
29
30
5
5:30 PM New Member Mixer
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
Friday 5
9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
10
11 12 8:00 AM 8:30 AM M-Team Committee Meeting Trow Knows... CEOs feat. Julio Rojas, 5:30 PM CEO, BAC Florida Bank New Year's Networker
17 18 7:30 AM 8:00 AM Business & Gov’t Affairs Good Morning Coral Gables Committee Meeting 9:15 AM 3:45 PM 20/30 Group Meeting IMPACT Serminar 24 25 11:45 AM 8:00 AM Joint Business & Education Trustee Luncheon Committee Meeting
8:00 AM NAFTA 2.0
6
Thursday
3 8:00 AM 4 Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting
5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
OFFICE CLOSED
8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting
19
26 8:00 AM Café con Chamber
31 1 2 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors Trow Knows CEOs Committee Meeting feat. Justin Irizarry, CFO, OrthoNow 9:00 AM Women's Business Network Committee Meeting
8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting 12:00 PM RE-Connect Luncheon
7 8 8:00 AM 9:00 AM M-Team Committee Chamber 101 Meeting
9
5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
12
14 15 7:30 AM 8:00 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Business & Gov’t Affairs Committee Meeting 9:15 AM 20/30 Group Meeting
16
19 20 21 22 8:00 AM 3:45 PM 11:30 AM International Business IMPACT: A Seminar Series Women's Business Forum for Small Business Network Luncheon
23
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
13
OFFICE CLOSED
26
27 28 11:45 AM 7:00 PM Theatre Night Trustee Luncheon feat. Once
1
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018
2 11:30 AM 2018 AXA Advisors Businesswomen of the Year Awards
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
TRUSTEE RECEPTION
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
®
TROW KNOWS CEOS
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
HOST SPONSOR
RE-CONNECT LUNCH
DIAMOND AWARDS
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2018