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

ENGINEERS-SURVEYORS-PLANNERS
Hamilton Engineering & Surveying, Inc.
Mr. Alan L. Rayl, PE, PSM
310 E. Main St., Suite 4
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 784-3155
website
Join Date: 03/03/2015

COMMUNITY ACTION & HUMAN SERVICES
Leland Family Ministries
Ms. Elizabeth Combee
780 W. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-0000
website
Join Date: 03/04/2015

HAIR SALONS
Oasis Salon and Day Spa
Ms. Christal Hall
565 W. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 450-7945
website
Join Date: 03/09/2015

MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Orpheum Theatre and Academy of Performing Arts
Ms. Jenny Heidtman
Bartow, FL 33830
(718) 408-0653
website
Join Date: 03/12/2015

INSURANCE AGENCIES
LegalShield
Mr. Clive Harding
Winter Haven, FL 33884
(863) 324-1058
website
Join Date: 03/13/2015
 

MARCH MEETINGS

Wednesday, Mar. 18, 11:30 a.m.
   30th Annual Mayor's
        Prayer Luncheon
        Bartow Civic Center
Wednesday, Mar. 18, 4:00 p.m.
    Chamber Scramble Meeting
Friday, Mar. 20, 4:00 p.m.
   Palmer Insurance
    Crosswired Electric
    Ribbon-cutting: 4:30 p.m.
        also ENGAGE FAB FRIDAY
        1905 Hwy. 17 S.
Tuesday, Mar. 24, 3:30 p.m.
    Executive Committee
Tuesday, Mar. 24, 4:00 p.m.
    Board of Directors

Computer Basics - Bartow Library

03/16/2015

Lunch & Learn
03/17/2015

Mayor's Prayer Luncheon
03/18/2015

The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, April 10, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Committee of 100 meetings are 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.

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.

$25 per run (up to 35 words), call 533-7125 or email Virginia.

COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101.

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE Furnished: $2500 square feet; $250,000. 690 E. Davidson Street, Bartow, FL 33830. Former law office in excellent condition, only 6 blocks from the Polk County Courthouse. Large foyer and central work area with multiple high-end filing cabinets, surrounded by 6 private offices and library/conference room, with built-in bookshelves, kitchenette, 2 ceramic tile bathrooms, 1 shower stall, cable, and security system. Corner lot with plenty of off-street parking. Excellent location in County Seat for any enterprise dealing with state and local government. Contact Chuck Bentley at (863) 533-7733 or email Chuck.
 

  I just returned from two days in Tallahassee as part of Leadership Bartow XVI's class on State Government. Held in conjunction with Polk County Day at the Capitol, we had a very interesting time of meeting with our Legislators, touring the Capitol, and rubbing elbows with those who make big decisions for our state.
     We had a chance to speak with one of Bartow's favorite sons, Adam Putnam, at the Polk County Reception and in the more formal setting of his Commissioner of Agriculture office. We learned about the growing concerns of the Citrus Industry on Greening. And, although new things are being tried to find a remedy, we still haven't come up with a solution.
     We also met with Senator Denise Grimsley, Representative Ben Albritton, Representative Neil Combee, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and many, many more - what a trip!
     There are a lot of people to thank for the successful two days in Tallahassee, but I want to especially thank Karen Whaley of Ben Albritton's office for helping put the trip together with this year's Leadership Chairman, Shannon Medley, and Tallahassee Day Chairman, Sherry Boyette. You guys did an awesome job and Leadership Bartow XVI class members returned home tired and enlightened.
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.

It's hard to believe, but on Wednesday, May 5, 2015, we'll be celebrating 25 years of the Community-based public education effort, JUST SAY NO to drugs. If you'd like to donate to help fund this program, send your check payable to "JUST SAY NO" to CenterState Bank, ATTN: Anita Stasiak, 1375 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830. Thank you for your consideration to help support this struggle against drugs!

MARCH 20, 2015: Fab Friday for our Chamber Young Professionals is coming up! If you are between the ages of 21 and 42 and are interested in networking with other young professionals, please come to the ENGAGE social, Fab Friday, which will be held at Palmer Insurance / Cross Wired Electric, 1905 Hwy. 17 South. For the first Fab Friday, we are combining the social with a ribbon-cutting for Palmer Insurance and Cross Wired Electric to celebrate the businesses new location. For information about ENGAGE or if you'd like to sign up as a member, check out the Chamber's website, www.bartowchamber.com. RIBBON-CUTTING, 4:30 p.m.; SOCIAL, immediately following

.

Polk State Corporate College, Bartow Chamber
Partner for Professional Development Academy
 
Polk State College and the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce are partnering to create a series of seminars and classes for local professionals.
 
The Greater Bartow Chamber Professional Development Academy kicks off March 25 at 7:30 a.m. at the Polk State Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center, 310 Technology Drive in Bartow.
 
The initial installment of the Academy, “Instant Insight: 15 Questions to Great Relationships,” will be presented by J. Lenora Bresler, a speaker, author, trainer and coach who specializes in personal development.
Click here to sign up today!

POLK STATE COLLEGE CLEAR SPRINGS ATC
LABORATORY HAS GONE 3-D!
History is being made at the Polk State College Advanced Technology Center in Bartow, Florida with new equipment purchased through an economic development grant from the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.  Multiple 3D printers were purchased and installed in the Madrid Engineering CADD Laboratory - so named last year based on a donation to the college from Madrid Engineering Group, Inc. 


Madrid Engineering Group, Inc's Larry Madrid holds up a working wrench and an interlocking colored mesh made by the 3D printers directly behind him. photo and story courtesy of Madrid Engeering Group, Inc.


YOUTH VILLA LUNCHEON IS MAY 20, 2015
The annual Youth Villa Luncheon will be held on May 20, 2015 at the Bartow Civic Center. Catered by Curly Tails, the cost is $10.00. per person. Rotary and other Civic Clubs have agreed to use the luncheon as their meeting date. Andy Bean, the PGA tour golfer is keynote speaker.  During the luncheon, long-time Villa Golf Tournament player Herb Dixon, who is 95 years old, will be honored. Dixon has played in the Villa every year except the year he was inducted into the African American Golfer Hall of Fame in 2012. Emcee is Sheriff Grady Judd. For more information, please call Karen B. Guffey, (863) 533-3131.
 

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.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FREE to Business Owners and those interested in starting a business, beginning Thursday, April 9th and continuing with the second Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Chamber: The popular SCORE Roundtable has come to Bartow! Join us the 2nd Thursday of every month as we explore various topics of interest to our members. On April 9th, the topic is: 3 THINGS TO MAKE YOUR CUSTOMER REMEMBER YOU! Create a customer base that remembers you and becomes loyal, repeat customers that you can count on. Watch for sign up information on facebook, also.
Chamber Business Roundtable is brought to you through the partnership between SCORE, Polk County SBA Center and the Chamber. To register, go to www.bartowchamber.com, or you may click here.
 

Florida SBDC Is Available At
Bartow Chamber On Apr. 9
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 April 9, 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.