BETTER BUSINESS | BETTER COMMUNITY | BETTER YOU Everyday we take strides to achieve the best version of ourselves. Whether it's through the work we do or philanthropic activities, we as humans are constantly evolving into who we wish to be, both personally and professionally. Our Annual Conference is about just that: the steps we are taking to redefine the future of business, our community and of ourselves.
Topics include Leveraging Leadership, Corporate Social Responsibility, 22nd Century Innovation, Mobility, Community Building and Networking, Networking, Networking! Join us for two impactful days of interactive workshops, keynote presentations, high caliber networking and collegiality at The Biltmore Hotel.
On August 24th and 25th, we will host our 2017 Annual Conference, focused on exploring new opportunities, making meaningful community connections and showcasing our member businesses. In conjunction with our Chair-Elect Martha de la Peña
IN THIS ISSUE:
Rojas of Florida Blue, we have put together a forward thinking, member centered program benefitting YOU!
Reserve your space today and save big! The early bird rate of $299 won't last long, so please secure your space today to be part of our better future.
SCENES FROM THE 2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
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 │July - August 2017
THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR John Allen
Chair of the Board, CGCC Home Financing Center johna@homefinancingcenter.com
No lazy days of summer at the Chamber!
to come!
In case you haven’t noticed from the tropical rains and blazing sun, summer has arrived in The City Beautiful, but it hasn’t slowed us down a bit! Since our last Chamber CONNECTion newsletter, a lot has happened, and the best is still
The beginning of May we hosted our Legislative Fly-In of almost 20 Chamber leaders flying to Washington, D.C. In two days we had close to 20 meetings with our senators, representatives and other organizations, including Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the State Department and a host of others. Among the important priorities we discussed with them were education, the loosening of compliance regulations for community banks and credit unions, and the impact of changing sea levels. As we had hoped, it was a very productive and interesting visit. While there was very little down-time, some of our delegates got the opportunity to visit the new African History Museum, the capital’s newest cultural attraction. The majority of us flew back to Miami just in time to head straight to the beautiful new Infiniti of Coral Gables showroom for the Rising Star Awards, one of our Chamber’s most prestigious and coveted awards. Twelve individuals and companies made the final list of nominees in four categories. Congratulations to Natalia East of The Allen Morris Company (Executive Star), Matthew Anderson of Foundry Commercial (Model Star), Andres Focil of WMT (Shining Star) Apollo Bank (Shooting Star) and to Eric Gros-Dubois of EPGD Attorneys at Law (Overall Rising Star)!
2016 - 2017 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board John Allen, Home Financing Center, Inc. Chair-Elect Martha de la Pena Rojas, Florida Blue First Vice Chairman Patrick O’Connell, EWM Realty International Treasurer Ana Chaoui, Grove Bank & Trust Parliamentarian Carlos Garcia, Hancock Askew & Co., LLP Immediate Past Chairman Wayne Eldred, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs Arthur Freyre, Poblete Tamargo LLP Vice Chairman-Community Affairs Jon Ridley, Honeywell Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev. Nelson Penalver, thumbprint Vice Chairman-Member Affairs Sara Hernandez, Bank of the Ozarks Vice Chairman-Special Events Jessica Wilcox, J. Wilcox Consulting Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs Bruce Bounds, Bounds Law Offices Trustee Council Chair Brian Barakat, Barakat Law, P.A. Chairman’s Appointee Nelson Lazo, Doctors Hospital President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge
The heat didn’t stop the hundreds of runners who participated in the Doctors Hospital Tour of the Gables 5K on Saturday, May 20th. Supporters cheered on the runners as they crossed the finish line. Congrats to those who participated in this newly re-christened annual run!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2017 Andria Hanley (Camillus House) Raquel Hickey (Gables Living) Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Barbara Norland (YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade Inc.) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects)
And we have some of the most important events of the Chamber year just ahead of us. The much anticipated annual Trustee Invitational & Interactive Luncheon is almost upon us. Make your reservation and plan to have an extraordinary time, donning your chef’s cap and apron and cooking tableside. If you haven’t been to this luncheon before, get ready for an amazing afternoon…and clear your schedule for that day!
Elected-term expires 2018 Thad Adams (The Allen Morris Company) Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Charles Knight (Florida Power & Light) Yesenia Moreno (Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc.) Rene Negron (AXA Advisors, LLC)
Save the dates for the biggest event of the year, our Annual Conference. This year's Conference will take place August 24th and 25th at The Biltmore Hotel. We start the event with the George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence dinner, where the Chamber will bestow the highest award we have to one outstanding individual. After dinner, for those who would like, there are a limited number of rooms available to spend that evening. The Annual Conference begins the following morning, with Florida Blue as the presenting sponsor, welcoming our incoming Chair, Martha de la Peña Rojas as she embarks on what will surely be a remarkable exciting year on September 1st. I know it has been an incredible one for me! I look forward to seeing all of you soon…in the meantime, remember to stay involved and make it a great Chamber Day! Sincerely,
John R. Allen, Jr. Chair, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
Elected-term expires 2019 Pilar Araoz (Smiles & Sonrisas) Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers) Christie Grays (Baptist Health South Florida) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA) Nicole Waters (Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables) Chairman’s Appointees-term expires 2017 Alex Jimenez (Apollo Bank) Christopher Spuches (Ehrenstein Charbonneau Calderin Attorneys at Law) Ben Riestra (UHealth) Cinthya Urena (City National Bank) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables Vice Mayor Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables Javier Betancourt Business Improvement District Mindy McIlroy Coral Gables Community Foundation Mary Snow The Beacon Council of Miami-Dade Nelson Lazo
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - OUR AMERICAN JOURNEY Mark A. Trowbridge
President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org
Every summer, my best friend Denise and I plan a vacation that is uniquely of our own design and devices. This annual journey is meant to be equal parts relaxing, catching-up (she lives in Sydney, Australia) and exploratory. Over the years, we have cruised the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, traveled to Europe (twice) and Asia, visited Argentina and Uruguay and experienced such amazing global cities as Buenos Aires and London, as well as quant locales like Santorini, Capri, Bath and Bruges. We have toured Stonehenge, taken in a tango show at the Faena in BA and visited the cool underground caves of Veuve Cliquot in Reims. But, we have never seen the very best of America – at least not together. Our first thought was to take an Amtrak train cross-country. That was ruled out the minute we laid eyes on the sleeping berths. Can you say tight quarters? We are creatures of our own comforts, after all. We also had taken one of those Facebook quizzes where you put a check-mark next to the states you have visited and well, we were severely lacking in the Great Northern reaches of our country. Hmmmm, what to do…what to do. So, this summer, in a "throw caution to the wind" kind of moment, we are headed out on a road trip like no other. Eight states over 8 days…2300 miles…the great American North and Northwest…landmarks galore! America in all her shining glory. To facilitate our departure and enhance our global positioning, we leave from Chicago after a quick pic at The Bean and then head North to Milwaukee to see the Bronze Fonz before a sojourn to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, the ultimate shrine to professional football (and all things cheese, in between). Then, it is due West to Minneapolis for a shopping spree at the Mall of America (with a quick side step, we have to visit the “twin” in the Twin Cities, St. Paul, home of the Big Green Chair). At this point of our trip, I am hoping it is a Lazy Boy that fully reclines.
things to do. Here there are a bevy of activities to enjoy, including a six ton prairie dog statue, The Muffler Man and an oversized statue of both David and Moses (ah, memories of Firenze!). All of this is a prelude to something grander to come – Rapid City, where just 23 miles South is that big, carved rock with the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Of course, Rapid City has probably felt like the ugly duckling next to the swan that is Mt. Rushmore, so it has come up with a few tricks of its own, including the Corn Palace (yes, please – VIP tickets), Dinosaur Park and a statue of every single president of the United States scattered about town (well, maybe minus one). Wow – that is some good sight-seeing! The longest stretch of our trip across ‘Merica happens next – as we head along that great expanse that is Wyoming in search of Yellowstone Park. Breathtaking views included with the price of admission – prepare to be awed and inundated with FB posts of big skies and rock formations and of course, God’s green earth. I am a National Park fan, as you all may have guessed given the number of times I referenced its 100th anniversary last year, but this may be the biggest, most amazing moment of them all as Old Faithful lives here. Yes he does! Then, it is up to Montana where the buffalo roam, across the tippy, tippy top of Idaho where there is a Miner’s Museum and gorgeous Lake Coeur d’Alene before crossing the border into Spokane, Washington, home of Gonzaga University (I know, you didn’t know where it was either, just that they play some really good basketball). Finally, we traverse HWY 90 the width of the state and glide into Seattle for the big finale and the Chihuly Garden, Pike Place and the Space Needle. Now, that is the best way to see eight states in eight days. I know, a 2,300 mile cross-country journey may not be for everyone, but we will have our cooler stocked, our GPS fired up and our eyes on the ultimate prize…America. Land of the free, home of the brave.
After the excitement of overnighting in a giant teepee at the Tundra Lodge, we are off to Sioux Falls and my first foray into South Dakota – ever. The more glamorous of the Dakotas, SD is home to almost too many coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017
TRUSTEE TALK Brian Barakat
Chair, Trustee Council Barakat Law, P.A. brian@triallawmiami.com
Summer has placed its sandy feet on our doorsteps! I personally kickedoff my favorite season by celebrating birthdays, Father’s Day, and the Solstice, events that always remind me that it is the time for vacations, sunscreen and the Chamber. Speaking of such, the Chamber staff has pitched up an awesome group of speakers for the Trustee Luncheons. Just last month we had Matt Haggman from The Knight Foundation. I am not sure about you, but I had no idea that Miami was the number one city for entrepreneurs in the country! I am proud to count myself among them.
City National Bank team, including Chamber Board of Director Cinthya Urena (far right), enjoyed the June Trustee Reception hosted at their branch.
Look out for July! We will be hosting our yearly Trustee Invitational & Interactive Luncheon... and everyone is invited! Flowing champagne, a hearty meal cooked by you, and the expert guidance of The Biltmore Hotel’s Executive Chef, David Hackett are on tap! This will be one party you won’t want to miss! Then be sure to take the rest of the day off and get busy relaxing!
TRUSTEE EVENTS: MAY - JUNE
This June we welcomed four new Trustee Members, including Lillian Ser of Ser & Associates.
Chamber President Mark A. Trowbridge, pictured with Matt Haggmann, Miami Program Director, The Knight Foundation, who headlined our May Trustees welcomed the 20/30 Group who participated in tours of Baptist Trustee Luncheon. Health South Florida's eICU located in Coral Gables. All of this excitement took place during the June Trustee Reception.
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017
UPCOMING EVENTS
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES Wednesday, July 5, 2017 - Noon RE-Connect Luncheon Location: Morton's the Steakhouse 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Barakat Law, P.A., EPGD Attorneys at Law, Michael Forman DOM, P.A., Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Speaker: Amy Donner, Miami’s Community Newspapers Cost: $25 Luncheon Fee Online payment and registration is required in advance! Wednesday, July 5, 2017 - 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Location: Seasons 52 321 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables Sponsored By: MAPFRE Insurance, The Keyes Company Cost: $25 Chamber & #YoPro Members by 6/30; $35 Members & Guests after 6/30 Monday, July 10, 2017 - 11:30 AM Meet the Commissioner! - SOLD OUT Join us for an All-Star Luncheon at Marlins Park! Location: Marlins Park 501 Marlins Way, Diamond Club, Miami Sponsored By: UHealth Sports Medicine Institute Speaker: Robert D. Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball Presented Jointly By: Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Coalition of Chambers and the Miami Marlins Tuesday, July 11, 2017 - 5:30 PM Trustee Reception Join us for a night of All-Star networking! Host & Location: Bank United 2159 Coral Way, Coral Gables Complimentary to Trustee Members Tuesday, July 18, 2017 - 11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Mercantil Bank Speaker: Yanyn “Yany” San Luis, Founder, “The Win Woman” Topic: Negotiating Like A BOSS Cost: $40 Chamber member registration fee by 7/14; $50 On-Site registration fee & Guests Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - 3:45 PM IMPACT: A Seminar Series for Small Business The Entrepreneurial Life Cycle Location: Coral Gables Museum 285 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Speaker: Eric Gros-Dubois, EPGD Business Law Sponsored by: Mercantil Bank Bites Provided by: Vicky Bakery Coral Gables Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests Thursday, July 20, 2017 - 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Slather on the sunscreen and don your business casual digs for the most important business meal of your month! Leading off with a special presentation of the 2017 City Beautiful Awards presented by the City of Coral Gables. Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Series Sponsor: UHealth Keynote Speaker: Nicolas Aquavella Pesantes, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of Miami - Miller School of Medicine Special Presentation: 2017 City Beautiful Awards Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 7/14; $35 Member On-site Registration; $40 Guests
Wednesday, July 26, 2017 - 11:45 AM Trustee Invitational & Interactive Luncheon Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Presented By: Bay Plumbing Company Supporting Sponsors: Barakat Law, Cellar Club at The Biltmore Hotel, EPGD Business Law & Florida Blue Featured Chef: David Hackett, Executive Chef, The Biltmore Hotel Cost: $99 Per Ticket - or - $999 Reserved VIP Table of 8 The program includes three course interactive luncheon prepared by YOU, libations & one unforgettably intimate culinary experience! Friday, July 28, 2017 - 11:45 AM Lunch With a Legislator Location: Miami-Dade College, Inter-American Campus 627 SW 27 Ave, Room 401 Keynote Speaker: Representative Nicholas X. Duran, District 112 Complimentary registration for Chamber members is limited to the first 40 guests. Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - Noon RE-Connect Luncheon Location: Morton's the Steakhouse 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Barakat Law, P.A., EPGD Attorneys at Law, Michael Forman DOM, P.A., Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Cost: $25 Luncheon Fee Online payment and registration is required in advance! Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Location: Well Groomed Gentleman 130 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables Sponsored By: MAPFRE Insurance, The Keyes Company Cost: $25 Chamber & #YoPro Members by 7/28; $35 Members & Guests after 7/28 Friday, August 4, 2017 - 8:00 AM Commercial Real Estate Outlook Breakfast Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsored by: The Allen Morris Company Panel of Experts: Francesca Madeo Valdes, City of Coral Gables; Rey Melendi, 13th Floor Investments; Allen Morris, The Allen Morris Company; George Spillis · Grass River Property, LLC Partners: Florida International University, Miami Today, Commercial Industrial Association of South Florida, CREW-Miami, Florida CCIM Cost: $40 Chamber, FIU, CIASF, CREW-Miami Members & Florida CCIM; $50 Guests · $400 VIP Reserved Table of 10 Tuesday, August 8, 2017 - 5:30 PM Trustee Reception Host & Location: Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables 300 Almeria Avenue, Coral Gables In Partnership With: Doral Business Council Complimentary to Trustee Members Thursday, August 24 - Friday, August 25, 2017 Annual Conference presented by Florida Blue Day 1: Thursday, August 24, 2017 10th annual George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence Dinner 6:30 PM - Cocktail Reception 7:30 PM - Awards Dinner The Biltmore Hotel | 1200 Anastasia Avenue Sponsored by: The Allen Morris Company & City National Bank Day 2: Friday, August 25, 2017 Annual Conference, presented by Florida Blue The Biltmore Hotel | 1200 Anastasia Avenue Early bird rates now in effect! Cost: $299 - Includes the George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence th Dinner (August 24 ), Annual Conference opening breakfast, keynote luncheon, all breakout programs and closing event (August 25th)
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS
Through June 2017
May - June 2017
• The Allen Morris Company • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • BankUnited • Baptist Health South Florida • Brown-Forman Beverages • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank • Doctors Hospital • EWM Realty International • Florida Blue • Florida Power & Light
• Gulliver Schools • Hancock Askew & Co., LLP • Home Financing Center, Inc. • thumbprint • Marquis Bank • Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • Photo Offset, Inc. • South Motors BMW • Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill • University of Miami • UHealth
$2,500 - $4,999 • Apollo Bank • Grove Bank & Trust
• Ehrenstein Charbonneau Calderin Attorneys at Law • Southern Audio Visual
u
Absolute Choice Insurance Arch Resources Group, LLC Capital One Cave Solutions LLC Espirito Santo Marketing Solutions ESSENCE CATERERS Haber Slade PA Janelle Fernandez LLC Jewish Community Services of South Florida Meditation with Peggy Gaines, RN LLC MRD Consulting, Inc. Nanndi, Inc. NMR Design Group LLC Parodi Group Plan B Concept Pomodoro Stories, LLC Promotional Products by TrophyWorld R.E. Chisholm Architects, Inc. Sage Dental of Coral Gables SalesPartners Miami Shop Your Way RELAY - Sears Holdings Siegfried, Rivera, Hyman, Lerner, De La Torre, Mars & Sobel, P.A. Student Center Complex at the University of Miami Sushi Club TaxLeaf.com The Bespoke Club Turn Key Real Estate Services, LLC Wunderlich Yes Commercial Real Estate
$5,000 and Above
* BOLD denotes Trustee member
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017
EVENTS CALENDAR
‘17
July | August
Monday OFFICE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF JULY 4TH
Tuesday
3
Wednesday 4
Friday
12:00 PM 5 8:00 AM RE-Connect Luncheon 4:00 PM Small Business Committee Meeting 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
OFFICE CLOSED
Thursday
6 Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting
7
9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
10 11 8:00 AM 12 13 11:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM Business & Gov’t Affairs Meet the Commish! M-Team Committee Meeting Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting Committee Meeting 9:00 AM 5:30 PM Cultural Affairs Trustee Reception Committee Meeting
14
19 7:30 AM 20 3:45 PM Good Morning Coral Gables featuring the City IMPACT Serminar Beautiful Awards
21
17
8:00 AM S.E.E. Green Committee Meeting
18
11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon
24
31
25
9:15 AM 20/30 Group Committee Meeting 26 11:45 AM Trustee Invitational & Interactive Luncheon
27
28 Noon Lunch With A Legislator
1 12:00 PM 2 3 4 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM RE-Connect Luncheon Chairman’s Ambassadors Commercial Real Estate Global Business Affairs 4:00 PM Committee Meeting Outlook Breakfast Committee Meeting Small Business Committee Meeting
5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
9:00 AM Women's Business Network Committee Meeting
7
8
14 11:30 AM WBN Luncheon
15
21
22
23
28
29
30
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
11:30 AM Take Your Intern to Lunch
9 10 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 8:00 AM M-Team Committee Chamber 101 Business & Gov’t Affairs Meeting Committee Meeting
16 3:45 PM IMPACT: A Seminar Series for Small Business
17
11
18
24 25 6:30 PM 8:00 AM George E. Merrick Awards Annual Conference, of Excellence presented by Florida Blue
31 1 8:30 AM Trow Knows... CEOs
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
JUNE
SERIES SPONSOR
MAY
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON MAY
MAY
TRUSTEE RECEPTION MAY
AV SPONSOR
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON
JUNE
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
JUNE
RE-CONNECT LUNCH
RISING STAR AWARDS
DOCTORS HOSPITAL TOUR OF THE GABLES 5K
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │July - August 2017