MAY | JUNE 2011
2011 GOALS CONFERENCE - OPENS DOORS! ADRIANA SERNA Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
T
he 2011 Goals Conference is all about Opening Doors; doors to new opportunities, new business and new relationships. This year’s Conference opens with the George E. Merrick Award of Excellence on Thursday, June 23rd at the historic Biltmore Hotel and will feature goal-setting sessions, high profile speakers and high value networking. During this annual membership meeting, Coral Gables leaders will meet to discuss the Chamber’s vision for the upcoming year, set priorities, and develop a plan to make our collective vision a reality. The event will feature various breakout sessions, for each Chamber committee.
This year’s conference is presented by many outstanding sponsors, including the Allen Morris Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, EWM, Rockefeller Business Centers, Mercantil Commercebank, Miami Herald, US Century Bank, University of Miami, Baptist Health South Florida, Barakat Law, Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., Cherry Bekaert & Holland, Doctors Hospital, Eliptek Technology Group, Logistical Outsourcing, Threefold Studios, Sabadell United Bank, Compupay, Credomatic, Laura L. Russo, Esq. LLC, and Vine Communications. More sponsorship opportunities are available. The most effective way to keep the doors of possibility open for your business is to participate in the session that best aligns itself to your business’ goals and objectives. In joining one or more of these commit-
tees you will meet fellow members and create new business opportunities for each other. This is also the time for our incoming Chairman, Drew Kern of Esslinger Wooten Maxwell, Inc., to set his sights on the goals he wishes to accomplish with the Chamber in the upcoming year. Drew will be officially sworn in on Thursday, September 15th at the Good Morning Coral Gables Breakfast. With 13 years of real estate achievements, Drew is known for his exceptional service and ability to negotiate the best possible deals for his clients. He is an ex-aficio member on the Economic Development Board for the City of Coral Gables and a founding member of the Miami-Dade Region of Business Network International, a global networking group
Drew Kern Chamber Chairman-Elect
now with 1,000 members alone in Miami-Dade County; he is also past-Chair and current member of the Franchise Advisory Board for that organization. Drew’s high level of commitment continues to earn respect among colleagues, friends and family.
TWEET ALL ABOUT IT - SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOPS ALL THE RAGE ADRIANA SERNA Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
IN THIS ISSUE • Chairman’s Remarks
Page 2
• President’s Perspective Page 3 • Trustee Talk
Page 4
• Commercial Real Estate Page 5 • Membership Highlights Page 6 • Calendar of Events
Page 7
• Sponsor Recognition
Page 8
re you just a little bit mystified by social media? Not sure how a social platform will help your business? Is it really an effective business tool? The answer to all these questions is a resounding YES!
A
The Chamber’s series of Social Media Workshops, sponsored by Mercantil Commercebank, Social Media Studios and 2000 Ponce Business Centers, will teach you everything you need to know to put social media to work for your business.
Social Media has forever changed that way we do business and has forced us to rethink how we “sell”. It all starts with causing your customers to engage. If you’re not sure, pick a well-known brand name and look them up on Facebook – chances are they’re already there and successfully leveraging social media to engage with their customers and grow their business.
This 12-part workshop series give you a game plan and show you how to customize your Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, and other platforms to fit your needs. $20 per workshop, $200 for the entire series. Workshops start Wednesday, May 11th from 8:00AM – 10:00PM at 2000 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables. To sign up go to www.coralgableschamber.org .
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |MAY / JUNE 2011