IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!
Have YOU heard? Starting Thursday, June 19th the Chamber is making it all about YOU! We will kick-off the festivities with the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence dinner, presented in partnership with The Allen Morris Company. Each year the Chamber recognizes five individuals who have emulated George Merrick himself, dedicating their life’s work to the growth and prosperity of The City Beautiful.
On Friday, June 20th the revamped Annual Conference will get underway. We’ll start off a full day’s worth of activities with a Breakfast of Champions, featuring former professional athlete Walter Bond, a.k.a. Mr. Accountability. Spend the day at the new Student Activities Center located at the University of Miami. The Annual Conference luncheon will feature Your Chamber Speaks, our version of the extremely popular TED Talks... and that’s just half of it!
!
A full day of learning, fun networking opportunities and outA new addition to this year’s program is the Merrick-in-the- standing speakers are on YOUR conference agenda. For more Making Awards, presented by City National Bank. Merrick- information, contact the Chamber. YOU owe it to yourself to in-the-Making will recognize an emerging leader in the fields attend! We’ll be there... will YOU? of innovation, entrepreneurship and community building.
ON YOUR MARK... GET SET... GO! With the Corporate Run in our rearview mirror and our runners high at its peak, it’s time to boost your company morale and keep those corporate teams moving and grooving!
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 Sponsor Recognition
Page 7
The 19th Annual Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K will hit the pavement on Saturday, May 17, 2014. This run takes you on a scenic route throughout The City Beautiful, beginning and ending in front of City Hall, located at 405 Biltmore Way. Get warmed up at 7:00 AM and get moving with a shotgun start at 7:30 AM. Keep your corporate dream team together! The largest corporate team registered will take home the coveted Chairman’s Cup, presented annually in partnership Miami’s Community Newspapers.
neys at Law, the City of Coral Gables, Bunge, Coral Gables Athletic Club, Epicure Gourmet Market and Cafe, MAPFRE Insurance, Mercantil Commercebank, N.A., Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Florida Blue, Miami’s Community Newspapers and Smiles and Sonrisas. We look forward to seeing you all on race day! To register visit teamfootworks.org.
A big high-five to this year’s great group of sponsors: Baptist Health South Florida, Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Attorcoralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014 Page 8
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 Chamber Colleagues: At the time I am writing this note, we are less than one week away from our Washington, DC Fly-In. In total, there are 16 members in our Fly-In delegation. This is the largest delegation the Chamber has ever sent on a DC Fly-In. The level of participation demonstrates the Chamber’s dedication to establishing and maintaining strong relationships with our elected representatives at all levels, for the benefit of our members. There are just over four months remaining in my term as Chairman. This is a good time for me to say thank you to my Vice Chairs, committee and task force chairs together with all of the committee and task force members. Your contribution to the success of our Chamber cannot be overstated. It is also a good time for me to say I look forward to working with you over the next four months to finish the Chamber year strong and to make as much progress as possible on the Chamber goals we set for ourselves. The ideas, initiatives, improvements and changes we have developed over the past eight months will serve the Chamber well going forward. We will build upon what we have accomplished as we close out the year. For any member considering getting involved in one of our committees or task forces- it’s not too late. Getting involved now will help you hit the ground running next year when my friend Linda Knudsen assumes the position of Chair. Some of our biggest events are just around the corner. The Baptist Tour of the Gables 5K, the Golf Classic and our re-vamped Annual Conference, which all take place between now and the end of June. All of which are in addition to all of the other programming and events. I encourage all of our members to get engaged in these events not only by attending, but also by encouraging people who are not yet members to take part.
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.)
Those are my thoughts and as always... Think BIG!
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. Beginning in mid-May, Chamber Board elections will be hosted online through a secure voting resource, Ballot Bin (www.ballotbin.com). Once the “bin” goes live, all Chamber members will receive an e-mail with a login name and password that can be used to vote for those individuals you believe will best serve the Chamber on our Board of Directors. If you have recently updated your contact information, please notify the Chamber today so we ensure that you have the opportunity to vote on the Chamber’s leadership. Please contact the Chamber at (305) 446-1657 if you have any questions. The nominees for the 2014 - 2017 Board of Directors are: � Humberto Comellas, ulltium consulting, Inc. � Andria Hanley, Camillus House � Raquel Hickey, City National Bank � Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel � John Lukacs, Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP � Yesenia Moreno, Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc. � Barbara Norland, The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade � Al Peraza, Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. � Marianne Sioli, Filer Insurance, Inc. � Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects
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 │May - June 2014
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - BYE BYE GROUNDHOG DAY Mark A. Trowbridge
President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org
I come into contact with all types of people in my job as Chamber president.
With the arrival of a new City Manager later this summer, as well as a new BID Director last month, there is change in the air in the Gables. It is worth noting that our five-year relationship with Pat Salerno was one of great productivity and inclusiveness. At no time during my tenure here was our relationship with the City stronger – with special thanks to Pat, his directors and of course, our elected officials.
For nearly eight years, no day at work has been like any other, mostly due to the people I I will also be thankful to Pat for his engagement with meet, connect with and try to assist in one way or anour Chamber and for keeping us top-of-mind on issues other. Many of these good folks are true characters affecting businesses in The City Beautiful. We were and part of the fabric of our great community. always in the loop and for this, I am most grateful. I wish Pat and his wife Suzy all the best for the future, It may seem exhausting to the casual observer to aljust as I do Marina Foglia as she takes over the reins of ways be engaged in a “let’s go” mode with the “how our downtown BID. can I help you” button stuck permanently in the “on” position. But, I actually find it invigorating and where Partnerships are what make our Chamber stronger I derive much of my boundless energy. Sure, there and one can only hope that one continues to endure are the long days that never seem to end; but for the and the other strengthens. April showers do indeed most part, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity bring May flowers and on this May Day, we have much to help others, influence decisions and advocate for to be thankful for. our membership. Having just returned from Washington, DC, you will be pleased to know that the task of serving our stakeholders was in full bloom, just like the cherry blossoms that line the National Mall each Spring. In truth, many of our conversations with our elected leaders required the same diligence and care that these beautiful, yet fragile, blooms demand. Whether it was comprehensive immigration reform, health care implementation, flood insurance or small business support, we covered every angle in DC with great aplomb. We began our focused legislative advocacy work eight years ago with a partnership with our sister Chamber. This year, we took the show on the road solo – storming The Capitol with a group of 16 of our leaders and members. Programs like this are what keeps our Chamber – and our dynamic and diverse membership - lively and fresh. The needs of no two members are alike, much like the fact that no two days are never the same. There’s no Groundhog Day here, my friends.
We live, work, play and learn in a dynamic City with exceptional services and enduring beauty. Businesses are starting to thrive again and our Chamber continues to grow. Thus, it is our singular goal to make sure that our efforts continue to over-deliver and that no day is like Groundhog Day.
THI K
BIG!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
TRUSTEE TALK John Allen
Chair, Trustee Council Home Financing Center, Inc. johna@homefinancingcenter.com Springtime Greetings, Fellow Trustees! As we enjoy the refreshing (but short-lived) and balmy South Florida Spring, please welcome the newest Trustee members of the Chamber – DIAGEO, FALCON AMERICAS, INC., JAG INSURANCE GROUP, PS FINANCIAL SERVICES and PETE DE LA TORRE ENTERPRISE!
appreciation to the Chamber staff, whose behind-the-scenes efforts make all these events flow seamlessly! On behalf of the Trustee Council, we look forward to seeing YOU at the next great Trustee Event!
TRUSTEE RECEPTION March 11, 2014
Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hospital, poses with Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce at the reception he hosted.
Our March Trustee Reception was sponsored by our friends at Doctors Hospital. Highly regarded for their expertise in Sports Medicine, it was quite fitting, and no surprise to the large gathering of Trustees, when mascots from several of our local sports teams made guest appearances and happily posed for photo opps. Sports-themed centerpieces on the high top tables, terrific food and fine wine all combined to make the evening relaxing and enjoyable! You may have met some of our newest Trustees at the March Trustee Luncheon, sponsored by City National Bank. Authors Dr. Sharon Salzberg and ABC news anchor Dan Harris, discussed, with a touch of humor and perspective, “Happiness in the Workplace.” Harris, who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career and presently is co-anchor of ABC’s “Nightline”, brought a terrific sense of ironic humor to his observations, while being both candid and lighthearted. Both Sharon and Dan’s books are “must reads”!
Things just got a little bit hotter! Miami Dolphins mascot T.D. is pictured with four of the Miami Heat Dancers.
Despite a torrential downpour, we had a great turnout at our April Trustee Reception, sponsored by Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc. at RightSpace2Meet. If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit RightSpace2Meet, take a moment to do so the next time you’re on the Mile. Trustees comfortably mingled, enjoyed delicious appetizers courtesy of Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill, and felt quite at home in the inviting setting. This was another great opportunity to get to know your fellow Trustee members! Looking ahead to the May luncheon, Joe Natoli, C.F.O. of the University of Miami will be our much anticipated speaker…and it’s not too soon to mark your calendars for the annual Trustee Invitational and Interactive Luncheon at the Biltmore Hotel, scheduled for August 29th. One of the Chamber’s signature events, keep your eye out when reservations open – this will definitely be sold-out quickly! Individual seats and VIP tables will also be available…so stay tuned! Last, but certainly not least, a tremendous thank you to one of the finest group of Trustee Diplomats ever. Our team never ceases in their efforts to ensure that the Chamber’s Trustee members get the most from their investment in the Chamber. Don’t be surprised if you hear from one of us to find out how we can enhance your Chamber experience…and, not to be forgotten, lots of special
Marianne Sioli of Filer Insurance enjoys an exciting evening with friends Drew Kern, Past Chamber Chairman with Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors and Amy Donner of Miami’s Community Newspapers.
The evening was complete with live music. Join us at our next Trustee Reception on Tuesday, May 13th at Sushi Maki!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS @ OUR CHAMBER
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES May 7th
May 22nd
Rising Star Awards Signature Soirée - 5:30 PM Bacardi USA│2701 Le Jeune Road Sponsor: Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Supporting Sponsors: Bacardi USA, The Biltmore Hotel, DEX Imaging & IPFone Cost: $30 Members; $40 Guests; $100 for 4 admissions
Good Morning Coral Gables - 7:30 AM Biltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue Sponsor: Miami Herald Speaker: Alexandra Villoch, President & Publisher, Miami Herald Topic: Transforming the Miami Herald Media Company - the New Media World Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 5/9; $35 Late & On-Site Members; $45 Guests
May 16th
Commercial Real Estate Outlook Breakfast - 8:00 AM Westin Colonnade Coral Gables│ 180 Aragon Avenue Game Changers! The People, the Projects and the marketPlace! Sponsored By: Totalbank Supporting Sponsors: The Allen Morris Company, Blanca Commercial Real Estate & Miami Today In Partnership With: CREW-Miami, Miami Association of Realtors & Realtors Commercial Alliance Cost: $35 Members; $45 Guests; $350 VIP Table of 10
May 17th
Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K - 7:00 AM Shotgun Start - 7:30 AM City Hall│405 Biltmore Way Presenting Sponsor: Baptist Health South Florida Supporting Sponsors: Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Attorneys at Law, City of Coral Gables, Bunge, Coral Gables Athletic Club, Epicure Gourmet Market and Cafe, MAPFRE Insurance, Mercantil Commercebank, N.A., Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables, Florida Blue, Miami’s Community Newspapers & Smiles & Sonrisas To register visit teamfootworks.org
May 29th
Legislative Round-Up - 8:00 AM Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.│121 Alhambra Plaza, 10th Floor Sponsor: Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. Partners: Chamber South & Doral Business Council Topic: Join us for a re-cap of the 2014 legislative session that just ended in Tallahassee. Hear from experts on how decisions made and bills recently passed will affect your business. Cost: $25 CGCC, Chamber South & DBC Fee by May 23rd; $30 Late Member Fee; $30 Guests
June 19th
George E. Merrick Award of Excellence Dinner - 6:30 PM The Biltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue Sponsored By: The Allen Morris Company
June 20th
It’s all about YOU! - Annual Conference - ALL DAY University of Miami - Student Center│1330 Miller Drive Presented By: Baptist Health South Florida
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS New Members
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through April 2014
Since last publication 345 Caffe Italiano Alexander J. Alfano Area Stage Company Bevintel of Miami Bevintel of Miami Blue Pearl Therapeutic P.A. Camillus House Catalyst Miami Export Trade Brokers F.I.U. - TRAC Falcon Americas, Inc. George Lakis LLC Grove Networks, Inc. HKS Architects, Inc. Iron Tribe Fitness Coral Gables JAG Insurance Group Junior League of Miami Leviton Manufacturing Love is Blind MAPFRE Insurance Melissa Aguilar Miami Model Citizens New York Life Pete De La Torre Enterprise Pincho Factory Prestigious Image Barbershop and Spa Professional Bank PS Financial Services Risk Management Intelligence, Inc. (RMI) Ronald McDonald House Charities SesDerma Urban Spa & Skin Shop Sukol Corp. Unlimited Title Group W South Beach Zoom Locker
$5,000 and Above • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • Baptist Health South Florida • Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. - Miami Division • Brown-Forman Beverages • Cherry Bekaert LLP • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank • Credomatic Merchant Services • Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors • Doctors Hospital • Florida Blue • Home Financing Center, Inc.
• Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. • Miami Herald • Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. • Photo Offset, Inc. • RightSpace2Meet • South Florida Business Journal • University of Miami • U.S. Century Bank
$2,500 - $4,999 • The Allen Morris Company • AT&T • Bay Plumbing Company • Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. • Comcast Business • Coral Gables Hospital • Florida Power & Light • Gulliver Schools • Intermedia Touch, Inc. • Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Attorneys at Law • Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables • Montica Jewelry • South Motors • TotalBank • United Way of Miami-Dade
*BOLD denotes Trustee Member
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
EVENTS CALENDAR
‘14
May │ June
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
28
29
Washington DC Fly-In • Washington DC Fly-In • Washington DC Fly-In
5
Thursday
Friday
8:00 AM 8:00 AM 30 Chairman’s Ambassadors 1 YELP! Seminar Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting & Health Care Task Force Meeting
2
6 7 8 12:00 PM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM RE-Connect Luncheon M-Team Committee Meeting Global Business Affairs 5:30 PM 9:00 AM Committee Meeting Rising Star Awards Tech Task Force Meeting Signature Soirée
9
13 8:00 AM 14 15 8:00 AM 16/17 Business & Gov’t Affairs Commercial Real Estate Committee Meeting 8:00 AM 5:30 PM Outlook Breakfast 8:00 AM Business & Education Trustee Reception Small Business 7:00 AM Committee Meeting Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Baptist Health Tour Cultural Affairs of the Gables 5K Committee Meeting
12
19
20
21 7:30 AM 22 23 Good Morning Coral Gables 8:30 AM 11:30 AM (please note date change) IMPACT: A Seminar Series Chow Down 9:00 AM for Small Business With the Chairman 20/30 Group Committee Meeting
8:00 AM S.E.E. Green Committee Meeting 11:30 AM WBN Luncheon
26 27 28 29 3:00 PM 9:00 AM MEMORIAL DAY 11:45 AM 8:00 AM Restaurant Meeting Chamber 101 CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED Trustee Luncheon Legislative Round-Up @ SWINE
30
3 4 8:00 AM 5 Chairman’s Ambassadors 12:00 PM 8:00 AM Committee Meeting RE-Connect Luncheon Golf Classic 9:00 AM 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
6
10
13
2 8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
9
9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting
11
12 8:00 AM 9:00 AM M-Team Committee Meeting Chamber 101
16 11:30 AM WBN Luncheon
17
18 19 20 9:00 AM 6:30 PM ALL DAY Health Care Task Force George E. Merrick Award Annual Conference Meeting of Excellence Dinner
23
24 25 26 8:00 AM 11:45 AM Business & Education Trustee Luncheon Committee Meeting
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014
27
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY MARCH
APRIL
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON APRIL
MARCH
APRIL
TRUSTEE RECEPTION MARCH
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON MARCH
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
APRIL
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
APRIL
AXA ADVISORS BUSINESSWOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
TASTE OF THE CHAMBER
GREEN MEANS GREEN AWARDS
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │May - June 2014