MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
20 YEARS
Bartow Middle School
Craig A. Munday, PA
15 YEARS
Friends of the Bartow Public Library
10 YEARS
Carolyn Gorman
C. Young Citrus, Inc.
CHAMBER EVENTS
(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)
JANUARY
Tuesday, January 26, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMAT BIRTHDAY PARTY
FEBRUARY
Thursday, February 4, 5:15 p.m.
CHOCOLATE, CHARMS & CHAMBER
SPATH JEWELERS FUN THURSDAY
1360 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow 33830
Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 a.m.
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Friday, February 12, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE OF 100
Health and Life Center
Hwy. 17 & Main Street
Tuesday, February 16
BOARD RETREAT
Thursday, February 18
BARN BOOGIE
Leland Young's Barn
2905 Central Ave., Alturas 33820
FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE.
CHAMPIONS CUP
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:
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS:
Tindale Oliver
SERVICE/PROFESSIONAL:
Bartow Regional Medical Center
RETAIL BUSINESS:
Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure
NOT FOR PROFIT/ COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY:
Bartow Rotary Club
MAIN STREET BUSINESS:
Travel Leaders / International Sun Travel
EMERGING BUSINESS:
Broadway Diner
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE:
Don Wilson
Click here to see past winners of this prestigious award.
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
CATERING
Tam's Catering
Mr. Mahmud Osmani
560 Avenue J, SE
Winter Haven, FL 33880
(863) 398-3976
www.tamscatering.com
Joined Date: December
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
Brian F. Burns/Ronald Skroback
Joined Date: January
REACH 22K HOMES WITH YOUR MESSAGE
 Reserve your space now in the Spring Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 22,000 households for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information. |
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
This is my first column as your 2016 Chamber president, and I must say it is an honor and privilege to represent our community’s leading business organization.
And I have a tough act to follow - Sharon Casey, past Chamber President - did an excellent job leading the Chamber to make a positive impact on the community. During Sharon's term of office, the Chamber was restructured to make the most efficient use of its members' contributions. She had to make some tough decisions, and we applaud all her efforts on behalf of the Bartow business community!
As we begin the new Chamber year, I urge each of you to take advantage of the many opportunities to network and support each other. Keep in mind that when you or your business make a purchase, it is important to support your fellow Chamber members. The Chamber is the best source of networks, support and ideas. The Chamber Board of Directors, staff and many volunteers work hard to serve and support our members.
And speaking of support, I wish to thank all who planned, attended and help make the Chamber Annual Meeting, Totally Awesome 80s, such a huge success. It was very gratifying to me to look out from the podium and see so many interested in our Chamber. I promise to do everything I can to help the Chamber promote business and economic development for the benefit of our community.
Also, hope to see all of you at the 2016 Barn Boogie set for February 18 at Leland Young's Barn. If you haven’t made your reservations, please do so online or call Jeff, Virginia or Barbara and they'll set you up, (863) 533-7125.
I look forward to working to make 2016 one of the best Chamber years ever. With your help, I know that will happen!
Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: HARMONY HAVEN
Left to Right: Owners Anna Maria and Bob Baker with Chamber Membership Director Barbara Adamson.
Business of the Month for January:
Harmony Haven Event Venue 6320 US Hwy 98, Bartow, Phone: 863-581-7400 www.harmonyhavenevents.com
Where rustic meets elegance. Conveniently located on US 98 in the Bartow & South Lakeland area, our fully air-conditioned facility offers comfortable seating for 240 guests. A nostalgic vintage rustic charm makes this an ideal setting for Weddings, Receptions, Banquets, Quinceaneras, Special Occasion Parties and more. We feature a private Bride/Ready room, covered and uncovered patios, as well as a completely privately fenced large grassy gazebo area for outdoor events. Owners Anna Maria and Bob Baker invite you to celebrate your next special occasion with Harmony Haven.
ANNUAL EVENT 2016: TOTALLY AWESOME 80s!
JENNIFER HALL NAMED 2016 CHAMBER PRESIDENT
Jennifer Hall, SEMCO Construction, took office as the 75th president of the Bartow Chamber of Commerce on January 23, 2016 at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.
“Totally Awesome 80s!” was the theme of the event sponsored by SEMCO Construction. The Bartow Civic Center was decorated with Rubik's Cubes, Disco Balls and 1980s movie posters. A pop culture backdrop was used to set the mood and deejay (and Caddyshack character) Clint Edwards spun tunes from the "Me" decade.
Hall accepted the presidential gavel from the 2015 president, Sharon Casey, who charged Hall with the responsibility of providing leadership to the Chamber's Board of Directors, volunteers and staff.
After receiving the gavel, Hall banged it on the podium signifying the onset of her presidential year. Hall pledged to continue the tradition of the Chamber as a vital part of Bartow's business community dedicated to the community's quality of life.
“Throughout the years, the Bartow Chamber's leadership has fostered economic development and unparalleled civic pride, making it one of the most respected organizations of its kind,” she said. "Being asked to serve as your President is truly an honor."
Hall presented Casey with a plaque for serving as President in 2015; then presented three with the top salesperson award for the Ambassadors Club. The Chamber conducts its member retention and recruitment campaigns using community volunteers, and the top salespersons serve as Bartow’s official greeters. The coveted red jacket was presented to Kathryn Bevilacqua-Ely of The Villages at Laurel Meadows; Sharon Casey; and Mosaic's Freda Ridgway.
Sharon Casey receives the 2015 Chamber President's plaque from 2016 President, Jennifer Hall of SEMCO Construction.
GEORGE W. HARRIS AWARD WINNER
 DON WILSON IS 2015 GEORGE W. HARRIS
LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER
Don Wilson, Boswell & Dunlap, LLP, was presented the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce’s highest award - the George W. Harris Leadership Award - during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 23, 2016. The award winner was announced by last year’s winner, City Commissioner James Clements.
“Tonight’s winner is a descendant of one of Bartow's pioneering families, Clements said. "He was the first president of Main Street Bartow, and was instrumental in the formation of Bartow's CRA. He played a major role in the acquisition of the land for Bartow's new hospital and served on the Board of the Polk County Historical Commission and aided its efforts to save the historic courthouse from the wrecking ball," he said. "Don is often one of the unrecognized people behind the scenes of many positives things that have, and continue to happen in Bartow,” he said.
Last year, Don Wilson was inducted into the Committee of 100's Champions Cup Hall of Fame for his contributions to economic development.
Other winners of the George W. Harris Leadership award include John Murphy, Pam Adams, Keightley Stringfellow, Jeff Clark, Andy Anderson, Sue Britt, Barbara Newell, Bud Mears, Brian Hinton, Ernie Cooper, Myrtice Young, Pam Mitchell, Tina Spath, Debbie Burdette, Anita Stasiak, Larry Madrid, Mike DeNeve, and Len Jordan.
COMMITTEE OF 100
The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, February 12, 2016, 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.
FORTRESS FITNESS PROMOTES FAMILY FITNESS
 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:
- February 13th – Darwin Manzueta
- March 12th – Mariah Andresen-Otten
- April 9th – John Abad
- May 14th – Jude Dauphin
For more information, contact: Virginia Condello at the Chamber, (863) 533-7125 or email virginia@bartowchamber.com
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