The Month of May is full of excitement!
     Today, May 10th, Wendy's is having a great re-grandopening at its Bartow location after extensive remodeling. The ribbon will be cut soon after 9:00 a.m.
     The week of May 8^th – 14^th is “Just Say No” week, and on Wednesday, May 11^th, the committee will host the 26^th Annual Parade and Rally, starting downtown and ending at the Bartow High School gymnasium.
     Our esteemed Leadership Bartow Class XVI graduates on Thursday, May 19^th.
     Bartow’s young professionals group, ENGAGE, hosts a Lunch-n-Learn with Bill Mutz on Friday, May 20^th at A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure.
     Chamber members have another FREE Professional Development opportunity on Wednesday, May 25^th, with the “7 Paths to Success” series, with partner Polk State College. This event is going to be held at the Polk County Safety Center, next to the Sheriffs Office on Jim Keene Blvd.
     And, of course, the end of May brings the beginning of “summer” with Memorial Day on May 30^th, a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of these great United States. The Youth Villa Classic is held that weekend and is in its 53rd year!
     I hope you all will participate in at least one of these events, and take advantage of the opportunities we have here in Bartow to show our patriotism, support of students, and network with other business professionals. Have a great May!
Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016

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:

• May 14^th – Jude Dauphin

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

Want to find a retail or service business? 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:

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

MAY
Tuesday, May 10, 9:00 a.m.
WENDY'S RIBBON-CUTTING
AND RE-OPENING CELEBRATION
1520 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 a.m.
Business 2 Business
BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

Wednesday, May 11, 9:30 a.m.
JUST SAY NO PARADE & RALLY
Downtown Bartow. All Main Street business owners asked to come out and support the 5th Graders.

Friday, May 13, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE OF 100
Health and Life Center, 1239 E. Main St.

Tuesday, May 17, 3:45, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD/EXEC MEETINGS

Wednesday, May 18, 9:30 a.m.
JK'S CAFE RIBBON-CUTTING
211 NW 1st Avenue, Mulberry

Thursday, May 19, 6:00 p.m.
LEADERSHIP BARTOW XVI GRADUATION
Polk State College Advanced Technology Center

Friday, May 20, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN WITH BILL MUTZ: "TIME MANAGEMENT"
A-C-T- Environmental and Infrastructure

Tuesday, May 24, 1:30 p.m.
DIPLOMATS BIRTHDAY PARTY
Happy Birthday to
Dot McCroan
Jane Meadows &
Rhoda Whitten

Wednesday, May 25,7:30 a.m.
Professional Development Series:
MARY OWENS: COACHING
Location Change:
Polk County Safety Center
(Next to Sheriff)
1891 Jim Keene Blvd.
Winter Haven, FL 33880

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

FREE EVENT, MAY 20, 2016, 11:45-1:00 p.m., A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, 1875 W. Main Street, Bartow 33830, 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. These sessions will give participants a chance to reflect on new and creative ways to achieve professional leadership goals based on the best practices from 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.
ENGAGE Lunch & Learn: "TIME MANAGEMENT" with BILL MUTZ
Time management is something we all struggle with at some point and time. It is a skill that you have to learn, and is a lifestyle. It involves behavior changes in order to get everything done and still allow time to do things that make us happy. It is juggling your job and career with home and "me time." It can be done. Join us for a relaxed, informal chat with one of the area's top community leaders.

Wednesday, May 11, 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.

Could it really be time for a new Leadership class? The current Leadership Class XVI is graduating May 19, 2016, at Polk State College Advanced Technology Center, so it's true!

If you are interested in joining the more than 450 individuals who have completed the Leadership Bartow program, acquiring the skills, knowledge and passion necessary to participate fully in the life of our community, read the brochure here; and sign up online today. Leadership Bartow continues to be a vital part of the overall effort to ensure that the pool of talent from which the community can draw its future leaders continues to be renewed.
For an electronic application for Leadership XVII, click here.
 

A wonderful CINCO DE MAYO celebration was held last Thursday at The Villages at Laurel Meadows. Thanks for being our gracious host for this networking event!

Restaurants
Wendy’s
Mr. Martin Phillips
1520 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 853-8838

Restaurants
City Star Family Restaurant
Billy Digino
1037 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 800-3083
www.citystarbartow.com

FINANCIAL PLANNING
Core Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Angela Newell
231 N. Kentucky Ave., Suite 217
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 904-4745
www.corewealthadvisorsinc.com

Construction-Contractors
Lake Wales Building Trades Center, Inc.
Mr. Kevin McCollough
107 W. Orange Ave.
Lake Wales, FL 33853
(863) 676-2221
 

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, May 13, 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 group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at 863-533-4196.
Click here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

IT'S TIME TO NOMINATE AN EMERGING LEADER!

Tuesday, August 16,  6:00 PM Bartow Civic Center  2250 Floral Ave Bartow, FL 33830

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE AN EMERGING LEADER.

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.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES: COACHING
5/25 - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
Coaching by Mary Owens
May 25, 2016, 7:30 a.m.
NEW LOCATION: Polk County Safety Center
1891 Jim Keene Blvd.
Winter Haven, FL 33880

This proactive coaching session builds on participants’ communication skills through exploration of the tools used to coach employees. Effective coaching aims to maximize the performance of those associated with an organization (e.g., employees, managers, customers, and suppliers). Workplace coaching enables employees to guide and support one another in working toward—and achieving—top performance. This session helps participants recognize daily opportunities to coach the people they work with and provides participants with the coaching skills they need to bring out the best in everyone. THIS CLASS TAKES PLACE AT THE POLK COUNTY SAFETY CENTER, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33830 (next to Sheriffs Office). At this venue, refreshments will not be served and participants are asked to make sure any beverages brought in with them have covers.

53rd YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC:
YVC JOINT CIVIC CLUB LUNCH IS MAY 25TH
     The annual Joint Civic Club Lunch to celebrate the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches Youth Villa Golf Classic is set for noon, May 25, 2016, at the Bartow Civic Center. Call Karen Guffey at Gibson & Wirt, 125 E. Main Street, Bartow, FL, 33830, 863-533-3131, for ticket information for the luncheon.
    Your support and participation in the Bartow Youth Villa Classic enables the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches to continue the mission of preventing juvenile delinquency, and developing lawful, productive citizens through a broad range of family-centered services.

Youth Villa Classic Golf Tourney

Bartow Golf Course, Bartow, FL

Friday, May 27, 2016 - Monday, May 30, 2016

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