FROM THE PRESIDENT:
JENNIFER HALL, SEMCO Construction 
WHAT IS ENGAGE SERVES?
ENGAGE is excited to announce its newest program, ENGAGE Serves. ENGAGE is a program of the Bartow Area Chamber Foundation, Inc., designed to offer business education, professional development, social networking and volunteer opportunities to ambitious young professionals, ages 21 to 42.
ENGAGE Serves is open to young professionals who would like to participate in effective board service training at a cost of $50.00 or, if you are a member of ENGAGE, the course is considered an additional benefit of your ENGAGE membership and is FREE.
ENGAGE Serves provides young professionals with the training and skills needed to succeed in board service. The program consists of 10 courses taught by well-respected community leaders that teach the fundamentals of effective board service.
The 5-week program will be held at ACT Environmental & Infrastructure on Hwy. 60 in Bartow on Tuesday evenings from 4:30-6:30 p.m. beginning August 23, 2016 and running until September 20, 2016. A light meal will be provided at no additional cost.
Over the span of 10 courses, the fundamentals of effective board service will be taught by some of Bartow’s own “seasoned” community leaders. Attendance to EVERY class is required in order to graduate from the program. Participants will be asked to list their areas of interests in order to be added to a database available to local organizations seeking quality board members.
According to ENGAGE Chair Kathryn Bevilacqua-Ely, “ENGAGE’s motto is Educate, Collaborate, and Serve and I feel ENGAGE Serves is going to be a great asset to the young professionals in Bartow. We are so thankful that Baylis and Company, PA has offered to share its wealth of knowledge and a program built out of a community need. We have a great line up of speakers already committed and the planning committee and I are very excited to launch this inaugural class!”
Applications can be submitted online at www.BartowChamber.com. At the end of the application period, you will be notified via email if your application has been accepted. Class size is limited, so submit your application today!
Membership in ENGAGE will help you improve your career, develop your leadership abilities, build your network and give back to the greater Bartow community. Members make valuable connections with peers from various industries and have access to prominent and influential leaders.
Until next week,
Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
15 YEARS
Bartow High School Band Boosters
10 YEARS
Summerlin Academy
Linda Clark
5 YEARS
Karen Boswell
Bartow Cycling Events
Healthy Start Coalition of
Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties
CHAMBER PARTNERSHIP OFFERS STUDENT TEAM PROJECT FOR CHAMBER BUSINESSES
NO COST BUSINESS PLANS AVAILABLE
THROUGH SBDC STUDENT TEAMS PROJECT
Working with Student Teams is a mutually advantageous situation for all parties involved. An FSBDC at USF business client provides the team with financial and other organization details, the Florida SBDC at USF provides value-added service to Bartow Chamber member companies, and the companies get a no-cost business plan as a result. Each project is assigned a Florida SBDC at USF regional consultant to oversee the project. The main interest is to ensure that the chamber member will receive an adequate business plan at the end of the semester.
This program lasts one semester, a total of 16 weeks. During the semester, the student team will prepare a strategic analysis or marketing plan for the business client. A written report will be created providing the organization with a professional, fully developed plan for use in guiding and developing the business.
CLICK HERE FOR SBDC WEBPAGE.
ARE YOU QUALIFIED? Read more.
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.
SUPPORT OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS!
REACH 22K HOMES WITH YOUR MESSAGE
 Reserve your space now in the Fall 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.
DIVERSITY LUNCHEON ON THE HORIZON
DIVERSITY LUNCHEON will feature Attorney Willie E. Gary on September 21, 2016, 11:30 a.m. at the Bartow Civic Center. Tickets available now!
JOIN ENGAGE & GET A COOL CUP!
COMMITTEE OF 100 IS AUGUST 12
The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, August 12, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. Guest speaker is BEDC President Rob Clancey.
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. |
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: FOUNTAIN PLACE APARTMENTS
WANT TO FIND OUT HOW TO BECOME
THE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH?
Contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Services,
863-533-7125 or email
barbara@bartowchamber.com
TOM EDWARDS FUN THURSDAY IS AUGUST 11!
'STUFF THE BUS' DEADLINE IS NEXT WEEK!
Thanks to Spherion Staffing for dropping by lots and lots of STUFF THE BUS items for homeless school children! Left to right, Jacky Zelasney and Mike Carew of Spherion present Chamber Executive Director Jeff Clark with loads of new school supplies for students. You, too can contribute - bring in new school items by August 19 and help homeless students start off school right! This is a project by the Chamber's ENGAGE Young Professionals program.
STUFF THE BUS!
The Bartow ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals' community project is, “Stuff the Bus,” that includes collecting school supply donations for Polk’s students in need. The campaign generally begins mid-July and continues through mid-August - just in time for school. This year, stuff the Bus begins Monday, July 11 and continues through Friday, August 19, 2016.
For more information on ENGAGE, or the Stuff the Bus campaign, call the Chamber at (863) 533-7125, or email ENGAGE CHAIR, KATHRYN BEVILACQUA-ELY HERE.
Bartow has our very own Economic Development Council! How exciting is that?
ENGAGE SERVES
Already in the Bartow Chamber Young Professionals and you Want to learn more about serving your community?
ENGAGE SERVES SIGN UP FORM
ENGAGE Serves program will be held each of the following Tuesdays: August 23, 2016; August 30, 2016; September 6, 2016; September 13, 2016; and September 20, 2016; from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure Training Center (1875 W. Main Street [Hwy. 60 West]). Attendance to ALL sessions is mandatory for graduation from the program. Classes are free to ENGAGE members.
GET READY FOR DANCING UNDER THE STARS!
Dancing Under the Stars is set for September 16, 2016 at the Bartow Civic Center. To be featured are a dance and social hour with the sounds of the Big Band Era with The Chris Thomas Band, Dinner and Performance. Be sure to get your sponsorships / tickets early by contacting the Chamber, 533-7125.
About the Chris Thomas Band . . .
The Chris Thomas Band is the most dynamic and versatile band in the entire southeast! Chris Thomas has been described as the best undiscovered talent in the area. He is not only known for his professional vocal talent, but also as an exciting entertainer fashioned in the way of the great performers of years gone by such as Sinatra, Martin, and Davis. Full of soul and power, Chris also performs Motown favorites from artists like Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind & Fire and so many more. He performs current hits from artists like Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Justin Timberlake.
A native of Chicago and long-time resident of Jacksonville, Florida, vocalist Chris Thomas has performed with various bands within Florida for the past 14 years. In June of 2014, he formed The Chris Thomas Band, in order to bring the highest level of quality and showmanship to his fans and audiences. A professionally-trained and competitive dancer, he combines dance, vocals and the best musicians in North Florida to deliver an unforgettable performance.
Chris Thomas has the style and swagger of Sinatra, and the performance excitement of James Brown and Bruno Mars. The Chris Thomas Band specializes in the performance of vintage Sinatra, soulful Motown, as well as current popular songs custom arranged for big band by its own band members. The band members are all professionally-trained
musicians from colleges and universities around the U.S., as well as the Army and Navy bands.
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE AUGUST 10
Wednesday, August 10, 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.
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.
CHAMBER EVENTS
(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)
ENGAGE STUFF THE BUS
Now through August 19th
AUGUST
Tuesday, Aug. 9, 1:00 p.m.
POLK COUNTY RIBBON-CUTTING FOR
NEW PARKING GARAGE
All Bartow Chamber Members Invited!
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7:30 a.m.
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
Business Card Exchange
Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:00 p.m.
TOM EDWARDS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FUN THURSDAY
1425 W. Main St., Bartow
Friday, Aug. 12, 8:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE of 100
Health and Wellness Center (Old Hospital)
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 3:45 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tuesday, Aug 16, 6:00 p.m.
EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
Bartow Civic Center
Thursday, Aug. 18, 5:00 p.m.
POLK POLITICS CANDIDATES RALLY
Bartow Civic Center
Monday, Aug. 22, 9:30 a.m.
JOSHUA'S KITCHEN RIBBON-CUTTING
2020 Shepard Road, Mulberry
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 7:30 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
Polk State College Clear Springs Campus
FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!
MEMBER MICRONEWS
BARTOW IDOL RETURNS TO FRIDAY FEST AUGUST 19
 Join Main Street Bartow, Inc. for the next monthly Friday Fest on August 19 in downtown Bartow -- with an Entertaining Twist -- BARTOW IDOL! Friday Fest festivities begin at 6:00 PM and conclude at 9:00 PM. Plan to meet your neighbors, family, and friends on Main Street for dinner at a local downtown restaurant as you are entertained by some of Bartow’s top talent, and as you cheer on your favorites. The events will take place along historic Main Street as usual, and there will be family activities, open car cruise in, adult beverages, and lots of opportunity to just enjoy Main Street Bartow. Downtown shops will be open as well. Vendor opportunities are available -- call 863-519-0508. The event is sponsored by the Bartow Rotary Club and TransPhos.
Audition dates for those aspiring to be the 2016-17 BARTOW IDOL are: August 3rd; August 10th; and August 17 th at 6:00 PM on each date. The audition location will be Hacienda Mexico Restaurante at 195 E. Main Street, Bartow. read more...
LAKELAND PIANO OPENING SECOND LOCATION
POL POLITICS CANDIDATE RALLY
PRESENTING SPONSOR: A-C-T ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE will also be providing FREE POPCORN! Other sponsors include THE SUN NEWSPAPERS, KELLEY BUICK GMC, TOM EDWARDS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, CenterState Bank, Citizens Bank & Trust and Michell Githens State Farm Insurance. See ya there!
NEW MEMBERS
Healthcare-General
Fusion Chiropractic Health & Wellness Center
Dr. Brandi Ancrum
680 E. Main St., Suite 101
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-7330
www.chirofusionhealth.com
Finkbeiner Photography, Inc.
Ms. Joni Finkbeiner-Tyler
723 S. Missouri Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 687-8986
www.Finkbeinerphotography.com
Attorneys
K. C. Bouchillon
K.C. Bouchillon, P.A.
480 S. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-6200
www.saunders-law.com |
