JULY | AUGUST 2012
ANNUAL GOALS CONFERENCE CONCLUDES WITH A NEW TRADITION, VISION AND DIRECTION JOSHUA JONES
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Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
he 2012 Goals Conference successfully concluded on Friday, June 22 having celebrated Coral Gables community leaders promoting growth for bigger business, greater community involvement and the start of a new tradition. The George Merrick Legacy Award, honored an organization created by Merrick that continues to embody the living spirit and vision even today. The Goals Conference began Thursday evening, June 21 with the sold-out George Merrick Award of Excellence dinner honoring Ambassador Charles Cobb as the 2012 recipient. That night was also shared with a new tradition, the University of Miami (UM) was recognized as the first-ever winner of the George Merrick Legacy Award which was accepted by Sarah Artecona, UM Vice President and Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Past Chair. The Coral Gables Chamber once again partnered with the Allen Morris Company to present the award with emcee Shannon Hori of CBS 4 Miami. Kicking off the Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast Goals Edition on Friday, June 22 at the Goals Conference, Chairman Drew Kern won the crowd’s enthusiasm in celebration of the Mi-
ami Heat’s NBA Championship the night before. The breakfast was sponsored by Mercantil Commercebank and Florida Blue. Emphasizing the Coral Gables Chamber Goals Conference theme of “growth” to strengthen relationships and boost businesses, speakers that morning featured City Manager Patrick Salerno, Chair-Elect Darla Thompson and Penny Shaffer of Florida Blue. “Our Goals Conference last week was the confluence of an extraordinary team effort by individuals, organizations, and Chamber staff participating in a lively, productive and effective forum. This combination of forces with considerable talent, energy and foresight is indicative of why we all expect solid growth in our businesses and in our City Beautiful. I look forward, during my term as Chair, to see the various initiatives outlined by our committees and myself come to fruition,” said Chair-Elect Darla Thompson.
Bloomberg TV and author of Steal These Ideas! The program closed with “Why We Love the Gables!” featuring local Professor, Author and Historian of Miami Dade College, Dr. Paul George. To see photos from the 2012 George Merrick Awards and Goals Conference, visit our Facebook page by clicking here. For sponsorship opportunities for the 2013 Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Goals Conference, please contact Erica Dominguez at edominguez@coralgableschamber.org.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in goal-setting sessions to solidify measurable and attainable goals for the upcoming Chamber year. The program started off with an interactive session with the Beacon Council on the outcomes of their One Community One Goal program. Our sold-out luncheon featured opening remarks from Coral Gables Chamber President Mark Trowbridge and keynote speaker Steve Cone of
ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR OUR ANNUAL 2012 CITY BEAUTIFUL AWARDS
JOSHUA JONES Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
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he City Beautiful Awards highlight one of the values that make Coral Gables unique; a rich history of dazzling architectural masterpieces that truly add to the beauty of Coral Gables. The awards celebrate the aesthetic beauty and singular charm found only in Coral Gables.
IN THIS ISSUE • Chairman’s Remarks Page 2 • President’s Perspective Page 4 • Trustee Talk Page 5 • Chamber Events Page 7 • Membership Highlights Page 8 • Calendar of Events • Sponsor Recognition
Sponsored by the City of Coral Gables, the City Beautiful Awards are presented by the Chamber each year to celebrate the most outstanding examples of architectural achievement among our commercial properties.
BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
The City Beautiful Awards recognize the following four categories: • Outstanding Interior Space • Outstanding Building Exterior • Outstanding Retail Showroom/ Restaurant Dining Room • Outstanding Historic Preservation The awards will be presented on August 16, 2012 at the Chamber’s monthly event, Good Morning Coral Gables at the Biltmore Hotel. Apply by Noon, July 20, 2012 and have your own building honored! For more information contact Ileana Delgado at (305) 446-1657 or idelgado@ coralgableschamber.org.
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CHAIRMAN’S CORNER Drew Kern Esslinger-WootenMaxwell CGCC Chairman kern.d@ewm.com
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ongratulations
to Darla Thompson, our Board of Directors and the hard-working Chamber staff for a fantastic Goals Conference.
Special congratulations to Ambassador Chuck Cobb for being our 5th George E. Merrick Award of Excellence recipient and to the University of Miami on their recognition with the Legacy Award. To all of our finalists (George Kakouris, Mary Young, Former Mayor Dorothy Thomson and Arthur Hertz), thank you for the great contributions you have given our City Beautiful and for carrying out the vision that George Merrick so proudly left us.
where we celebrate with one of our local chefs and Open Doors of our Chamber membership to new trustee prospects. I hope to see many of you at our various summer events - there are a lot to choose from, including a wonderful event at the Coral Gables Arts Cinema.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman: Drew Kern (Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors) Chair-Elect: Darla Thompson (Cherry, Bekaert & Holland) Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev: Rosemary Guilfoyle (Public Adjusters, Inc.) Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs: Laura Russo (Laura Russo, PA) Vice Chairman-Community Affairs: Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Vice Chairman-Member Affairs: Amy Donner (Community Newspapers) Vice Chairman-International Affairs: Marco Ibarra (Eliptek Technology Group) Vice Chairman-Special Events: Barbara Schumann (Touché Beauty) Treasurer: John Allen (Home Financing Center, Inc.) Parliamentarian: Gabriel Castrillon (Hyatt Regency Coral Gables) Trustee Council Chair: Linda Knudsen (Baptist Health) Past Chairman: John O’Rourke (Montica Jewelry) Chairman’s Appointee: Martha de la Peña (Blue Cross Blue Shield) President & CEO: Mark A. Trowbridge
I also would like to thank all our members for making this an especially great year for me. It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve as your Chairman. With the help and support of our dedicated Board of Directors and a huge volunteer base of committee chairs, members, ambassadors and participants, you have made this one the Chamber’s most successful years. Thank you, and please help me celebrate our success as we head in to our new year where It is Our Business to Grow Your Business. Sincerely, Drew Kern EWM Realtors® Chairman, Commerce
Coral
Gables
Chamber
of
As we just celebrated this great country’s Independence Day (and the wonderful return of the 4th of July at The Biltmore), summer is in full swing and we are already looking forward to our new Chamber leadership and year that starts September 1. However, we still have lots of great events starting with a bonus Good Morning Coral Gables Breakfast on July 12 that will feature an all-star chef panel that is sure to get your mouth watering. Don’t miss our Trustee Invitational & Interactive luncheon in August
SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORSHIP Open Doors to Greater Exposure and Bigger Business! The Coral Gables Chamber has many high profile events that offer outstanding promotional value to your business. Get involved in the community and sponsor one of our upcoming events. For more information, contact Erica Dominguez at edominguez@coralgableschamber.org.
ADVERTISING What happens if you do not advertise your business? Absolutely nothing. Make your business stand out and take full advantage of your Chamber membership. There are sponsorship opportunities, newsletter advertising, website advertising and much more available to you to help promote your business. Rates are available on the front page of our website, www.coralgableschamber.org or you can contact Joshua Jones at jjones@coralgableschamber.org.
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2011-2012 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2012 Hugo Arza (Holland & Knight LLP) Manny Alvarez (International Finance Bank) George Feliciano (Bay Plumbing) Marti Mang (TotalBank)
Elected-term expires 2013 Perry Adair (Becker & Poliakoff) Ramon Ferrer (Florida Power & Light) Nelson Lazo (Doctors Hospital) Deirdre Nero (Nero Immigration Law) J. Dustin Symes (City National Bank)
Elected-term expires 2014 Thad Adams (The Allen Morris Company) Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.) Wayne Eldred (Tarpon Bend) Frank Fernandez (US Century Bank) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects) Appointees-term expires 8/31/2012 Sarah Nesbitt Artecona (University of Miami) John Knowles (Photo Offset) Dan Odess (East Coast Public Adjusters, Inc.) Marianne Sioli (CompuPay, Inc.) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables Commissioner Frank C. Quesada City of Coral Gables Cynthia Birdsill (Economic Sustainability Department) Education Foundation of the Coral Gables Chamber Drew Kern Coral Gables Community Foundation Andria Hanley Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 305.446.1657
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |JULY-AUGUST 2012
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY-AUGUST 2012
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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE: MID-YEAR CHECK UP Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org
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s summer begins to sizzle and the July swelter drips down moistly upon us, it is hard to believe that we are mid-way through 2012. Just six short months ago, we were toasting the arrival of the New Year and setting goals for brighter days ahead. Now, at the mid-point, it is time to take stock, reflect and adjust our predictions for the year. We have that luxury - and opportunity - given where the annual calendar currently rests. No, our crystal ball is not any more easy to decipher and the clouds of uncertainty have not parted for brighter skies. But, we do know several things that have come into clearer focus, including that our nation’s economic recovery is not picking up the steam we hoped for and that job creation continues at a snail’s pace. If you read some of the predictions for 2012 back on January 1st, you heard people talk about things like social media (again!), consumer confidence, productivity, job creation and more. Here are some other things that were expected to catch fire...and my take on their temperature now at mid-year.
1. Internet videos are all the rage - still burning and getting hotter!
Consider this statistic: Online videos now make up 50% of all consumer Internet traffic (and I am not incuding the adult variety). Our Chamber tapped into this by including a video on each Monday Chatter and creating our own YouTube Channel. We have seen our “open” rate skyrocket as our members are drawn to these videos, most of which are fun and whimsical. Almost 200 million Americans watch online videos every month, and on any given day, 100 million people will watch videos online. What could that mean for your business? Tons! People love videos, and it turns out that videos increase your sales. An industry trendsetter, Zappos.com, claims it sells up to 30% more shoes when videos are used to display a shoe. A shoe! You should strongly consider adding video to your marketing strategy, be it an online video catalog, a tour of your retail store, video newsletters, or even instructional videos.
2. Social media is a world of have and have nots - still toasty, but the butter is no longer melting!
There seem to be two distinct worlds when it comes to social media for small business: those who get it and use it effectively and those that don’t give a darn about it/do not use it effectively. About 50% of small businesses use social media. That is why the Chamber has a Facebook page and a Twitter Account (ChamberPrez is my handle) and we have hosted numerous workshops on the topic. The small businesses that use social media, do so for the following reasons: • 80% of online visitors use social media daily. POKE! • More than 50% of all social media users follow a brand. LIKE! • Social media is growing exponentially — Facebook added over 200 million users in 2011, alone. Who cares what the stock price is, right? The small businesses that have figured out that social media is a key ingredient to their business model going forward will continue to grow.
Dolly Parton - cooling off due to chronic fatigue syndrome! Does anyone really work at their desk job five days a week, from 9 to 5 anymore? Well, no. Productivity has been on the increase out of necessity...not only because there are greater efficiencies in technology, but we were back-filling for jobs that have been eliminated or downsized. We are hanging on for dear life. A perfect storm of things have combined to make it so that we can work anywhere, anytime, at anything. In the last decade, we have increased productivity thanks to the Internet, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and various apps. If you are like me, I check email in the morning even before I shower or walk the dog (poor Winston!). And, the last thing I do before bed is not say my prayers, but check my Blackberry (sorry Jesus!). Too much of a good thing may indeed be a bad thing. And so people are weary...and saying, enough is enough. See you on Monday!
4. Are happy days here again? - much cooler than hoped for/ expected/ desired!
Yes, the economy is beginning to show signs of life, but this is not at the pace that we hoped or that history often predicts post recession. Sure, consumer confidence continues to rise and unemployment claims continue to fall, but, will fourth-quarter GDP growth be in the 3% to 4% range? Only time will tell. And while lowered expectations seem to be the new normal, it is nice to be able to report something other than dour economic news for a change. That is why switched to ESPN. If this trend continues, it will surely shape your business significantly in 2013, and hopefully for the EVEN better.
5. Manic for Mobility - still warm, but we need more power Scotty!
Those sexy iPads continue to move rapidly off the shelf and laptops outsell desktops; smartphones remain all the rage with more than a million apps in the App store. Yes, we have an App for that, too! For the small business, mobility madness will have all sorts of effects in the immediate future: • Employees will increasingly expect to work when and where they want (see No. 3, above), especially Millenials • Customers will want to be able to interact with your business via their mobile device - and demand it NOW! • Sooner rather than later, you will be using apps to run your business. You better have an App for that! • Your website and communication strategies need to be mobile friendly • Mobile ad campaigns should definately become part of your marketing mix So, sure, most of the trends that started 2012 remain relevant at the midpoint. But, the levels to which they have (or will) impact your business has been all over the temperature gauge. In truth, the Chamber does our best to have our finger on your pulse, but even we sometimes are checking a tendon instead of an artery. So, we keep on plugging ahead doing our best to keep the heat of business success white hot. And we do have an App for that. It is called Chamber membership.
3. Working 9 to 5 no longer stars Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda or www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY-AUGUST 2012
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TRUSTEE TALK
Linda Knudsen, Baptist Health South Florida &
My term as Trustee Council Chair is coming to an end. And, I must say it was way more fun than I expected. These last two years have afforded me the opportunity to work behind the scenes to help plan and promote Trustee events and, more importantly, get to know more of you better.
Trustee Council Chair
In keeping with my efforts to help you get noticed, here are my last two networking strategies for making the most of your Chamber membership (and life in general!): LindaK@baptisthealth.net
Strategy #8: Be yourself. Chamber members and staff are a friendly bunch. Plus, we’re all here for the same purpose: To build trust, establish working relationships and help promote our businesses. The Chamber provides ideal opportunities to accomplish all of these. So, get in the game. Smile. Relax. Be real. Have fun. You’ll be amazed at the doors that will fly open! Thank you for your feedback and support. It has been an honor –– and a pleasure –– to serve the Chamber and you in this position. See you at the next Trustee event.
Strategy #7: Show your appreciation. Once a networking event is over, thank the people who talked with you. If you made an especially good connection, exchange cards and plan a future confab. If someone went out of his or her way to help you during an event or gave you a testimonial or job contact, send a thankyou card. In today’s world of emails, texts and tweets, a handwritten note has serious WOW! power.
GEORGE E. MERRICK AWARD DINNER - JUNE 21, 2012
ALBERTO ROMEU | ALBERTO ROMEU PHOTOGRAPHY Top Left: Chair-Elect Darla Thompson, Cherry Bekaert & Holland. Top Right: Ambassador Charles Cobb receives the George E. Merrick award, CGCC Past Chair Sarah Artecona, University of Miami (UM), accepts the Legacy Award on behalf of UM. Bottom Left: Chair-Elect Darla Thompson, CBH; Chairman Drew Kern, EWM; Dinner Emcee Shannon Hori, CBS4; Award Recipient Amb. Charles Cobb; and Award Creator W. Allen Morris, The Allen Morris Company. Bottom Right: Distinguished Honorees: Ambassador Charles Cobb, Cobb Partners; George Kakouris, Wells Fargo; W. Allen Morris, The Allen Morris Co.; Former Mayor Dorothy Thomson; Arthur H. Hertz; Mary Young; and Sarah Artecona, UM.
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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY- AUGUST 2012
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FEATURED JULY EVENT
GOALS CONFERENCE - JUNE 22, 2012
Left: Luncheon Sponsor Joe Hovancak, COMCAST Business Class; Keynote speaker and author Steve Cone, Bloomberg TV; Chair-Elect Darla Thompson, Cherry Bekaert & Holland; alongside Mark A. Trowbridge, Chamber President & CEO. Right: Closing Reception Sponsor Joe Herrera, Credomatic Merchant Services; Cris Garcia, Credomatic Merchant Services; Chairman Drew Kern, Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors; Mark A. Trowbridge, Chamber President & CEO; Becky Arencibia, Credomatic Merchant Services; Alex Rey, Credomatic Merchant Services
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY-AUGUST 2012
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SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES! JULY 11th
JULY 25th
RE CONNECT LUNCHEON- 12:15 PM Anacapri on Ponce 2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON -11:30 AM Hyatt Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables
JULY 11th
AUGUST 1st
WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY- 5:30 PM Seasons 52
WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY- 5:30 PM Cibo Wine Bar 45 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
321 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
JULY 12th GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES BREAKFAST- 7:30 AM Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsor: MIAMI Magazine
AUGUST 3rd TROW KNOW CEOs 8:30 AM Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 224 Catalonia Avenue, Coral Gables
JULY 17th
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM Featuring Gonzalo Ruiz, National Director & CSO of U.S. and Caribbean, Credomatic Merchant Services Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables
AUGUST 16th GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES BREAKFAST - 7:30 AM Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables
JULY 19th
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S SCREENING FEATURING “TO ROME I WITH LOVE” - 6:00 PM Coral Gables Arts Cinema 260 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables Spomsor: Laura L. Russo, Esq. and Italy-America Chamber
AUGUST 21st WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS! Allen P. Rossi Cao Chocolates Dowd Builders, Inc. Divers Direct Hurley Health Resources Intermedia Touch, Inc. Kahn-Carlin Insurance La Piazza Academy, LLC
SPONSORSHIP/INVESTOR HALL OF FAME May 2012 through July 2012
$5,000 AND ABOVE
$2,500 - $4,999
The Allen Morris Company AXA Advisors, LLC Baptist Health South Florida The Biltmore Hotel Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. City of Coral Gables City National Bank Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Florida Blue Florida Power & Light Home Financing Center, Inc. Hyatt Regency Coral Gables Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. Miami’s Community Newspapers Montica Jewelry TotalBank
AT&T Bay Plumbing Company Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. Coastal Construction Group Comcast Credomatic Merchant Services Dade Medical College Doctors Hospital East Coast Public Adjusters, Inc. Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Greensleeves Gulliver Schools
MiamiBusiness.com Mixtura Restaurant Plumbtech Soroptomist International of Coral Gables Sushi Maki T-Mobile U.S. Security Care, Inc. WelcometoMiami.com
* BOLD denotes new Trustee member
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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY-AUGUST 2012
Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Photo Offset Port of Miami The Miami Herald Touché Beauty LLC U.S. Century Bank USAA Realty Company/CBRE Village of Merrick Park The Miami Herald Touché Beauty LLC U.S. Century Bank USAA Realty Company/CBRE
EVENTS CALENDAR
JULY / AUGUST 2012 Monday
Wednesday
Tuesday 8:00 AM International Affairs Meeting
Friday
Thursday
3
4 Independence Day
8:00 AM Ambassador Meeting
5
9:00 AM WBN Steering Committee
9
16
10
5:30 PM Trustee Reception *Trustee Members Only
17
8:00 AM Go Green Committee Meeting
11
9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Meeting 12:15 PM RE-Connect Luncheon 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
18
8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting
11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon
23
24
30
31
6
13
8:00 AM International Affairs Meeting
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
7
14
25
11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon (Open to all Members)
1
12
7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables
19
8:00 AM M-Team Committee Meeting 6:00 PM A Midsummer Night’s Screening Featuring “To Rome With Love”
2
9:00 AM WBN Steering Committee
15
13
14/15
20
21/22
27
28/29
3
4/5
10
11/12
17
18/19
24
25/26
31
1
8:00 AM Diamond Awards Committee Meeting
8:00 AM Business & Government Affairs Committee Meeting
26
5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday @ Cibo Wine Bar
8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting
7/8
11:00 AM Trustee Council Meeting
8:00 AM Business & Education Meeting
8:00 AM Ambassador Meeting
8
6
9:00 AM 20/30 Group Meeting
12:15 PM RE-Connect Luncheon
9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Meeting
Saturday / Sunday
8:30 AM Trow Know CEO’s featuring Mitchel Kaplan, President of Book & Books\
8:00 AM M-Team Committee Meeting
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16
7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables
8:30 AM Trow Knows CEO’s featuring Shawn Eichorst, Athletic Director at the University of Miami
9:00 AM Chamber 101
8:00 AM Business & Government Affairs Meeting
9:00 AM 20/30 Group Meeting
20
21
8:00 AM Green Committee Meeting
22
11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon
27
28
29
23
8:00 AM Business & Education Meeting
5:30 PM Chairman’s Reception & Expo
30
12:00 PM Trustee Invitational and Interactive Lumcheon
11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY-AUGUST 2012
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SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY MAY
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES MAY JUNE
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCH
TRUSTEE LUNCH
MAY
MAY
TRUSTEE RECEPTION
RISING STAR AWARD
MAY
MAY
GEORGE E. MERRICK AWARD
BAPTIST HEALTH TOUR OF THE GABLES 5K PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSORS:
BUNGE Latin America | Dr. G’s Weight Loss & Wellness | Equinox | Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. | Merchant Bank of Coral Gables | Mercantil Commercebank| VH Pharmacy | Home Instead | Burger King 10
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY-AUGUST 2012
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION (CONT.) TOTALBANK GOLF CLASSIC PRESENTED BY:
JUNE
TEAM PHOTO SPONSOR
LONGEST DRIVE SPONSOR
BEVERAGE SPONSORS
GOALS CONFERENCE JUNE
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JULY-AUGUST 2012
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