FOOD + BUSINESS + NETWORKING = 1 DELICIOUS EXPO! When you think of Coral Gables, what comes to mind? The first thing that pops into our head is food, with business coming in a very close second. Taste of the Chamber successfully combines food with business and equals the tastiest business expo of the year! Each year, the Chamber creates numerous opportunities where you can showcase your business to our City’s movers and shakers. This year is no different. On Thursday, March 27th inside the Rotunda at the Westin Colonnade Coral Gables, restaurants and businesses alike will be dishing out their goods.
Want to get in on the fun? Reserve your display table before they’re all gone. Contact the Chamber at (305) 446-1657 for more information. Display tables are $250 for Chamber Members and $350 for non-Members, but space is limited! Just want to attend the event? $25 for Chamber Members and $30 for guests.
Participating Restaurants (to date): Catering by Lovables│Cibo Wine Bar│La Taberna Giralda│Morton’s the Steakhouse│Pika Sauce Display Tables (to date): The Biltmore Hotel│Credomatic Merchant Services│Florida Blue│Florida International UniversiSo join us, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, for some delicious delicacies, ty│Home Financing Center│Jackson Health Systems│Logistical uber-networking, limitless libations courtesy of Bacardi USA and Outsourcing, Inc.│Miami’s Community Newspapers│Miami some face-time with the Gables’ leading businesses. Herald│SnapHappy Photos│Stand Out Media│University of
TIS’ AWARD SEASON.... AND THE WINNER IS...! Everywhere we turn, on television and in social media, individuals are being recognized for their outstanding efforts in their industry. With the Olympics just wapping up and the Oscars scheduled to air on March 2nd, it seems like the entire nation
IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from the Chair Page 2 President’s Perspective Page 3 Trustee Talk
Page 4
Upcoming Special Events Page 5 Membership Highlights Page 6 Calendar of Events
Page 7
Sponsor Recognition
Page 8
is in an award-giving (and getting) mood. On a local scale, the Chamber has our own awards programs scheduled to debut over the next few months: Friday, March 7, 2014│11:30 AM AXA Advisors Businesswomen of the Year Awards Location: Coral Gables Country Club Honors: Outstanding women leaders and entrpreneurs in Miami-Dade County Categories: Entrepreneur│Corporate Leader│Philanthropist│Non-Profit│Retailer│Restauranteur │Health Care Pofessional│Hospitality Professional Thursday, April 24, 2014│5:30 PM Green Means Green Awards Location: The Building on Ponce’s Rooftop Honors: Individuals and companies that have placed a strong emphasis on sustainability and green practices Categories: Green “House”│Green Ma-
chine│Green Grad│Green “Pineapple” Green Giant│Green Gadget Application Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2014 Wednesday, May 7, 2014│5:30 PM Rising Star Awards Location: Bacardi USA Honors: Outstanding young professionals, under the age of 40, who have demonstrated excellence in their career Categories: Shining Star│Model Star│Executive Star│Shooting Star Application Deadline: Friday, April 4, 2014 Thursday, June 19, 2014│6:30 PM George E. Merrick Award of Excellence Location: The Biltmore Hotel Honors: An outstanding individual who has excelled in perpetuating the ideals of the City and Chamber founder, George E. Merrick Application Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2014
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014
THOUGHTS FROM THE CHAIR
2013 - 2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Perry Adair
Chairman, CGCC Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. padair@becker-poliakoff.com
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman: Perry Adair (Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.) Chair-Elect: Linda Knudsen, (Baptist Health South Florida) Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev: Barbara K. Norland (The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade) Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs: Patrick O’Connell (Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors) Vice Chairman-Community Affairs: Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers) Vice Chairman-Member Affairs: Marianne Sioli (Filer Insurance, Inc.) Vice Chairman-International Affairs: Carolina Rendeiro (RightSpace2Meet) Vice Chairman-Special Events: Yesenia Moreno (Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc.) Treasurer: Wayne Eldred (Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill) Parliamentarian: Martha de la Pena Rojas (Florida Blue) Trustee Council Chair: John Allen (Home Financing Center, Inc.) Past Chair: Darla Thompson (Cherry Bekaert LLP) Chairman’s Appointee: Laura Russo (Laura L. Russo, Esq.) President & CEO: Mark A. Trowbridge
Dear Fellow Chamber Members: All Americans should be proud of the delegation of athletes the U.S. sent to the Olympic Games. There is lot more than athletic competition taking place in Sochi. Our team is involved in what I like to call “athletic diplomacy.” Our athletes are great ambassadors for our country. They each deserve a gold medal for their efforts representing our country not only on the field of contest but off. Another delegation on my mind is the 15 member delegation our Chamber dispatched to Tallahassee for our Fly-In. It was one of my goals to double the size of the delegation and we were able to exceed that goal. Your Chamber was well represented in our State Capitol from February 10th - 12th. The elected officials and others we met with stressed how important and how helpful it is for delegations such as ours to visit and relay the business concerns of our community. A great value added of Chamber membership is that the priorities of our Chamber members are communicated firsthand by Chamber leadership to our elected representatives. Our Chamber D.C. Fly-In will take place April 28th and 29th. We hope to have an even larger delegation for that Fly-In. Please join us as we bring our Chamber diplomacy to Capitol Hill. Our input and engagement is extremely valuable to our elected representatives.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2014 Thad Adams (Allen Morris Company) Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.) Frank Fernandez (US Century Bank) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects) Nelson Penalver (Logistical Outsourcing, Inc.)
NOTICE TO OUR MEMBERSHIP
Elected-term expires 2015 Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Rosemary Guilfoyle (Planning Consultants Group) John Knowles (Photo Offset, Inc.) Marti Mang (TotalBank) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA)
Please be advised that the annual process of electing officers and directors for the Chamber is underway. The general membership has the opportunity to nominate members of the Chamber for Board membership. In order to be nominated, a member must sumbit his or her request signed by twenty-five (25) members in good standing to the Chamber office by Friday, April 4, 2014 at Noon. Any submission from the membership will be added to the slate of nominees determined by the Chamber’s Nominating Committee and Board of Directors. Chamber Board elections will be held in mid-May of 2014. Please contact the Chamber at (305) 446-1657 if you have any questions. Thank You!
Elected-term expires 2016 George Feliciano Jr. (Bay Plumbing Company) Ramon Ferrer (Florida Power & Light) Raquel Hickey (City National Bank) Karen Pascual (U.S. Century Bank) Nicole Waters (Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables) Appointees-term expires 8/31/2014 Sarah Nesbitt Artecona (University of Miami) Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Rene Negron (AXA Advisors, LLC.) Martha Pantin (American Airlines) Al Peraza (Mercantil Commercebank) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Business Improvement District Abe Ng, Sushi Maki City of Coral Gables Commissioner Frank C. Quesada City of Coral Gables Cynthia Birdsill (Economic Sustainability Department) Coral Gables Community Foundation Mary Snow Miami-Dade Beacon Council Nelson Lazo
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
As presented to the Coral Gables City Commission on February 25, 2014
Mark A. Trowbridge
President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org
Most are just starting to grow again, hire again, and engage again…and this project must not hinder that process – it must further catalyze it. It must be trans For decades, our City’s main street parent, and that begins today with your leadership has been in need of significant atten- and a determined path forward. tion. A facelift, if you will. But certainly more than a nip and tuck. It is currently a hodge-podge of styles, As I mentioned, this project has been a long-standfoliage and muddled character that is not befitting ing priority of our Chamber…dating back many years. of our Coral Gables. In its current form, it is not the Each of our Chairs and their respective Boards has prominent destination and pedestrian promenade understood the importance of a competitive Miracle that our business community desires, or deserves. Mile to our local economy. We have seen other areas blossom as time has marched on. Today, it is our turn But…today is the day. A day that we have been pa- to bloom bright. tiently – and at times not so patiently - waiting to arrive for some time. A day that will create extraordi- Great cities have vibrant downtowns and prominent nary opportunities for our businesses in Coral Gables. spaces that create a sense of place - combining archiA day that will return our downtown to its originally tecture, lighting, landscaping, a strong retail/restauenvisioned glory. A day that will ensure that we put rant mix and other physical amenities. They also have the Miracle back in Miracle Mile, as our past Chair Sar- a strong business community that is invested in makah Nesbitt Artecona is fond of saying. ing what is already good…well, extraordinarily great. This is more than a streetscape project…it is an opporMiracle Mile is inextricably linked to our past, our tunity, a civic renewal program, a lasting legacy…and it founders and our community’s DNA. It is our main is in your able hands. street, our Rodeo Drive, our Times Square…a central gathering place where retail businesses can soar, I close with a gentle reminder that many of us have restaurants can thrive and people can assemble in an been invested in this plan for a very long time…for me, attractive, open, meaningful space. it has been more than 8 years, but for others far longer…and we tip our hats to the City Manager for his The time is right to ensure our long-term competitive- efforts, the Business Improvement District and their ness and create a visitor and shopper-friendly district leadership for their support, and to each of you seated that is unparalleled not only Miami, but in all of South here today who will ultimately make the decision that Florida. The re-imagination of this public space will will change our community forever. be a legacy project of this Commission…and an inheritance for future residents, visitors and businesses. Today is that day. Greetings Chamber Members!
Yet, there are some skeptics, and we must do our very best to listen to and hear these voices and assuage their fears. All can agree that this project will be a vast improvement over what currently exists and a game-changer for Coral Gables. But, many of our businesses are just beginning to regain their confidence after a long, painful and destructive recession.
Thank you.
THI K
BIG!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014
TRUSTEE TALK John Allen
efforts to ensure that our Trustee members get the most from their Chamber membership. We are continually reaching out to all our Trustee members, so don’t be surprised if you get a call or e-mail from us to see how we can help enhance your Chamber exGreetings fellow Trustee Members! perience… and finally lots of special appreciation to the Chamber staff, whose behind-the-scenes make all these events flow seamI hope everyone enjoyed a great holiday lessly! season and enjoyed the most recent Trustee events! All of us on the Trustee Council look forward to seeing YOU at our next great Trustee event! Our January Reception at the luxurious Gables Ponce kicked off the New Year with a spectacular roof-top poolside venue with TRUSTEE LUNCHEON great views, incredible hors d’oeuvres (when was the last time January 29, 2014 you had succulent lobster on a stick?) and perfect, balmy South Florida weather. You couldn’t have asked for a more relaxing evening, lounging poolside (or in the elegant adjoining lounge) and networking with 100 fellow Trustee members. All-in-all, a perfect evening for catching up after the hectic holiday season! Chair, Trustee Council Home Financing Center, Inc. johna@homefinancingcenter.com
The January Trustee Luncheon continued our winning streak of engaging speakers, with over 90 Trustee members having the opportunity to hear the renowned historian and preservationist Arva Moore Parks giving us a most engaging look at the history of Coral Gables, the city’s founder George Merrick and the formation of our Chamber (of which Merrick was the first Chairman). Arva, who has been working for five years on the first-ever biography of Merrick, has been declining speaking engagements in order to get this ground-breaking biography to the publisher, so it was a special treat to have her join us and was thoroughly enjoyed by all those present. We were also joined by Butch Buchholz, the founder of the Lipton (now Sony) Tennis Tournament, to share his vision for the Cadillac Championship, so it was a double win! Then in February came what is probably the most anticipated Trustee Reception of our year – held in the what is surely one of the most popular venues in Coral Gables – the fabled 15th floor of Bacardi. Over 130 attendees not only enjoyed the terrific appetizers, but were catered to in the private lounge, fully stocked with Bacardi libations. Members also had the opportunity to visit the adjacent Bacardi Museum, with fascinating artifacts from Bacardi’s beginnings over 150 years ago right through to the present day…and if you don’t know by now the meaning behind Bacardi’s famous “Bat” logo, you should!
From Left to Right: Chamber President & CEO, Mark A. Trowbridge poses with Commissioner Vince Lago, luncheon sponsors Alex D. Sirulnik of Law Offices of Alex D. Sirulnik, P.A., Judge Michelle Barakat, Brian Barakat of Baraket Law, P.A., luncheon speaker Arva Moore Parks, Trustee Council Chair John Allen & the Chamber’s Chair-Elect, Linda Knudsen of Baptist Health South Florida.
Butch Buccholz, Cadillac Championship General Chairman, shares his vision of the 2014 Cadillac Championships.
Our February luncheon featured veteran WPLG Sports Anchor, Will Manso and his insights into the South Florida sports arena. This was a great opportunity to hear some “behind the headlines” observations! And you certainly don’t want to miss the next Reception, hosted by our Chamber supporter and friend, Doctors Hospital on March 11th…it will no-doubt be an evening to remember! Last, but certainly not least, as we reach the half-way point of our Chamber year, a tremendous thank you to one of the finest group of Trustee Diplomats we’ve ever had! They never cease in their
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014
Arva Moore Parks addresses our Trustee Members and gives them a sneakpeak into her latest work, a biography on the life of Chamber and City Beautiful founder, George E. Merrick.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS @ OUR CHAMBER
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES March 5th
March 13th
Wind Down Wednesday - 5:30 PM Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill │ 65 Miracle Mile Sponsor: Bacardi USA Partner: Ponce Society of Young Professionals Cost: $20 Members; $25 On-Site Members; $30 Guests
Theatre Night - 7:00 PM Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre │ 280 Miracle Mile Featuring: SPAMALOT ...the musical comedy sensation lovingly ripped off from the film classic Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Hysterically re-telling the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, this Tony Award winning Best Musical will spread laughter and cheer. Sponsors: RightSpace2Meet & Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre Bites Provided By: La Taberna Giralda Cost: $40 Chamber Members; $50 Guests
March 7th
Trow Knows... CEOs - 8:30 AM RightSpace2Meet │ 100 Miracle Mile, Suite 200 Sponsor: RightSpace2Meet Featuring: Virginia Jacko, CEO, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Cost: $20 Registration Fee
March 20th
Good Morning Coral Gables - 7:30 AM Biltmore Hotel │ 1200 Anastasia Avenue Sponsor: Coral Gables Hospital Supporting Sponsor: United Way of Miami-Dade Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 3/14; $35 Late & On-Site Members; $45 Guests
March 7th
AXA Advisors Businesswomen of the Year Awards - 11:30 AM Coral Gables Country Club │ 997 N. Greenway Drive Sponsor: AXA Advisors Supporting Sponsors: Baptist Health South Florida, Coral Gables Country Club, Credomatic Merchant Services & U.S. Century Bank Media Sponsor: South Florida Business Journal In-Kind Sponsors: Frames USA & Art Gallery, Rene Ruiz, SirSpeedy Cost: $60 Registration Fee; $600 VIP Table of 10
March 27th
Taste of the Chamber Business Expo - 5:30 PM Westin Colonnade Coral Gables │ 180 Aragon Avenue Sponsors: Credomatic Merchant Services, Bacardi USA, The Biltmore Hotel, Florida Blue, Logistical Outsourcing, Inc., University of Miami Table Display: $250 Chamber Members; $350 Non-Members Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS New Members
Since last publication - Arbonne International - Banesco USA - The BBC - BritWeek Miami, LLC - Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. Miami Division - Century Risk Advisors - City of Miami - Career Center - Cheryl Julien Kaufman, PA - Contender Claims Consultants, Inc. - Dasani Jewels - Diageo - Double Tree by Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center - Epicure Gourmet Market and Cafe - Forensis - Granada Presbyterian Church - Guzman & Company - Miami New Times - Miller’s Coral Gables Alehouse - Panache A Classic Party Rentals Company - SB Architects - Second Chance Credit LLC - The Shelton Management Group, Inc. - Skinner, Inc. - SnapHappy Photos - Space Coast Credit Union - St. Thomas University / Institute for Professional Studies - The Strems Law Firm, P.A. - Universal Mortgage, LLC - Uptime IP - Uvaggio
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through February 2014
$5,000 and Above The Allen Morris Company AXA Advisors, LLC Bacardi USA Baptist Health South Florida Brown-Forman Beverages Cherry Bekaert LLP City of Coral Gables City National Bank Credomatic Merchant Services Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Doctors Hospital Florida Blue
Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. Miami Herald Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Photo Offset, Inc. RightSpace2Meet Sabadell United Bank South Florida Business Journal TotalBank University of Miami U.S. Century Bank
$2,500 - $4,999 AT&T Bay Plumbing Company Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. Comcast Business Coral Gables Hospital Florida Power & Light Gulliver Schools Intermedia Touch, Inc. Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables Montica Jewelry South Motors United Way of Miami-Dade
*BOLD denotes Trustee Member
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014
EVENTS CALENDAR
‘14
March │ April
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
3 8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
9/10 BritWeek begins Sunday, March 9th visit britweek.com for a complete list of activities & special offers.
Thursday
Friday
4 5 8:00 AM 6 8:30 AM 7 Chairman’s Ambassadors Trow Knows CEOs 12:00 PM Committee Meeting 11:30 AM RE-Connect Luncheon 9:00 AM AXA Advisors 5:30 PM Businesswomen of the Wind Down Wednesday Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting Year Awards
11 8:00 AM 12 8:00 AM 13 14 M-Team Committee Meeting Business & Gov’t Affairs 10:00 AM 5:30 PM 9:00 AM Committee Meeting 8:00 AM Tech Task Force Meeting Golf Classic Trustee Reception Small Business 11:30 AM Committee Meeting Committee Meeting Chow Down with the Chairman 9:00 AM 7:00 PM Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting Theatre Night
17
18 8:30 AM 19 20 21 7:30 AM IMPACT: A Seminar Series 11:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables for Small Business International Business 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Forum 20/30 Group Health Care Task Force Committee Meeting Meeting
8:00 AM S.E.E. Green Committee Meeting
24
25 26 8:00 AM 27 Business & Education 11:45 AM Committee Meeting Trustee Luncheon 5:30 PM Taste of the Chamber Business Expo
31
1 2 8:00 AM 3 4 8:30 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors 12:00 PM Trow Knows CEOs Committee Meeting RE-Connect Luncheon featuring Wendy Kallergis, 9:00 AM 5:30 PM Greater Miami & the Wind Down Wednesday Women’s Business Network Beaches Hotel Association Committee Meeting
7
8 8:00 AM 9 8:00 AM 10 Business & Gov’t Affairs M-Team Committee Meeting Committee Meeting 8:00 AM 9:00 AM Small Business Tech Task Force Meeting Committee Meeting 9:00 AM 5:30 PM Cultural Affairs Gables Global Groove Committee Meeting
11
18
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting 4:00 PM CPE Program
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
28
14
15 8:30 AM 16 17 7:30 AM IMPACT: A Seminar Series Good Morning Coral Gables for Small Business 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 20/30 Group Health Care Task Force Committee Meeting Meeting
21
22 23 8:00 AM 24 8:00 AM 25 Author Events Business & Education 11:45 AM @Books & Books Committee Meeting Trustee Luncheon Coral Gables 5:30 PM featuring Phyllis Green Green Means Green “Fired at 50” Awards Reception
28
29
8:00 AM S.E.E. Green Committee Meeting 11:30 AM WBN Luncheon
Washington DC Fly-In│ Washington DC Fly-In│ Washington DC Fly-In
30 8:00 AM 1 Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014
2
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY JANUARY
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
FEBRUARY
JANUARY
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON JANUARY
FEBRUARY
TRUSTEE RECEPTION JANUARY
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON JANUARY
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
FEBRUARY
NEW YEAR’S SIP & SAVOR
NEW MEMBER RECEPTION
REALTOR SHOWCASE + EXPO
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2014