MAY | JUNE 2012
IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS! EMY TORRES Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
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he 2012 Goals Conference opens with a flourish on Thursday, June 21st with the fifth annual George E. Merrick Award of Excellence Dinner. This prestigious award will be bestowed upon a community leader who has served the City Beautiful in a meaningful and lasting way. Each year, five iconic individuals from the Coral Gable’s community are singled out and recognized as distinguished honorees, with one leader earning the most prestigious award. Past winners include Arva Parks McCabe of the Coral Gables Museum; Betsey Adams of the Coral Gables Garden Club; Former Commissioner James Barker and Former Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers. This year, we will also be honoring several legacy organizations envisioned and originally created by George E. Merrick: City of Coral Gables, Coral Gables Garden Club, Coral Gables Women’s Club, Coral Gables Congregational Church, The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables Music Club, The Country Club of Coral Gables, and The University of Miami. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be the incomparable Shannon Hori of CBS 4.
Friday’s Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast features Pat Geraghty, CEO of Florida Blue. Mr. Geraghty will share his thoughts on the state of health care in Florida, the new brand Florida Blue and his vision for Florida Blue’s future in our community and beyond. City Manager Pat Salerno will also offer remarks on the State of the City of Coral Gables during breakfast. Incoming Chair Darla Thompson will introduce her leadership team, as well as share her goals for the upcoming year. Good Morning Coral Gables is sponsored by Florida Blue and Mercantil Commercebank. Throughout the day, participants will have an opportunity to share in various goals-setting sessions by committee, which will help to solidify measurable and attainable action plans for the upcoming Chamber year. The Goals Conference luncheon is sponsored by COMCAST and will feature a prominent speaker, as well as the State of the Chamber address by our president. Participants will also engage in an interactive session with the Beacon Council on the results of their One Community, One Goal initiative, a program that seeks to better understand and map out how we are going to build our economy of the future through targeted industries. Frank Nero, CEO of the Beacon Council, will discuss
the project, including those industries that will be the focal point for business recruitment, retention and growth. The day will conclude with a panel discussion and a cocktail reception, sponsored by Credomatic. Sponsors for this annual planning conference include corporate sponsors: The Allen Morris Company, Bay Plumbing Company, COMCAST, Cherry Bekaert & Holland, LLP, Credomatic Merchant Services, Florida Blue, Home Financing Center, Mercantil Commercebank, and the University of Miami; event sponsors: Baptist Health South Florida, Becker & Poliakoff, PA, Esslinger, Wooten Maxwell Realtors, and Right Space Management; participating sponsors: Vine Communications, Laura Russo, PA and Logistical Outsourcing, Inc.; and, in-kind sponsors: Bacardi USA, The Miami Herald and Photo Offset. For more information on sponsorship, please contact Senior Events Manager, Erica Dominguez at 305.446.1657 or email edominguez@coralgableschamber.org. To register for the event, please visit www.coralgableschamber.org. Early bird rates are available through June 1st.
RUN WILD AT OUR ANNUAL BAPTIST TOUR OF THE GABLES 5K EMY TORRES Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
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he Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce hosts its 17th annual Baptist Health Tour of The Gables 5K on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 7:30 AM. The much anticipated race will take runners on a scenic tour of the City Beautiful. The race will begin and end at Coral Gables City Hall, located on the corner of LeJeune Road and Miracle Mile, right in the heart of Coral Gables.
IN THIS ISSUE • Chairman’s Remarks 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
The yearly event would not be possible without the continued support of our title sponsor Baptist Health South Florida; host sponsors-The City of Coral Gables; and, contributing sponsors (to-date): Bunge, City of Coral Gables, Dr. G’s Weight Loss & Wellness, Equinox Fitness, Home Instead Senior Care, Logistical Outsourcing, Inc., Mercantil Commercebank, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Publix Supermarkets, and VH Pharmacy.
age 21 and older will be automatically entered in a drawing to win a weekend of luxury in a Mercedes Benz, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables.
BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
“Our annual 5K has been sponsored by our good friends at Baptist Health for the past 17 years and is a terrific community event that annually draws more than 1000 runners. We truly view this event as both family friendly and business friendly, bestowing the Chairman’s Cup on the corporate team with the most participants,” said Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Corporate teams will participate and compete for the Chairman’s Cup, awarded to the team with the most runners. Members and friends of the Chamber of all ages and all fitness levels are welcome and encouraged to partake in the race. In addition, upon registration, runners
So join in on the fun, boost your company’s morale, show off your team spirit, and get in shape at the same time. Individual racers are welcome, too. Medals will be awarded to the top three racers in each age group. There will be complimentary parking available at the Andalusia Parking Garage, just West of LeJeune Road. Register for the run by visiting www.teamfootworks.org. The cost for participating is $25 for pre-registration and $35 on the day of the event for adults; and, $15 and $20, respectively, for runners under 18 years of age. Register early to secure your beautifully designed Tec Shirt! For information on sponsorships, contact Senior Events Manager Erica Dominguez at edominguez@coralgableschamber.org or call 305-4461657. To register for the event, please visit www.teamfootworks.org.
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |MAY-JUNE 2012