CHAMPIONS CUP
Champions Cup was created to recognize and honor businesses and organizations that have championed exemplary best practices, and have had a positive influence on the economic well being of the area's business environment. Congratulations to the 2015 Champions Cup Winners! Here they are:

The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, November 13, 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 grouip, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at 863-533-4196.

Click here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

Event Venues
The Williams Centre
Ms. Geri Williams
1150 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 558-0635
Join date: 09/13/2015

Antiques & Collectibles
Chinoiserie Antiques & Gifts
Ms. Virginia Cagle
110 W. Broadway St.
Fort Meade, FL 33841
(863) 285-8050
Join date: 10/01/2015

Gift Boutique
The Krazy Kricket
Ms. Lee Putnam & Ms. Susan Blenk
115 E. Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-3141
www.krazykricket.com
 Join date: 10/06/2015
Ribbon-cutting: Nov. 10, 9:30 a.m.

Churches
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Pastor Jonathan Horsman
390 E. Parker St.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 512-3652
Join date: 10/06/2015
 
Apparel
LegaCy Unique Designz
Ms. Jennifer Camp
195 S. Central Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7422
Join date: 10/08/2015

SBDC Is Available At
The Chamber On
November 12th
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 November 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.

Looking for a commercially zoned lot, building for rent or to buy for your business? Please check out this site :

You'll get to create an account for free and check out MLS commercial listings for Bartow.
For a downloadable CRA District map, click here, scroll down and look under IMPORTANT LINKS in the right hand column of the Chamber's website.

$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.

Click here to read the Summer Business Quarterly Magazine!
















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

   Some years ago, Mosaic's Freda Ridgway approached Jeff Clark with a great idea - we could honor our community Veterans with an appreciation luncheon on Veteran's Day.
     It was such a good idea, that a committee was formed to make it happen.
     The committee included representatives from the American Legion, Bartow City government, local historians, Summerlin Institute staff, and of course, Chamber volunteers.
     Hometown Heroes, now in its seventh year, continues to provide a complimentary lunch for Vets and a guest, and an interesting program that includes a presentation and posting of colors, live patriotic music, POW/MIA memory table, a Purple Heart table, and a keynote speaker.
     Local veterans of all military branches of services will be honored again this year, with special focus on our WWII Vets - in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
     Business owners can become involved in a very special and practical way. If you'd like to be involved, you can become a sponsor, which provides tickets to the event for you, and for your Bartow area Veterans. Click on the banner below this column today and find out how you may help us honor our local Veterans.
     And be sure to encourage any local Veteran you know to sign up to go.
Have a good week,
Sharon Casey
Chamber President, 2015  

Left to right, Chamber Membership Director Barbara Adamson, Steven Githens , Michell Githens, "Sophie," Becky Smith and Aura Schuler.

Business of the Month for October is . . .
Michell Githens State Farm
595 West Main Street• Bartow, FL
Phone: 863-533-8119
michell@githensinsurance.com
Call Michell today! She says, "Our agency’s mission is to assist customers with the many products and services that State Farm offers to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. Find great coverage at a great rate. Get a free quote now!"
Free $10 Gift Card with every life insurance quote during the month of October.

photo by Marie Wilmot
Guest Speaker:
David Steele
Florida Department of Citrus Public Relations Director
Thanks, David Steele, for an informative and eye opening learning experience. More than 40 attended the Oct. 16 ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals Lunch and Learn at FIPR. Thanks also to Aaron Medley for setting up the tech stuff; and to Marie Wilmot, who helped pave the way for a great event at FIPR. You guys are the best.

We have two very exciting Chamber trips coming up:
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
Call Barbara Adamson, 533-7125, for more information and to secure your seat.

FORTRESS FITNESS IS SECOND SATURDAY

     The Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce presents “FORTRESS Fitness,” a program to promote family fitness began in September at Fort Blount Park.
      “FORTRESS Fitness is a community-wide outdoor workout program for all fitness levels, all ages, and it’s absolutely free,” said Marie Wilmot, organizer of the new program. Wilmot is a wellness and fitness enthusiast, instructor of Pilates, kickboxing, Zumba and other cardio-fitness programs Please mark your calendars for these second Saturdays:

• November 14^th – Sol Torres (Zumba)
• December 12^th – Olly and Anitra Goddard
• January 9^th – Greg, Rick & Krissy
• February 13^th – Darwin Manzueta
• March 12^th – Marie Wilmot
• April 9^th – John Abad
• May 14^th – Jude Dauphin

     “Whether it’s just you, grandparents and grandkids, or your whole family, you are welcome to join us,” Wilmot said. For more information, contact: Virginia Condello at the Chamber, (863) 533-7125 or email virginia@bartowchamber.com. 
 

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)

OCTOBER

Tuesday, October 20, 3:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 20, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Monday, October 19, 4:00 p.m.
ANNUAL MEETING COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.
DIPLOMATS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: Ortelle, Carolyn, Tommie, Marietta, Sherry and Sally!

Thursday, October 22, 6:00 p.m.
BOOK DISCUSSION, "Letters Across the Divide"
Bartow Public Library

Thursday, October 29, 4:00 p.m.
CRICKETTE CLUB PARADE & CARNIVAL

Saturday, October 31
TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT IN BARTOW

NOVEMBER

Thursday, November 5, 4:00 p.m.
ALPHAGRAPHICS LAKELAND RIBBON-CUTTING
4130 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, 33813

Friday, November 6, Lunch
A-C-T CHILI COOKOFF
1875 W. Main Street, Bartow

Tuesday, November 10, 9:30 a.m.
THE KRAZY KRICKET RIBBON-CUTTING
115 E. Main Street, Bartow 33830

Wednesday, November 11, 11:30 a.m.
A SALUTE TO OUR HOMETOWN HEROES
Bartow Civic Center
2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow

FLORAL LAKES ANNUAL BAZAAR
     Mark your calendar for the annual Floral Lakes Bazaar coming Friday and Saturday, November 6th and 7th at the community located at 2055 South Floral Avenue in Bartow. There's a huge array of items offered this year including Christmas crafts, jewelry, electronics, furniture, clothing books, bake sale items, white elephant items, and plants. A 50/50 drawing will be held. Lunch will be served.
     On Friday, the Bazaar begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. The Bazaar begins at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and ends at 1:00 p.m. For more information, call the office on Tuesdays or Thursdays at (863) 533-7866; or call the social director at (863) 333-2030.

Left to right, Leadership Bartow Class XVI members Kathryn Bevilacqua-Ely, Roxanna Tovrea, Sherrie McCullough and Barbara Adamson.

This year's Rudolph Roundup is a project of Leadership Bartow XVI,  and the class has plans to make this year the best yet!

Did you know that there are more than 3,200 children in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties that have experienced abuse and/or neglect? We need your help to provide holiday gifts for these children in foster and shelter care, or with relatives or non relatives, many times away from family and friends. Won’t you help the Bartow Chamber fill Santa’s sleigh?

How you can help
Bring an unwrapped toy(s) to the Chamber at 510 North Broadway Avenue by noon on December 7th. Heartland for Children will pick up the toys from the Chamber office. For a PDF of the most needed items, click here.