MEET LINDA KNUDSEN AT OUR CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION Each year, our Chamber introduces the new Chair of the nizational Culture and Communication with Baptist Health Board with an all-out, B2B table-top showcase and network- South Florida. She has been involved with the Chamber for ing bonanza known as the Chairman’s Reception! over 15 years, serving in a variety of roles, including several Vice-Chair positions, Trustee Council Chair in addition to the This spectacular event will take place on Thursday, SepChamber’s Parlimentarian. tember 11th at 5:30 PM, at The Biltmore Hotel. Showcasing 50 of the Gables leading businessLinda is also the Past-Chair of the Women’s Chamber es, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will of Commerce of Miami-Dade County and currently welcome Chair Linda Knudsen as she embarks serves on the Board of Directors for the Ana G. Menon what is sure to be another fabulous Chamber dez University system that educates migrant adults year! from 24 different countries in a dual language program. Linda continues to serve as Co-Chair for BapSo, who is Linda Knudsen? She is the Corpotist Health United Way Campaign, which contributes rate Director with the Office of Diversity, Orga$1 million annually.
KICK-OFF OUR NEXT CHAMBER YEAR WITH GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES As a loyal Chamber member, chances are you’ve attended at least one of our Good Morning Coral Gables breakfasts. A staple in our monthly programming calendar, Good Morning
IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from the Chair Page 2 President’s Perspective Page 3 Trustee Talk
Page 4
Upcoming Events
Page 5
Membership Highlights Page 6 Calendar of Events
Page 7
Sponsor Recognition
Page 8
Coral Gables is our signature netowrking event. These programs feature the most up-to-date topics involving business and our community.
As always... It’s All About YOU!
The September edition marks the kickoff for the 2014 - 2015 Chamber year. Sponsored by the Junior Orange Bowl, this breakfast will feature the installation of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, along with the State of the City Beautiful Address delivered by Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason. Join us on Thursday, September 18th at 7:30 AM at the historic Biltmore Hotel, as we embark upon an exciting year with Chair Linda Knudsen. Show your support of the Chamber and let’s start the new year off right.
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
THOUGHTS FROM THE CHAIR Linda Knudsen
Chair of the Board, CGCC Baptist Health South Florida lindak@baptisthealth.net Dear fellow Chamber Members:
recap of the event.
Annual Conference Shined the Spotlight on YOU! We had a record attendance –– more than 450 delegates –– for our Annual Conference in June. And the George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence Dinner held at The Biltmore Hotel, sponsored by the Allen Morris Company and City National Bank, was also sold out. Here’s a
We motivated YOU Walter Bond, Mr. Accountability, kicked-off the Good Morning Coral Gables Breakfast of Champions at our Annual Conference. His high-energy presentation about taking responsibility rather than pointing fingers set the tone for the day. Other popular speakers were Katie Meier, head women’s basketball coach at UM, and Dr. Penny Shaffer with Florida Blue. Post-conference surveys praised the speakers as engaging and their topics as relevant and informative. We recognized YOU The Merrick Legacy Award was presented to the Coral Gables Garden Club and the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence went to Barbara S. Stein, co-founder of Actors’ Playhouse. The new Merrick-in-the Making Awards singled out three emerging leaders in our community: Gabriel de Armas Jr., Home Instead Senior Care (Entrepreneur); Eris Thomas, Coral Gables Executive Physicians (Innovator); and Saif Ishoof, City Year Miami (Community Builder). We energized YOU The new venue –– the Student Activities Center at UM –– was a hit: comfortable surroundings, gorgeous views and lots of delicious food. The speakers, exhibitors and interactive workshops centered around topics focused on YOU. What’s next for YOU? If you missed the Conference, September offers two events to get you back on the right Chamber track: Chairman’s Reception, Thursday, September 11, 5:30 p.m., The Biltmore Hotel Board Installation/State of the City Address, Mayor Cason, Thursday, September 18, 7:30 a.m., The Biltmore Hotel Both offer excellent opportunities to connect with the other business leaders in our community. See you there.
BUSINESS BOOSTING OPPORTUNITIES
SPONSORSHIP Open Doors to Greater Exposure and Bigger Business! The Coral Gables Chamber has many high profile events that offer outstanding promotional value to your business. Get involved in the community and sponsor one of our upcoming events. For more information, contact Erica Simons at esimons@coralgableschamber.org.
ADVERTISING
What happens if you do not advertise your business? Absolutely nothing. Make your business stand out and take full advantage of your Chamber membership. There are sponsorship opportunities, newsletter advertising, City Beautiful magazine, website advertising and much more available to you to help promote your business. Rates are available on the front page of our website, coralgableschamber.org or you can contact Morgan Huling at mhuling@coralgableschamber.org.
2014 - 2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair: Linda Knudsen, (Baptist Health South Florida) Chair-Elect: Wayne Eldred (Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill) Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev: René Negron (AXA Advisors, LLC) Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs: Patrick O’Connell (EWM Realty International) Vice Chairman-Community Affairs: Martha de la Peña Rojas (Florida Blue) Vice Chairman-Member Affairs: Nelson Penalver (Logistical Outsourcing, Inc.) Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs: Carolina Rendeiro (RightSpace2Meet) Vice Chairman-Special Events: Nicole Waters (Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables) Treasurer: Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.) Parliamentarian: Laura Russo (Laura L. Russo, Esq.) Trustee Council Chair: John Allen (Home Financing Center, Inc.) Past Chairman: Perry Adair (Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.) Chairman’s Appointee: Marianne Sioli (Filer Insurance) President & CEO: Mark A. Trowbridge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2015 Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Rosemary Guilfoyle (New York Life) John Knowles (Photo Offset, Inc.) Marti Mang (TotalBank) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA) Elected-term expires 2016 Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers) George Feliciano Jr. (Bay Plumbing Company) Ramon Ferrer (Florida Power & Light) Al Peraza (Mercantil Commercebank, N.A.) Elected-term expires 2017 Andria Hanley (Camillus House) Raquel Hickey (City National Bank) Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Barbara Norland (The Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects) Appointees-term expires 2015 Thad Adams (The Allen Morris Company) Gail McQuilkin (Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton) Sarah Nesbitt Artecona (University of Miami) Martha Pantin (American Airlines) Debra Tyler (SunTrust Bank) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Business Improvement District Abe Ng, Sushi Maki City of Coral Gables Commissioner Frank C. Quesada City of Coral Gables Cynthia Birdsill (Interim Assistant City Manager) Coral Gables Community Foundation Mary Snow Miami-Dade Beacon Council Nelson Lazo (Doctors Hospital)
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - REMEMBERING ROBIN Mark A. Trowbridge
President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org
It must have been nearly 20 years ago that I met Robin Williams – live and in person. He was in town shooting the hilarious movie The Birdcage (1996), one of his many hit movies and one that featured yet another memorable Williams character, the indomitable Armand Goldman. With South Beach as the backdrop, and the famed art-deco Carlyle Hotel as home to the club named The Birdcage, Williams and Nathan Lane made history on Ocean Drive in a loose re-interpretation of La Cage Aux Folles.
he was shorter than I expected. But he popped and punctuated his greeting with that familiar energy and staccato. I recall that his arms were incredibly hairy, but his gleam and kind smile were absolutely genuine. And just as quick, he said thank you to Don and was gone, backing away with a certain level of kind reverence. I still had not comported myself when Don said...do you know who that was? In disbelief, I said, simply and casually, oh yea, Robin Williams. I love him. he is my favorite. No words had ever rung more true.
I remember watching Mork & Mindy growing up, thinking that Pam Dawber had the best job in the world. She got to laugh with Mork every day, while the rest of us got just 22 minutes a week. Mork calling Orson, come in Orson! Nano, Nano. There were Our brief encounter was a chance meeting in the comso many Williams-esque moments that added to the puter book section of the old Borders on South Dixie common lexicon. These were words and phrases that Highway – where there is now a Trader Joe’s. A friend were incorporated into our daily lingo and well, they of mine and I had decided that a quiet Thursday night just felt like a pair of Jordache jeans. They fit perfectly, was in order and so we headed to Borders to just chill just like Brooke Shields said. and enjoy some quiet time among the literary set (so yes, we were basically alone in the store). Over the years, there was Popeye, Peter Pan, John Keating and well, my favorite, Mrs. Doubtfire. EuI had been quietly ensconsed in the cafe for an hour genia, for short. Forget the ridiculous premise that or so when I decided to determine where my friend three midly-intelligent kids would not recognize their had wandered off to. Given my height and the relative own father in drag...we were willing and fully able to orientation of the bookshelves, I spied him in the latsuspend our disbelief. We did so simply because we est computer books on Windows 95 talking to a midloved Robin and anything he did was comedy gold. dle-aged gentleman who had his back to me. As I ventured over, I was struck by two things. One, that anyone else cared as much about computers as Don and two, that this gent was dressed head to toe in black. All black. Black shirt, black pants, black belt, black shoes. As I came up behind him, I heard Don offering his sage advice on what computer might be best (he LOVED to talk about computers!). Yawn (and sigh). Then, the man turned toward me. He was familiar immediately, but I could not quite place it (context clues not working here). He stuck out his hand with gusto and said, simply, “Hey, I’m Robin.” I froze. It was not just Robin – it was Robin Freakin’ Williams – and yes,
To lose him earlier this month is still a shock. It still hurts. It leaves a void. His talent was not only immense, it was unmatched. His energy, his timing, his ability to turn a box of hair into the centerpiece of a comedy bit was legendary. No one even came close to his creative genius and likely never will. And so, as we ponder the pain that had invaded his life, we pray for his peace and soul. But I do know this; he will be missed.
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
TRUSTEE TALK John Allen
tive Board as Vice Chair of Business & Economic Development, Brian to Treasurer of the Chamber; so I would like you to join me in welcoming aboard our new additions to the Diplomats for the 2014-2015 year. They are Evelyn Hsu (Ivy Accounting) Laura Greetings, Fellow Trustees! Beaton-Aguilera (Sabadell Bank), Marianne Sioli (Filer Insurance), Pete De La Torre (Pete De La Torre Enterprise) and Sara Hernandez The 2013-2014 Chamber year flew by be(C1 Bank). Although they will have big shoes to fill, I know each of fore we knew it…and it certainly went out them will bring something special and make our team as great as with a bang! If you missed the 7th Annual the year just ending! Trustee Interactive Luncheon, our signature annual event, it was spectacular, attended by 140 of our Chamber On behalf of the Council, we look forward to seeing you at the leaders, Trustee members, Trustee Diplomats and guests. SponSeptember 9th Trustee Reception at Mercantil Commercebank! sored by our friends at Florida Blue and hosted by the iconic Biltmore Hotel, the welcoming ambiance began when sparkling wine TRUSTEE INVITATIONAL & was passed as everyone arrived…after the guests had donned INTERACTIVE LUNCHEON their chef’s hats and aprons, the renowned Chef Clayton Miller, noted by Food & Wine Magazine as one of the “Best Chefs of 2010” and the culinary genius behind the popular Yardbird and Swine restaurants, among others, directed the preparing of a fourcourse luncheon, assisted by a team of assistants at each table, that was, quite simply, beyond delicious. Guided by the culinary team, our guests made (and devoured) fresh deviled eggs, followed by macaroni with white cheese sauce, a wood-grilled pork loin carved tableside, all accompanied by fine wines and topped off by fresh strawberry shortcake! Chair, Trustee Council Home Financing Center, Inc. johna@homefinancingcenter.com
While we are already planning for this special event to culminate A BIG thank you to the Coral Gables Senior High School Culinary Academy next year, we’re eagerly looking forward to our September lun- for providing our outstanding Sous Chefs! cheon, featuring our perennial favorites, The Miami Heat. This “white hot” luncheon sells out every year, so make your reservaPast Chair Darla Thompson tions early. The Heat and Doctors Hospital go all out to make this and Fairchild Garden’s Lesan event not to be missed! lie Bowe got things cooking But enough about food…as the Chamber year comes to a close, as Chairman of the Trustee Council, I would like to express my thanks to an amazing team of Trustee Diplomats who joined forces to make this an outstanding year for our Council. I applaud and thank each one of you: Alex Jimenez, Ana Chaoui, Brian Barakat, Carlos Larcada, Cristina Miller, Drew Kern, Eddy del Rio, Eric Gros-Dubois, Gabe De Armas, George Ciorobea, George Feliciano, Marco Ibarra, Nelson Penalver, Orestes Hernandez, Rene Negron and Yesenia Moreno – a “dream team” that never ceased in their dedication, hard work and implementing a number of new programs we established this year.
at the August 22nd Trustee Invitational & Interactive Luncheon!
Featured Chef, Clay Miller, briefs attendees on how to properly cook a pork shoulder. Boy, was it souie-eeeeet!
When you’re surrounded by talent like this, it’s easy to make it all look simple and seamless, but for that illusion I know I speak for the entire Council in thanking the Chamber’s Erica Simons, who has been my right (and occasionally left) arm at the Diplomats, together with Ivette Acosta and, of course, our Chamber President, Mark Trowbridge. It’s their hard work that makes these events so special! As I am privileged to begin my second term as Chairman of the Trustee Council, some of this dream team are moving on to other positions in the Chamber – for example, Rene to the Execu-
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
The stellar team from 50 Eggs, Inc.! Thanks for a smokin’ good time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES September 5th Trow Knows... CEOs - 8:30 AM RightSpace2Meet│100 Miracle Mile, Suite 200 Sponsored By: RightSpace2Meet Speaker: Rene Ruiz, Fashion Designer, Rene Ruiz Designs Cost: $20 Registration Fee September 9th Trustee Reception - 5:30 PM 220 Alhambra Circle│12th Floor│Coral Gables Hosted & Sponsored By: Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. Complimentary registration for all Trustee Members September 10 Please note date change! Wind Down Wednesday - 5:30 PM Actors’ Playhouse atthe Miracle Theatre│280 Miracle Mile Cost: $20 Members by 9/5; $25 Late & On-site Members; $30 Guests th
September 11th Chairman’s Reception - 5:30 PM The Biltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue Celebrate incoming Chair, Linda Knudsen, and the 2014 2015 Board of Directors with a night of B2B networking, table-top showcase & committee sign-up at this year’s Chairman’s Reception! Sponsors: Baptist Health South Florida & Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. - Miami Division Supporting Sponsors: Bacardi USA, The Biltmore Hotel, Home Financing Center, Inermedia Touch, Inc., Logistical Outsourcing, Inc., Mia Anzola Manrique & Pete de la Torre Enterprise Display Table Cost: $250 Chamber Members; $350 Non-Members Cost: $30 for 1 registration; $50 for 2 Registrations; $100 for 5 Registrations September 16th Women’s Business Network Luncheon - 11:30 AM Hyatt Regency Coral Gables│50 Alhambra Plaza Sponsored By: Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Cost: $35 Members by 9/12; $45 Late Members, On-Site & Guests September 18th Join us for the Mayor’s State of the City Address, along with the installation of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Good Morning Coral Gables - 7:30 AM The Biltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue Sponsor: Junior Orange Bowl & The Chamber’s Board of Directors Speaker: Mayor Jim Cason, City of Coral Gables Cost: $25 Members by 9/12; $35 Members After 9/12; $40 Guests
September 19th Business Champion Boot Camp - 8:00 AM RightSpace2Meet│100 Miracle Mile, Suite 200 Cost: $95 Member Registration Fee September 24th Trustee Luncheon - 11:45 AM The Biltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue Sponsor: Doctors Hospital Cost: $45 Trustee Members by 9/19; $55 On-Site Members & Guests September 30th Continuing Education Seminar - 4:00 PM Seasons 52│321 Miracle Mile Sponsor: Seasons 52 Partner: Coral Gables Bar Association Speaker: Judge William Altfield Topic: A Florida Historical Perspective Cost: $25 Member Registration Fee; $35 Guests October 1st Wind Down Wednesday - 5:30 PM Swine Southern Table & Bar│2415 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Cost: $20 Members by 9/26; $25 Members after 9/26; $30 Guests October 8th A Night at the Cinema - 5:30 PM Coral Gables Art Cinema│260 Aragon Avenue The Skeleton Twins│88 Minutes Partner: Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Cost: $25 per individual; $40 per couple October 10th Residential Real Estate Luncheon - 11:30 AM Westin Colonnade Coral Gables│180 Aragon Avenue Partner: Miami Association of Realtors Cost: $ 40 Members by 10/3; $45 Members after 10/3; $50 Guests October 16th Good Morning Coral Gables - 7:30 AM The Biltmore Hotel│1200 Anastasia Avenue Cost: $25 Members by 10/10; $35 Members After 10/10; $40 Guests October 21st Women’s Business Network Luncheon - 11:30 AM Hyatt Regency Coral Gables│50 Alhambra Plaza Cost: $35 Members by 10/17; $45 Late Members, On-Site & Guests
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through August 2014
New Members
Since last publication
ADT Security Apollo Bank Aviva Gables Banco de Credito e Inversiones, Miami BankUnited C1 Bank Cafe Curuba Consulate of Australia - Miami Coral Gables Surgery Center Dawn Jacobson DebonAir Mechanical Debra C. Silverman, CPA, P.A. Efiie Consulting Group GlobalPro Recovery, Inc. Hogan Brothers Construction Int’l. Holland & Knight, LLP Josh Flanders Consulting JPA Consulting Lauren D. Triana, DMD, P.A. @ University Dental Group Marquis Bank Mia Anzola Manrique Miami Beach Bowl Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition, Inc. Michelle Segal, DMD Midwest Software Specialists, Inc. Muirfield Energy National Association of Women Business Owners - Miami PharMa Health Group Quantus Solutions, LLC & Michael DiPietro, LLC Randstad Round Travel Seraphic Fire Sherwin Williams Paint Company Sora Global Insurance & Consulting, LLC SpeakOut Inc. The Found Gen The High Boy The Recovery Place TheGenieLab LLC Troy & Schwartz Trujillo Vargas Ortiz & Gonzalez, LLP Vicky Bakery *BOLD denotes Trustee Member
$5,000 and Above • The Allen Morris Company • 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 • University of Miami • U.S. Century Bank
$2,500 - $4,999 • AT&T • Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. • Coral Gables Hospital • FirstBank Florida • 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
YO U !
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
EVENTS CALENDAR
‘14
September │ October
Monday
Wednesday
1
2
8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting
Labor Day Chamber Office Closed
Tuesday
8
Thursday
Friday
3 8:00 AM 4 5 Chairman’s Ambassadors 8:30 AM 12:00 PM Committee Meeting Trow Knows... CEOs RE-Connect Luncheon 9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
9 8:00 AM 10 11 8:00 AM Business & Gov’t Affairs Committee Meeting 5:30 PM 8:30 AM M-Team Committee Meeting 8:00 AM Trustee Reception YoPro Meeting Small Business 9:00 AM Committee Meeting 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Tech Task Force Meeting Cultural Affairs 5:30 PM Chamber 101 Committee Meeting 5:30 PM Chairman’s Reception Wind Down Wednesday
15
8:00 AM S.E.E. Green Committee Meeting 11:30 AM WBN Luncheon
22
29
6
16
12
17 18 19 7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:00 AM Good Morning Coral Gables IMPACT: A Seminar Series Business Champion 9:00 AM for Small Business Boot Camp 20/30 Group Committee Meeting
23 24 25 8:00 AM 11:45 AM Business & Education Trustee Luncheon Committee Meeting Meet the HEAT
26
30 1 8:00 AM 2 3 Chairman’s Ambassadors 8:30 AM 12:00 PM 4:00 PM Committee Meeting Trow Knows... CEOs RE-Connect Luncheon Continuing Education 9:00 AM 5:30 PM Seminar Wind Down Wednesday Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting
8:00 8:00 AM AM Global Global Business Business Affairs Affairs Committee Committee Meeting Meeting
8:00 AM 7 Business & Gov’t Affairs 8 Committee Meeting 8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting 5:30 PM A Night at the Cinema
13 14 Colombus Day 5:30 PM Chamber Office Closed Trustee Reception
20
27
8:00 AM S.E.E. Green Committee Meeting 11:30 AM WBN Luncheon
9 10 8:00 AM 11:30 AM M-Team Committee Meeting Residential Real Estate 9:00 AM Update Luncheon Tech Task Force Meeting
15 7:30 AM 16 9:00 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Chamber 101 9:00 AM 20/30 Group Committee Meeting
21
22 23 8:00 AM 8:00 AM Business & Education IMPACT: A Seminar Series Committee Meeting for Small Business
28 29 11:45 AM 8:00 AM Trustee Luncheon Town Hall Meeting How Your Gables Grows!
30
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014
17
24
31
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY JULY
AUGUST
JULY
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES
AUGUST
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
TRUSTEE RECEPTION JULY
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES
JULY
TRUSTEE INVITATIONAL & INTERACTIVE LUNCHEON
BOOGIE NIGHTS
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM / WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │September - October 2014