FROM THE PRESIDENT:
JENNIFER HALL, SEMCO Construction 
Opportunity for NonProfits to get FREE brand work
There is an opportunity for non-profit organizations to receive FREE marketing help from Madden Brand Agency. Application are due THIS WEDNESDAY, October 19th.
Apply online at http://content.brandmadden.com/brandathon-2016-application. In order to be considered, the organization must be a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) based in Polk County and have an active board of directors. A selection committee will review all submitted applications to determine the final beneficiaries based upon predetermined criteria. The selected organizations will be notified during the week of October 23, 2016.
Brandathon is a 24-hour strategic marketing and design session benefiting multiple non-profit organizations throughout the Polk County community. The entire Madden Brand Agency team will be working non-stop to provide their best work to help these organizations tackle their most challenging marketing and branding objectives. On November 17, 2016, Madden will be working with multiple non-profits to provide valuable marketing tools such as new logos, print collateral, social media strategies, communication plans, event ideation and more!
Thank you to our Chamber member, Madden, for making this valuable donation of time and ideas to our non-profit community.
Until next week,
Jennifer Hall
Your Chamber President, 2016
MEMBER MICRONEWS
ROTARY TOAST OF THE ARTS COMING UP!
Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at Bartow Civic Center beginning at 6:00 p.m., the Rotary Club's Annual TOAST OF THE ARTS is coming up. Tickets this year are $60 or a special offer of becoming a table sponsor by purchasing 7 tickets for $420 and receive 1 ticket free. You will also be recognized as a table sponsor in all advertisements. The ticket will includes dinner, wine, entertainment, visits with guest artists. This year, the Rotary Club is introducing craft beer in dinner pairings. For more information, please contact Ernie Cooper at 512-0951.
GIRLS INC. FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE
On Saturday, November 12, Girls, Inc. will present its fifth Father-Daughter Dance from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Lakeland Center. All proceeds will be used to provide scholarships for girls to attend the Girls, Inc. after school and summer programs. Sponsorships and more information are available by calling Girls, Inc. at 863-682-3002, ext. 222.
read more...
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES
30 YEARS
Spath Jewelers
25 YEARS
First Baptist Church
20 YEARS
Glenn Broom Insurance Agency, Inc.
5 YEARS
Tammy Albritton
National Write Your Congressman
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.
COMMITTEE OF 100 IS DEC. 9
The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, December 9, 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.
NEW MEMBERS
Entertainment/Educational Services/Video Production
The Edge Theatre Company, Inc.
Mr. Marcus Wehby, Executive Director
1367 Laurel Glen Dr., Bartow
(205) 243-0194, (863) 640-1029
www.edgetheatreco.org
Individual Members
Ms. Roberta Massey
1165 Lee Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
Hair Salons
The Hair Parlour Styling Studio, LLC
Ms. Tiffany Sackett
130 S. Wilson Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 661-3515
SUPPORT OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS!
CHAMBER QUARTERLY HAS 40K READERSHIP
 Reserve your space now in the Winter Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 40,000 readers for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information.
JOIN ENGAGE & GET A COOL CUP!
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BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: CARLA J. MEEKS, Realtor
Carla Meeks serves all of Central Florida, but is proud to call Bartow her home! Left to right: Lenton Meeks; Madison Meeks; Katelyn Meeks; Barbara Adamson, Chamber Members Services Director; Carla Meeks; and Mark Meeks.
October Business of the Month
________________________________________
Carla J. Meeks
Realtor, Web Pro Realty, LLC
863-604-9287
homesbycarla.com
You don’t get to be one of Central Florida’s top Realtors by chance. It takes experience, knowledge and a track record of satisfied clients that help tell your story. With Carla Meeks, you get a seasoned professional who takes a personal approach to helping her clients realize their real estate goals. From the sale of a current home, the purchase of a new home, to REO/foreclosures and short sales, to vacant land sales and purchases, Carla knows her business, and welcomes any questions you might have. However, it’s the personal approach and her passion that makes the difference, and has made Carla one of the area’s top Realtors.
Not just a Realtor... she is your Realtor!
 
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
CHAMPIONS CUP
CHAMPIONS CUP
COMING UP: OCTOBER 20, 2016
NOMINATE FOR CHAMPIONS CUP AWARD HERE.
GUEST SPEAKER: Congressman Tom Rooney
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:
THANKS TO OUR GOLF SCRAMBLE SPONSORS
Thanks to all of our Golf Scramble Sponsors for another successful event!
WE WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING US AGAIN THIS YEAR DURING THE BARTOW CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE. . .
SPONSORS TO DATE:
PRESENTING SPONSOR: BARTOW FORD COMPANY
GOLD SPONSORS: A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure, Evolve Contracting Service, Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
SILVER SPONSORS: Mosaic, Polk State College Foundation
BRONZE SPONSORS: Bank of Central Florida, BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center, KC Bouchillon PA, Bul-Hed Corp., CenterState Bank, City of Bartow, MidFLORIDA Credit Union, Cathy Parker, EA Bookkeeping & Tax Service, PalletOne Inc., Polk Power, Polk State College, Pyramid Fasteners, Spherion Staffing, State Farm Insurance Michell Githens, Stingray Chevrolet, Sunbelt Forest Products, Terracon
PRIZE SPONSOR: ASHLAND
BIG PRIZE DRAWING SPONSORS: Yeti Coolers, Sunbelt Forest Products and Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Basket of Libations: Board of Directors for the Chamber; Bass Pro Shops Gift Cards, Tim Jones Barbershop
ON COURSE FOOD SPONSORS: CenterState Bank, Susan and Mike DeNeve
CONTRIBUTORS: Affordable Appliances, Beef O' Brady's, Carla Meeks WebPro Realty, Ruth Anderson of Cruise Planners of Lakeland, Hampton Inn, Spherion Staffing, Stay Inn & Suites, The Villages at Laurel Meadows, Watson Clinic, The Wine Stable
HOLE COURTESY TENT: The Villages at Laurel Meadows
A-C-T CHILI COOKOFF IS NOV. 4TH!
Don't miss some of the best chili this side of the Rio Grande! A-C-T's 7th Annual Chili Cookoff is November 4, 2016 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Chili Entries FREE! $10 AYCE Chili Lunch. Mark your calendars and we'll see you then! Sponsored by A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure, 1875 W. Main Street, Bartow. 100 percent of collected funds go directly to: UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. #ACTChili FOR MORE INFO, call Sherry, 533-2000.
MEMBER MICRONEWS
SIGN UP TO BE A MENTOR AT BHS!
Think you can fit the bill?
Bartow High School is looking for mentors for the 2016-2017 school year. If you are interested in becoming a mentor please contact Kelly Crowley at 534-7400 or Kelly.crowley@polk-fl.net. All volunteers must pay $25 and fill out an application.
read more...
B2B BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE OCT. 12
Wednesday, November 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.
CHAMBER EVENTS
(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)
OCTOBER
Thursday, October 20, 6:00 p.m.
CHAMPIONS CUP AWARDS
Bartow Civic Center
Wednesday, October 26, noon
DIPLOMATS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Happy Birthday to: Ortelle, Carolyn, Tommie, Marietta, Sherry, Sally and Dianne!
Thursday, October 27, 4:00 p.m.
CRICKETTE CLUB PARADE & CARNIVAL
Wednesday, November 2, 9:30 a.m.
RK&K NEW LOCATION RIBBON-CUTTING
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP
402 S. Kentucky Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801
FRIDAY, November 4, Noon
A-C-T's CHILI COOKOFF
1875 W. Main Street, Bartow
Wednesday, November 9, 9:30 a.m.
LENNY'S GRILL & SUBS Ribbon-cutting
485 E. Van Fleet Dr., Bartow
Wednesday, November 9
HAPPY BIRTHDAY A-C-T, 30th YEAR!
Thursday, November 10
LEADERSHIP XVII EDUCATION DAY
Friday, November 11, 11:00 a.m.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Bartow Civic Center
Saturday, November 12
HONEY BEE FESTIVAL & FALL CRAFT FAIR
Monday, November 14, 9:30 a.m.
THE HAIR PARLOUR STYLING STUDIO RIBBON-CUTTING
130 S. Wilson Ave., Bartow
FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!
KELLEY BUICK GMC HOSTS FUN THURSDAY
Thanks to the good folks at Kelley Buick GMC for a great time at the Chamber Fun Thursday on October 13! Kelley Buick GMC is located at 255 W. Van Fleet Drive. The evening featured great food, great music and a special gift for everyone attending.
 MORE PHOTOS HERE.
BARTOW WALKING TOUR BEGINS OCT. 28
 BARTOW
WALKING TOUR
Fort Blount Park
Bartow
Friday, October 28
10:00 a.m.
You are invited to join the Polk County History Center, the Polk County Historical Association, the Florida Humanities Council and the City of Bartow for the official launch of the newest tool for enjoying the Polk County Heritage Trail, the Florida Stories Bartow Walking Tour.
Developed through a generous grant from the Florida Humanities Council, the Florida Stories Walking Tour is a free application designed for a smart phone or tablet that takes you on a narrated, self-guided tour of historic sites across the state of Florida. Visitors and residents of Polk County will have the opportunity to explore not only Bartow, but Lake Wales as well. The Lake Wales Walking Tour will be available Oct. 29.
Enjoy music from the Sweet Teas, join us for the ceremonial download and then explore one of the sites a short distance from the park.
Parking is available at the Polk County History Center and in the
Oaks parking lot at the corner of E. Parker St. and S. Central Ave.
DON'T MISS FORTRESS FITNESS FOR NOVEMBER!
 This is a great time of exercise for the whole family! Marie Wilmot, local fitness guru, has designed a program for the Chamber to help the community get fit! Find out what types of exercise suit your needs by coming out to Fort Blount Park on the second Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. You can experience a different kind of exercise in each class. It's a blast!
LEADERSHIP CULTURAL ARTS DAY
CULTURAL ARTS DAY
Students of Leadership Bartow Class XVII learned about one of Bartow's treasures on October 13 during Cultural Arts Day, when they visited the Historic L.B. Brown Home. Clifton Lewis gave a guided tour of the home. Planned by Leadership past chair, Mayor Trish Pfeiffer, the day included a trip to The Orpheum Theatre (under construction), art project at Sweet Magnolias, The Polk County History Center, Polk Museum of Art and Polk Theatre. Leadership Bartow is sponsored by MOSAIC and PalletOne, Inc. |
