NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 THINK BIG! SHOP SMALL
and contributing to the success of the community that we love and call home.
Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday falls Small Business Saturday. Launched in 2010, Small Business So now, we challenge you, the consumers of Coral Saturday is celebrating ten years of shining a light Gables and your fellow business owners, to get out on America’s 30.2 million small businesses. there and Shop Small. For every gift you purchase from a big-box purveyor, commit to purchasing at Each year, the Chamber teams-up with the City of least one item from your favorite Coral Gables and the Business Improvement District local store. to serve as Neighborhood Champions for locally owned businesses in our community. On behalf of our Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, we enOur goal is to support the little guys - the brick and courage you to keep thinking big mortar locations that bring so much charm and ap- and shopping small. And, thank peal to our City Beautiful. They are the local coffee you for making Coral Gables the shops where you order your morning brew, the inde- world-class city and retail destipendent bookstore that has all the latest reads, the nation it is today! bridal shop ready to help you celebrate your big day and the salon that spiffs up your weekend hairdo. IN THIS ISSUE: We do all of this by providing business owners with Thoughts from our Chair Page 2 the necessary tools to successfully own and operate their business, while encouraging consumers to shop President’s Perspective Page 3 local. It’s often said that small businesses are the backbone of America’s economy, our job creators, Trustee Talk Page 5 and there’s no argument with that in Coral Gables. Small Business Saturday isn’t just another faux-holiday, it packs a mighty punch. Nationally, consumers spent a record $17.8 billion on that day, according to the 2018 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey from the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express. So, on this next Small Business Saturday, November 30th, we pay homage to you: the risk-takers and the dreamers. You are the ones that are creating jobs
Burgerliscious
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Save These Dates
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Membership Highlights
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Chamber Calendar
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Sponsor Recognition
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019
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THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR Happy Holidays! The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect and be thankful and grateful that we live and work in this magnificent community. It also is a fitting time to thank you all – Chamber members, Board members, Trustees, committee members and staff – for your hard work throughout the year. Your boundless efforts strengthen our community.
NELSON LAZO
During these upcoming festive months, Chamber members will come together, share ideas and lift each other up. Our networking meetings and signature events enable you to connect with others and spread the word about your business and services. If you have not recently attended a Chamber affair, I encourage you to get your Game On during November and December. And you can start by attending Burgerlicious® on November 7th. Bring your entire family to this wildly popular event to enjoy great food, friendship and fun.
CHAIR OF THE BOARD CEO | DOCTORS HOSPITAL NELSONL@BAPTISTHEALTH.NET
Another treasured annual event to look forward to is the Diamond Awards. Join us on December 6th as we recognize businesses that demonstrate excellence and a commitment to our community. I also hope to see you at our next Good Morning Coral Gables at the Biltmore Hotel on November 21st, our annual education edition! Feel free to invite a business friend or neighbor to this lively breakfast to share the experience. You also will gain valuable knowledge and make new contacts at such events as Business on Mondays – A New Kind of Series for Burgeoning Businesses, Trow Knows... CEOS and the Women’s Business Network Luncheon. One of the best ways to grow your business and maximize your Chamber membership is to get involved in a committee – the lifeblood of our organization. Our Small Business Committee, which offers tools and educational seminars that help small business owners boost their performance, is one of many Chamber committees meeting this month to strengthen relationships and advance business success in our community. Our Chamber is comprised of keen professionals who are willing and eager to give the gift of their time and knowledge and share their secrets to success. Please reach out to us and let us know how we can better serve you and your business during these busy holiday months and beyond. Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous holiday season,
e GamON!
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE For two days in late October, our Chamber led a delegation of nearly 20 business leaders and students to our State Capital for meetings with various partner organizations and elected officials. This annual sojourn to Tallahassee has been part of our Chamber’s advocacy work for nearly a decade and the major focus of our Business & Government Affairs Committee since its inception. To participate in a “fly-in” is to be unabashed in your support of a progressive business agenda, as well as a pro-growth business climate, along with any number of issues that might affect your specific industry.
MARK A. TROWBRIDGE
Whether you are in banking, real estate, education, retail or just pay close attention to how our state leaders are spending our tax dollars and making policy for the future of our Florida economy, these trips open doors and minds.
PRESIDENT & CEO CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MTROWBRIDGE@CORALGABLESCHAMBER.ORG
When we first began, it was a small, but mighty duo of attendees – usually myself and our Chair of the Board. Over the years, as we have branched out and raised our advocacy profile, the delegation has grown, as have our relationships. Now, we head to the Capital during committee weeks with a greater opportunity for face-time with our elected representatives and senators. They all understand the importance of these sit-downs, especially as our members travel on their own time and dime. Plus, we have worked for months to develop a strong legislative package that is pro-business and honed by industry to move the needle for businesses in our state. This year, that included conversations on teacher pay, e-fairness, affordable housing funds, health care, and of course, banking and real estate issues. And, even as much as we plan and craft our messaging, there are always topics that bubble up to the surface while we are on the fly-in. This year that was a broader conversation on septic to sewer conversion as it relates to sea level rise. For the first time in what seems like a decade, we are talking about sustainability and the environment. This Governor has already shown his cards and his desire to invest in our future. With more than a dozen elected official meetings during the two days (five Senators and seven Representatives) and briefings with five partner organizations – as well as being hosted by amazing members who have a presence in Tallahassee (Stearns Weaver Miller, Baptist Health and Ivette O’Doski) – the trip was a fast-paced, highly focused and outcome-oriented trip. Much will be done in the coming weeks as we prepare for the launch of Session 2020 in January. Then, it will be incumbent on us to monitor the bills we are supporting and follow-up with the sponsors and the entire Miami-Dade Delegation. However, our presence last month does matter and our stalwart support of big picture business issues keeps our Chamber’s agenda top-of-mind with the men and women who were elected to serve our state. They are good people and they know what it means to have our voices heard. The end goal may not come quick or easy, and requires much patience, but our work is appreciated and admired by the leaders who represent our local communities and neighborhoods. So, stay tuned and maybe next year, you will join us. We would love to have you!
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019
TRUSTEE TALK Greetings from the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Trustee Diplomats! Since our last issue of CONNECTION we’ve enjoyed an exclusive reception hosted by our own Diplomat Gonzalo Gonzalez of CompassMSP and 2600 Douglas. Even with the date change for the Jewish holidays we had an amazing turnout! Our Trustee Luncheon was held at the end of September and sponsored by yours truly and EPGD Business Law® at the Hyatt Regency. We were thrilled to listen to the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser, Pedro J. Garcia. We were lucky to have such a great speaker. ERIC GROS-DUBOIS
CHAIR, TRUSTEE DIPLOMATS CEO, FOUNDER | EPGD BUSINESS LAW ERIC@EPGDLAW.COM
This coming month we are excited about our next Trustee Reception on November 12th, hosted by Amerant Bank (we also get to focus on supporting the Chamber’s annual Burgerliscious® this month too!). I hope to see you all there as we enjoy an evening overlooking The City Beautiful from their 12th floor terrace.
We get asked all the time how my firm benefits from our Trustee membership. First, we get access to the Coral Gables Chamber's and community’s leaders and decision-makers. Second, the Trustee-only events deliver strong value in relationship-building. I invite you to contact me directly to discuss how this exclusive membership level can help you meet your goals for finishing up 2019 strong and prosperous. It’s Game On!
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Presents:
It’s Chow Time @
Presented By:
Thurs.
Developing Business Building Community
NOV. 7 CORAL Ponce Circle Park
2019
GABLES
Tickets at
BURGER
LISCIOUS
.COM
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019
SAVE THESE DATES
THINK BIG! SHOP SMALL We all know the impact that small businesses have on our local economy, starting with the jobs they create. That’s why we pledge our enduring support to the little guys - the brick and mortar locations that bring so much charm and appeal to our City Beautiful. They are the local coffee shops where you order your morning brew, the independent bookstore that has all the latest reads, the bridal shop ready to help you celebrate your big day and the salon that spiffs up your weekend hairdo.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY | NOVEMBER 30, 2019 Celebrating 10 years of local, independent retail businesses serving our Coral Gables!
Take the #ShopSmall Pledge! For every item you purchase from a big-box purveyor, commit to purchase at least one more article from your favorite local store. Then, SHARE your special finds with us on social media @GablesChamber as we celebrate all things local!
2019 - 2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board | Nelson Lazo Doctors Hospital Chairman-Elect | Brian Barakat Barakat Law, P.A. First Vice Chair | Ana Chaoui Grove Bank & Trust Vice Chair | Rene Negron AXA Advisors, LLC Vice Chair | Efrain Sora Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Vice Chair | Nicolas Eterovic Edward Jones Vice Chair | Mike Ybarra Northwestern Mutual - Coral Gables Vice Chair | Sara Hernandez First Citizens Bank Trustee Council Chair | Eric Gros-Dubois EPGD Business Law Treasurer | Pilar Baena Smiles & Sonrisas Parliamentarian | Cristina Miller Intermedia Touch, Inc. Immediate Past Chair | Patrick O’Connell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Chairman's Appointee | Addys Kuryla Florida Power & Light BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thad Adams, The Allen Morris Company Ricardo Alberty, Well-Groomed Gentleman Chris Colston, Second Chance Credit, LLC Lorrie-Ann Diaz, Miami HEAT Amy Donner, Coral Gables Magazine Frank Fernandez, CenterState Bank Alex Fonseca, Apollo Bank Maria Garcia, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel Jorge Martinez, The Conroy Martinez Group Alina Menendez, American Airlines Deirdre D. Nero, NERO Immigration Law, P.L. Audrey Otero, BankOZK Melanie Sanchez, Fifth-Third Bank Monique Selman, Albany Homes International Lillian Ser, Ser & Associates Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects Cinthya Urena, City National Bank Myrna Vaca, UHealth Jessica Wilcox, J. Wilcox Consulting EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Honorable Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables Mary Snow Coral Gables Community Foundation Truman Skinner Business Improvement District of Coral Gables President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS September - Ocotber 2019 Airport One Express Allegro Senior Living Atlantic Broadband Business Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo Bean Automotive Group Lexus of Kendall/Kendall Toyota BIRKA LLC Brooklyn Fitboxing Coral Gables CGI Merchant Group The Cheesecake Factory College of Business and Technology Douglas Elliman l The Campbell Salazar Team Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Inc. Eduardo Pruna PA Eugenio "Eugene" Diaz First Choice Corp Housing Gables Executive Offices Gentera Center for Regenerative Medicine GYMGUYZ Coral Gables I Am Kids Academy Ines Garcia-Arcaya Jacqueline A. Salcines, P.A. Kristi House Lewin Law McGrover Funding Corporation MC2 Advertising Misha's Cupcakes My Impact Philanthropic Investing The Nicolas Group / Compass Nicole Marino Photography Perry's Steakhouse & Grille Regency Miami Airport South Florida After-School All-Stars Shorecrest Construction Simple Results The Therapy Labs Thirty and Chic LLC University of Salamanca WeTherapy, an Acorn Health Company World Class Parking, LLC YML Cleaning and Event Services *BOLD denotes new Trustee Member | *BOLD denotes new GEM Member
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019
CHAMBER CALENDAR
‘19
November | December Monday
Tuesday
5:30 PM Business on Mondays
4
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
Wednesday 5
Thursday
6 8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting
8:00 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting
7
8
8:30 AM Visual Merchandising Workshop
9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
13
14
15
20
21
Noon RE-Connect Luncheon
11
12
18
19
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
Friday
6:00 PM BURGERLISCIOUS
8:00 AM Business & Government Affairs Committee Meeting
8:00 AM Membership Committee Meeting
8:00 AM Cafe con Chamber
OFFICE CLOSED
11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon
4:00 PM IMPACT Seminar
22
7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Annual Education Breakfast 9:15 AM 20/30 Group Meeting
25
11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon
26
27
28
OFFICE CLOSED
29 30
OFFICE CLOSED
2
3
Noon RE-Connect Luncheon
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
9:00 AM Women's Business Network Committee Meeting
9
10
16
17
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon
23
8:00 AM Business & Gov’t Affairs Committee Meeting
4:00 PM IMPACT Seminar
30
24
8:30 AM Trow Knows...CEOs
6
11:00 AM Diamond Awards
11
12
13
18
19
20
26
27
8:00 AM Membership Committee Meeting
9:00 AM Chamber 101
7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables 9:15 AM 20/30 Group Meeting
OFFICE CLOSED
5
8:00 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting
5:30 PM Business Mondays
4
8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting
31
OFFICE CLOSED
25
OFFICE CLOSED
1
2
OFFICE CLOSED
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019
3
SPONSOR RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through October 2019
OCTOBER
$5,000 & Above
Someone’s Son
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
The Chamber's Board of Directors
WOMEN'S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
TRUSTEE RECEPTION SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
TROW KNOWS CEOS
• The Allen Morris Company • Amerant Bank • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • Capital One • CenterState Bank • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank of Florida • Clear Channel Outdoor • Doctors Hospital • Florida Blue • Home Financing Center, Inc. • Photo Offset, Inc. • Samuel Adams Boston Lager • South Motors • UHealth
$2,500 - $4,999
• Baptist Health South Florida • Florida Power & Light • Gulliver Schools • Intermedia Touch, Inc. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • NERO Immigration Law, P.L. • Smiles & Sonrisas
Someone’s Son
IMPACT SEMINAR
RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON
e m a G ON! TOTAL HEALTH RESTORATION Dr. Michael Forman DOM, P.A.
TM
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2019