FROM THE PRESIDENT:
JENNIFER HALL, SEMCO Construction I encourage ALL Chamber members to be on the lookout for great events that provide opportunities for business owners showcase products and services.
The Chamber offers several opportunities each month to network with other businesses in town. The B2B Business Card Exchange happens the second Wednesday of each month. Meet at the Chamber, 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 9 th for this month’s B2B exchange.
Business-After Hours happen almost every month. This month, Frost Van den Boom, PA will host and celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Thursday, March 10 th.
Our Young Professionals group, ENGAGE, has a Lunch-n-Learn event on Friday, March 18 th. Business leader Howe Wallace is guest speaker!
And we're very excited about the launch of the Professional Development Academy on March 30th at Polk State College.
Each of these dates is a FREE opportunity for you to meet and interact with other business professionals in the greater Bartow area. Take advantage of these exclusive benefits to your Chamber membership!
If you have any questions about Chamber events, call Jeff, Virginia, or Barbara at the Chamber (863-533-7125). They will help get you CONNECTED!
Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016
CHAMBER EVENTS
(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)
MARCH
Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 a.m.
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Thursday, March 10, 5:15 p.m.
FROST VAN DEN BOOM FUN THURSDAY
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, all day
DAIRY QUEEN BARTOW FREE CONE DAY
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:
LET's TALK LEADERSHIP with HOWE Q. WALLACE
Florida Industrial Phosphate Research Institute
Saturday, March 19
ROTARY CLUB'S WILD GAME DINNER
Wanda & Leland Young's Barn
Wednesday, March 23, 1:15 p.m.
COMMUNITY RIBBON-CUTTING FOR NEW SCULPTURE
Fort Blount Park
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
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 MEMBERS
Medical Services
Central Florida Health Care, Inc.
Ms. Ashley Moats
47 5th Street NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
(863) 291-5110
www.cfhconline.org
VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION, APRIL 5th
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
City residents who are not registered to vote, but would like to participate in the April 5th City Elections, have until March 9th to submit their completed voter registration form to the Elections Office in Bartow. To register to vote on-line, Click here. For information to register to vote go to voter registration information. Applications are available at Polk County Supervisor of Elections, Bartow City Hall, post offices and libraries.
Registered voters are reminded to update the elections office with any name or address changes prior to Election Day. To change your voter information on-line, Click here.
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.
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MARCH FUN THURSDAY HOST IS FROST VAN DEN BOOM, PA
You are cordially invited to the March Fun Thursday on March 10, 2016, at 5:15 p.m. at Frost Van den Boom, PA, 395 S. Central Avenue. Come wearin' your green as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day with our host!
MAYOR'S SUNRISE PRAYER BREAKFAST
March 24, 2016
7:00 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Bartow Civic Center
GUEST SPEAKER: PSCO Chief Joe Halman
CLICK HERE AND RESERVE YOUR TICKETS TODAY! 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, and event top sponsors are A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure, The Polk County Democrat, and PalletOne, and Stingray Chevrolet Bartow. read more...
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN IS MARCH 18
Pre-registration is required!
Friday, March 18, 2016, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
featuring Howe Q. Wallace, PalletOne, Inc.
CLICK HERE AND REGISTER TODAY FOR THIS FREE EVENT!
(Not just for ENGAGE members!)
Engage/Bartow Chamber Young Professionals presents an up-close and personal chat with one of the area’s most accomplished community leaders. Howe Wallace is the CEO of PalletOne, America’s largest new pallet manufacturer. This session will give participants a chance to reflect on new and creative ways to achieve professional leadership goals based on the best practices from one of the area’s most respected business professionals. After a short presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in a round-table format. Don’t miss this great opportunity for professional growth.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Since 2001, Howe Q. Wallace has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of PalletOne, Inc., an industry leader operating 15 pallet facilities in nine states, and Sunbelt Forest Products which has two locations in Florida and one in Alabama. The company employs more than 200 people in Bartow and more than 1,300 across the enterprise. Revenues exceed $300 million. Before PalletOne, Mr. Wallace was Executive Vice President of Human Resources of IFCO Systems, NV. Mr. Wallace began his career in the industry when he joined Ridge Pallets in 1983.
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE MAR. 9th!
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.
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: KATHY E. PARKER, EA
Left to Right: Destiny Patterson, Duane Parker and Cathy Parker with Chamber Membership Director Barbara Adamson
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH, 2016:
CATHY E. PARKER, EA, BOOKKEEPING & TAX SERVICE
In the photos, left to right, Destiny Patterson, Duane Parker and Cathy Parker with Chamber Membership Director Barbara Adamson.
At Cathy E. Parker, EA Bookkeeping and Tax Service, helping and educating people about what they need to know regarding taxes is just one of their passions.
TAX SERVICES, ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING, PAYROLL SERVICES - they do it all! Call 863-533-4141 for more information.
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:
- 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
COMMITTEE OF 100
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.
HELLO BARTOW! MEMBERS PARTICIPATE FOR FREE
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.
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
45 YEARS
Bartow Food Service Club, Inc.
GLT Office Plus Business Center
NAPA Auto Parts
30 YEARS
Nelle Terry
25 YEARS
A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure
First Presbyterian Church
20 YEARS
McBroom's Stamps, Awards & Personal Gifts
15 YEARS
Alutras Elementary School
Super-Lube
5 YEARS
Floral Avenue Elementary
Hearts and Minds Studios
SPOTLIGHT ON SAN FRANCISCO
MEMBER MICRONEWS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
COMMUNITY RIBBON-CUTTING FOR NEW SCUPTURE
Come to the Community Ribbon-cutting for the two new sculptures at Fort Blount Park on Wednesday, March 23, at 1:15 p.m. Both sculptures are works from Aisling Millar, and are titled, "Interwoven," and "Three Hand Reel."
ENJOY FREE CONE DAY AT BARTOW DAIRY QUEEN!
Where- Dairy Queen Bartow
1795 N Broadway Ave., Bartow
When- March 15 all day
All the donations for this event goes to the Children's Miracle Network.
Does not apply to Drive-Thru. Must come inside for free cone. No purchase or
donation necessary to receive free cone. All donations will be contributed
to Children's Miracle Network. read more...
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. |