Chamber CONNECTion | May - June 2020

MAY - JUNE 2020 HEY ALL YOU "COOL CATS AND KITTENS!" Nothing like a little Carol Baskin and Tiger King humor to get your attention!

Now that you're hooked, like all of America is on Joe Exotic, we're here to tell you about something that we've been cooking up for a few months now.

For your entertainment and listening pleasure, the Gables Chamber launched our very own podcast, which we affectionately call Trowbiz!

In this new sit-down series, Chamber President Mark Trowbridge chats it up with local movers, shakers and decisions makers. In this series of interviews we share loads of laughs, shed a few tears and highlight what's poppin' in business culture.

To date, Mark has sat down with third generation Gableite Sarah Nesbitt Artecona, retail goddess Francesca Valdes, the incomparable bookseller Mitchell Kaplan, digital diva Violette de Ayala and the beloved EQ Queen Beatriz Martinez Penalver.

We're always on the prowl for trendy topics and spectacular speakers, so if you have any you'd like to submit, you can do so by sending an email to communications@coralgableschamber.org.

IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from our Chair

Page 2

President’s Perspective

Page 3

Trustee Talk

Page 5

The City Beautiful Magazine Page 6 Save These Dates!

Page 7

In the meantime, just tune-in! Trowbiz is available on all major listening platforms, including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Breaker, and more!

Membership Highlights

Page 8

Chamber Calendar

Page 9

There's no business, like Trow-business...

Sponsor Recognition

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020

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THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR Looking forward to a new day It is April 15, 2020 and I am writing this letter to be included in the May / June edition of Chamber CONNECTion. Rather than opining on our current situation or speculating on where we may all be in the first week of May, I would rather present a draft that may be used once the pandemic has ended. I will no longer be serving as Chairman at that time, so this is more of an exercise in optimism than a true preparation for the occasion. But I hope this letter reflects that moment.

Dear Chamber Friends, PATRICK O'CONNELL

CHAIR OF THE BOARD SVP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES EWM REALTY INTERNATIONAL OCONNELL.P@EWM.COM

We have passed through the darkness together and emerged in the light of a new day in Coral Gables. The last several months have been a testament to the resilience of our members, their families, and the entire business community in our city and across the globe.

We have collectively experienced a global event not seen in over 100 years. This is the beginning of a new epoch.

Humanity stands at the precipice of this new era faced with many choices about how we will shape our new world. Let us seize this moment and use our newly found discipline to remake our community, and the planet, in a more sustainable way. We have, as one world, fought a common foe and prevailed. We can surely use the same resolve to heal our natural environment, greatly reduce social and racial inequality, and put an end to the conflicts that arise from these long-standing issues.

How do we do this? It will be the job of every community, large and small, to adopt new practices and a greater appreciation for what we have built together. Change will start at the local level. This Chamber of Commerce is strong and the bonds that have formed through this organization provide a vehicle for new ideas and collaboration. As we return to the new Coral Gables, let us lead the way locally while focusing globally and for the benefit of all. I look forward to working with each of you in the coming months to rebuild the best parts of the pre-pandemic world, while focusing on an even brighter future for post-pandemic Coral Gables. (end letter) I hope that you and your family have remained safe and healthy through these challenging weeks of social distancing. There will be better days ahead and I look forward to meeting again, face to face, soon.

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE | QUARANTINE & CHILL (WITH ABE) This upcoming Friday, I have the distinct pleasure of joining local author, historian and philanthropist Brad Meltzer as he launches his latest book, The Lincoln Conspiracy (Flatiron Books, $29.99). At 7pm on Friday, May 8th (my 52nd birthday), make plans to join us on Crowdcast, a platform supported and hosted by both Books & Books and the Miami Book Fair, for a great conversation into all things Lincoln.

In this new work, Brad Meltzer, and his co-author Josh Mensch, bring to light the assassination attempt upon our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, before his inauguration in March 1865. That’s right – they chronicle in incredible detail the plot to kill the president prior to the opportunity to take his oath of office in Washington DC. With a cast of characters worthy of its 448 pages, we take a deep dive into the story about Southern zealots who want to ensure that Lincoln never has the chance to raise his right hand and place his left hand on the family bible.

MARK A. TROWBRIDGE

As the book begins, America is a country deeply divided and on the cusp of the Civil War in 1860. Abraham Lincoln’s surprising election ensures the succession of South Carolina and a host of other states in the weeks that follow who want to protect their greatest economic asset – slavery. Many in the South believe it is their God-given right to own slaves. While Lincoln and his fellow Republicans – many of whom are ardent abolitionists – capture the White House, it is in a moment when our young country is decidedly split in two.

PRESIDENT & CEO CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MTROWBRIDGE@CORALGABLESCHAMBER.ORG

Meltzer and Mensch work hard to lay out not only the plot against Lincoln, but the backstory as to how slavery became the singular issue in the election of 1860. In addition, they detail the process by which a little-known one-term Congressman from Illinois became the party’s nominee, beating out such high profile national leaders like Senator William Seward and Governor Salmon Chase. Plus, with Southern Democrats split over their candidates (Senator Stephen Douglas versus VP John Breckinridge) in competing conventions, the path was cleared for our country’s first Republican president.

Add in other characters such as Allan Pinkerton, America’s first detective/private eye, and foes of Lincoln (like Seward and Chase and Judge Bates) who became his closest friends and allies, and you have the makings of a great story. But this story is all true – and is more than a retelling of history. It is for many of us, the first time we learn of this plot to kill the president-elect just after his election.

Abraham Lincoln, for all of his known successes, had even more private failures. He was born into abject poverty in Kentucky in 1809 and taught himself to read and write while working the land with a tough father. He suffered great loss with the death of his mother when he was seven, his sister in childbirth when he was 18 and three of his own children, only one of which lived to adulthood. He failed at almost everything he tried, including elected office, until 1860. I suspect no one was more surprised in this country at his rise to power than Honest Abe himself.

But, win he did, and with a propensity to listen to every voice (including a young girl who wrote him after he won the presidency and suggested he grow a beard so that he not look so “comely”), he surrounded himself with a “team of rivals” who not only helped him lead, but saved his life.

We all know what happened that fateful night at Ford’s theatre in 1865, but Meltzer and Mensch take us on a journey into a devious plot that almost succeeded and likely would have plunged this country into greater chaos. And, we can only surmise what would have occurred if there had been a Hannibal Hamlin presidency (Lincoln’s VP from Maine who he never met until inauguration day). Let that sink it for a moment. Our 16th president, Mr. Hannibal Hamlin.

The Lincoln Conspiracy is a great read and if you love Abraham Lincoln like I love him, every word leaps off the page, every anecdote of his great escape further steels your passion for our 16th president, and your own long-standing memories of Lincoln sear themselves deeper into your psyche.

Join me on Friday for a great way to pass a little time in quarantine as we chill with Brad and Old Abe!

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020

TRUSTEE TALK Welcome and Greetings from the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Trustee Diplomats, It’s day 30 of the "new normal" and since the last edition of the CONNECTion, the world has been turned upside down. The Trustee Diplomats have been pitching in! In addition to helping our families, our businesses, and our friends, the Diplomats have been stepping-up to help our fellow Chamber members adapt to "social distancing" and working from home.

ERIC GROS-DUBOIS

CHAIR, TRUSTEE DIPLOMATS CEO, FOUNDER | EPGD BUSINESS LAW ERIC@EPGDLAW.COM

The impact of the current public health crisis has been felt by all of us, and we are working to remain relevant, helpful, and most importantly, to be ready for the recovery. The Chamber’s Trustee events have gone virtual, with seminars and video conferences. A special thank you to fellow Trustee members Carlos Garrido of Sandler Training Miami, and Will Dukes of Sales Partners, for providing webinars in place of our regularly scheduled programming.

In the coming months, we are excited about getting back to "normal," and delivering value and connections to our GEM and Trustee members. As soon as we can, we will resume our regular schedule of monthly Trustee Receptions and Trustee Luncheons. In the meantime, we ask that you remember to mark your calendar for the July Trustee Luncheon, also known as the Invitational & Interactive Luncheon, where we will have a well-known chef and a cooking experience at the Biltmore Hotel. It’s my favorite event every year!

Here's to hoping and praying that we can all celebrate that event together!

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020

SAVE THESE DATES

2019 - 2020 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board | Patrick O’Connell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Chairman-Elect | Brian Barakat Barakat Law, P.A. First Vice Chair | Ana Chaoui Grove Bank & Trust Vice Chair | Rene Negron AXA Advisors, LLC Vice Chair | Efrain Sora Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Vice Chair | Nicolas Eterovic Edward Jones Vice Chair | Mike Ybarra Northwestern Mutual - Coral Gables Vice Chair | Sara Hernandez First Citizens Bank Trustee Council Chair | Eric Gros-Dubois EPGD Business Law Treasurer | Pilar Baena Smiles & Sonrisas Parliamentarian | Cristina Miller Intermedia Touch, Inc. Chairman's Appointee | Addys Kuryla Florida Power & Light Immediate Past Chair | Martha de la Peña Rojas Florida Blue BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thad Adams, The Allen Morris Company Ricardo Alberty, Well-Groomed Gentleman Chris Colston, Second Chance Credit, LLC Amy Donner, Coral Gables Magazine Frank Fernandez, CenterState Bank Elsa Figueredo, Doctors Hospital, part of Baptist Health Alex Fonseca, Apollo Bank Maria Garcia, Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel Jorge Martinez, The Conroy Martinez Group Alina Menendez, American Airlines Deirdre D. Nero, NERO Immigration Law, P.L. Audrey Otero, BankOZK Melanie Sanchez, Fifth-Third Bank Monique Selman, Albany Homes International Lillian Ser, Ser & Associates Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects Cinthya Urena, City National Bank Myrna Vaca, UHealth Jessica Wilcox, J. Wilcox Consulting EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Honorable Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables Mary Snow Coral Gables Community Foundation Truman Skinner Business Improvement District of Coral Gables Julian Perez City of Coral Gables President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge

Please be advised that the annual process of electing Offficers and Direc¬tors of the Chamber is about to begin.

On Monday, May 18th, 2020 you will receive an e-mail entitled "Vote now! Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Election | 2020 - 2023 Term" inviting you to participate in the Chamber's annual Board elections. Chamber Board elections are being hosted online through a secure voting resource known as Election Buddy. Please follow the instructions in that e-mail to submit your secure and anonymous vote today.

Please contact the Chamber at (305) 446-1657 if you have any questions regarding elections or you electronic ballot.

The nominees, as determined by the Nominating Committee, for the 2020 - 2023 Board of Directors are: • Steven Bradley, Clutch Burger • Wayne Eldred, Brown Label • Nicolas Eterovic, Edward Jones • Elsa Figueredo, Doctors Hospital, part of Baptist Health • Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel • Cristina Miller, Intermedia Touch, Inc. • Audrey Otero, Bank OZK • Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects • Efrain Sora, Sora Global Insurance & Consulting, Inc. • Myrna Vaca, UHealth Remember, you may vote for up to five (5) candidates!

Voting closes on Sunday, May 31st at 11:59 PM.

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020

CHAMBER CALENDAR

May | June Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

4

9 AM | Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting

5

Noon | Industry Chat: SECURE Act NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Thursday

6

Friday 7

8 AM | Small Business Committee 9 AM | Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting Meeting

8

7 PM | An Evening w/ Brad Meltzer

10 AM | Discussion w/ Dr. Julio Frenk

Noon | RE-Connect Luncheon 5 PM | Wind Down Wednesday

•

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

11

12

18

19

9 AM | Board of Directors Elections to Begin

‘20

Noon | Spiritus Law Webinar

Noon | Women's Business Network Luncheon

•

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

13

14

20

21

8 AM | Business & Gov’t Affairs Committee Meeting

4 PM | IMPACT Seminar

15

22

10 AM | Good Morning Coral Gables Brunch

11:30 AM | 20/30 Group Meeting

25

Noon | Industry Chat

26

Noon | Trustee Luncheon

27

28

29

OFFICE CLOSED

1

2

9 AM | Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting

3

8 AM | Small Business Committee Meeting

4

9 AM | Women's Business Network Committee Meeting

Noon | RE-Connect Luncheon

9 AM | Trow Knows...CEOs

5

Noon | Business Book Club

5 PM | Rising Star Awards

8

9

15

16

10

11

12

17

18

19

8 AM | Business & Gov’t Affairs Committee Meeting

Noon | Women's Business Network Luncheon

4 PM | IMPACT Seminar

9 AM | Chamber 101

10 AM | Good Morning Coral Gables Brunch

11:30 AM | 20/30 Group Meeting

22

23

29

30

Noon | Trustee Luncheon

24

25

26

1

2

3

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020

9 AM | Trow Knows...CEOs

SPONSOR RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY MARCH

SERIES SPONSOR

SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through April 2020 $5,000 & Above

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES MARCH

APRIL

WOMEN'S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON MARCH

TRUSTEE & GEM INVESTORS RECEPTION MARCH

TRUSTEE & GEM INVESTORS LUNCHEON MARCH

• The Allen Morris Company • Amerant Bank • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • Capital One • CenterState Bank • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank of Florida • Clear Channel Outdoor • Doctors Hospital • Florida Blue • Home Financing Center, Inc. • Photo Offset, Inc. • Samuel Adams Boston Lager • South Motors • UHealth

$2,500 - $4,999

• Baptist Health South Florida • Florida Power & Light • Gulliver Schools • Intermedia Touch, Inc. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • NERO Immigration Law, P.L. • Smiles & Sonrisas

TROW KNOWS CEOS

Someone’s Son

IMPACT SEMINAR

e m a G ON!

RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON

TOTAL HEALTH RESTORATION Dr. Michael Forman DOM, P.A.

TM

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | May - June 2020