Chamber News - the Link!

Enjoy more at Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate!





Enjoy more at Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate! Our community is designed to meet your individual needs and give you the freedom to be yourself. We offer the best in independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care – from a family owned company that knows connection is everything.
 
Luxury apartment homes with rates starting at only $1,700 for a limited time! Call us today at (863) 438-3491 to schedule your personal visit.
 

8400 ChampionsGate Blvd
ChampionsGate, FL 33896

Click HERE to visit the website for Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate.  

Welcome New Members!

Welcome New Members! - November & December 2018

Champions Vue Apartments
Website
Join Date: 11/20/2018

Hammer and Co. Barbershop
Website
Join Date: 11/26/2018

Hampton Inn Main Gate South
Website
Join Date: 12/03/2018

Kids Academy Childcare
kidsacademychildcareusa@gmail.com
Join Date: 12/03/2018

New York Llife Insurance Company
aparedesrive@ft.newyorklife.com
Join Date: 12/04/2018

Crosby & Associates, Inc.
Website
Join Date: 12/05/2018


Haines City Historical Museum
Website
Join Date:  12/06/18

Neapolitan Italian Eatery
neapolitanitalianeatery@gmail.com
Join Date: 12/14/2018

Maronda Homes
Website
Join Date: 12/17/2018

Southern Homes of Polk County
Website
Join Date: 12/18/2018

Thank you Renewing Members

Thank you Renewing Members - November - December

We appreciate your
continued support!

Affordable Computer Geeks
Website

Allstate Insurance Company - Barcena Insurance Group, Inc.
Website

Campbell & Associates, P.A., C.P.A.'s
Website

Cypresswood Golf and Country Club LLC
Website

Davita Medical Group - Haines City
Website


Haines City Community Theatre
Website


Haines City Rotary Club
Website

Heart of Florida OB/GYN Associates
Website

Horizons Elementary School
Website

Intense Ink
Website

LegalShield Inc.
Website

Real Estate Brokers USA, Inc. - Debbie Bradbury
Website

Ridge Island Groves
Website


Savannah Court of Haines City
Website


Spring Haven Retirement Community
Website

The Catering Company of Central Florida
Website

Tom's Upholstery
863-422-8703

WAY OUT WEST
Website


White's ACE Hardware
whites.acehardware@verizon.net

Thank You to our Chairman's Circle Sponsors!













Sponsor a student in the Chamber’s 2018-2019 Youth Leadership Program

The Chamber's 2018-2019 Youth Leadership program began in October! Student Sponsors enable the Chamber to present a quality leadership experience  at no cost to the students. 

In return for your generosity, a link to your website will be placed here in the newsletter and on the front page and the leadership page of the Chamber’s website along with recognition of your sponsorship. The link will remain on our website through September 2019.   Call the Chamber at  863-422-3751  to sponsor a student or for more information.  

Thank You to our current 2018-2019 Youth Leadership Student Sponsors

 


A Special Thank You to: 

 
The City of Haines City, & CEMEX  - Youth Leadership Program Sponsors and to  Jarrett-Gordon Ford, Transportation Sponsor of the Chamber's Youth Leadership Program.

Calendar of Events

Chamber Member Events:

For additional events, please click HERE for the Chamber's Full Event Calendar page on our website, hainescitychamber.com.  Click on the Titles of the events listed below for complete details. 

 

Balmoral Bar & Grill Live Bands Saturday Nights
01/05/2019

CNC Cabinetry Recruitment Event
01/08/2019

Central Florida Health Job Fair
01/10/2019

Balmoral Bar & Grill Live Bands Saturday Nights
01/12/2019

Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting - Kids Academy Childcare
01/15/2019

Healthy Living Expo
01/19/2019

Vet Voices - 2nd Highlights Presentation
01/19/2019

City of Haines City Citizen's Academy
01/25/2019

Balmoral Bar & Grill Live Bands Saturday Nights
01/26/2019

The Chamber's 40th Annual Awards Banquet
01/31/2019

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening for Nature's Reserve
02/07/2019

Chamber Breakfast
02/21/2019

36th Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally Presidential Sponsors

Thank you to our 36th Annual Pig Roast & Political Rally Presidential Sponsors: 
CEMEX, City of Haines City,  Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center and Proflex Products, Inc.


 
    

Advertise with our Chamber!

Advertise on our website www.hainescitychamber.com. Our site received over 1 million hits in 2017 and we are on track for even more in 2018! Web links and banner ads will expose your business to the world. 
Advertise on your target audience’s page for a week, month or year!*  Logo links to your website start at:  Weekly $40; Monthly $100; 6-month contract $90/per month; Annual contract $80/per month.
 
This weekly e-newsletter, the Link, provides the opportunity for up to 2 exclusive advertising spaces on the TOP of this newsletter each week.   The newsletter is distributed to almost 600 businesses & contacts each week.  One weekly advertiser and the option for one monthly advertiser or an additional weekly advertiser. Advertisements will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.  The cost of the weekly ad with web and flyer link is $50 per weekly advertiser or $150 per monthly advertiser.  All advertisements must be reserved and pre-paid. 
 
Start seeing results now! For more information contact the staff at the Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce, 863-422-3751 orinfo@hainescity.com.

SAVE THE DATE! - 40th Annual Awards Banquet - January 31st




You are invited to the
Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce's
40th Annual Awards Banquet


Thursday, January 31, 2019 - 6 p.m.
Lake Eva Event Center

$40 Members; $50 non-Members - Tables of 8 Available

RSVP REQUIRED to the Chamber by Friday, January 25th.

Click HERE to register and pay on-line.

Call the the Chamber at 863-422-3751 or
email info@hainescitychamber.com to RSVP
and be invoiced.

Thank you to our Sponsors:
Ameriprise Financial Advisors; CenterState Bank, Citizens Bank & Trust; City of Haines City; Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center & Polk State College.  
-----------------------------------------------------

The Banquet will honor the 2018 Citizen of the Year, the
Chamber's 2018 Small & Large Business of the Year, Committee Chairs, and Chamber Board Members


Nominations are requested for the Citizen of the Year and the Chamber's Small & Large Business of the Year.

Click HERE for the Citizen of the Year Criteria.

Click HERE for the Nomination form for Small & Large Business of the Year.

Nominations deadline extended until
Friday, December
28th!

Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting - Kids Academy Childcare - January 15th

Join us for a fun-filled
Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting Event!




Tuesday, January 15th
5-7 p.m.

Kids Academy Childcare Center
111 N 11th Street
Haines City, FL  33844

Expect fabulous food, drinks, door prizes & more!

RSVP to the Chamber by Friday, January 11th!
info@hainescitychamber.com or call 863-422-3751

Chamber Office Holiday Schedule

   

The Chamber office will be closed Monday, 
December 31st & January 1st in
observance of the New Year.  

We wish all of you a safe & blessed holiday season!

Florida Tropics Ticket Giveaway

    Attention Chamber Members:  Gift your employees this holiday season!   Be the first caller and claim 12 ticket vouchers: each valid for 1 General Admission ticket to any Tropics soccer game at the RP Funding Center.   

Call now! - 863-422-3751. 

Thank you to the Florida Tropics for your Chamber Partnership!  Go Tropics!

Congratulations to last week's winner:  Maricela Arteaga, City of Davenport

Chamber Directories to print soon!

2019 Chamber Membership Directories to print soon!
 
   Cromer International Press will be printing our 2019 Directories.  Cromer will be reaching out to you with advertising opportunities for the 2019 Directory.  5,000 Directories will be printed and distributed throughout Polk County and beyond!  *As a Chamber Member, your directory listing will automatically be included in the Directory.  However, if you would like even more exposure for your business and are interested in having your advertisement in front of 5,000 visitors, businesses and residents, please contact Cromer Press at 863-422-8651 for advertising options.   

Chamber Member News & Events


Chamber Member News:

 

Chamber Member's Employment Opportunities:   Our Chamber Members have several Employment Opportunities available.  Employment opportunities, additional information and detailed job descriptions are located on the Employment Opportunities page of our website.  Click HERE  for job listings on the employment opportunities page of the Chamber's website.  The City of Haines City is currently hiring for positions on the linked list:  City Job Opporunities.  If you know of anyone interested in a Job Opportunity, please share this list and encourage them to fill out an application on the City of Haines City website: www.hainescity.com!  

 Chamber Member's Specials, News & Announcements:   Visit the Members Specials, News & Announcements page of our website for special offers, discounts & exciting news from our members.


   
11th Annual Ribs on the Ridge - Friday, February 22nd & Saturday, February 23rd, Lake Eva Park - The City of Haines City has partnered with kidsPACK, an organization that helps feed homeless and food insecure children when they are not at school. The event will benefit them, and more specifically the children in need at Haines City area schools. The City has added an additional contest to the event this year to try to donate as much food as they can to kidsPACK. The City is expecting anywhere from 5,000-7,500 people over the two day span of the event and they are looking for donations and sponsors.  Click HERE for the sponsorship package.  Contact the City of Haines City Parks & Recreation Department for more information - 863-421-3700. 


     
Haines City Commission and Administration are reinstating the Citizen’s Academy - The purpose of this 8-week program is to bring about awareness to residents and business owners in Haines City regarding municipal government processes and familiarize them with our various departments, staff functions and services provided.  Two sessions, spring and fall, will be held each year. This upcoming spring class will begin February 2019 and held on Monday evenings every week from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Participants are expected to commit to at least six of the eight sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion. Application deadline is January 25, 2019. The top 20 applicants, ranked by the Commission and City Manager, will be selected as participants.Click HERE for more information.  


   
Balmoral Bar & Grill Monthly Special - The Hot Open Face Turkey Sandwich plate starts with piled high layers of lightly toasted Texas Toast, choice Turkey Breast thinly sliced under a full portion of traditional bread stuffing, all covered with a generous slathering of Turkey Gravy. All of this is accompanied by crispy crinkle cut French Fries and side of Cranberry Relish.  The special price of $7.95 lasts through to the end of the year! Don't miss out!!  Balmoral Bar & Grill, 124 Kenny Blvd., Haines City.  

   
Balmoral Bar & Grill Live Bands Saturday Nights - Sit back, relax and enjoy live music from local artists at Balmoral Bar & Grill - Saturday, January 5th 7-9PM: The Free Whiskey Band; Saturday, January 12th 7-9PM: B.Haven Unplugged; Saturday, January 26th 7-9PM:Coastal Acoustic Barefoot (T. Mike & Duke)


        Wanna help make more Dreams Come True? Start your own Facebook Fundraiser! It's easy to do, plus 100% of all funds raised go directly to Sunshine Foundation!  P.S. Every donation, large or small, goes a long way in helping to answer the dream of one of the 335 children on our waiting list. Visit www.adoptadream.org or www.sunshinefoundation.org to make your tax-deductible donation online.  

       
Online Degrees Offered at Webber International University - If you have been looking for a university where you can complete a Bachelor’s Degree or a Master’s Degree completely online but still have access to the benefits of a brick and mortar college, remember to look in your own backyard in central Florida!  Webber International University Online students can complete their undergrad degrees in Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice Management, Finance, General Business Studies, Sports Business Management, and even their newly launched Bachelor of Arts in Psychology!  Click HERE for the press release and more information.  

      Recruitment event held by CareerSource Polk - Tuesday, January 8th, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. CNC Cabinetry, 4501 Home Run Blvd., Davenport, is hiring for Assemblers, Office Assistant, Quality Control Checkers, and Warehouse Workers - all positions $8.25-$11.00/hour; High School Diploma or Equivalent; Must have experience with assembly of furniture/cabinets, etc.; Ability to problem solve; Ability to use power tools.  Office Assistant - Knowledge of excel, typing, printing, scanning, and office software;  Prepare orders to be picked;  Must have organizational skills and attention to detail.  Quality Control Checker - Repair minor damage with touch up kits; Make sure assembled cabinets comply with company standards;  Able to count large quantities of items that are ready to be shipped.  Warehouse Worker - Ability to frequently lift 50lbs; Load and unload trucks; Select items needed for customer orders.  All positions require background checks.  

   
Dr. H. Keith Wade elected to Webber International University Board of Trustees - At its annual meeting in New Orleans on Tuesday, December 11th 2018, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) elected Dr. H. Keith  Wade to its Board of Trustees for a three year term ending in 2021. Wade is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Webber International University, headquartered in Babson Park, Florida.  Click HERE for the press release.  

       
Dr. Zakaria Razick, Hospitalist Medical Director and 2017-2018 Chief of Staff at Poinciana Medical Center, was recently named Medical Director of the Year for Alliance/Envision HealthCare. Dr. Razick was selected from a pool of more than 260 physicians, and was recognized for his key performance metrics, leadership skills and successes at Poinciana Medical Center. Dr. Razick also recently pioneered the Hospitalist Program at Poinciana's sister facility, Osceola Regional Medical Center.


    Visit Central Florida and Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing (PCTSM) have a new Ambassador program.  Certified Ambassadors of Tourism and Sports (CATS) is Visit Central Florida’s new innovative program to train locals and hospitality professional. This program is the first to unify visitor experience on a county wide level. Our goal for the CATS is to learn, experience and share Polk County and all it has to offer. CATS will influence and encourage visitors to enjoy Polk County.  How to become a CATS? - Register. Attend a Training Session. Attend a Guided Tour. Explore and accumulate points. Utilize social media. Complete online modules. Become certified!  Click HERE for more information.  Click HERE for the flyer.  




    The Opportunity to win Two “Walt Disney Park Hopper” Passes - Make a small donation to Friends of the Haines City Public Library, Inc. for the chance to win two Walt Disney Park Hopper passes, valid until August 15, 2021, except for several “Christmas block-out” dates. The passes entitle the holder to entry at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. A two-dollar donation gets you one chance, a five-dollar donation gets you three. There is no limit on the size of the donation, and thus on the number of chances. Just complete the form available at the circulation desk at the Haines City Public Library now through Wednesday, January 16, or at the Friends book sale in the library lobby on Thursday, January 17 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. The winning entry will be drawn at the end of the Friends’ book sale at 2:00 pm. You need not be present to win.

    A Call to all Military War Veterans!  Vet Voices recruiting now! - Sessions begin Saturday, January 5, 2019!  TheatreWorks Florida's highly acclaimed TheatreCares community outreach program,Vet Voices, is seeking new recruits for 2019! Military veterans, their families and caregivers are encouraged to join this incredible group of vets who have been working together for self awareness, self discovery and healing from the effects of war through theatre since July 2018. Specifically seeking combat veterans, but all are welcome.Join TheatreWorks happy family today!  Click HERE for more information.  
 

    Central Florida Health Job FairThursday, January 10th from 10 AM to 2 PM, Auburndale Civic Center, 115 West Park Street Auburndale, FL 33823 - Meet with some of the area’s top healthcare employers looking to fill medical services positions at the Central Florida Health Job Fair.  If you are a dedicated, compassionate health care professional seeking a fulfilling career you are encouraged to attend this event.   Several representatives from area technical and trade schools will also be available to discuss opportunities in the healthcare industry.  Free Attendance; No Attendee Registration Required; Free Parking.  Visit https://www.centralfloridamediagroup.com/central-florida-health-job-fair/ for more information.  

     Healthy Living Expo - Saturday, January 19, 2019, City of Lake Wales City Hall, 201 W Central Ave., Lake Wales, FL  33853; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Free Admission, Health Screenings, Seminars by local physicians, food demos for healthy eating, health & craft vendors, door prizes, kid zone.  For more information call Sandy 352-617-8788 or Gaynell 906-280-4473 or visit www.eventsbysg.com.  


     Lakeland Tarpons 2019 Schedule - Season Tickets are now on sale and start at just $50 for all 5 games at RP Funding Center.  Click HERE to get your season tickets!  Home Schedule:  5/11 vs Sarasota BigCats 7:05p; 5/18 vs Gulf Coast Fire 7:05p (Double Header Sarasota vs Manatee at 4:05p); 6/1 vs Manatee Neptunes 7:05p; 6/8 vs Gulf Coast Fire 7:05p; 7/20 A-League Playoff Double Header (4:05p & 7:05p); Click HERE to visit the Tarpons's website for more information on the team.

Contact the Chamber


Haines City Area 
Chamber of Commerce
35610 Hwy. 27
Haines City, FL 33844 
Ph: 863-422-3751; 
Fax: 863-422-4704
 
the Link - Chamber News - the Link!