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!

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

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

FEBRUARY

Tuesday, February 16, 2:00 p.m.
BOARD RETREAT
FIPR Boardroom

Thursday, February 18
LEADERSHIP ED DAY

Thursday, February 18
BARN BOOGIE
Leland Young's Barn
2905 Central Ave., Alturas 33820

Friday, February 19, 10:00 a.m.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE
MUSEUM GRAND REOPENING
& RIBBON-CUTTING
585 E. Summerlin Street

Saturday, February 20
SYFY SATURDAY BARTOW
Downtown Bartow

Wednesday, February 24, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMAT BIRTHDAY PARTY

MARCH
Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 a.m.
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Friday, March 11, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE OF 100
Health and Life Center
Hwy. 17 & Main Street

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE.

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:

Medical Services
Central Florida Health Care, Inc.
Ms. Ashley Moats
47 5th Street NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
(863) 291-5110
www.cfhconline.org

CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS!

Tickets are still available for one of Chamber's most fun events . . . BARN BOOGIE! All you urban cowboys and sassy lasses are invited to saddle up for a barn-raising hootenanny at the annual Barn Boogie Dinner and Dance - a southern-styled, honky-tonk, boot-scootin' celebration featuring lip smacking Texas Cattle Company steak and a DJ Clint Edwards spinning your favorite tunes!

Wednesday, March 9, 2016, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
MORNING BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Plenty of coffee and fellowship with your fellow member business owners. Bring lots of business cards and give everyone two - one for them and one for a friend. Hope to see you there! NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY.

Left to Right: Owners Virginia, John and Tasha Harrison; Chamber membership services director, Barbara Adamson.

Business of the Month for February:
MAIN STREET COMICS & MEMORABILIA
415 E. Main Street, Suite C, Bartow, FL 33830, 863-537-7703
SEE ONLINE.
Polk County's newest and best Comic Book Collector's Shop! Located in Bartow, Florida on historic Main Street, on the corner of Main and Florida Ave. Main Street Comics carries everything the comic fan needs . . . and more! The Harrisons invite everyone to come visit the store at 415 E. Main Street, Suite C, in Bartow. For more information, call 863-537-7703.

When the Mayor’s Sunrise Prayer Breakfast was first conceived, it was agreed it would be a time of early morning prayer to begin the day. Somewhere along the line, the event became a luncheon. This year, for the first time in a long time, the time of prayer is switched back to the traditional early morning event.

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:

• March 12^th – Mariah Andresen-Otten
• April 9^th – John Abad
• May 14^th – Jude Dauphin

For more information, contact: Virginia Condello at the Chamber, (863) 533-7125 or email virginia@bartowchamber.com

Spath Jewelers, as most of you know, features the newest and best in quality diamonds and jewelry. "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. We are the industry leader for repairs and custom design and with four jewelers on-site that have over 70 years of combined experience; you can be assured of the highest degree of quality work," owner Gene Spath said. Second generation Spath Jewelers owner, Emily Clark agrees. "We also carry the finest selection of loose diamonds and fine jewelry. We travel to Antwerp, Belgium each year to hand pick diamonds for our customers." Spath Jewelers has won the Chamber of Commerce business of the year three times in the last four years, and promotes its community and the Chamber through programs such as Chocolate Charms and Chamber - where a percentage of proceeds from store sales through Valentines Day are earmarked for the Chamber. Thanks, Spath Jewelers! We appreciate your support.


Spath Jewelers owners Gene and Tina Spath at this year's Chocolate Charms and Chamber held February 4, 2016.

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, March 11, 2016, at 8:00 a.m.
     Our guest speaker will be Bart Allen, who will be talking with us about the Stuart Crossings and Silver Company developments.
      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.

ROI ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!
We've established a new perk to your membership. Now, as a member of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, you may include a promotional item for your business in the HELLO BARTOW! welcome baskets for new residents. PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE! If you are interested, contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Director, (863) 533-7125, or reply to this email.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: March 5, 6, 2016: