Chamber Connection September-October 2013

MARCH|| October APRIL 20132013 September

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DOESYOUR BUSINESS SHINE?THEN, APPLY NOW FORTHE 2013 DIAMOND AWARDS!

he Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will honor excellence in business at its annual Diamond Awards in November.

lence in business, corporate citizenship, customer service and workplace environment.

The Diamond Awards are the Chamber’s signature awards program for top companies in the Coral Gables community. The prestigious Diamond Awards will honor businesses in ten different categories this year.

Brilliant businesses will be recognized for their outstanding performance in the following categories: • • • • • • • • • •

Hearts On Fire – Large Business Ideal Cut – Medium Business Princess of Hearts – Small Business Diamond in the Rough – New Business Minority-Owned Business Non-Profit Organization Restaurant Retail Healthcare Ideal Workplace Organization

The annual Diamond Awards are our Chamber’s way of recognizing companies that have achieved luminous business success. The criteria for the awards are excel-

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Submit applications by 4:00 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2013. To apply, submit a Microsoft Word or PDF file of your application or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Erica Dominguez at edominguez@ coralgableschamber.org. For more information, visit www.coralgableschamber.org or call 305-446-1657.

The 2012 Outstanding Non-Profit Diamond Award was presented to Seraphic Fire & Firebird Chamber Orchestra.

The 2012 Minority-Owned Business Diamond Award was presented to Bernadette Morris, President & CEO of Sonshine Communications.

The 2012 Hearts on Fire Diamond Award was presented to City National Bank.

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES TO FEATURE INSTALLATION OF NEW CHAMBER BOARD

n Thursday, September 19th at 8am, the Chamber’s monthly breakfast will feature the 20132014 Board of Directors installation, including incoming Chairman Perry Adair of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. at the historic Biltmore Hotel.

IN THIS ISSUE Thoughts from the Chair

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• President’s Perspective

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• Trustee Talk

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• Chamber Opportunities Page 6 • Membership Highlights

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• Calendar of Events

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• Sponsor Recognition

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The program will also feature Mayor Jim Cason presenting his annual State of the City Beautiful address.

BEWARETHE IDES OF MARCH

Please note that the monthly price for our signature breakfast program, Good Morning Coral Gables, will increase by $5 for pre-paid reservations in advance from $20 to $25.

This is the first increase since 2008, nearly five years ago. We encourage all members to purchase the annual breakfast package, as we will honor the current rate of just $199 for the year, saving you $76, for 11 breakfasts.

We appreciate your patience, understanding and support as we continue to serve you, our valued members. For more information on the program, visit www.coralgableschamber.org or call 305-446-1657.

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013

2013-2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THOUGHTS FROM THE CHAIR Perry Adair Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. CGCC Chairman padair@beckerpoliakoff.com

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s my term as Chair of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce begins, once again I find myself walking in my father’s footsteps. My father was twice the Chairman of the HomesteadFlorida City Chamber of Commerce.

I am hopeful that I will be able to fulfill my duties with the same vision, enthusiasm and sense of humor that marked my father’s service.

But first things first. I know I speak for the entire membership when I say to our outgoing Chair Darla Thompson, thank you and congratulations on a job well done. In the tradition of the many fine Chairs who preceded her, Darla led our Chamber not just forward but upward to new heights of value to our members and contributions to our community. Well done.

Involvement and Impact will be the ingredients of our recipe for continued growth and improvement.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman: Perry Adair (Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.) Chair-Elect: Linda Knudsen, (Baptist Health South Florida) Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev: Barbara K. Norland (Junior Orange Bowl) Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs: Patrick O’Connell (Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors) Vice Chairman-Community Affairs: Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers) Vice Chairman-Member Affairs: Marianne Sioli (Filer Insurance, Inc.) Vice Chairman-International Affairs: Carolina Rendeiro (RightSpace2Meet) Vice Chairman-Special Events: Yesenia Moreno (Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc.) Treasurer: Wayne Eldred (Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill) Parliamentarian: Martha de la Pena Rojas (Florida Blue) Trustee Council Chair: John Allen (Home Financing Center, Inc.) Past Chair: Darla Thompson (Cherry Bekaert LLP) Chairman’s Appointee: Laura Russo (Laura L. Russo, Esq.) President & CEO: Mark A. Trowbridge

My vision for the Chamber is both short term and long term. With the help of our President Mark Trowbridge, Chamber staff, Board of Directors, Chairs, Vice Chairs and our Committees, we will provide our members with things that have an immediate positive impact on their businesses and community. At the same time, we will be putting some things in motion whose benefits will come to fruition during the term of my successor, Linda Knudsen and beyond.

So those are my thoughts as we begin a new Chamber year.

Best regards,

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2014 Thad Adams (Allen Morris Company) Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.) Frank Fernandez (US Century Bank) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects) Nelson Penalver (Logistical Outsourcing, Inc.)

This year we will build upon the many past successes of our Chamber.

Our unwavering focus will be on implementing the five “I’s” that were the theme of our Goals Conference.

Information, Inspiration, Innovation,

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)

SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES SPONSORSHIP Thinking BIG leads to BIGGER Business!

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.

Elected-term expires 2016 George Feliciano Jr. (Bay Plumbing Company) Ramon Ferrer (Florida Power & Light) Raquel Hickey (City National Bank) Karen Pascual (U.S. Century Bank) Nicole Waters (Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables)

ADVERTISING What happens if you do not advertise your business?

Absolutely nothing...nada...zero!

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.

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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013

Appointees-term expires 8/31/2014 Sarah Nesbitt Artecona (University of Miami) Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Rene Negron (AXA Advisors, LLC.) Martha Pantin (American Airlines) 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) Coral Gables Community Foundation Andria Hanley Miami-Dade Beacon Council Joe Hovancak

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE: Dearest Darla...

Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org

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s a new Chamber year dawns, it is appropriate to take the time to reflect on the prior year; to take a moment of pause and breathe in deeply the sweet smell of success and savor, if just for a moment, all that has transpired. That is my usual ritual this time of year and a wonderful emotional tool to prepare for the future and another year ahead.

Truth be told, most people do not have 33 bosses at one time or get a new leader every 365 days, but that is the life of a Chamber president or any non-profit leader who reports to a Board of Directors. The upside is that you get to work with a variety of people, a diversity of opinions and a metric-ton of energy. The downside is that 365 days pass way too quickly before it is time to welcome a new crop of volunteers to the leadership team.

Like graduation day, or any major milestone, there are a flood of emotions, but thankfully no good-byes. Such is my expectation of our impending leadership transition on August 31st. After a year of working closely together, Darla Thompson will be stepping down as Chair of the Board and thus earning herself a much-deserved rest out of the spotlight.

fete her and tease her and keep her grounded. She ate it up, even the tea bags, paper clips and stale Cap’n Crunch! The best part of that celebratory night is that I made her attend a ribbon cutting with me just prior (mostly to help stall for time) and she was so not pleased to be volunteering late on her birthday. But, like always, I took it like a champ, smiling broadly and knowing what was about to occur. And yes, it was worth it to see her melt when the revelers yelled surprise!

Like Great Britain and the USA, the Chair and president of a Chamber share a special relationship that few others will ever fully understand. There is a level of intimacy and trust that occurs in few working relationships as it must in these roles. The job requirements include complete candor, loyalty, honesty, mutual understanding and respect, and most of all, a sense of humor. I can honestly say we had it all!

In closing, I wish to say only this: Darla, our Chamber will be forever grateful to you for your selfless service and tireless commitment, starting and ending with me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything (insert tears here).

I often think of Darla as a somewhat reluctant leader of our Chamber when she was asked to serve as Chair. Once she did accept, there were still doubts about the high-profile role and the many, many public speaking requirements ahead of her; but she came into her own as Chair of the Board after having served as our Chamber’s treasurer.

Early on, Darla told me that she would be perfectly happy sitting in her office all day reviewing tax returns. Now, I knew that was not going to work…or happen. But, like any life-long introvert, Darla’s strength is in her resolve and her keen ability to hear the message through the noise. She is unafraid, unabashed and undaunted, three things that guarantee a successful term at the helm of any organization.

I knew she was up to the task from the very first time we spoke about the opportunities that lay ahead. She even created a spreadsheet to quantify what it would take to serve in the highest leadership post of our Chamber! Now that, my friends, is impressive. A spreadsheet!

So here we are 700 volunteer hours and 365 days later and the transformation is nearly complete. Gone is the shy leader afraid of a microphone, replaced by a fearless, confident public speaker in command of a room of 200+ people several times a month. The spotlight has gone from a hot and scary nightmare to a warm and comfortable embrace. She is at home and at ease and at her best.

And during it all, she has achieved the role of partner in her firm, who thankfully recognized her special talents and supported every one of her efforts this year. And well, Darla turned 50 in March and a horde of friends turned out to www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013

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TRUSTEE TALK Greetings, fellow Trustees!

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aving been a Trustee member of the Chamber for nearly 20 years, and our firm, Home Financing Center a member since 1984, I am very proud to have been appointed to serve as your Chair of the Trustee Council for this new Chamber year! Our Trustee members John Allen, are a vital part of our Chamber and our team Home Financing Center & of Diplomats are eager to be of any assistance Trustee Council Chair possible in ensuring you get the most out of your johna@homefinancingcenter.com investment in the Chamber.

It is a pleasure to announce the 2013-2014 members of the Diplomats Council, all of whom have proven to be a tremendous asset to the Chamber and who will no doubt fufill their new position with involvement and enthusiasm. They are: Ana Chaoui U.S. Century Bank George Ciorobea Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables Gabriel De Armas Home Instead Senior Care George Feliciano Bay Plumbing, Co. Orestes Hernandez Miami Marlins Marco Ibarra Eliptek Technology Alex Jimenez Coconut Grove Bank Drew Kern Essinger-Wooten-Maxwell Carlos Larcada Sushi Maki / Pao Town Cristina Miller Intermedia Touch, Inc. Yesenia Moreno Albion Staffing, Inc. Rene Negron AXA Advisors, LLC. Nelson Penlaver Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Darla Thompson Cherry Baekert LLP

If you were unable to attend the annual Trustee Interactive luncheon, you missed out on an outstanding event! Renowned Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli of The Eating House delighted the sold-out crowd with an amazing menu, starting off with a unique Florida tomato appetizer accented with peanuts & coconut sauce; followed by a Pasta Carbonara that had to be tasted to be believed; and culminating with savory Cuban Bread “Torrejas” and sugar cookies. To say everyone had a tremendous time would be an understatement!

Please mark your calendar for the first Trustee events of the new year, beginning with our Trustee Reception at the Actors’ Playhouse on September 10th. Our monthly receptions are the perfect way to meet and engage with fellow Trustee members in a relaxed atmosphere.

And our Trustee luncheon on September 25th promises to be one of the highlights of the year, with the distinguished Dr. Harlan Selesnick, players from our champions the Miami Heat, and a few more surprises. Thanks to Baptist Health South Florida and Doctors Hospital for sponsoring this always popular event!

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES/CITY BEAUTIFUL AWARDS - AUGUST 15, 2013

ALBERTO ROMEU | ALBERTO ROMEU PHOTOGRAPHY Top Left: The Palace Coral Gables receives the Outstanding Interior Award | Top Right: Northern Trust Bank is presented with the Outstanding Exterior Award Bottom Left: Swine Southern Table & Bar wins Outstanding Retail Showroom/Restaurant Dining Room Award | Bottom Right: This year’s Historic Preservation Honoree went to 133 Sevilla Avenue

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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013

UPCOMING FALL FESTIVITIES September 11 IMPACT Seminar Series For Small Business

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October 3rd Chairman’s Reception

BURGERLISCIOUS RETURNS TO THE GABLES FOR A THIRD BITE’S THE CHARM!

avor the date for the third annual BURGERLISCIOUS festival on Thursday, November 7, 2013, from 6pm - 10pm at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park.

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and Samuel Adams 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.

Participating Coral Gables restaurants include (to date): Books & Books Cafe | Swine Southern Table & Bar | Christy’s Restaurant | Pincho Factory | Seasons 52 | Shake Shack Shula’s 347 Grill |Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill | Fritz & Franz Bierhaus For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.burgerliscious.com.

#burgerliscious Third Bite’s the Charm!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013 │6:00 PM│CORAL GABLES

Delish-list:

Cheese Bacon Tomato Lettuce Pickle Onion Nirvana

burgerliscious.com · facebook.com/burgerliscious · @burgerliscious_

www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013

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SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES! SEPTEMBER 11th

SEPTEMBER 25th

IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS - “Get On Board” - 8:00 AM RightSpace2Meet 100 Miracle Mile, Suite 200, Coral Gables Moderator: Drew Kern, Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Panelists: Laura Bruney, Arts & Business Council; Barbara Norland, Junior Orange Bowl; Cristina Mas, University of Miami and Norie Del Valle, United Way of Miami-Dade Sponsor: Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. Cost: $25 for Members; $35 Future Members & Guests

TRUSTEE LUNCHEON - 11:45 AM – “Back-to-Back” Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Speaker: Harlan Selesnick, M.D., Miami HEAT team physician with “special guests” Sponsored by: Baptist Health South Florida / Doctors Hospital Cost: $45 for Chamber Members with RSVP by September 20; $55 Future Members & On-Site Fee

OCTOBER 3rd

SEPTEMBER 17th

CHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION– 5:30 PM The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables Hotel 180 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsor: Bacardi, Becker & Poliakof, P.A., Intermeda Touch, Inc., Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. and The Westinn Colonnade Coral Gables Cost: $25 for Chamber Members; $35 for Future Members & Guests Prime expo space is available!! $250 for Chamber Members; $350 for non-Chamber Members

WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Speaker: Brett Graff, Home Economist & Columnist, The Miami Herald Sponsor: 1st United Bank Cost: $35 for Chamber Members with RSVP by September 13; $45 for Future Members & On-Site Fee

SEPTEMBER19th

OCTOBER 4th

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES - 7:30 AM Featuring Chairman Perry Adair and the Installation of the Board of Directors followed by the Mayor’s State of the City Beautiful Address The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored by: The Chamber’s Board of Directors Cost (*Note Price Change*): $25 for all Chamber Members by September 13; $35 for Member On-Site Registration; $40 for Guests

TROW KNOWS...CEOs – 8:30 AM RightSpace2Meet 100 Miracle Mile, Suite 200, Coral Gables Featuring Sandy Horwitz, Partner/CEO of Goldstein Schechter Koch Sponsor: RightSpace2Meet Cost: $20 with RSVP by Wednesday, October 2 *Limited to 25 participants*

MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS! A Joy Wallace Catering, Design & Special Events Arkilineas Artigiano, Inc. BrickTop’s Restaurant Cadillac Championship CAP Goverment, Inc. Coral Gables Hospital clubX Continental National Bank of Miami eating house EPGD Attorneys at Law, P.A. First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables Florida Foot & Ankle Gables Insurance Recovery, Inc. HEICO Corporation Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Ivy Accounting, Tax & Advisory LaserMed Latin America Connection Majestic Properties Marcia Regina Global Events, LLC Metro 1 Properties, Inc. Minuteman Press Paragon Financial Group Paylocity Phones R Us, Inc. Planning Consultants Group Prudential Florida Realty Quontic Bank Razzledazzle Barbershop Roc Kat Ice Cream Co., LLC Taylor & Mathis TSG Realty/The Solution Group Corp.

Veritext

SPONSORSHIP/INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through August 2013

$2,500 - $4,999

$5,000 AND ABOVE The Allen Morris Company AXA Advisors, LLC Bacardi Baptist Health South Florida Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. The Biltmore Hotel Cherry Bekaert LLP City of Coral Gables City National Bank Credomatic Merchant Services Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Doctors Hospital Florida Blue

Florida Power & Light Home Financing Center, Inc. Hyatt Regency Coral Gables Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. The Miami Herald Miami’s Community Newspapers Montica Jewelry RightSpace2Meet Sabadell United Bank South Florida Business Journal TotalBank University of Miami U.S. Century Bank

AT&T Bay Plumbing Company Brown Forman Comcast Business Gulliver Schools Gibralter Private Bank Hines Intermedia Touch, Inc. Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, P.A. Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Photo Offset South Motors

* BOLD denotes new Trustee member

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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013

United Way of Miami-Dade U.S. Century Bank USAA Realty Company/ CBRE Wal-Mart Stores

EVENTS CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 Monday

Wednesday

Tuesday

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3

Office Closed in Observance of Labor Day

9

4

12:00 PM RE-Connect Luncheon @ Anacapri 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday @ Seasons 52

5:30 PM Trustee Reception @ Actors’ Playhouse

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8:00 AM IMPACT Semiar Series for

Friday

Thursday

6

7/8

13

14/15

19

20

21/22

26

27

28/29

4

5/6

10

11

12/13

17

18

19/20

25

26/27

8:00 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting

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9:00 AM Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting

11

Small Business @ RightSpace2Meet

8:00 AM M-Team Committee Meeting

Saturday / Sunday

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8:30 AM Trow Knows....CEOs Featuring Eric Eikenberg, CEO Everglades Foundation @ RightSpace2Meet

9:00 AM Chamber 101 @ Chamber Office

8:00 AM Business & Gov’t

9:00 AM Tech Task Force Meeting

Affairs Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Cultural Affairs

Committee Meeting

16

17

8:00 AM S.E.E. Green

(Sustainability & Environmental Economics)

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

23

30

9:00 AM 20/30 Group Meeting

24

11

8:00 AM International Affairs Committee Meeting

8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting

18

9:00 AM Healthcare Task Force Meeting

25

11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon @ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

12:00 PM RE-Connect @ Anacapri on Ponce

2

5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday @ Red Koi Lounge

Columbus Day

7

14

8

5:30 PM Trustee Reception @ Sabadell United Bank

15

8:00 AM S.E.E. Green

(Sustainability & Environmental Economics)

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

21

28

22

9:00 AM 20/30 Group Meeting

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7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables @ The Biltmore Hotel

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8:00 AM Business & Education Committee Meeting

5:30 PM Chairman’s Reception @ The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables

8:00 AM Business & Goverment Affairs Committee Meeting

8:00 AM M-Team Committee Meeting

9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting

9:00 AM Tech Task Force Meeting

8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting 8:00 AM Business & Education Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Healthcare Task Force Meeting

16

23

8:00 AM IMPACT Seminar Series for Small Business

11:45 PM Trustee Luncheon

30

3

8:30 AM Trow Knows CEOs...

Featuring Sandy Horwitz, Partner/ CEO, Goldstein Schechter Koch @ RightSpace2Meet

7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables @ The Biltmore Hotel

Residential Real Estate Luncheon

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Chamber’s 88th Anniversary

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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013

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SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY July August

WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON July

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES July August

Under 2.7 inches wide

TRUSTEE RECEPTION July

August Under 1.2 inches wide

TRUSTEE LUNCHEON

IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES

July

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM

TRUSTEE INVITATIONAL & INTERACTIVE LUNCHEON

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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013