Welcome to Chamber Weekly! We are very excited to introduce this new online publication. Chamber Weekly will be sent out each Monday from the Chamber to keep you informed of business & community news and upcoming events. Chamber Weekly will take the place of the printed monthly Business Update newsletter that you have been receiving in the mail. This will allow us to get news to you faster, as well as allow for the Chamber to help the environment by reducing paper usage. We recognize that some people may prefer to have a paper copy, and if that is the case, simply print a copy from the online file, or pick up a copy at the Chamber. Chamber Weekly is just one of the many ways the Chamber keeps in touch with its members, keeping them informed about Chamber happenings and community events, and helping them communicate with fellow Chamber members. We hope that Chamber Weekly will become a part of planning your week. If you have story ideas, or suggestions, please contact Virginia Condello. And, as always, keep in touch with the Chamber’s Facebook page and website. Thank you for your support!

Want to sponsor a table at the annual event, or just buy your ticket? Here's the link to do either!
Visit the Annual Event Registration page today!

ALL MEETING ARE AT THE CHAMBER UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Monday, Jan. 5, 4:00 p.m.
    Annual Meeting Committee
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7:30 a.m.
    CRC breakfast meeting,
        Perkins Restaurant
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 9:00 a.m.
    ENGAGE Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 4:00 p.m.
    Barn Boogie Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 7, Noon
    Ambassadors / Delegates
         Meeting
Friday, Jan. 16, noon
    ENGAGE Lunch & Learn, FIPR
Thursday, Jan. 22, 3:30 p.m.
    CRC meeting, City Commission
Saturday, Jan. 24, 6:00 p.m.
    Chamber Annual Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 29, 10:00 a.m.
    Ribbon-cutting: Homes of Merit
        Bartow Municipal Airport,
            Bldg. 103

Tai Chi Classes at Winter Haven Hospital
01/09/2015- 03/27/2015
09:00 AM - 12:00 PM E

Dirt Days
01/10/2015
09:00 AM - 12:00 PM E

Birds
01/11/2015
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM E

MLK/Gause Parade
01/19/2015
Noon, begins at Floral & Main

State of the Workforce Summit
01/22/2015
07:30 AM - 01:30 PM E

Annual Meeting
01/24/2015
06:00 PM - 09:00 PM E

Music at Pinewood
01/25/2015
05:00 PM - 06:30 PM E

Ribbon-cutting Ceremony-Homes of Merit
01/29/2015
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM E

Want to see your event posted here? It's easy! Go to www.bartowchamber.com and choose events, then ADD YOUR EVENT. Questions? Call Linda Holcomb, 863-533-7125.

Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

60 Years
Dr. Paul E. Coury

15 Years
Steve Hendrix

10 Years
Pickett Engineering, Inc.

Len Jordan, Madrid Engineering Group, Inc., was the winner of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce’s highest award  - the George W. Harris Leadership Award - during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 25, 2014. The 2013 award winner was announced by the 2012 winner, Mike DeNeve of Mosaic, and the award was presented by DeNeve and Callie Neslund, also of Mosaic.

One of the most fun events of the year is the Community Southern Bank Fun Thursday. President and CEO Michael Micallef and his staff pull out all the stops to make the evening first class! This year, the event was held at Sackett Ranch in Highland City. Vice President and Director of Business Relations Sharon Casey joined Micallef in welcoming Bartow Chamber members to another memorable evening on December 11, 2014.

Church Service Center Thrift Shop Ribbon-Cutting


Church Service Center (CSC) Director Rusty Music cuts the ceremonial red ribbon on December 5, 2014, to officially open the CSC Thrift Shop. The shop is located at 495 E. Summerlin Street, Bartow. Call 863-533-5822 for more information.


Piano Distributors Ribbon-Cutting


Bartow Chamber celebrates the new membership of Piano Distributors with a ribbon cutting recently. The store, located at 6595 S. Florida Avenue, Suite 11, Lakeland, is owned by Rich Lane. For more information about Piano Distributors, call 863-937-9091.


Laser Engraving & Designs, LLC, Ribbon-Cutting


Laser Engraving & Designs, LLC, marked its new Bartow Chamber membership with a ribbon-cutting at 2126 E. Edgewood Dr., Suite 11, Lakeland on December 10, 2014. Owner, Dan Slachta cuts the ribbon. For more information about the custom engraving and gifts store, call 863-666-3124.

PRINTERS & PUBLISHERS
TB & K Outsource
Trina Kelly
863-512-0528
Join Date: 11/04/2014

PIANOS
Piano Distributors
Rich Lane
6595 S. Florida Ave., Suite 11, Lakeland, FL 33813
863-937-9091
Website
Join Date: 11/05/2014

COSMETICS & SKIN CARE
NeriumAD
Jodi Sharrock
863-661-7406
Website
Join Date: 11/13/2014

PRINTERS & PUBLISHERS
Crown Printing Co., Inc.
Edith Ross
1303 E. Main St., Lakeland, FL 33801
863-682-4881
Website
Join Date: 11/13/2014

MORTGAGE COMPANIES
Home Solution Lenders, Inc.
Ricky Peacock
1445 E. Main St., Bartow, FL 33830
863-607-4663
Website
Join Date: 11/20/2014

HOME MODEL CENTER
Homes of Merit
Byron Stroud
Bartow Municipal Airport, Bldg. 103, Bartow, FL 33830
863-698-2906
Website
Join Date: 12/03/2014

RESTAURANTS
Broadway Diner
Rachel Rayl
1380 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830
863-537-7647
Join Date: 12/31/2014

RETAIL STORES
Kehoe Family Fun Sales, LLC d/b/a Unique Pools Spas Patios
Rodney Kehoe
2326 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland, FL 33803
863-940-9826
Website
Join Date: 12/31/2014

 

Education Day on November 20, 2014, for Leadership Bartow XVI students included learning a lot about Polk County’s school system; and also included working our leg muscles to make our way around Bartow High School. We also found out that Union Academy, Summerlin Academy and Bartow Middle School are considered by staff to be the best kept secrets in educational excellence in Polk County.