EAT YOUR HEART OUT @ BURGERLISCIOUS8 Burger lovers rejoice. The eighth edition of Burgerliscious will take place on Thursday, November 8th; same time (6 PM – 10 PM), same place (Fred B. Hartnett / Ponce Circle Park, 2800 Ponce de Leon Boulevard), same amazing event! Twenty restaurants will go head-to-head as they compete for this year’s ‘Best in Bun’ and ‘People’s Choice’ Awards… the bragging rights are really HUGE! A crowd favorite, Pincho Factory, returns to #Burgerliscious8. Stealing the show in 2015, 2016 AND 2017, Pincho Factory will turn up the heat as they prepare to wow our judges for a fourth consecutive year! Other restaurants that’ll be dishing out their meatiest masterpieces are newcomers 109 Burger Joint, Bocas House Coral Gables, Carolina Ale House, Clutch Burger, DUNE Oceanfront Burger & Lounge and Mighty Spark Food Co. Sink your teeth into tried and true fiery fare from BULLA Gastrobar, Café at Books & Books, Doctors Hospital – Sunrise Café, HOUSE Kitchen & Bar, Jr’s Gourmet Burgers, Miller’s Ale House, Morton’s the Steakhouse, Off the Mile Restaurant, Pisco Y Nazca, Shula’s 347 Grill and Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill. Once you’ve devoured all of their carnivorous creations, you can
satisfy your sweet tooth with treats from Night Owl Cookie Co., Seasons 52, Cassy’s Cakes, Frice Cream and Blue Martini Brickell. Wash it all down with an ice-cold beer courtesy of Samuel Adams. Samuel Adams is the flagship brand of Boston Brewing Company and has been brewing their beers and lagers in Boston since 1984 and part of Burgerliscious since the very beginning. And, that’s not all! We’ll be mixing things up with DJ Mayner on the turntables before Mad World Orchestra takes center stage, offering South Florida’s finest alternative ‘80s music. Voted Best Band by the readers of the Miami New Times, Mad World brings with it a long legacy as South Florida’s original ‘80s cover band, re-creating the sound and feel of music the way it’s meant to be played and heard live. Need to curb your cravings until the big event? Visit burgerliscious.com where you can find the most up-to-date information on all things beef. You’ll find the juiciest news on restaurants, judges, sponsors and more! Submit your e-mail address and you’ll be on the list to receive the hottest information. Stay tuned on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @burgerliscious_, too.
IN THIS ISSUE: 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 │November - December 2018
THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR Patrick O'Connell
Chair of the Board, CGCC EWM Realty International oconnell.p@ewm.com
Dear Chamber Friends, Welcome to Fall in South Florida!
that follow.
Your Chamber is working overtime to bring you some great events in the next few months. With cooler weather, and many blue-sky days on the horizon, now is the time of year when our community gears-up for our all-important Winter Season and all the fun and activities
I hope you are planning to join me for our signature event, Burgerlicious, on Thursday, November 8th. This has become a premier annual event in The City Beautiful, and a must-attend for our Chamber Members and many future members. We have a full contingency of restaurant partners including some longtime participants and several newcomers to the community; everyone vying for the title of ‘Best in Bun’. The November installment of our Good Morning Coral Gables Breakfast on November 15th is the annual Education Breakfast. One of the largest and most engaging in the series, our Chamber welcomes students from our community to provide the program and entertainment. This is a good one. The Chamber wraps-up the month with the Diamond Awards on Friday November 30th at the Coral Gables Country Club. This has also become one of the Chamber’s premier annual events, and we look forward to honoring some outstanding members of the business community. I hope to see you at these events and the many other excellent programs in the coming weeks and months.
2018-2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board Patrick O’Connell (EWM Realty International) Chairman-Elect Nelson Lazo (Doctors Hospital) First Vice Chairman Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.) Treasurer Alex Jimenez (Apollo Bank) Parliamentarian Tom Weinkle (Vortex Communications) Immediate Past Chair Martha de la Peña Rojas (Florida Blue) Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs Rene Negron (AXA Advisors, LLC) Vice Chairman-Community Affairs Melanie Sanchez (Florida Community Bank) Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev. Eric Gros-Dubois (EPGD Business Law) Vice Chairman-Member Affairs Amy Donner (Coral Gables Magazine) Vice Chairman-Special Events Yesenia Moreno (Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc.) Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs Efrain Sora (Sora Global Insurance & Consulting, LLC) Trustee Council Chair Ana Chaoui (Grove Bank & Trust) Chairman’s Appointee Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects) President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2019 Pilar Baena (Smiles & Sonrisas) Carolina Rendeiro (Connect2Global) Claudine Claus (Home Financing Center, Inc.) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA) Cheli Cerra (Mass Mutual Miami) Elected-term expires 2020 Andria Hanley (Camillus House) Phil Stevenson (Columbus Capital) Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Jorge Martinez (The Conroy Martinez Group) Cinthya Urena (City National Bank) Elected-term expires 2021 Thad Adams (The Allen Morris Company) Chris Colston (Second Chance Credit LLC) Deirdre D. Nero, Esq (NERO Immigration Law, P.L.) Monique Selman (Albany Homes International, Inc.) Jessica Wilcox (J. Wilcox Consulting)
Patrick M. O'Connell Senior Vice President - New Business Development EWM Realty International Chairman of the Board Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
Chairman’s Appointees-term expires 2019 Rosary Plana Falero (Marquis Bank) Nicolas Eterovic (Edward Jones) Addys Kuryla (FPL) Cristina Miller (Intermedia Touch, Inc.)
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
City of Coral Gables | Commissioner Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables | Pamela Fuertes, Director Business Improvement District | Truman Skinner Coral Gables Community Foundation | Mary Snow, Executive Director The Beacon Council of Miami-Dade
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - DO BIG THINGS! I have always been a huge fan of history, no matter the subject or period in time, and thus the opportunity to reflect on the story behind Burgerlisicous is very special to me. I love sharing it, mostly because of its authenticity and uniqueness. In late 2009, as our business community and restaurateurs were just emerging from the Great Recession, we noticed that the recovery for our local restaurants was severely lagging. People were still brown-bagging it to the office and being cautious with their spending. Office parties with catering were still on hold or scaled back and well, happy hour was really not that happy. Following a much-needed brainstorming session with a few of our Chamber and community leaders on the state of our foodie community – led by Wayne Eldred, owner/operator/chef of Tarpon Bend – we zeroed in a hosting a fun and celebratory community-wide event that elevated and featured our restaurant partners. We did not know what or when or how, but we certainly knew why. As more discussions ensued, we kept coming back to burgers. We knew from the early success of the Burger Bash at the SOBE Wine and Food Festival that we could build upon at a more reasonable and accessible price and almost all of our restaurants had a great burger on their menu. When we talked to potential partners, they liked the idea. It would not be overly costly and most could never get into the Burger Bash. As we turned the page to 2010, I attended a Super Bowl concert headlined by the Black Eyed Peas. As Fergie was about to take the stage …the word FERGILICIOUS was lit up above the platform. I froze. I smiled. I texted Wayne. Burgerliscious was born! The first year was our hardest – landing sponsors for a new event that they were not sure about and convincing people to pay $50 for burgers and beer. We subsidized the event heavily as a Chamber because it was the right thing to do. But, in spectacular fashion, we created a brand and more than 800 people came out that first year to eat to their hearts content. Over the years, we have grown to more restaurants – many showcasing their burgers even before they opened in the Gables – all cooking on griddles so that the smell of burgers wafts over the City Beautiful in delicious anticipation. Mad World Orchestra has been with us for most of our journey – and they are amazing. The 80’s cover band gets the vibe of Burgerliscious and helps us immensely in promotions. In addition, over the years, there have been burger eating contests, games, bull riding, awards and photo booths featuring oversized burger hats. But the star of the show has always been the amazing burgers. We have had every type you can imagine – from those topped with pork belly or broccoli to burgers made of alligator meat. There have even been dessert burgers to complement the vegetarian options. Most of all, it has been the best way to showcase our local restaurants and help them get back into the winner’s column. Thankfully, the recession is a distant memory now, but we all know and understand the important role Burgerliscious played in reclaiming our rightful role as a foodie community. The great American burger stood center stage in that recovery and Burgerliscious cast the spotlight. We are proud of our role as a Chamber in the community and even more proud of the legacy of this event. Sure, most attendees come for the amazing burgers and Sam Adams beer – who took this leap of faith with us when everyone else said "no." They have been there all eight years and well, we could not have done this without them. Thank you Carol and team! Finally, a tip of the cap to Wayne Eldred, our co-creator and co-conspirator. He has been an amazing partner in every sense of the word. But, I must say, to be a restaurant owner and spend all of this effort to promote other restaurants shows you the magnanimity and authenticity by which he leads. Our Chamber – and Coral Gables – loves Burgerlisicous. It is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to eat, drink and be merry in celebration of all things burger. We are proud to be the best homegrown, hometown event host in the Gables each year! Here’s to our 8th anniversary on November 8 and to having you join us! Tickets are available now at our Chamber website.
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018
TRUSTEE TALK Ana Chaoui
Senior Vice President | Market Manager Grove Bank & Trust achaoui@GroveBankandTrust. com
The Trustee Council is off and running, hosting various events in the months of September and October. Our Trustee & Board Member Monique Selman, together with Albany Homes Construction, sponsored and hosted our very first reception of the Chamber's New Year. This was truly a one-of-a-kind reception in which over 100 guests were able to preview the newly constructed single family home located on Riviera Drive.
Monique Selman of Albany Homes Construction hosted the September Trustee Reception at her newly completed project located at 6345 Riviera Drive. Monqie is pictured with fellow Trustee members Jose Gurevich, Lillian Ser, Cristina Miller, Henry Miller and Alex Jiminez.
Our September Trustee Luncheon was Sponsored by Miami Cancer Institute Baptist Health South Florida featuring Dr. Cristina Lopez-Peñalver, M.D., FACS, a surgeon of the Breast Center at Miami Cancer Institute. Her detailed presentation about breast cancer captivated the audience. Our October Trustee Reception was hosted by Giralda Place. Our GEM and Trustee Members enjoyed a parnoramic view of The City Beautiful, while sampling delicious bites catered by Fiola Miami, opening November 2018. Last, and certainly not least, we heard a impassioned speech by Miami-Dade County’s Superintendent Alberto Carvalho about the School Board Referendum that county voters will decide on November 6th. The October Luncheon was sponsored by Trustee Member MassMutual Miami - LINQ Companies.
Wendy Viciana accepts a Trustee plaque on behalf of Chapman Partnership. Chapman Partnership helps the homeless by providing a comprehensive support program that includes emergency housing, meals, health, dental and psychiatric care, day care, job training, job placement and assistance with securing stable housing
Thank you to all of our sponsors and speakers, we appreciate your time and support. If you are looking to engage with other fellow Trustee Members, or with the community, then please join us at our upcoming Trustee Reception and Luncheon on November 13th and November 28th, respectively.
Past Chair of the Chamber Carolina Redeiro is photographed with Board Member Nicolas Eterovic of Edward Jones and guest.
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES Wednesday, November 7, 2018 | 8:00 AM Morning Chat With Ambassador Patricia Fuller Location: Coral Gables Museum 285 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables In Partnership With: OWIT, Coral Gables Museum, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Canada Florida Chamber of Commerce Featuring: Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change, The Honorable Patricia Fuller In Conversation With: Irela Bague, President & CEO, Bague Group Complimentary registration Wednesday, November 7, 2017 | 9:00 AM Marketing & Branding Workshop Location: Coral Gables Art Cinema 260 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Presented By: City of Coral Gables, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement District of Coral Gables Featuring: Syama Meagher, Founder and Chief Retail Strategist of Scaling Retail Complimentary registration Wednesday, November 7, 2018 | Noon RE-Connect Luncheon Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Barakat Law, P.A.; EPGD Business Law; Sora Global Insurance & Consulting; Dr. Michael Forman, DOM, P.A. Featuring: Dr. Michael Forman, Michael Forman, DOM, P.A. Cost: $25 Registration Fee - Must be paid online in advance Wednesday, November 7, 2018 | 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Featuring a tasty preview of #Burgerliscious8! Join us to unlock your special promotion Location: Miller’s Ale House 101 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Michael Forman, DOM, P.A. Cost: $25 Registration Fee by 11/2; $35 Chamber Members after 11/2 & Guests Thursday, November 8, 2018 | 6:00 PM Burgerliscious Eat your heart out! Location: Fred B. Hartnett / Ponce Circle Park 2800 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Presented By: South Motors & Business Improvement District of Coral Gables Supporting Sponsors: Samuel Adams, City of Coral Gables, Jack Daniel’s, Brown Forman Beverages, G-Force Waterproofing & Restoration, Intermedia Touch, Inc., EPGD Business Law, TopGolf, Florida Blue Retail Centers, Capital One Cafe, Smiles & Sonrisas, Clear Channel Outdoor Competing Burger Restaurants: 109 Burger Joint | Bocas House Coral Gables | BULLA Gastrobar | Café at Books & Books | Carolina Ale House | Clutch Burger | Doctors Hospital - Sunrise Café | DUNE Oceanfront Burger & Lounge | HOUSE Kitchen & Bar | Jr’s Gourmet Burgers | Mighty Spark Food Co. | Miller’s Ale House Morton’s the Steakhouse | Off the Mile Restaurant | Pincho Factory Pisco Y Nazca | Shula’s 347 Grill | Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With: Blue Martini Brickell | Cassy’s Cakes | Frice Cream | Night Owl Cookie Co. | Seasons 52 Cost: General Admission (Includes 6 sliders and 2 beers) - $50; VIP (Includes unlimited burgers, beers and access to the Jack Daniel’s VIP tent) - $100 Get your tickets at Burgerliscious.com Tuesday, November 13, 2018 | 5:30 PM Trustee & GEM Reception Host Sponsor: Mercantil Bank 220 Alhambra Circle, 12th floor Balcony, Coral Gables Complimentary registration for Trustee & GEM Members Thursday, November 15, 2018 | 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Our Annual Education Breakfast! Honoring our commitment to education and brightening the future of our community! Location: The Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsor: Florida Power & Light Speaker: Eric Poms, CEO, Orange Bowl Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 11/9; $40 Guests Thursday, November 15, 2018 | 4:00 PM Cyber Security Minimize the risk of identity theft throughout the holiday season! Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Featuring: Dave Duchaj | Senior Vice President, Information Technology, Information Security Officer, First American Bank & Al Avila | Partner, Corporate & Financial Services, Avila Rodriguez Hernandez Mena & Ferri, LLP Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests Tuesday, November 20, 2018 | 11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon We’re celebrating the tenacious and rebellious spirit of entrepreneurs this National Entrepreneurship Month! Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Equipaws Pet Services Featuring: Michelle Abbs, Director, WIN Lab Miami Cost: $40 Chamber Members by 11/9; $50 Guests Saturday, November 24, 2018 Small Business Saturday! Take the pledge to #ShopSmall by visiting one of our local retailers! Wednesday, November 28, 2018 | 11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon Location: Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables 180 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Bank OZK Featuring: Alan Randolph, Deputy Director of Community Banking, Florida & New York, Bank OZK In Conversation With Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO Cost: $45 Chamber Members; $55 On-site Registration & Guests Friday, November 30, 2018 | 11:00 AM Diamond Awards Celebrating all the sparkles about local business! Location: Coral Gables Country Club 997 N. Greenway Drive, Coral Gables Presented By: MG Developer Cost: $60 Chamber Members; $75 Guests; $700 Reserved VIP Table of 10 Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Noon RE-Connect Luncheon Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Barakat Law, P.A.; EPGD Business Law; Sora Global Insurance & Consulting; Dr. Michael Forman, DOM, P.A. Cost: $25 Registration Fee - Must be paid online in advance Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Location: Clutch Burger 146 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Michael Forman, DOM, P.A. Cost: $25 Registration Fee by 11/30; $35 Chamber Members after 11/30 & Guests Tuesday, December 18, 2018 | 11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Roxana Zubia - From Canvas to Collection Cost: $40 Chamber Members by 12/14; $50 Guests Thursday, December 20, 2018 | 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Holiday Edition! Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsor: Home Financing Center, Inc. Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 12/14; $40 Guests
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS
September-October 2018 AJP Ventures Corp. Be Strong International CADISA, Inc. Charles O. Morgan, Jr., P.A. Conde Contemporary Cruise Planners DCC Accounting EWM Realty International Falcon Charter Bus Miami Fiola Miami Fowler Rodriguez LLP Goldman, Sachs & Co./Renny Sie Grade Power Learning Graupel IMAGO ART Kāma Skin Spa Luccia Photos Making A Difference HR Staffing Medical Rehab Group Moises & Gross, PLLC Papa Polaris Realty Capital, LLC Presenceology, LLC TB Media Group The Sanabria Team @ EWM Realty International United Community Options of South Florida WEP Sourcing Wild Fork Foods Yard House Coral Gables
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through October 2018
$5,000 and Above • The Allen Morris Company • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • Brown-Forman Beverages • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank of Florida • Doctors Hospital • EWM Realty International • Florida Blue
• Gulliver Schools • Mercantil Bank, N.A. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • MG Developer • Photo Offset, Inc. • Samuel Adams Boston Lager • South Motors BMW • Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill • University of Miami • UHealth
$2,500 - $4,999 • Apollo Bank • Flor de Caña • Florida Power & Light • Grove Bank & Trust • MG Developer
*BOLD denotes new Trustee Member *BOLD denotes new GEM Member coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018
EVENTS CALENDAR
‘18
November | December
Monday
Tuesday
29
Wednesday 30
5
6 8:00 AM
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
12
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
13
Friday
31
1 2 8:30 AM 8:00 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors Trow Knows... CEOs Committee Meeting feat. Maria Alonso United Way of Miami-Dade 9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
Small Business Committee Meeting Noon Re-Connect Luncheon
Thursday
7
8 8:00 AM Membership Committee Meeting
9
6:00 PM BURGERLISCIOUS 8
14 7:30 AM 15 8:00 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Business & Gov’t Affairs Committee Meeting 9:15 AM
16
20/30 Group Meeting
4:00 PM Cyber Security Workshop
OFFICE CLOSED
19 20 11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon
21 8:00 AM SEE Green Committee Meeting
22
OFFICE CLOSED
23 24
OFFICE CLOSED
26
3
27 11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
4
8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting 12:00 PM RE-Connect Luncheon 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
29 11:00 AM Diamond Awards
5 6 8:00 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting
10
17 18 19 20 8:00 AM 11:30 AM 7:30 AM SEE Green Committee Women's Business Good Morning Coral Gables Meeting Network Luncheon 9:15 AM 3:45 PM 20/30 Group Meeting IMPACT Seminar
24
OFFICE CLOSED
7
12 13 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM Business & Gov’t Affairs Membership Committee Chamber 101 Committee Meeting Meeting
25
30
9:00 AM Women's Business Network Committee Meeting
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
11
28
26
27
OFFICE CLOSED
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018
14
21
28
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
The Chamber's
Board of Directors
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
TROW KNOWS... CEOS
TRUSTEE RECEPTION
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
HOST SPONSOR
RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON
THEATRE NIGHT HOST SPONSOR
SPONSORED BY
BITES BY
CHAIRMAN'S RECEPTION
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │November - December 2018