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
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:
 Hope everyone is ready to attend the first ever Bluegrass and Gospel Heritage Festival this weekend. It's free fun for the whole family on Saturday, June 13th.
Doors2Change, the Chamber and Main Street Bartow have come together to present a wonderful day of Gospel and Bluegrass music, food vendors, and fun kids' stuff.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsors: Spath Jewelers and Cedar Trail Landfill. Without them, this event could not take place.
Also on Saturday there will be art and cultural displays, an antique and vintage fair, a Kids' Zone, vintage motorcycles, plants and produce and lots more. The Polk County History Center has some neat things planned including a Pioneer Gallery, Children's Discovery Scavenger Hunt, and lots of displays about Polk County heritage. Camping World will be participating, too, so you can tour the latest campers and recreational vehicles.
The Antique and Vintage Fair opens at 8:00 a.m. Live entertainment begins at 10:00 a.m. with Sounds of Joy, and will continue through 5:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets downtown and get ready for a fun, free time of music, food and fellowship.
I must say that this is one of the reasons I chose to live in Bartow. I just love the hometown “Norman Rockwell” feel of it, and all the great family events happening here. Don't miss the Bluegrass and Gospel Heritage Festival. It's going to be fab!
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% off on your service bill when you take a Buick test drive." COOL DEAL!
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
BARTOW RETAIL ACADEMY DATES CHANGE
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 July 21 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 July 21, 23, 28 & 30 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. read more...
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
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN TO FEATURE DR. EILEEN HOLDEN
DR. EILEEN HOLDEN
JUNE 19, 2015
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
FIPR
1855 W. Main Street, Bartow
ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals will meet on Friday, June 19, 2015 at the Florida Industrial Phosphate and Research Institute for a Lunch and Learn featuring Dr. Eileen Holden, President of Polk State College. Lunch and Learning is free to all ENGAGE members. Want to sign up or learn more? Click here!
BIZ KID STARTS BAKING BUSINESS
By Allison Huffstickler, Chamber Intern 
You are never too young to pursue your dreams and Bartow Biz Kids is laying the foundation for local youth to do just that.
Lanee Grace Turner of Lakeland, who has attended this program for three years, is already on her way to becoming a successful business owner at the young age of nine.
Lanee, daughter of Lee and Don Turner, credits BizKids of Bartow with providing her the tools she needed in order to start making her dreams a reality.
Her business, Laneebug Sweets, provides personalized, creative designs, tasty cakes and cupcakes with reasonable prices.
Lanee’s inspiration began when she started baking cakes with her grandmother for Sunday dinners, and then began taking cake decorating classes with her father. As she started making practice cakes, she found that people were asking her to bake specialty items for them, because her products looked appealing and tasted delicious.
Lanee’s creativity mixed with her early knowledge provided by Bartow BizKids laid the foundation for sweet success in her future.
BizKids is a free program offered by the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, with the help of Main Street Bartow, Inc. The program, funded by Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency, provides summer workshops for kids every Tuesday for six weeks. This year, the classes begin June 16th and run through July 21st.
Local business owners inspire creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit in kids by showing them how their businesses are run and providing them with fun and interactive hands-on projects. Kids third through eighth grade are eligible to attend and spaces are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Lanee noted that her favorite class was with Maura Galbraith, owner of The Cookie Jar, because, she said, she enjoyed their desserts and learning that decorating was not difficult at all. According to Lanee, “Biz kids showed me that being in business could be a little hard, but kids could make it work if they set their minds to it.”
Want to purchase a cake from LaneeBug Sweets? Call 581-0384.
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