The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, March 13, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. At this meeting, we're traveling to Polk State College's Clear Springs Advanced Techology Center where we will be given a first hand look at the new state-of-the-art 3-D printer.
Committee of 100 meetings are usually held at the Health and Life Center (old Hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at (863) 533-4196.

MARCH MEETINGS
Wednesday, Mar. 4, Noon
    Ambassadors/Delegates Lunch
Tues., Wed., Mar. 10, 11
    Leadership Bartow XVI
        in Tallahassee for
        Polk County Day
Thursday, Mar. 12, 5:15 p.m.
    Frost Van den Boom
        Fun Thursday
        395 S. Central Ave.
Friday, Mar. 13, 8:00 a.m.
    Committee of 100
        Convene at
        POLK STATE COLLEGE
        Clear Springs Advanced
        Technology Center
Wednesday, Mar. 18, 11:30 a.m.
   30th Annual Mayor's
        Prayer Luncheon
        Bartow Civic Center
Friday, Mar. 20, 4:00 p.m.
   Palmer Insurance
    Crosswired Electric
    Ribbon-cutting
        also ENGAGE FAB FRIDAY

Event Date: April 10, 2015, Bartow Golf Course. Sponsorships available! Call Linda Holcomb for more information, 863-533-7125.

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

Don't miss it! March 12, 2015, 6:15 p.m., hosted by Frost Van den Boom, PA. Email Linda to RSVP!
 

   I want to tell you about an added feature for your professional business toolbox. The Chamber, in partnership with Polk State College is offering the Professional Development Academy.

This program provides skills workshops for businesses and organizations. It promotes personal growth and improvement of employers and their employees through a variety of educational and training opportunities.

The first workshop offered is compliments of these two partners and is a doozie: J. Lenora Bresler, JD, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, ASC, will launch the workshop series with: Instant Insight - 15 Questions To Great Relationships.

Bresler is a popular keynote speaker, author and motivator who plans to offer those attending these tools and techniques to help business professionals: make informed recruitment decisions; jumpstart the development of individual employees; create more synergetic teams; diagnose and troubleshoot problems on existing teams; ease tensions in strained relationships and help develop immediate trust and credibility.

Make sure you get a chance to read the flier in this newsletter. You can sign up easily at the Chamber's website: here.

Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015

     Tickets are now available for the 30th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon, which will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at the Bartow Civic Center beginning at noon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

   

     Guest speaker is Edward M. Kobel, President/ COO of DeBartolo Development.
Kobel is responsible for the company’s strategy, execution and capitalization. With a “customer and community come first” philosophy, Kobel leads a team that has created a nationwide real estate investment platform that spans from Hawaii to Florida. Capitalized by the DeBartolo Family and major capital commitments that Kobel secured with institutional partners, DeBartolo Development has underwritten a real estate pipeline of over $1 billion.
     Kobel is the Chairman of LIFEWORK Leadership, a leadership development program that provides ethical leadership training for business and community leaders. He serves on the Board of Directors for Faith Tampa Bay, an organization working to meet the transformation needs of the Tampa Bay area. And in 2009, he was awarded the Community Involvement Award for his efforts as Chairman of the Super Bowl Breakfast, an official National Football League event with Athletes in Action. Originally from Pittsburgh, Penn., Mr. Kobel lives in Tampa, Fla., with his wife Becky of 30 years and daughters Elizabeth and Katherine.
     Call the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce Events Director Linda Holcomb, (863) 533-7125 to reserve your spot.  Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Bartow Chamber.

PLUMBING
Greenwise Plumbing
Mr. John Cekala
(863) 398-1370
website
Join Date: 02/05/2015

SCREEN PRINTING, EMBROIDERY & PROMOTIONAL ITEMS
Whatever Tees
Mr. Timothy Benton
(863) 370-0740
website
Join Date: 02/27/2015

DEEJAY, EVENT PLANNING
SLS Entertainment
Mr. Sean L. Serdynski
website
(863) 370-5298
Join Date: 02/27/2015

CenterState Bank Announces New Vice President
   CenterState Bank promoted Bretta Christakos to VP/Retail Market Manager for the Lakeland and Bartow markets. Christakos brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role where she will oversee the operation/production of Downtown Lakeland, Lake Miriam and Bartow offices. She joined CenterState Bank in 2013 and has held numerous positions during her 30 years in the financial industry including Branch Manager, Business Banker and now VP/Retail Market Manager.

Main Street Farmers' Market To Be On Wednesdays
Main Street Bartow is looking to re-launch their Farmers Market tentatively scheduled for March 4, 2015, at Fort Blount Park, at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Bartow. The market will be held each Wednesday from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Main Street Bartow is currently seeking vendors offering top quality fresh products ranging from local produce to seasonal flowers, sauces and jellies, artisan crafts, and handcrafted soaps and lotions. The vendor fee for a 12’ x 12’ space is $20.00 per Wednesday paid monthly in advance, or $25 on an occasional basis. For further information or a Farmers Market Vendor Form, contact Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508, or email lsimpson@mainstreetbartowfl.com.

Spath Jewelers became the first business to display the "IT PAYS TO BUY LOCAL" eight foot banner, which also let's shoppers know that Spath's is the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for March.
ABOUT SPATH JEWELERS:
"We have been blessed to have the opportunity to serve our wonderful customers and friends in Florida with our retail locations in Bartow and Valrico, Florida for a combined 38+ years," said owner Tina Spath. Spath Jewelers is an industry leader for repairs and custom design. Spaths has four jewelers on-site that have over 70 years of combined experienceassuring customers the highest degree of quality work. Spath's offers custom design work, insurance appraisals, on-site jewelry repair, expert watch repair, layaway and financing programs. Spath Jewelers also carries the finest selection of loose diamonds and fine jewelry, and features Bulova, Citizen, Pulsar, Private Label, Fossil, Seiko and reconditioned Rolex Watches at the lowest prices around. For more information, click here.

 More photos of Barn Boogie!

Florida SBDC Is Available At
Bartow Chamber On Mar. 12
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida, assists existing and emerging businesses in Polk County, through no-cost confidential business consulting, and low-cost training. Consultants can assist entrepreneurs in a variety of business topics, including: marketing, business certification, capital access, market diversification, developing strategic business plans, export services, and web optimization. A consultant will be at the Chamber on March 12, 2015 and available to Chamber Businesses. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bartowchamber.com and follow the links on the home page, or call     (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.

Safe Boating Class
03/01/2015

Computer Basics - Bartow Library
03/02/2015

Bloomin' Arts
03/07/2015- 03/08/2015

Bloomin' Bike Ride
03/07/2015

Computer Basics - Bartow Library
03/09/2015

Click here to sign up today!