Chamber Connection November/December 2012

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012

BURGERLISCIOUS RETURNS TO THE GABLES FOR A SECOND COURSE JOSHUA JONES

S

Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

avor the flavor and take a bite out of the second annual BURGERLISCIOUS festival on Thursday, November 8, 2012, from 6 p.m.

- 10 p.m. at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park (2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables).

Bonafide burger aficionados will be able to sink their teeth into gourmet burgers made by more than twenty of Coral Gables’ premier restaurants.

The festival also kicks-off Miami Live Music Month (www.livemiamimusic.com), a premier program of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. Energetic entertainment, presented by The Stage, will feature DJ Mayner and Mad World Orchestra.

“Burgerliscious was inspired by the very best in burgers and to remind everyone that food can be both flavorful and fun – as well as a reason to gather as a community,” said Mark A. Trowbridge, President and CEO of The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. “Our burger festival is designed to position Coral Gables as a foodie mecca, no matter your style, budget or gastronomic cravings. It is about more than meat and cheese and bacon and toppings; it is about the experience.”

Participating Coral Gables restaurants include (to date): 1862 Restaurant at the Westin Colonnade Hotel Coral Gables | The Café at Coral Gables - Books & Books | Burger & Beer Joint | Christy’s Restaurant | Crave | Elevation Burger Pao Town | Pincho Factory | Rok:Brgr | Route 9 | Seasons 52 | Shake Shack | Shula’s 347 Grill | Sushi Maki | Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill | Angelique Euro Café | John Martin’s Irish Pub & Restaurant | Morton’s the Steakhouse | The Dome | The Batting Cage | The Bar

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Samuel Adams, Jack Daniels, South Motors BMW, the City of Coral Gables and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau have partnered to present this appetizing event to the public. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will also benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation to help support local small businesses.

BURGERLISCIOUS is sponsored by Sam Adams, the City of Coral Gables, Brown-Forman Beverages, South Motors BMW, AT&T U-Verse, Amway, Credomatic Merchant Services, Y-100 FM Radio, Clear Channel Outdoor, Miami.com, the Naked Grape, PopChips, Zico Water and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

Ticket packages are broken down into general admission and VIP tiers. General Admission is $50 and includes 6 “sliders” and two 16 oz. Samuel Adams beers. VIP tickets are $100 and includes unlimited “sliders” and two Samuel Adams beers, as well as access to the Jack Daniels VIP Lounge.

Meat alternatives (veggie and fish options) will be available for those with restricted diets.

Tickets are currently available online at www. burgerliscious.com. For updates and more information, please visit BURGERLISCIOUS on Facebook (www.facebook.com/burgerliscious) or follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/ Burgerliscious_).

CORAL GABLES CHAMBER KEEPS SPIRITS BRIGHTER WITH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY JOSHUA JONES Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

T

is’ the season to be giving...generously! With the holidays right around the corner, The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce prepares to host its 16th annual Holiday Party, presented by Cherry Bekaert & Holland, LLP. on Thursday, December 6th at the historic Biltmore Hotel. For this year’s theme, “Holidays in Paradise”,

we are asking guests to bring unwrapped gifts or gift cards to put a glowing smile on the face of a child, teen or senior. All of the gifts collected will be distributed to the following Chamber member charities:

The cost of this event will be $25 for members who pre-register and $35 for future members and guests. Sponsors include: Cherry Bekaert & Holland, LLP, Bay Plumbing Company, City National Bank, Smiles & Sonrisas, Right Space 2 Meet, Credomatic Merchant Services, Biltmore Hotel, Bacardi USA and Frameworks.

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH

• • • • •

CHARLEE Homes for Children Police Athletic League of Coral Gables Home Instead Senior Care Family Resource Center The YMCA of Greater Miami

For more information on how to regster, visit www.coralgableschamber.org.

IN THIS ISSUE • Chair’s Corner

Page 2

• President’s Perspective

Page 3

• Trustee Talk

Page 4

• Chamber Events

Page 5

• Membership Highlights

Page 6

• Calendar of Events

Page 7

• Sponsor Recognition

Page 8-9 www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

CHAIR’S CORNER Darla Thompson Cherry, Bekaert & Holland CGCC Chair dthompson@cbh. com

W

ith the “Chamber of Commerce weather” now settling in…our thoughts turn to the culinary arts.

As a bonafide foodie and FOOD NETWORK devotee, I enjoy the best of all worlds by being in South Florida’s food central. The Gables offers so many wonderful choices EVERY DAY and NIGHT!!!!

BURGERLICIOUS, THE SECOND COURSE, kicks off the foodie fall on November 8th from 6-10pm at the Ponce Circle Park. Twenty-two of our finest restaurants will serve outrageous burgers that defy description, accompanied by refreshments and a great band. This is one you really don’t want to miss!

chefs showcasing bite size tasty treats.

Partiers in the ballroom wend their ways through booths of aperitifs, entrees and desserts, accompanied by the libations from our friends at Gallo and Bacardi.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair: Darla Thompson (Cherry, Bekaert & Holland) Chairman-Elect: Perry Adair (Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.) Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev: Barbara K. Norland (Junior Orange Bowl) Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs: Laura Russo (Laura Russo, PA) Vice Chairman-Community Affairs: Amy Donner (Community Newspapers) Vice Chairman-Member Affairs: Marianne Sioli (Filer Insurance, Inc.) Vice Chairman-International Affairs: Marco Ibarra (Eliptek Technology Group) Vice Chairman-Special Events: Gabriel de Armas Jr., Home Instead Senior Care Treasurer: John Allen (Home Financing Center, Inc.) Parliamentarian: Martha de la Pena Rojas (Florida Blue) Trustee Council Chair: J. Dustin Symes (City National Bank of Florida) Past Chairman: Drew Kern, Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Chair’s Appointee: Linda Knudsen, Baptist Health South Florida President & CEO: Mark A. Trowbridge

And best of all is that we help make the holidays happy for hundreds of underprivileged kids, teens and seniors by asking each reveler to bring an unwrapped gift for one of our charities to distribute.

Presents for any age are welcomed – gift cards too!

On behalf of the Chamber, I wish everyone a joyful Thanksgiving, cheerful holidays and a happy and healthy New Year.

Darla Thompson, Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, Chair of the Board, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

The glorious twinkle-lit Biltmore is the back drop for our annual Holiday Party on December 6th from 5:30-8PM. This, too, is a mandatory event for merry makers and, especially culinary fans. We welcome some of the area’s top restaurants and their

SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORSHIP Open Doors to Greater Exposure and Bigger Business!

The Coral Gables Chamber has many high profile events that offer outstanding promotional value to your business. Get involved in the community and sponsor one of our upcoming events. For more information, contact Erica Dominguez at edominguez@coralgableschamber.org.

ADVERTISING What happens if you do not advertise your business?

Absolutely nothing.

Make your business stand out and take full advantage of your Chamber membership. There are sponsorship opportunities, newsletter advertising, City Beautiful magazine, website advertising and much more available to you to help promote your business. Rates are available on the front page of our website, www. coralgableschamber.org or you can contact Joshua Jones at jjones@coralgableschamber.org.

2

2012-2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Elected-term expires 2013 Dixie McDaniel de Andrade (Envision Possibilities) George Feliciano Jr. (Bay Plumbing Company) Ramon Ferrer (Florida Power & Light) Nelson Lazo (Doctors Hospital) Deirdre Nero (Nero Immigration Law) Elected-term expires 2014 Thad Adams (Allen Morris Company) Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.) Wayne Eldred (Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill) Frank Fernandez (US Century Bank) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects)

Elected-term expires 2015 Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Rosemary Guilfoyle (Planning Consultants Group) John Knowles (Photo Offset, Inc.) Marti Mang (TotalBank) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA)

Appointees-term expires 8/31/2013 Dr. Andy Gomez (University of Miami) Dr. Jose Gurevich (Smiles & Sonrisas) Joe Hovancak (Comcast Business Class) Ramon Usategui (Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust) Al Peraza (Mercantil Commercebank) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Business Improvement District Abe Ng, Sushi Maki/Pao Town City of Coral Gables Commissioner Frank C. Quesada City of Coral Gables Cynthia Birdsill (Economic Sustainability Department) Education Foundation of the Coral Gables Chamber Darla Thompson Coral Gables Community Foundation Andria Hanley Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 305.446.1657

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE: Small Business Thinks BIG! Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org

I

t is no secret that one of the resonating buzzwords of the 2012 presidential campaign is small business. We all know that the great majority of job creation over the past few years is directly happening in small businesses across the country and that these types of businesses have been hit the hardest in the economic downturn of the past four years. While there are brighter days ahead, small business continues to struggle to survive in the hopes that they will once again thrive.

Last year, our Chamber took the lead in the community – and in South Florida – in promoting Small Business Saturday via more than 20 participating retailers and a progressive day of activities featuring such outstanding businesses as Books & Books, Rene Ruiz, Montica Jewelry, Tarpon Bend and Sloane Square.

our small business owners, retailers and restauranteurs.

In closing, on Small Business Saturday, the ultimate winners are our retailers, restaurants, consumers and business community. There is no greater opportunity to invest in the future growth of our local economy and spur true job creation than by supporting small business. And, there is no greater time to do it than Small Business Saturday.

So, stay tuned for more information as the list of participating retailers grows as November 24th approaches by following Small Business Saturday on Facebook and on our Chamber’s website.

Remember, THINK BIG…and shop small!

Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is the antidote to Black Friday and the calm before the storm of Cyber Monday. It is a national program designed to help our small business community share in the sunshine of consumer spending during the largest shopping weekend of the year.

Coral Gables was one of 16 featured business communities and one of two featured in a national commercial campaign that aired during the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards, featuring Mitchell Kaplan from Books & Books and our friends at Shell Lumber.

We will once again be promoting Small Business Saturday, which takes place on November 24th this year, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Our goal is to engage and involve as many of our retailers and restaurants in the program as possible, in Coral Gables and beyond. More importantly, we encourage all of you to show a little love to our small businesses and make purchases, dine out, and patronize your favorite stores on the 24th. The process is simple: show up, browse, choose and spend!

Our event will once again be of a progressive nature, with a kick-off at the Village of Merrick Park featuring the Mayor and other dignitaries at one of our retailers,

a lunchtime stroll along Miracle Mile and an afternoon program at Books & Books, featuring a competition called the $100 Start-Up! This contest is geared toward the small business visionary/entrepreneur who wants to get feedback on their business plan.

With Small Business Saturday – and the undeniable power and reach of American Express - there is something for everyone during this program, including a $25 credit on AMEX by pre-registering your card and making a purchase at a small business on November 24th. We are also launching our City-Wide Festival of Lights Program and Holiday Storefront Décor Contest that day. Come on down and see the incredible displays of creativity and ingenuity put on by www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

4

TRUSTEE TALK Greetings, fellow Trustees!

Our luncheon in September was the perfect launch event for the Chamber year, featuring Miami Heat all-stars Udonis Haslem and James Jones, as well as orthopedic surgeon extraordinaire, Dr. Harlan Selesnick.

J. Dustin Symes, City

Due to popular demand, we are planning to make this program an annual event. Many dustin.symes@citynational.com thanks to Linda Knudsen and Nelson Lazo from Baptist for helping make this happen for our Chamber and our Trustees.

National Bank & Trustee Council Chair

In October, we hosted Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who had just returned the evening prior from New York City, having received the Broad Prize in Education on behalf of our school district. This honor, tops in the field of education, comes with $550,000 in scholarships for minority students.

Next month, we will be hosted by John & Marichi O’Rourke at Montica Jewelry for our Trustee Reception (November 13th), where we will fete all of the Diamond Award winners. In addition, Art Torno, new head of operations for American Airlines in Miami and Latin America, will fill us in on what is happening with our region’s biggest airline carrier (November 28th) as it emerges from reorganization. AA is a long-time Trustee of the Chamber and has its corporate headquarters in Coral Gables and we look forward to welcoming Art formally to the City Beautiful.

Finally, we are pleased to share that Trustee renewals remain above 80%, which means that our Trustee members are finding great value and true benefits through their Chamber membership.

Help us grow our Council of Trustees to new heights by making direct referrals of prospects to one of our Diplomats or a member of the Chamber leadership team. We know that we are judged by the companies we keep – starting with each of you!

Carvalho also spoke on the 21st Century Schools Bond program, an important ballot item (#222) that will raise more than $1.2 billion for new facilities, upgrades/renovations, new technology and infrastructure investments. Our Chamber Board voted unanimously to support the bond issue and urges our members to vote YES on #222 on November 6th!

2012 DIAMOND AWARDS PRESENTED BY MONTICA JEWELRY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE 2012 DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS!

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Hearts on Fire Award (Large Business) City National Bank Princess of Hearts Award (Small/Medium Business) ProMD Practice Management Diamond in the Rough Award (Emerging Business) S.T.A.R.S. School for Autism Outstanding Non-Profit Award Seraphic Fire & Firebird Chamber Orchestra

City of Coral Gables Envision Possibilities City National Bank Logistical Outsourcing, LLC U.S. Century Bank

Outstanding Restaurant Award Cibo Wine Bar

In-kind support provided by: Belle Fleur Frameworks Photo Offset Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

Ideal Workplace Award Guardianship Program of Dade County

Media Sponsor: South Florida Business Journal

Minority-Owned Business Award Sonshine Communications

ALBERTO ROMEU | ALBERTO ROMEU PHOTOGRAPHY Bottom Left: Anthony Di Donato, Coral Gables Country Club; Raquel Hickey, City National Bank; Salvatore Catania, Cibo Wine Bar; Karen Pascual, City National Bank; Dustin J. Symes, City National Bank; John O’Rourke III, Montica Jewelry; Jerry Santeiro, Guardianship Program of Dade County; Marisol Martinez & Eglee Nunez, S.T.A.R.S School for Autism, Bernadette Morris, Sonshine Communications; Chair Darla Thompson, Cherry Bekaert & Holland; Jose Carreras, ProMD Practice Management; Patrick Quigley, Seraphic Fire & Firebird Chamber Orchestra; Cindy Birdsill, City of Coral Gables and Nelson Penalver, Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Bottom Right: Sponsor - Montica Jewelry: Marichi O’Rourke and John O’Rourke III, Owners.

5

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

FALL FEATURED FESTIVITIES November 8th Burgerliscious! The Second Course

November 20th Women’s Business Network Luncheon

November 15th Good Morning Coral Gables

November 30th Residential Real Estate Outlook Luncheon

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

6

SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES! NOVEMBER 20th

NOVEMBER 7th

WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM Speaker: Katie Meier, UM Women’s Basketball Head Coach Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables

RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON - 12:15 PM Speaker: Marianne Sioli, Filer Insurance, Inc. Anacapri on Ponce 2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables

NOVEMBER 24th

NOVEMBER 7th

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Presented by American Express For more information, visit www.smallbusinesssaturday.com

WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY - 5:30 PM In Partnership with: University of Miami Toppel Center Angelique Euro Cafe 117 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables

NOVEMBER 28th TRUSTEE LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Speaker: Art Torno, Vice President of American Airlines, Inc.

NOVEMBER 8th BURGERLISCIOUS! THE SECOND COURSE - 6:00 PM Fred B. Hartnett / Ponce Circle Park 2800 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables Sponsors: AT&T U-verse, Brown-Forman, The City of Coral Gables, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, South Motors BMW, Credomatic Merchant Services, Jack Daniels, Samuel Adams,Y-100 and Zico Water

NOVEMBER 30th RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Moderator: Michael Lewis, Publisher, Miami Today Sponsor: Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors

NOVEMBER 15th GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES - ANNUAL EDUCATION BREAKFAST- 7:30 AM Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Spomsor: Florida Power & Light

DECEMBER 6th HOLIDAY PARTY - HOLIDAYS IN PARADISE - 5:30 PM Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables

MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS! Abrakadoodle Alfalit International Inc. Artemides Bellin & Pratt Architects Child Educare The Continental Group Coral Gables Bridal Hines Immaculata - La Salle High School Jackson Memorial Foundation Katz Barron Squitero & Faust La Jolla Ballroom Lisdaws Timepieces & Eyewear Boutique Mercy Hospital Michael Jaspan Consulting Oceanview Shades & Drapery Orita Issartel Peek-A-Boo Planning Consultants PURE Environment Maintenance The Roig Academy Service Master Restoration Services Shops at Sunset Place South Florida Luxury Guide, Inc. Torre Construction & Development Tourneau Vortex Communications We Simplify the Internet (WSI)

SPONSORSHIP/INVESTOR HALL OF FAME September 2012 through October 2012

$5,000 AND ABOVE

$2,500 - $4,999

The Allen Morris Company AXA Advisors, LLC Baptist Health South Florida The Biltmore Hotel Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. City of Coral Gables City National Bank Credomatic Merchant Services Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Florida Blue Florida Power & Light Home Financing Center, Inc. Hyatt Regency Coral Gables Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. Miami’s Community Newspapers Montica Jewelry TotalBank University of Miami

AT&T Bay Plumbing Company Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. Coastal Construction Group Comcast Business Class Doctors Hospital East Coast Public Adjusters, Inc. Gulliver Schools Gibralter Private Bank Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Photo Offset U.S. Century Bank

* BOLD denotes new Trustee member

7

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

USAA Realty Company/CBRE Wal-Mart Stores

EVENTS CALENDAR

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 Monday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Friday

Thursday 8:00 AM

1

Saturday / Sunday

2

3/4

8

9

10/11

15

16

17/18

Ambassador Meeting 9:00 AM

Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting 11:30 AM Diamon Awards Luncheon @ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

5

ELECTION DAY

6

8:00 AM International Affairs Committee Meeting

Office Closed in Observance of Veteran’s Day

12

19

13

5:30 PM Trustee Reception @ Montica Jewelry

8:00 AM

20

E.V.E.R. Green Committee Meeting

12:15P M RE-Connect @ Anacapri on Ponce

8:00 AM M-Team Committe Meeting

5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday @ Angelique Euro Cafe 8:00 AM Business & Government Affairs Meeting

6:00 PM Burgerliscious!

The Second Course @ Ponce Circle Park 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables

9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting

9:00 AM 20/30 Group Meeting @ Biltmore Hotel

8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting

Office Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving Day

7

14

21

22

Office Closed in Observance of Day After Thanksgiving

23

11:30 AM Women’s Business Network

24/25 Small Business Saturday Presented by American Express

Luncheon @ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

26

3

10

17

24

27

8:00 AM International Affairs Committe Meeting

4

11

11:30 AM Women’s Business Network Luncheon @ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

18

8:00 AM E.V.E.R. Green Committee Meeting

25

Office Closed in Office Closed in Observance Observance of Christmas of Christmas Eve Day

28

11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon @ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

12:15 PM RE-Connect @ Anacapri on Ponce

5

5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday @ Talavera Cocina Mexicana

12

8:00 AM Business & Government Affairs Meeting

29

8:00 AM Business & Education Committee Meeting

8:00 AM Ambassador Meeting 9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committe Meeting 5:30 PM Holiday Party @ Biltmore Hotel

6

13

30

11:30 AM Residential Real Estate Outlook Luncheon @ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

7

8/9

8:30 AM Trow Knows...CEOs featuring Abe Ng, Sushi Maki/Pao Town

8:00 AM M-Team Committe Meeting

9:00 AM Chamber 101 @ Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

14

15/16

20

21

22/23

28

29/30

9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting

19

8:00 AM Business & Education Committee

7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables

9:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting

9:00 AM 20/30 Group Meeting

26

27

31 New Year’s Eve

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012

8

SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

TRUSTEE RECEPTION SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

TRUSTEE LUNCHEON SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION

9

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012