CONNECTion | March - April

DOCTORS HOSPITAL TOUR OF THE GABLES 5K - MAY 20 A new name, same great game!

Sprint across the finish line at the Doctors Hospital Tour of the Gables 5K on Satrday, May 20, 2017. For the 22nd year, this race will take you on the scenic route through the heart of The City Beautiful, beginning and ending in front of historic City Hall.

Get there early and warm-up alongside fellow racers, while enjoying the family friendly runners expo. Be among the first to register and receive a commemorative running shirt.

For sponsorship information or to secure a display table at the runners expo, contact Erica Simons at (305) 446-1657 or e-mail ESimons@coralgableschamber.org.

To register visit Eventbrite.com search; 'Doctors Hospital 22nd Annual Tour of the Gables 5K'.

IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from our Chair Page 2 President’s Perspective Page 3 Trustee Talk

Page 5

Upcoming Events

Page 6

Membership Highlights Page 8 Calendar of Events

Page 9

Sponsor Recognition

Page 10

LET'S EAT MAGAZINE To love the Gables is to love great food!

Home to the most fiery and flavorful foodie cuisine in South Florida, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and Jessica Wilcox of J. Wilcox Consulting present you with "Let's Eat Magazine!"

With the eighth issue set to hit mailboxes in just a couple of weeks, we invite you to peruse our mouthwater publication. Much like a menu, there will be tasty offerings with each flip of the page.

Find out what's new with local Chefs; checkout the latest in foodie trends; try out our savory recipies and more!

Stop by the Chamber office and pick-up your copy of Let's Eat Magazine today!

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR John Allen

Chair of the Board, CGCC Home Financing Center johna@homefinancingcenter.com

Springing Into Spring!

The Chamber kicked off the New Year with a bang! Our New Year’s Networker was held at on the rooftop of The Lennar Foundation Medical Center at University of Miami. Jessica Wilcox, Marianne Sioli and their team knocked it out of the park! From a host of our finest restaurants, libations courtesy of Bacardi, a panoramic view of The City Beautiful and a snow flurry to fully experience our Winter Wonderland, this record-breaking event boasted its highest attendance ever.

Our January and February Good Morning Coral Gables breakfasts were diverse and outstanding. In January, Dr. Gillian Holtz spoke to us about the inherent dangers of concussions, especially those suffered by student athletes. In February, Dr. Marvin Dunn kept us riveted with his account of Miami throughout the Civil Rights Movement. As depicted in his new book "A History of Miami Through Black Eyes," Dunn provided some disturbing insights into the often dim world of race relations in Florida’s past. His talk was both an inspiration and a challenge to continue the strides we have made so far. If you haven’t read his book, I encourage you to do so!

A Chamber delegation of more than 20 members spent Valentine’s Day in our State’s Capital, meeting with elected officials and other organizations. Attending nearly 20 meetings in two days, we visited Representatives Jose Felix “Pepe” Diaz, Michael Bileca, David Richardson, Daisy Baez, Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez, Florida’s C.F.O. Jeff Atwater, in addition to such organizations as the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Florida and the Florida Retail Federation.

We discussed the priorities of our members and received excellent feedback. It wasn’t all work; Baptist Health hosted us for a relaxing evening at their “Pineapple Pad”, just a few steps away from the Capitol! Many thanks to Bruce Bounds and Efrain Sora, and of course our President Mark Trowbridge, for connecting us with so many of our State’s movers and shakers!

Speaking of politics, join us on March 7th at 6:00 PM for our Candidate Forum showcasing those running for the upcoming Coral Gables City Commission and a Mayoral seat. Our three-term Mayor Jim Cason will be stepping down after six years of service to our City. This eagerly awaited Forum will be at the University of Miami’s Field House next to the Watsco Center and is open to all.

On May 1st - 2nd our Business & Government Affairs Committee will host our annual Fly-In to Washington, D.C. We will meet with our leaders on the Hill and other organizations important to South Florida. Wish to attend? There’s still time! Let the Chamber know if you would like more information. This is a great opportunity to see our national government at work.

So, as we spring into spring, my continued thanks to our stalwart leader Mark Trowbridge and his incredible Chamber team. None of this would be possible without them!

Make it a great Chamber day!

Sincerely,

John R. Allen, Jr. Chair, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce

2016 - 2017 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board John Allen, Home Financing Center, Inc. Chair-Elect Martha de la Pena Rojas, Florida Blue First Vice Chairman Patrick O’Connell, EWM Realty International Treasurer Ana Chaoui, Coconut Grove Bank Parliamentarian Carlos Garcia, Hancock Askew & Co., LLP Immediate Past Chairman Wayne Eldred, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs Arthur Freyre, Poblete Tamargo LLP Vice Chairman-Community Affairs Jon Ridley, Honeywell Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev. Nelson Penalver, LOI Marketing, Inc. Vice Chairman-Member Affairs Sara Hernandez, Bank of the Ozarks Vice Chairman-Special Events Jessica Wilcox, J. Wilcox Consulting Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs Bruce Bounds, Bounds Law Offices Trustee Council Chair Brian Barakat, Barakat Law, P.A. Chairman’s Appointee Nelson Lazo, Doctors Hospital President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2017 Andria Hanley (Camillus House) Raquel Hickey (Evolution Payment Systems) Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Barbara Norland (YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade Inc.) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects) Elected-term expires 2018 Thad Adams (The Allen Morris Company) Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Charles Knight (Florida Power & Light) Yesenia Moreno (Albion Staffing Solutions, Inc.) Rene Negron (AXA Advisors, LLC) Elected-term expires 2019 Pilar Araoz (Smiles & Sonrisas) Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers) Christie Grays (Baptist Health South Florida) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA) Nicole Waters (Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables) Chairman’s Appointees-term expires 2017 Frank Fernandez Alex Jimenez (Apollo Bank) Christopher Spuches (Ehrenstein Charbonneau Calderin Attorneys at Law) Ben Riestra (UHealth) Cinthya Urena (City National Bank) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables Commissioner Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables Javier Betancourt, Director Business Improvement District TBD Coral Gables Community Foundation Mary Snow, Executive Director The Beacon Council of Miami-Dade

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - MOONLIGHT & MAGIC Mark A. Trowbridge

President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org

Warren Beatty got punked…and so did Faye Dunaway...in front of a worldwide audience of more than a billion people. Ouch. They had been invited onstage to present the Best Picture Oscar at last week’s Academy Awards in honor of the 50th anniversary of the release of Bonnie & Clyde, their fabled shoot-em-up love story of 1967.

And there they stood, looking pretty darn good for 79 and 76, about to make the biggest blunder in Academy Awards history…giving the biggest of the night Oscar to the wrong movie! Whoops.

ing young screenwriters and actors. He is an outsized talent whose smile and enthusiasm transform any space. He is one of our most successful and notable alums, right up there with Katie Finneran and her two Tony Awards.

McCraney is an American original and uniquely Miami. His play upon which the movie is based tells the story of Chiron, a young black boy from the poorest area of Miami who knows from an early age he is different than the other kids. He is chased, harassed and brutally beaten at times, not only because he is gay, but because he is different. His mother is an addict and while I do believe she loves Chiron, she does not particularly like him or herself. And thus, he depends on the kindness of strangers, not always a very Miami motif, but a magical one in this movie.

Sure, it now seems like an honest mistake – and Warren did try to look deeper into that crimson envelope to find the right answer with a rather pregnant pause.

But, alas, a boo boo was still made. Sure, it got corrected on live TV by PwC and the rightful winners walked off with their little golden statues. But, the conspiracy theories have abounded since and well, I only plan to fuel the flames.

The final act is shot almost completely in a favorite diner of mine on the Upper East Side of Miami on Biscayne Boulevard. Jimmy’s is a quintessentially greasy spoon and a gathering place in the local neighborhood. Here, Chiron reconnects with a HS classmate who he developed an intimate bond with before moving away to Atlanta. Their interaction is both awkward and powerful at the same time, a reminder that the heart is target for both happiness and pain.

Moonlight is a made-in-Miami story that was adapted from a play in three acts. Tarrel Alvin McCraney, a proud graduate of New World School of the Arts in downtown Miami, wrote the work as his application to Yale for graduate school. Barry Jenkins, who grew up just a few blocks from McCraney in Liberty City (although the two never met in childhood), later found the work, adapted it and directed the Oscar-winning movie that is now the best picture of the year.

If you have not seen Moonlight, take the time to do so. Much like the gaffe in announcing the wrong movie as Best Picture, this little film makes good despite the odds, fighting upstream all the way. And while you may not agree that it is the best picture of the year – maybe you were a fan of Hidden Figures or La La Land or Hacksaw Ridge – you will rightfully conclude that the Magic City is the real star of the show.

While it cost nearly $5 million to make (remember, Florida provides no film tax incentives like Georgia and Louisiana do), it has grossed nearly $27 million dollars to date and will likely do even better upon its limited re-release and DVD sales. It was shot completely in Miami and as you heard Jenkins and McCraney share in their acceptance speeches, they are just two boys from Liberty City reppin’ the 305. Both director and screenwriter insisted the movie be made in Miami, even without the tax incentives. It was a deal breaker for them from the get go.

Homegrown talent is hard to keep at home, as is loyal talent. Jenkins and McCraney both left Miami to seek success soon after graduating from high school. But, both have a strong bond with Miami and McCraney is a fixture at the New World School of the Arts during the school year teaching master classes and mentorcoralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

TRUSTEE TALK Brian Barakat

Chair, Trustee Council Barakat Law, P.A. brian@triallawmiami.com

No matter how short, February was a great month. I want to thank all of you for joining us at some great events. I don’t know if you noticed, but I took out the guitarist, Aaron, at TotalBank, when I walked up to the podium. He was nice though and we settled out of court. Thanks to Jay Pelham and his team for their gracious hospitality and spectacular food.

I was really impressed with Steven Krams, Founder of the Gables Arts Cinema. His depth of knowledge of films and their history was fantastic. My wife and I attended the Arts Cinema on Valentine's day, which she said was almost as good as jewelry (almost).

Trustee Diplomats kicked-off 2017 with a Trustee Reception at Giralda Place. Pictured is Christopher Zoller, Past Chair of the Chamber with EWM Realty International, alongside the developers of Giralda Place.

Next month International Finance Bank will be hosting us at their location for a great evening of cocktails and networking. Come join me and the other superheros as we try to storm the vault. The party will start at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, March 14th. I’ll be there, et tu Brute?

Then the Trustees will wrap the month up in style at the Coral Gables Country Club with their monthly signature luncheon. This luncheon will feature Peter J. Carr, the Regional President - North America, Bacardi. Registration is still open and networking will begin at 11:45 AM. Hope to see you all there!

TRUSTEE EVENTS:

Steve Krams, founder of the Coral Gables Art Cinema, receives the Key to the City from Mayor Jim Cason at our February Trustee Luncheon sponsored by Phil Stevenson and PS Financial Services.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY

Michael Harrington, COO of Nicklaus Children's Hospital was the keynote Trustee members were welcomed graciously into the Coral Gables branch speaker at our January Trustee Luncheon sponsored by Calas Group and of TotalBank, who hosted the Trustee Reception in February. hosted by The Palace Coral Gables.

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

UPCOMING EVENTS

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES Friday, March 3, 2017 - 8:30 AM Trow Knows... CEOs - SOLD OUT! Sponsored & Hosted By: BDO USA 2121 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 11th Floor, Coral Gables Featuring: Greg Barnes, President & CEO, Bill Ussery Motors Cost: $25 Registration Fee - Limited to the first 25 guests Tuesday, March 7, 2017 - 6:00 PM Candidate Forum Meet the candidates for City Commission and Mayor, hear their thoughts on the critical issues and ask your most pressing questions!

Location: Field House at the University of Miami - Next to the Watsco Center 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables Moderated By: Tom Hudson, Vice President of News | WLRN Commission Group III Candidates Patricia Keon | Wayne "Chip" Withers Commission Group V Candidates Marlin Ebbert | Randy Hoff Michael "Mike" Mena | Serafin Sousa, Jr. Mayoral Candidates Jeannett Slesnick | Raul Valdes-Fauli Friday, March 10, 2017 - 11:30 AM AXA Advisors Businesswomen of the Year Awards Location: Coral Gables Country Club 997 N. Greenway Drive, Coral Gables Presenting Sponsor: AXA Advisors Supporting Sponsors: Artful Fashions, Baptist Health South Florida, The Brand Protected, City National Bank, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, thumbprint, Flower Fanatic and Sir Speedy Cost: $60 Chamber Member by 2/24 | $70 Guest $600 Reserved VIP Table of 10 Tuesday, March 14, 2017 - 5:30 PM Trustee Reception Exclusively for our Trustees!

Sponsored & Hosted By: International Finance Bank 777 SW 37 AVE, Coral Gables Complimentary registration for Trustee Members Thursday, March 16, 2017 - 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Series Sponsor: UHealth Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 3/10; $40 Guests Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - 8:00 AM International Business Forum Location: Books & Books 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables Featuring: Richard N. Haass, President, Council of Foreign Relations & Author of “A World in Disarray” Cost: $25 Registration Fee; $45 Registration Fee + the book Thursday, March 23, 2017 - Reception @ 7:00 PM; Curtain-Up @ 8:00 PM Theatre Night The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce’s Cultural Affairs Committee Presents “All The Way!” Location: Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables Sponsored By; Zyscovich Architects Featuring: All The Way Cost: $40 Chamber Members; $50 Guests; $20 Reception Only Please pre-purchase your tickets; there will not be tickets available on-site!

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - 11:30 AM Trustee Luncheon Location: Coral Gables Country Club 997 N. Greenway Drive, Coral Gables Sponsored By: EPGD Attorneys at Law Speaker: Pete Carr, Regional Vice President, Bacardi North America

Cost: $45 Chamber members by 3/24; $55 On-site registration & Guests Thursday, March 30, 2017 - 3:00 PM MEGA IMPACT Seminar Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. Session 1: Dale Carnegie Training Seminar Presented by: Robert Kelly, Managing Director, Dale Carnegie Training South Florida Topic: Boosting Your Bottom Line Cost: $55 Chamber Members; $70 Guests - Includes admission to the March Madness Business Expo following the event!

Thursday, March 30, 2017 - 5:30 PM March Madness Join us as we heat up the hardwood at our March Madness Business Expo! Includes high-impact networking, an amazing business-2-business showcase, limitless libations courtesy of Bacardi & tantalizingly tasty treats!

Location: The Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Home Financing Center, Inc., Thumbprint, The Biltmore Hotel, Bacardi USA Display Table: $250 Chamber members; $350 Guests Registration Cost: One Admission for $30 | Two Admissions for $50 Wednesday, April 5, 2017 - Noon RE-Connect Luncheon Location: Mortons the Steakhouse 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Barakat Law, P.A., EPGD Attorneys at Law, Michael Forman DOM, P.A., Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Speaker: Nelson Penalver, thumbprint Cost: $25 Luncheon Fee - Must be paid in advance Online payment and registration is required in advance!

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 - 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday Host: , Coral Gables Sponsored By: MAPFRE Insurance & The Keyes Company Cost: $25 Chamber & #YoPro Members by 2/24; $35 Guests & Members after 2/31 Tuesday, Apil 11, 2017 - 5:30 PM Trustee Reception Exclusively for our Trustees!

Host & Sponspr: The Lennar Foundation Medical Center 5555 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Complimentary registration for Trustee Members Thursday, April 20, 2017 - 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Location: Coral Gables Country CLub - Please note location!

997 N. Greenway Drive. Coral Gables Sponsored By: Gulliver Schools Series Sponsor: UHealth Cost: $25 Chamber members by 4/14; $40 Guests Friday, April 28, 2017 - 8:00 AM Green Means Green Awards Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsored By: Baptist Health South Florida. Waste Management Saturday, May 20, 2017 - 7:30 AM Doctors Hospital Tour of the Gables 5K Location: City Hall 405 Biltmore Way Presented By: Doctors Hospital The largest corporate team to register will receive the coveted Chairman's Cup presented by Miami's Community Newspaper!

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS

Through February 2017

January - February 2017

• The Allen Morris Company • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • Baptist Health South Florida • Brown-Forman Beverages • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank • Doctors Hospital • EWM Realty International • Florida Blue • Florida Power & Light

• Hancock Askew & Co., LLP • Home Financing Center, Inc. • LOI Marketing, Inc. • Marquis Bank • Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • Photo Offset, Inc. • South Motors BMW • Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill • University of Miami • UHealth

$2,500 - $4,999 • Apollo Bank • BankUnited • BDI • Coconut Grove Bank • Ehrenstein Charbonneau Calderin Attorneys at Law

• Espirito Santo Marketing Solutions • Gulliver Schools • Samuel Adams - Boston Beer Company • Southern Audio Visual

u

Axion Nova, LLC Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty Best Buddies International Branches Chapman Partnership CompuCare Systems Inc Coral Gables Trust Company Cose Nostre - Italian Bakery & Cafe El Tucán Miami Euro Table Catering / Sacha's Cafe Evolution Payment Systems First American Bank Granny Nannies HSBC JAG Insurance Group Jimenez Chiropractic - Med Spa KeySource Real Estate, PLLC Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Marion Miami Michelle Menendez Morelia Gourmet Paletas Newmeyer Mortgage Services PizzaRev Primecard | IGT Media PS Financial Services Ravan & Company CPAs Ser & Associates, PLLC Son Cubano Restaurant & Lounge Spek Flooring UF Coral Gables Uptown Solar WMT ZIX Corporation

$5,000 and Above

* BOLD denotes Trustee member

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

EVENTS CALENDAR

‘17

March | April

Monday

Tuesday

27

Wednesday

28

6

8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting 6:00 PM Candidate Forum

13

5:30 PM Trustee Reception

Thursday

1 8:00 AM 2 3 12:00 PM 8:30 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors RE-Connect Luncheon Committee Meeting Trow Knows... CEOs featuring Greg Barnes, 9:00 AM 5:30 PM CEO, Bill Ussery Motors Wind Down Wednesday Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting

7 8:00 AM 8 9 10 Business & Gov’t Affairs 8:00 AM 11:30 AM Committee Meeting M-Team Committee Meeting 9:00 AM AXA Advisors Cultural Affairs Businesswomen of the Committee Meeting Year Awards 4:00 PM Small Business Committee Meeting

14

15 16 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables 9:15 AM 20/30 Group Committee Meeting

20 8:00 AM 21 S.E.E. Green Committee Meeting

8:00 AM International Business Forum

27

Friday

17

Noon Green Means Green Awards Applications Due

22 8:00 AM 23 24 Noon Business & Education Rising Star Awards Committee Meeting Applications Due 7:00 PM Theatre Night

28 11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon

29 3:00 PM 30 MEGA IMPACT Seminar

31

5:30 PM March Madness Business Expo

3

8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting

4

12:00 PM RE-Connect Luncheon

5

6 7 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Chairman’s Ambassadors Trow Knows... CEOs Committee Meeting

5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday

9:00 AM Women's Business Network Committee Meeting

10

8:00 AM 12 13 Business & Gov’t Affairs 8:00 AM Committee Meeting M-Team Committee Meeting 9:00 AM Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting 4:00 PM Small Business Committee Meeting

14

17 8:00 AM 18 19 7:30 AM 20 3:45 PM S.E.E. Green Good Morning Coral Gables IMPACT: A Seminar Series Committee Meeting for Small Business 9:15 AM 11:30 AM 20/30 Group WBN Luncheon Committee Meeting

21

24

28

5:30 PM Trustee Reception

11

25 11:45 AM Trustee Luncehon

26

8:00 AM Business & Education Committee Meeting

27 8:00 AM Green Means Green Awards

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017

SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY JANUARY

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES

FEBRUARY

SERIES SPONSOR

FEBRUARY

WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON

JANUARY

TRUSTEE RECEPTION

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY

AV SPONSOR

TRUSTEE LUNCHEON

JANUARY

IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES

FEBRUARY

RE-CONNECT LUNCH

NEW YEAR'S NETWORKER

NEW MEMBER MIXER

TROW KNOWS... CEOS

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │March - April 2017