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

Friday, Saturday, February 26, 27
STATE ARCHERY TOURNAMENT
Carver Recreational Center

MARCH
Wednesday, March 2, noon
AMBASSADORS \ DELEGATES

Saturday, Sunday, March 5, 6
BLOOMIN' ARTS FESTIVAL

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

Thursday, March 10, 5:15 p.m.
FROST VAN DEN BOOM FUN THURSDAY
CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK'S DAY
and 35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
395 S. Central Ave., Bartow

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

Tuesday, March 15, 3:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 15, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, March 16, 1:30 p.m.
CHAMBER DIPLOMATS BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday, Jo!

Thursday, March 17
LEADERSHIP BARTOW PHOSPHATE DAY

Friday, March 18, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN
Florida Industrial Phosphate Research Institute

Saturday, March 19
WILD GAME DINNER
Wanda & Leland Young's Barn

Thursday, March 24, 7:00 a.m.
MAYOR'S SUNRISE PRAYER BREAKFAST
Bartow Civic Center

Friday, March 25, 11:30
CROSSWALK TO FORT BLOUNT PARK
Service at noon

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!

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

ALL PRECINCTS WILL VOTE AT THE BARTOW CIVIC CENTER - 2250 S. FLORAL AVENUE.

 Voters will elect one City Commissioner for Seat No. 3 (North District)

IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES

Regular Election - April 5, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Run-Off Election (if needed) - to be announced.

Registering to Vote

Absentee Ballots

Can’t make it to the polls? To request an absentee ballot, please contact the Polk County Supervisor of Elections at 863-534-5888 or visit polkelections.com.

A-C-T President and Founder, Robert O. Kincart, (shown in the photo above holding the Gator100 award), earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Florida in 1972. “What truly makes me happiest is having people come up to me or our folks, and say, ‘Thank you for what your company does in our community’,” said Kincart. “It makes our staff feel wonderful, and lets me know we have made a positive impact.” The Gator100 is an initiative that recognizes entrepreneurial excellence. It is open to any and all companies founded or run by Gator alumni, and recognizes those who are achieving growth, innovating, and making a difference in their communities.

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, SEMCO Construction!! Also thanks to these sponsors: GOLD: ACT Environmental and Infrastructure and Bartow Ford; CORNHOLE SPONSOR: MOSAIC; PRIZE SPONSOR: ASHLAND; SILVER: BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center, City of Bartow, Citizens Bank & Trust, Fleet Products, Spherion Staffing Services, Stingray Chevrolet, Tim Jones Barber Shop, Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; all the extra contributors such as Cross Wired Electrical Services, Bernie Little, Sam's Club, Michelle Githens State Farm, Texas Cattle Company, Mosaics Community Cafe, MidFlorida Credit Union and Leadership Bartow Class XIV.



Winners of the Annual Leadership Bartow XIV Cornhole Tournament was the Polk County Cornholers Team, Ed Willis and Tim Moss. Congrats, Guys!
 

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.

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.

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.

Luster All African American Heritage Museum Re-Opened Feb. 19
The Luster All African American Heritage Museum and the Luster All Training Center of Hope reopened operations at their new location at 585 East Summnerlin Street in Bartow, on the SW corner of E. Summerlin St. and S. Jackson Ave.
     The facility, once home to Redeemer Lutheran Church preschool, has been renovated to accommodate the Museum setup and serve the education needs of the training center. The Museum is situated in the front of the building with the Training Center located to the west and rear.
     The grand reopening that included a ribbon-cutting by the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, an open house, and light refreshments.
     For more information, call (863) 537-6658 or (863) 797-6111 or (605) 863-1344.
     You may also visit the website: http://www.lusterblackhistory museum.info/ or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/African-American-Heritage-Museum-630663250386267/timeline.

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

     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: