GAME ON! The month of September brings, in our humble opinion, the - slightly premature - arrival of Pumpkin Spice Lattes and the start of South Florida's faux Fall - it also heralds the start of a new Chamber year.
speakers, including Dr. Shalom Saar, Frank Beamer, Butch Davis, Adriene McCoy, Udonis Haslem, Daniella Levine Cava, Randy Moller and Jeremy Walls.
Although all of their messages were different, these individuals had a common theme - success, Our beloved Patrick O'Connell will now join a pres- teamwork, and surround yourself with great peotigious list of 'Past Chairs' as we welcome our new ple. Chair of the Board, Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Whether on the sidelines, in the office, in front of Hospital, to the helm of our Chamber. the board room, or on the court, this talent really If you attended our Annual Conference on August set the tone for what is going to be an exciting and 22nd - 23rd, you got a glimpse of what's to come engaging Chamber year. throughout the course of this next year. If you didn't, then it's time to kick it into high gear be- Stay tuned. We're on a mission to help you boost your business, expand your network, get engaged cause from here on out, it's Game On! in the community, build a winning team and crush We started things off with an all star line-up of your goals.
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 │September - October 2019
THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR Nelson Lazo
CEO Doctors Hospital NelsonL@baptisthealth.net
Welcome to Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, we're happy you're here! Inspired by The City Beautiful Movement of the early 1900s, Coral Gables officially became a City in 1925. While staying true to the distinct vision of our City and Chamber founder, George E. Merrick, we have far surpassed anything he could have ever imagined – and we’re not slowing down. You are just in time to experience our renaissance. Take a walk through our downtown area and it is easy to see the growth and transformation that has taken place and that business is booming as a result! Pedestrian-friendly walkways line our main thoroughfares, complete with improved lighting, outdoor dining and chic shopping. Colorful art displays have attracted thousands of selfie-takers whose social media posts have showcased #CoralGables to the world. With a variety of theaters, art galleries and museums located throughout the City, arts and culture is brought to life in Coral Gables. More than 50,000 residents live in Coral Gables and we are proud to celebrate their diversity within our community! We are home to 140 multinational corporations and 20 consulates and foreign government offices that have settled here ― along with so many creative local businesses, like you! Our trendy urban lifestyle, unique architecture, healthy economy, bustling business community and friendly demeanor are just part of what makes Coral Gables special and we hope you agree.
ame
Now that we're done warming up, it's Game On!
ON!
Contact that #GablesChamber today to find out how we can help your business go this distance in 2019 - 2020!
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 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 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 Deirdre D. Nero, NERO Immigration Law, P.L. Audrey Otero, BankOZK Melanie Sanchez, BB&T 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
Nelson Lazo CEO, Doctors Hospital Chairman of the Board Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
Mark A. Trowbridge
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE | HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is always hard to say goodbye, even when goodbye is really just a fond farewell. Such is the case with our outgoing leader, Patrick O’Connell, who just completed his term as Chairman of our Board on August 31st. It is hard to believe that a full year has passed since Patrick first took the helm of our organization and pledged to Do BIG Things! And boy, did he ever! From the behindthe-scenes work on our by-laws, strategic plan and Chamber headquarters to the creation of the forthcoming Illuminate Coral Gables, Patrick swung for the fences. We also saw an 8% growth in our Chamber membership during his term, a healthy outcome buoyed by a laser focus on growth this past year. And, to put the cherry on top, SFBJ raised our ranking of South Florida-based Chambers of Commerce from #5 to #2! That is bigger than HUGE! Now, we need to continue to build on that success with Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hospital and our new Chairman. With his guidance, the possibilities are endless. If you attended Nelson’s Annual Conference this past month you know that our strategic plan has us locked-in on greater engagement, the perfect tie-in to his theme of GAME ON! We all know that when you sound this battle cry, you are inciting our membership to connect, engage, and make it happen each day. Nelson will captain this effort right out of the gate! As a Chamber, we are stronger together – whether it be our members, partners, stakeholders or the community at large coming together for a common goal. There is an energy and vibe that is both palpable and uplifting in our Chamber. Nelson understands how to build winning teams – just look at what he has done at Doctors Hospital over the past decade. He has crafted a championship caliber health care facility and we know he will do the same here as Chairman. Over the past 14 years, I have worked with 15 Chairs. All of them had one thing in common on their first day at the helm – they wanted to support our members, help them succeed and focus on growth. Nelson will be no different – he leads by example! I hope you will take the time over the next few weeks to get to know Nelson and embrace his energy, wit and incredible sense of style. He knows how to put people together and to synergize their efforts in a very special way. And, as our annual Chamber theme for the year suggests, we are ready to take the field under his leadership and drive the ball into the endzone. We also plan to shoot for the stars! In closing, it is always exciting to start anew with fresh ideas and perspective. We will celebrate our 94th anniversary in October in conjunction with our Chairman’s Reception on October 3rd, heralding another year of anticipated success and exciting milestones. There is much to accomplish under Nelson’s leadership, whether it is around big ideas like CENSUS 2020, advancing our local business climate, addressing the very real challenges affecting our own employees or coming together to tell the story of our beloved businesses. No matter the issue, your Chamber will be here – fighting for you, standing tall with you, celebrating alongside you and putting into play every opportunity for you and your business to be successful. It is our mission, our vision and our greatest honor. It is GAME ON from DAY ONE!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019
TRUSTEE TALK Eric Gros-Dubois CEO, Founder EPGD Business Law eric@EPGDLaw.com
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Trustee Diplomats are ready to help support our Chairman’s vision of ENGAGEMENT this new Chamber Year! Our committee consists of engaged and active members, eager to help Chamber members and prospective- members in our community learn more about the value of a Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Trustee membership.
Our sincerest 'thank you' to Ana Chaoui, the 2018 - 2019 Chair of the Trustee Diplomats. Her dedication to the mission of the Chamber is unsurpassed and we look forward to all the things she will accomplish in the coming years.
Chamber Trustees receive a great opportunity to develop relationships with local community and business leaders in a variety of settings around The City Beautiful. There are two exclusive events every month catered for the Trustees to deepen the value they will receive from membership. Engagement is the name of the game, and through active participation, great events, venues, speakers, and the Chamber’s support, we are very excited about everything we will accomplish this year. Please feel welcome to connect with me directly so we can build something great together.
In true Trustee fashion, we concluded our 2018 - 2019 series with a luncheon like no other. Trustee Members sliced, diced, and enticed alongside Chef Bob Gilardi of Doctors Hospital. This interactive and engaging event was presented by Doctors Hospital, The Biltmore Hotel and Zyscovich Architects.
Trustee Members were invited to attend an exclusive reception inside of the University of Miami's state-of-the-art Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility. Don't miss another event like this! Contact the Chamber today to find out how you can upgrade your current level of membership to Trustee!
Would you like to elevate your Chamber memership? Want to engage with our community's leaders? Then contact us today to learn more about Trustee Membership. Let the Chamber work for you. We've got the network; all you have to do is join us!
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, September 17, 2019 | 11:30 AM coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES Tuesday, September 10, 2019 | 5:30 PM Trustee Reception Hosted By: BB&T Location: Sofia Coral Gables 2000 Salzedo Street, Clubhouse, Coral Gables Complimentary registration for Trustee & GEM Level Investors Tuesday, September 17, 2019 | 11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon Make Your Passion Your Paycheck Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsored By: ActionCoach Team Sage Featuring: Tiffany Dominguez, Owner, TAUDREY & Melanie Fernandez, Owner, House of Lilac Cost: $40 Chamber Members by 9/13; $50 On-Site Registration & Guests
Monday, September 23, 2019 | 5:30 PM Business Mondays How healthy is your business? A focus on your businesses Financial Health via an intimate, eye-opening look at your balance sheet, cash flow and more Location: Books & Books 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: First American Bank Welcome Remarks: John O’Rourke | Vice President Private Banking and Wealth Advisor, First American Bank Discussing Businesses: Sarah Eikenberry | Head of Commercial Underwriting, First American Bank Discussing Not-for-Profits: Eric Santa Maria | Partner, Verdeja, De Armas & Trujillo, LLP Cost: $25 CGCC Members & First American Bank Clients; $35 Non-CGCC Members; $75 to attend all 4 Business Monday events
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 | 11:45 AM Tuesday, September 17, 2019 | 5:30 PM Trustee Luncheon A Taste of Coral Gables: Cookbook Launch Party Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables Sip, Taste and Celebrate the new Coral Gables Cookbook, 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables A Taste of Coral Gables! Sponsored By: EPGD Business Law Location: Books & Books Coral Gables Featuring: Pedro J. Garcia, Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser 265 Aragon Avenue Coral Gables Cost: $45 Chamber Members by 9/20; Cost: $45 per-person; $80 for two - Includes a copy of the $55 On-Site registration & Guests Cookbook & tasting/cocktail reception w/curated menu by Chef Allen Wednesday, October 2, 2019 | Noon RE-Connect Luncheon Wednesday, September 18, 2019 | 4:00 PM Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse IMPACT: A Seminar Series for Small Business 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Host Sponsor: Morton’s the Steakhouse Sponsored By: Barakat Law, P.A., EPGD Business Law, George 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables A. David, P.A., PS Mortgage Lending, Second Chance Credit, Sponsored By: Amerant Bank LLC, Ser & Associates, Total Health Restoration/Dr. Michael Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests Forman, DOM, P.A., Sora Global Insurance & Consulting, Ulltium Consulting Thursday, September 19, 2019 | 7:30 AM Featuring: Kayla Blake, Orange Bowl Committee Good Morning Coral Gables Cost: $25 Per-person Advance online registration and payment required Featuring our Board of Directors’ Installation & Passing of the Gavel Wednesday, October 2, 2019 | 5:30 PM Location: The Biltmore Hotel Wind Down Wednesday 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Location: Bachour Sponsored By: The Chamber’s Board of Directors 2020 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables Featuring: Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, City of Coral Gables Sponsored By: Spiritus Law Topic: Annual State of the City Beautiful Address Cost: $35 Members & Guests after 9/27 Cost: $25 for Chamber Members Registered by 9/11; $35 Member On-Site Registration & $40 Guests/Future Members Thursday, Ocotber 3, 2019 | 5:30 PM Chairman's Reception Friday, September 20, 2019 | 5:30 PM Celebrating our new Chairman Nelson Lazo! Chit-Chat with Candace | 7:00 PM Location: The Biltmore Hotel Author Event 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Meet N.Y. Times Bestselling Author and Creator of Sex & Cost: $35 Per-Person; $60 for two the City, Candace Bushnell! SAVE THE DATE! Location: Books & Books Coral Gables Thursday, November 7, 2019 | 6:00 PM 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables IT'S CHOW TIME @ BURGERLISCIOUS 9 Sponsored By: Equipaws Per Services Location: Fred B. Hartnett/Ponce Circle Park In Conversation With: Brett Graff, Editor-in-Chief, SocialMiami.com 2800 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Presented By: Books & Books, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Presented By: South Motors, Capital One, City of Coral Gables Media Sponsor: SocialMiami.com Supporting Sponsors: Samuel Adams, Smiles & Sonrisas Cost: $40 - Includes one Gables Gal signature drink, lite bites Participating Restaurants (to date): 109 Burger Joint | Bulla and your very own copy of “Is There Still Sex in the City?” Gastrobar Coral Gables | Clutch Burger | Doctors Hospital THE NIGHT IS YOUNG! House Kitchen & Bar | JR’s Gourmet Burgers | Miller’s Ale Dine out at one of the many Miami Spice participating restaurants House | Morton’s the Steakhouse | Pisco Y Nazca Doral in Coral Gables and take advantage of their $39 prix fixe Cost: $60 General Admission - Includes 6 burgers & 2 beers; menus after the program! $125 VIP - Unlimited burgers & beers
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS July - August 2019 54Days A La Carte Marketing Automation Abacus Financial Advanced Work Vans - Miami Amicorp Services Ltd. Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Inc. Coyo Taco Domaine Souviou Wine Bar Boutique Dora's Bakery and Bistro Dux Communications F45 Coral Gables Financial Forensic Group, P.A. Freedom Boat Club G Alvarez Studio, Inc. Gold Coast Angel Investors Inter Miami CF Jackson Health Foundation Johnny Was JP Morgan Chase & Co. Kiss Consulting LLC Lavender Greenberg PLLC Maid Green Marion - El Tucan Mfon Abia Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services, Inc Miami Jewish Health Mizzen+Main Ocean Bank Pedini Miami Postal Center International (PCI) Prager Metis, LLC Scavolini USA Inc. Strickroot Educational Consultants, LLC Suited for Success Terre del Sapore Thornton Construction Co., LLC UBS Financial Services Inc.
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through August 2019
$5,000 and Above • The Allen Morris Company • Amerant • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • Baptist Health South Florida • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank of Florida • Doctors Hospital • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty
• Florida Blue • Florida Power & Light • Grove Bank & Trust • Gulliver Schools • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • MG Developer • Photo Offset, Inc. • Samuel Adams Boston Lager • South Motors • University of Miami • UHealth
$2,500 - $4,999 • Apollo Bank • Florida Panthers • Miami Dolphins • Miami HEAT
*BOLD denotes new Trustee Member *BOLD denotes new GEM Member coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019
EVENTS CALENDAR
‘19
September | October
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
2
3
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
Committee Meeting
9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
5:00 PM Wind Down Wednesday
9
5:30 PM Trustee Reception
Friday
8:00 AM 4 5 6 Small Business Committee 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Meeting Chairman’s Ambassadors Trow Knows...CEOs Noon RE-Connect Luncheon
OFFICE CLOSED
Thursday
10
11 12 8:00 AM 8:00 AM Membership Committee Business & Government Meeting Affairs Committee Meeting 4:00 PM UM vs BCC Home Opener
13 14
16 17 11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon
18 19 20 7:30 AM 4:00 PM 5:30 PM Good Morning Coral Gables IMPACT Seminar G.N.O. feat. Candace Bushnell 9:15 AM 20/30 Group Meeting
23
25 26 8:00 AM 11:45 AM Business & Education Trustee Luncheon Committee Meeting
5:30 PM Business Mondays
24
27
MISSION TO ARGENTINA • MISSION TO ARGENTINA • MISSION TO ARGENTINA
30
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
1 8:00 AM
Small Business Committee Meeting Noon RE-Connect Luncheon 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday
7 5:30 PM Business Mondays
8
5:30 PM Trustee Reception Note Date Change due to Yom Kippur
2 8:00 AM
3 4 8:30 AM Trow Knows...CEOs
Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Women's Business Network Committee Meeting 5:30 PM Chairman's Reception
9 Coral Gables Chamber10 9:00 AM 8:00 AM of Commerce Day! Chamber 101 Business & Gov’t Affairs 8:00 AM Committee Meeting Membership Committee Meeting
11
8:00 AM Hospitality Forum
14 15 11:30 AM Women's Business Network Luncheon
4:00 PM IMPACT Seminar
16 17 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables
18
9:15 AM 20/30 Group Meeting
OFFICE CLOSED
21
22
23
8:00 AM Business & Education Committee Meeting
24
25
TALLAHASSEE FLY-IN • TALLAHASSEE FLY-IN
28
29 30 11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon
31
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019
1
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
JULY
AUGUST
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
JULY
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
JULY
AUGUST
TROW KNOWS... CEOS
AUGUST
TRUSTEE RECEPTION JULY
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
HOST SPONSOR
RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON
INTERN LUNCHEON
ANNUAL CONFERENCE PRESENTED BY:
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2019