SCORE ROUNDTABLE IN BARTOW COMING UP
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FREE to Business Owners and those interested in starting a business, on the second Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Chamber: The popular SCORE Roundtable for businesses! Join us the 2nd Thursday of every month as we explore various topics of interest to our members. 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.
NEXT ROUNDTABLE: Branding
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING/ TAX SERVICE
Small Business Accounting
Ms. Sheree Vickers
1135 W. Clinton St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 712-0894
Join Date:04/13/2015
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hampton Inn Bartow
Ms. Jennifer Welch
205 Old Bartow Eagle Lake Rd.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 535-5007
Join Date: 05/01/2015
ELECTRICAL - CONTRACTORS
Aveco, Inc.
Miss Rachel Lawrence
730 Creative Dr., Suite 7
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 225-5912
website
Join Date:05/15/2015
COMMUNITY ACTION & HUMAN SERVICES
Neighbor To Family
Ms. Heather Monteath, MA
1350 E. Main St., Suite A6
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7712
website
Join Date:05/29/2015
SMALL BUSINESS HELP IS ON ITS WAY
SBDC Is Available At
Chamber On June 11
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 June 11, 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.
CHAMBER EVENTS & MEETINGS
JUNE
Wednesday, June 3, noon
Ambassadors and
Delegates Luncheon
June 9, June 16, June 30, July 7, 8:30 p.m.
Bartow Retail Academy
DMAR Business Centers
Thursday, June 11, 7:30 a.m.
SCORE Roundtable at the Chamber
Thursday, June 11, all day
SBDC at Chamber
Thursday, June 11, 5:15 p.m.
Sackett Ranch Fun Thursday
Saturday, June 13, 10:00 a.m.
Bluegrass and Gospel
Heritage Festival
Downtown Bartow
June 16-July 21, every Tuesday
Biz Kids Program
Friday, June 19, noon
ENGAGE Lunch & Learn
FIPR
Friday, June 19, 6:00 p.m.
Juneteenth at Downtown
Bartow featuring
“On The Avenue,”
Historical Presentations
Saturday, June 20, 11:00 a.m.
Juneteenth at
Over the Branch Gateway
Wednesday, June 24, 7:30 a.m.
Professional Development Academy
Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center
Thursday, June 25, 9:00 a.m.
Neighbor To Family Ribbon-cutting
1350 E. Main St., Suite A6, Bartow
COMMITTEE OF 100 RESUMES IN AUGUST
The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, August 14, 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. CLICK FOR A LIST OF MEMBERS
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sharon Casey, President
Community Southern Bank
Myrtice Young, Immediate Past President
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Jennifer Hall, President-elect, Vice President
SEMCO Construction
Gail Smith, Treasurer
Community Southern Bank
Emily Spath Clark, Vice President
Spath Jewelers
Clint Edwards, Vice President
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Rob Clancey, Vice President
Polk State College
Carole McKenzie, Vice President
Polk County Farm Bureau
Shannon Medley, Vice President
Florida Industrial and Phosphate
Research Institute
DIRECTORS
David Carmichael
Boswell & Dunlap, LLP
Lennon Jordan
Madrid Engineering Group
Jeremy M. Katzmann, MD
Watson Clinic
Jeff Kincart
A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure
J.C. Martin
Kelley Buick GMC
Phil Minden
Bartow Regional Medical Center
Callie Neslund
Mosaic
Josh Palmer
Palmer Insurance Agency, Inc.
Freda Ridgway
Mosaic
Carlos Sandoval
Bartow Ford Company
David Sandow
Spherion Staffing
Anita Stasiak
CenterState Bank
Lea Ann Thomas
Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Valerie Tillmon
Citizens Bank & Trust
CLASSIFIEDS
$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.
REACH 22K HOMES WITH YOUR MESSAGE
 Reserve your space now in the Fall Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 20,000 households for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information. |
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
The Chamber of Commerce began as the Bartow Board of Trade in 1887, and since that time, the organization has watched over the Bartow community. Now known as the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, it’s still doing its job - and I must say, doing it very well.
We get this question now and then - why should anyone join the Chamber?
The simplified answer is, “impact.”
The Bartow Chamber has members from a wide variety of businesses primarily from the Greater Bartow area. The Chamber organizes and implements social and business events throughout the year in order to give our members opportunities to develop relationships.
When you join the Bartow Chamber, you become both the Chamber’s customer and representative. The Chamber offers unique, exclusive marketing opportunities that are directed to both local business and community-wide audiences.
Next week I'll include some of these marketing opportunities in this column. I hope through your personal experience, as well as the things mentioned here, you realize the benefits to you, as well as the community, of your Chamber investment. Your membership dollars, combined with those of your fellow members, have a tremendous impact on Bartow and the surrounding community. Thank you for your support.
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Community Southern Bank, VP
Chamber President, 2015
TRAVEL WITH THE CHAMBER!
We have two very exciting Chamber trips coming up:
Call Linda Holcomb, 533-7125, for more information!
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: Kelley Buick GMC
Kelley Buick GMC Staff, Kyle Davis, Patty Currier and J.C. Martin along with Chamber Membership Director Barbara Adamson (third from left), proudly display the Chamber's Business of the Month banner at the dealership located at 255 W. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow. For more information, call 863-440-5025.
Business of the Month of June is . . .
Kelley Buick GMC
At Kelley Buick GMC, the motto is: "Do whatever it takes to earn your business," and at the dealership the staff would like to show you that they are committed to putting the customer first. You won't find high pressure sales people, just friendly, reliable and knowledgeable staff who will help you find what you're looking for in a used or new car, truck or SUV. The used car section can't be beat, and the every vehicle is inspected before it goes on the lot to ensure it meets the high standards of the award-winning Bartow dealership, Kelley Buick GMC.
BTW, JC Martin wants you to know, "We would like to offer 5% on your service bill when you take a Buick test drive." COOL DEAL!
MEMBER MICRONEWS
INVITATION TO CHAMBER MEMBERS
TO MURAL UNVEILING
THAT CELEBRATES
LAFAYETTE'S HERMIONE VOYAGE
Marquis De LaFayette sailed from France in 1780 on the Frigate Hermione to help America win its freedom. The authentic reconstruction of the Hermione has been completed, and she is now sailing across the Atlantic Ocean and will once again sail along the shores of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, recreating her original voyage and arriving in Yorktown, VA on June 5th, 2015.
To commemorate the enduring friendship between France and the United States and to express her gratitude to America for the opportunities found and blessings received, Maria Mahoney of The Mahoney Group, Inc., has commissioned a mural of the Hermione.
She invites Bartow Chamber members to the dedication ceremony in the presence of Mr. Philippe Letrilliart, General Consul of France in Miami. The unveiling will take place on June 4, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. at The Mahoney Group building, 3825 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland.
Lunch and presentation are to follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Lakeland Yacht & Country Club, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland. For a ticket reservation, please go to www.voyageofhermione.com or email: rsvp@voyageofhermione.com; or call (863) 274-1300.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
30 YEARS
Peace Valley Enterprize, Inc.
First Methodist School, Inc.
10 YEARS
Bartow Christian Books & Gifts
5 YEARS
Boring Business Systems, Inc.
Evolve Professional Landscape Management, LLC
Norman & Furlong Financial Group, Inc.
INTO THE JUNGLE OF CONFLICT
Professional Development Academy: 
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP EVENT
INTO THE JUNGLE OF CONFLICT
Presented by J. Lenora Bresler, J.D., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, ASC.
Although people tend to avoid conflict, research indicates that conflict can actually be helpful when it is handled correctly, especially when the focus remains on the task at hand rather than interpersonal differences.
Conflict is a lot like the jungle: it is a place of potential danger and consequences, but also a place of discovery and healing. Success in conflict, as in the jungle, depends on preparedness and having the right resources at one’s disposal.
In this fascinating interactive program, participants explore the four default conflict styles and practice approaches that maximize success. In conflict resolution, an individual must adapt his or her approach to the circumstances. Using a collaborative learning approach, participants work through personal conflicts to prepare for confrontational discussions. They master a simple formula for opening a conversation in a way that will not put a recipient on the defensive, and identify aspects that can escalate conflict.
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Location: Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center/
Polk State Corporate College Auditorium
310 Technology Drive, Bartow, FL
Cost: $39.00 Per Person
SIGN UP HERE. read more...
BLUEGRASS & GOSPEL HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Doors2Change and Main Street Bartow, Inc. event featuring Bluegrass and Gospel Music, with a side order of history will be happening downtown on Saturday, June 13, 2015, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The festival will include live music and entertainment, a children’s carousel, folk art and Steampunk vendors, plant and farmer’s market vendors, and a children’s area with games, paintball design competition and Legoland sculpturing competition. The Lego sculpture will become part of the traveling Art In Public Places program. Mark your calendars for this exciting event today! Free, downtown Bartow. For more information, contact the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, 863-533-7125.
Entertainment:
10:00 a.m. - Sounds of Joy
10:45 a.m. - Union Academy Bluegrass Band
11:30 a.m. - Mamie’s School of Dance
12:00 p.m. - Psalms 101
12:45 p.m. - K’Lynn & Bluegrass Friends
1:30 p.m. - Strawberry Express Cloggers
2:15 p.m. - Calvary Cornerstone Country Band
3:00 p.m. - Dixie Bluegrass Express
4:00 p.m. - Joey Foley and the Midnight Clogging Express
BIZ KIDS GEARING UP FOR A GREAT SUMMER!
BARTOW RETAIL ACADEMY
BARTOW RETAIL ACADEMY TO TEACH
MARKETING & SALES TACTICS TO BUSINESSES
Polk County business owners are invited to learn new marketing and sales tactics for their small businesses at the Bartow Retail Academy, beginning June 9 at DMAR Business Center, 300 East Summerlin Street, Bartow. The Academy, presented by Main Street Bartow, Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Florida Small Business Development Center at University of South Florida, will include four seminars for just $120. The seminars take place June 9, 16, 30, and July 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Businesses in the Bartow CRA District qualify for a scholarship and can register by calling Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508 or Greater Bartow Chamber at 863-533-7125.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION SET
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION COMING UP
Theme: FREEDOM FOREVER
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Want to be a contributor and help Bartow celebrate July 4th?
Bartow's 4th of July Committee's Chair, Frank Rouse, urges everyone to help defray the cost of Bartow's 2015 4th of July Celebration. "Your financial and personal contribution will guarantee a successful 4th of July Celebration. And we want to you be sure to come out and enjoy the festivities. Invite your friends and neighbors to Bartow's July 4th celebration," Rouse said.
The celebration will begin with a patriotic concert from the Bartow Adult Concert Band, at the Bartow Civic Center from 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is free and seats are first come, first served.
The 4th of July Extravaganza is set from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Mosaic Park. This event features live music, food vendors, games, and much more.
And, at 9:30 p.m., it's time for the big event: the fireworks display.
"The celebration is a reminder that we live in a nation dedicated to freedom, liberty and justice. It is only right and proper that we should honor our "America the Beautiful," as well as our military on July 4th," Rouse noted.
If you would like to contribute, send a check made payable to:
Bartow's Fourth of July Committee
680 E. Main St., Suite 201
Bartow, FL 33830
Checks may also be dropped off at the Chamber
THIS AFTERNOON AT 5:00 p.m., CITY HALL
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