SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 HAPPY NEW CHAMBER YEAR! And just like that, our 2020 - 2021 Chamber year comes to an end and a new fiscal year begins! We look forward to this coming year with hopes of Re-Uniting and Re-Engaging with every single one of you under the leadership of our new Chair of the Board, Ana Chaoui. Ana is the Senior Vice President & Market Manager of Grove Bank & Trust. Not only has she worked in Coral Gables for many years, but for nearly two decades she has also chosen Coral Gables as her go to place to live, work and play. Here are a few things you may not know about Ana:
IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from our Chair
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• Her life motto is “People make plans and God laughs” • She loves disco music • She takes her Cuban espresso with real sugar and extra foam! (emphasis on the foam)
President’s Perspective
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Hot off the Presses!
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As we reminisce upon how we all "came together" under the leadship of our now Immediate Past Chairman Brian Barakat, we look to continue to build upon all we have accomplished as a Chamber during his Chairmanship this past year and welcome Ana with new energy and an open mind.
Save the Date!
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Membership Highlights
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September Calendar
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Trustee Talk
October Calendar
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coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | September - October 2021
THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR
Dear Chamber Friends, It is my honor to serve as your Chair for the 2021-2022 Chamber year. Although we had to take a pause on our Annual Conference last month, I still look forward to all of the exciting events coming this fall where, once again, we will Re-Unite. I want to personally thank all our sponsors that have already committed, including our presenting sponsor for the Annual Conference, Doctor’s Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida. This year’s theme is Re-United and it signifies a re-grouping or re-engagement of all that we have missed out on for the past 17 months. As we look towards the future, my hope is to have all ANA CHAOUI of our members focused not only on past accomplishments, but CHAIR OF THE BOARD how we can re-emerge as a stronger community together. There SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT MARKET MANAGER | GROVE BANK & will be challenges, some that are beyond our control. However, TRUST as a Community of Leaders, we will find solutions and in turn grow stronger through perseverance and the knowledge that we can all count on each other. The Chamber staff and I remain focused on the future and will be committed to helping you connect, lead, and grow. It goes without saying that I am available to each and everyone one of you for support and guidance. The City is Beautiful and the future looks bright! Sincerely, CHAIR OF THE BOARD SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT - MARKET MANAGER | GROVE BANK & TRUST ACHAOUI@GROVEBANKANDTRUST.COM
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | September - October 2021
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE | MY LONG AWAITED QUINCEANERA
Re-United…and it Feels So Good (Almost)! Happy New Year Chamber members! September marks the beginning of our new fiscal year, as well as the opportunity to welcome our new Chair of the Board, Ana Chaoui of Grove Bank & Trust, to the helm of the Chamber. Ana has served in a variety of capacities in the Chamber over the past few years on her pathway to the Chairmanship, most notably on our Board of Directors, Executive Committee and as our Treasurer and Trustee Chair.
MARK A. TROWBRIDGE
PRESIDENT & CEO CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MTROWBRIDGE@CORALGABLESCHAMBER.ORG
Ana and her Board will be officially sworn-in at the September 23rd Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast, where Mayor Vince Lago will give his inaugural State of the City Beautiful Address, the first of his term. You will not want to miss the amazing breakfast – always a highlight.
These are exciting times in our Chamber – and we are growing again after 17 months of challenges. And while we are still dealing with the realities and ravages of COVID-19, we are cautiously optimistic based on this good news. In just the past three months, we have welcomed 110 new members, including two GEM Level Investors and 12 Trustees. Our leadership and volunteers remain engaged in numerous activities that will impact our business community significantly over the next year. Our theme, Re-United, is entrenched in the future growth of our Chamber and our business community’s recovery. With a laser focus on local, state and federal issues affecting businesses of all sizes, to events that explore our community’s greatest assets, the Chamber is committed to our members and helping you grow your businesses each day. Even in an economy filled with uncertainty, the Chamber is the one constant – growing and strengthening relationships that will lead to new business, new partnerships, and even new friendships. Now is the time to upgrade your membership to Trustee, get more strongly engaged in a committee or two, and find the right spot in the Chamber that will help you build your business over the next year. As I begin my 15th year at the helm of the Chamber, I am constantly reminded how fortunate I am to lead an organization that is socially responsible and strategic, dynamic and diverse, committed and community-oriented, responsive and relevant, as well as in-touch and in-sync with the needs of our members. This past year, while a struggle at times, I know has been our finest hour! Thank you for your confidence and commitment to our Chamber. It feels so good! Warmly,
THE
CITY BEAUTIFUL THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO DOING BUSINESS IN CORAL GABLES & CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIRECTORY
PERUSE THE PAGES OF THE DIGITAL EDITION:
TRUSTEE TALK | A FOND FAREWELL
Greetings Chamber members! It is with a heavy heart that I write this short message, but after two years as the Chair of the Trustee Diplomats, two years on the Executive Committee, two years running the RE-Connect Lunch, and four years on the Board of Directors, this will by my last official Chamber duty for the near future.
ERIC GROS-DUBOIS
CHAIR, TRUSTEE DIPLOMATS CEO, FOUNDER | EPGD BUSINESS LAW ERIC@EPGDLAW.COM
all of Florida, for that matter!).
As I reminisce upon these years of service, I realize how special our Chamber of Commerce truly is. There's the mix of the professional and excellent staff that run the day-to-day operations, starting with our President and leader, Mark A. Trowbridge, his team, and the volunteers that make up the Board, Committee Chairs, and our members. So many hours every month are volunteered by this collective group, and that makes all the difference. This level of engagement is one of many reasons why our Chamber is among the top-tier business organizations in South Florida (or
This time of year is when the baton is passed, and our "old" Chairman, Brian Barakat and his Executive Committee turn over the reins to our "new" Chair, Ana Chaoui, and her team. We will do our very best to make a smooth transition. And hopefully the positive energy and impressive growth of the Chamber that Mark's team has managed to achieve in the face of the pandemic will go forward into a very bright and positive future for 2021-2022. Brian's theme was "Come Together,' and one of his great ideas was encouraging and reminding Chamber members to do more business with each other. Every year, the Chamber publishes "The City Beautiful Magazine", a complete guide to doing business in Coral Gables and membership directory. We encourage you to use this as a resource to help members find other professionals and service providers so they too can Come Together. This year's edition is hot off the presses and will be making its way to your mailbox very soon (if it hasn't already)! As we welome Frank Fernandez to his new role as Chair of the Trustee Diplomats, he and the rest of the Chamber leadership will pick up where we left off. As always, they will be there to answer any questions and act as a liaison for any members (or even non-Chamber members) who are interested in learning more about Trustee membership. Although my time on the Board is done for now, I hope to see you all very soon at an up-coming live or even virtual event, so we can all continue to benefit from our amazing Chamber. Thank you all so much. CHAIR, TRUSTEE COUNCIL CEO, FOUNDER | EPGD BUSINESS LAW ERIC@EPGDLAW.COM
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | September - October 2021
SAVE THESE DATES
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
...it’s not just for women!
Connect with our leading ladies (and gents) as we examine today’s fast-paced business climate and the issues that directly impact our personal & professional lives.
Living an Intentional Life in Uncertain Times FEATURING
CHRISTINE RAMIREZ MANAGING PARTNER | DALE CARNEGIE TRAINING SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
TUES., SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 NOON - 1:15 PM ZOOM MEETINGS
As the Managing Partner of Dale Carnegie Southeast Florida, Christine drives results for her clients and team. Since joining Dale Carnegie in 2008, she has become a sought-after Speaker and Coach in the areas of Executive Alignment, Succession Planning, Leadership, Sales, Innovation, and the Multi-Generational Workforce. In 2017 Christine was recognized as one of Fort Lauderdale’s Most Powerful Women.
$15 CHAMBER MEMBERS $25 GUESTS FEAT. ‘MY MINUTE AT THE MIC’
- SPONSORED BY -
-
2021 - 2022 SERIES SPONSORS -
To join us virtually for this high impact, high results, high energy program, please register today at coralgableschamber.org
2021 - 2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board Ana Chaoui, Grove Bank & Trust Chair-Elect Thad Adams, The Allen Morris Company First Vice Chair Sara Hernandez, First Citizens Bank Treasurer Audrey Otero, PNC Bank Parliamentarian Addys Kuryla, Florida Power and Light Immediate Past Chairman Brian Barakat, Barakat+Bossa Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs Deirdre Nero, NERO Immigration Law, P.L. Vice Chairman-Community Affairs Adrian Nunez, University of Miami Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Development Cristina Miller, Intermedia Touch, LLC Vice Chairman-Member Affairs Lauren Dowlen Lowell International Realty, LLC Vice Chairman-Special Events Elsa Powers, Doctors Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs Maria Garcia, Kozyak Tropin and Throckmorton Trustee Council Chair Frank Fernandez, SouthState Bank Chairman’s Appointee Carolina Rendeiro, Connect2Global President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ricardo Alberty, The Well Groomed Gentleman Steven Bradley, Clutch Burger Giselle Breto, Best Practices Title, LLC Chris Colston, Second Chance Credit, LLC Amy Donner, Coral Gables Magazine Rudford Hamon, Jelly Places Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel Mitch Mandler, SMGQ Law Jorge Martinez, Florida Blue Rene Negron, Equitable Advisors, LLC Rosella Papale, RP Branding Studio Monique Selman, Albany Homes Construction Lillian Ser, Ser & Associates, PLLC Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects Efrain Sora, Sora Global Risk Advisors Cinthya Urena, City National Bank of Florida Myrna Vaca, UHealth Jessica Wilcox, J. Wilcox Consulting EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables Vice Mayor Michael Mena City of Coral Gables Julian Perez Business Improvement District Rick Alberty, Well Groomed Gentleman Coral Gables Community Foundation Mary Snow Miami-Dade Beacon Council James C. Kohnstamm Coral Gables Chamber Foundation Cristina Miller, Intermedia Touch, Inc.
Welcome
TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS JULY - AUGUST 2021
Galiano Cigar Room A.V.A Welding Inc Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Air Zone Mechanical Healthy Breathe Corp Alexso Electrical Contractors Corp Investment Leguis Corp. Aloft Coral Gables Islamorada Coffee Roasters Aquatech Marine Services Inc. Islamorada Elevator Co., Inc. Atalar LLC JJZ Medical Center A-TEAM ENERGY SERVICES INC Jo Mirror Shower Doors Corp. DBA EVO-AIR Junior Orange Bowl B & B Concept Designs, Inc. Kathleen Ballard Photography Babson College Kerlyn Car Wash LLC Blue Palm Productions Inc. Kidz Medical Services Brophy Air Specialty Group, LLC KLM of South Florida, Inc. BUBBLE LLC Burn Boot Camps Coral Gables Law Office of Casais and Prias PLLC Lazaro Giral B.B.B., Corp Calamos Wealth Management Let Go Stress LLC CAREERXCHANGE®, Inc. Limbe El Carpintero LLC CBI Workplace Solutions Mauricio J. Barba, RE Broker/ Ceiba Flooring Corp. Associate Century Medical Center of South Miami Recovery Project Dade, LLC Miami's Best Painting Corp. CLAVERO CARPENTRY LLC New Edge Associates Coco's Pet Grooming Corp. Notary Force Coldwell Banker Realty OCP 8360 PROPERTY LLC Colonial Life One Sotheby's International Comcast Business Realty Cool Squad Corp Orion Mserchant Solutions / Corporate Caterers Petro Solutions Craft Coral Gables PayCargo LLC Dialysis Technical Services, Inc. PNC Bank Dion Generators Portmar Foods LLC Eisenberg Lehman, PLLC Prism Early Advancement Center Elemental Living Rebeca Castellon PA EMD Consulting Group LLC Richards Legal Group eMerge Americas LLC Shadow Wagyu Emerge Recovery Center LLC Shelton and Stewart Realtors, LLC FB Doors Steinbauer Associates, Inc. FCC USA (Soccer for Peace Suddath Relocation Systems Foundation) Transcontinental Car USA CorFenix Medical Partners poration First Horizon Bank Tree of Life Parenting Center Franklin GC & Glass Corp. TYREXX LLC FRSHst University Credit Union FTW INVESTMENT LLC VENTILATION PROS CORP Gabinet & Closet Designs R & R Water Filtration Systems, LLC Corp.
*BOLD denotes new Trustee Member *BOLD denotes new GEM Member
CALENDAR | SEPTEMBER 2021 Sunday 29
Monday 30
Tuesday
Wednesday
31
Thursday
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Friday
Saturday
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8 AM | CHAIRMAN’S AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING
8 AM | SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING
9 AM | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING
NOON | RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON 5:00 PM | WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY @CRAFT CORAL GABLES
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6
OFFICE CLOSED
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9 AM | GLOBAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMM. MEETING
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8 AM | BUSINESS & GOV’T AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
8 AM | MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB FEAT. SCOTT JEFFREY MILLER, AUTHOR OF “MASTER MENTORS” - HYBRID FORMAT LIMITED IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT BOOKS & BOOKS - AND VIA ZOOM
BEGINS AT SUNDOWN
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Park(ing) Day
BLESSED
18
9 AM - 4 PM | SWING BY THE CHAMBER TO EXPERIENCE OUR POP-UP PARK & OPEN HOUSE 9 AM | CHAMBER ENGAGEMENT 101
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK - VIRTUAL EDITION
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NOON | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
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4 PM | IMPACT: A SEMINAR SERIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
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7:30 AM | GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES BREAKFAST LIVE & IN PERSON FEAT. MAYOR LAGO’S INAUGURAL STATE OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL ADDRESS 9:15 AM | 20/30 GROUP MEETING @THE BILTMORE HOTEL
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8 AM | BUSINESS & 9 AM | TROW KNOWS... EDUCATION COMMITTEE CEOS MEETING NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB
THE CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GABLESCHAMBER
CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
coralgableschamber.org | (305) 446-1657 | info@coralgableschamber.org
GABLESCHAMBER
CALENDAR | OCTOBER 2021 Sunday 26
Monday 27
Tuesday
Wednesday
28
Thursday
29
30
Friday 1
Saturday 2
9 AM | TROW KNOWS... 8 AM | BUSINESS & CEOS EDUCATION COMMITTEE SEASON 11 PREMIERE MEETING NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB FEAT.
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9 AM | GLOBAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMM. MEETING FEAT. CONVERSATION W/A CONSUL SERIES
8 AM | SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING
7
NOON | RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON 5:00 PM | WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
10
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13 5 PM | TRUSTEE & GEM INVESTORS RECEPTION
OFFICE CLOSED
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8 AM | MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
21
4 PM | IMPACT: A SEMINAR SERIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
9 9 AM | CHAMBER ENGAGEMENT 101
9 AM | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING
14
8 AM | BUSINESS & GOV’T AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
20
NOON | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
8
8 AM | CHAIRMAN’S AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING
7:30 AM | GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES BREAKFAST LIVE & IN PERSON 9:15 AM | 20/30 GROUP MEETING @THE BILTMORE HOTEL
TALLHASSEE FLY-IN • TALLAHASSEE FLY-IN
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NOON | TRUSTEE & GEM INVESTORS LUNCHEON
THE CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GABLESCHAMBER
8 AM | BUSINESS & EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
coralgableschamber.org | (305) 446-1657 | info@coralgableschamber.org
GABLESCHAMBER
SPONSOR RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY JULY
SERIES SPONSOR
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through August 2021 $5,000 & Above
Amerant Bank Equitable Advisors GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES JULY
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty CenterState Bank City of Coral Gables City National Bank of Florida Doctors Hospital, part of
WOMEN'S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON JULY
Baptist Health South Florida
AUGUST
Florida Blue UHealth
$2,500 - $4,999
BUSINESS BOOK CLUB LUNCH & LEARN SERIES SPONSOR
Florida Power & Light
PARTNER
Home Financing Center, Inc. Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables NERO Immigration Law, P.L. IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES SPONSOR
RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON
THE ROAST
SERIES SPONSORS
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | September - October 2021