Chamber CONNECTion | November - December 2020

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 CELEBRATING ALL THAT SPARKLES ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESS! Each Fall for the past twenty years, the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce has honored the luminous success of local businesses with our signature awards program, the Diamond Awards!

Although there have been many challenges as of late, our Chamber, along with our presenting sponsor CenterState / SouthState Bank, remain committed to highlighting the illustrious success of the local businesses that are deserving of honor and greater recognition.

In an effort to further connect with our community outside Coral Gables, we have expanded this opportunity to encompass businesses located throughout Miami-Dade County. With fourteen categories to choose from, we encourage you to take a few minutes of your time and submit an application for your chance to be recognized as a Diamond Award honoree.

This year's categories include: Large Business; Small Business; Diamond-in-the-Rough; Large Non-Profit Organization; Small Non-Profit Organization; Woman-Owned Business; Sustainable Business; Law Firm; Real Estate Firm; Hospitality Entity; Retailer; Family-Owned Business; Healthcare Entity; and Global Business.

IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from our Chair

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President’s Perspective

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Trustee Talk

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Flags on Ponce

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The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 10th at 4 PM and honorees will be recognized during a virtual awards program on Tuesday, December 8th - with more details to come!

Save These Dates!

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Membership Highlights

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For more information about this and other events, contact Erica Simons ESimons@CoralGablesChamber.org today!

Chamber Calendar

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our at

Sponsor Recognition

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2020

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THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR Chamber Friends, Slowly but surely, we have continued to overcome challenges to "Come Together" as a community. We have pushed through these tough times and have finally made it to Phase 3 of reopening!

BRIAN BARAKAT

CHAIR OF THE BOARD PARTNER | BARAKAT + BOSSA, P.A. BRIAN@TRIALLAWMIAMI.COM

As we enter this period, as a business community, we are all working together to find a balance between reopening and taking common sense precautions to protect our customers and employees. Restaurants that have the capacity to seat more than 50 percent, while still maintaining six feet distance, may do so. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez explains, “As our infection rates continue to drop below 5 percent and our hospitalizations continue to decline, I am proud of the community’s response in helping tamp down the spread of this virus.”

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is leading from the front by listening to all the players and acting as an advocate and an educator for our membership.

As times continue to change, things are also changing at my law firm. I am excited to announce a merger between my firm and my new partner, Giacomo Bossa’s firm. Our new firm, Barakat + Bossa, P.A. will "Come Together" and bring to you our local and international expertise in litigation. We look forward to celebrating this exciting journey with you.

It is one of my goals for this year to promote our stated value of inclusiveness and in doing such, we have created what we hope is a lasting partnership with the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce. We aim to create and co-promote a series of events together bringing our members together with theirs.

To start I hope you each attended the "She Build" seminar on November 5th that took place via zoom webinar. This event promoted the females who are conquering a traditionally male dominated industry. We heard from an expert panel of female developers, bankers, and builders, getting a better understanding of how to finance, build, promote and sell.

Finally, remember, we are asking each Chamber member to support their fellow members. Through our Chamber First initiative, we encourage you to take a look at your current business partnership and consider switching to a Chamber member today. When you do, reach out and tell us about it. We would love to promote you both through testimonials shared online!

CHAIR OF THE BOARD PARTNER | BARAKAT + BOSSA, P.A. BRIAN@TRIALLAWMIAMI.COM

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2020

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE | TOGETHER AGAIN Over the past seven months, there have been so many things I have missed. Going to events, taking in-person meetings (honestly, I have), going out to breakfast, lunch and dinner, traveling out-of-town, and going to the movies each week at the CG Art Cinema or Landmark Cinema, chief among them.

But most of all, I have missed you. Yes, you. All of you.

Our devoted Chamber members, our neighbors and our loyal friends and community leaders - you are the best part of our Chamber and a member of our extended family.

To miss something requires a period of time that leads to a sense of loss or separation - and it takes great purpose and action to overcome and remedy.

That is the ultimate side-effect of COVID-19 - it not only creates havoc to one's body and threatens our very health - it creates distance and disconnectedness and feelings of anxiety.

MARK A. TROWBRIDGE

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

To be sure, there have been some things we likely have not missed - rush hour traffic for me. And yes, I have added some cool new hobbies during this pandemic - growing my succulents.

We also each have more time with family, fun Zoom happy hours with friends from around the globe, and opportunities to take stock of our relationships.

Plus, you can be working even more diligently on your business. We sold our building, designed a new office space, built it out completely, moved in September, all the while upgrading our brand and website.

But I have missed the energy I receive from interacting with each of you in person, the excitement I feel when I look you in the eye and know that we have made a difference to your business and the enthusiasm you impart when you have made a great Chamber connection.

That has gotten harder during the coronavirus, but we have not given up. We have been undeterred, mostly because we miss you and so, seeing you on a Zoom each week lifts the spirits.

And we know that when we return to some sense of normalcy, we can celebrate in a way only Miamians know or understand or value.

We will hug, we will kiss, we will shake hands and well, we will invade each other's space that is a definite no-no during a pandemic like this where we must wear a mask, socially distance, take our temps and limit our interactions.

I have missed the human connection, the personal engagement, and the warmth of an authentic embrace. We thrive on it - I certainly do - and it has been a missing piece of our repertoire for far too long now.

But, business is recovering. Unemployment is dropping and as you heard this week from our Trustee Luncheon speaker, Dr. Hector Sandoval, consumer confidence is trending upward, heralding a stronger recovery to our suffering economy. We are feeling better about the unemployment numbers and our long-term health - both personally and as a business community.

It has not been easy and there is much work to be done, now and into the not-so-distant future. It will take all of us to recover, as a community and as a nation, and requires all of us to be working together, even if at a distance.

The truth is, we don't usually miss something until it is no longer in our line of sight or daily purview or a phone call away. That is why this has been so hard on us as a nation - we never dreamed of a scenario like this where we shutdown the economy and the country. And even when we did, we never expected it to take this long to re-connect, re-imagine or re-open.

So please take a moment and reach out, even in the virtual space, and say hello. It could be a call, text, social media post or an old fashioned drive-by, honk and wave.

Just make sure folks know they are missed in this socially distant and often socially remote time. They will appreciate the effort. I know I do.

I promise you this, absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, and soon, we will be together again.

TRUSTEE TALK

Greeting fellow Chamber members!

The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce's Trustee Diplomats are a hand selected group, committed to serving you and connecting you with an amazing and talented world of Chamber members and employees.

ERIC GROS-DUBOIS

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

I would personally like to welcome and greet you to this latest edition of the Chamber CONNECTion, week 31, as of this writing, of our "new normal." On behalf of the Chamber's Trustee Diplomats, we would like to congratulate our President, Mark, and his team for the successful move to the new Chamber headquarters located on the corner of Alhambra Circle and Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

As the Chamber celebrates it's 95th anniversary, we know that the Chamber is in good hands, and ready for another 95 years.

Just last month, in September, we had the honor of hosting and hearing from the Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Alberto M. Carvalho at our monthly Trustee Luncheon, sponsored by EPGD Business Law with yours truly, and with the thought of the day and pledge of allegiance by Gonzalo Acevedo from BAC Florida Bank. The Superintendent's presentation was timely, insightful, honest, and inspiring. It was truly a high-point for the Chamber in these very strange and challenging times.

In October Hector H. Sandoval, Ph.D., Director of Director of Economic Analysis Program in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research gave our Trustee and GEM Investors an exclusive update on consumer confidence in the state of Florida and a detailed outlook on our State's economic health. This engaging and informative luncheon was sponsored by our friends at Florida Power & Light and presented in partnership with the University of Florida's Alumni Association. This community partnership allowed our Chamber's Trustee and GEM Level Investors to connect and network with active members of UF's Alumni Association, effectively expanding their networks and putting their membership to work!

The Trustee Diplomats are enthusiastic for our Chairman Brian Barakat's theme of "Come Together," and are doing our best to serve his cause and help grow and support our Chamber.

In closing, please feel free to connect with me to discuss how a Trustee or GEM Level investment in the Chamber helped me build my business, create lasting business relationship and nourish the connections that have enhanced by businesses success.

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2020

Flown annually by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the City of Coral Gables, the Flags on Ponce program is a stunning display of the rich clutural diversity found in the City Beautiful highlighting our growing international business community. Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, the flags of our Sister Cities, consulate offices, multinational businesses and supporting citizens have waived brilliantly above Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Originally created by our Chamber, Flags on Ponce is a vibrant visual reminder of our City’s rich international roots.

This exhibit can be seen from December through June every year along Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

2020/2021 Sponsors Include (to date): Alma Kadragic American Airlines Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty City of Coral Gables’ International Affairs Coordinating Council Connect2Global, LLC Consul General of Australia in Miami Consul General of Guatemala in Miami Consul General of Turkey in Miami Consulate of Barbados Consulate of Uruguay NERO Immigration Law, PL Mark A. Trowbridge Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Miami If you or your company would like to be part of this colorful display of international pride, the following sponsorships are still available: Company / Business Adopt-a-Flag | $300 • Resident / Individual / Consular Corps Adopt-a-Flag | $150 Contact Erica Simons at ESimons@CoralGablesChamber.org for more information or to reserve your flag today! coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2020

SAVE THESE DATES

2020 - 2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board | Brian Barakat Barakat + Bossa, P.A. Chair-Elect | Ana Chaoui Grove Bank & Trust First Vice Chairman | Thad Adams The Allen Morris Company Treasurer | Sara Hernandez, First Citizens Bank Parliamentarian | Addys Kuryla Florida Power & Light Immediate Past Chairman | Patrick O’Connell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs | Deirdre Nero NERO Immigration Law, P.L. Vice Chairman-Community Affairs | Mike Ybarra Northwestern Mutual - Coral Gables Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Development Carolina Rendeiro, Connect2Global Vice Chairman-Member Affairs | Lauren Dowlen Lowell International Realty Vice Chairman-Special Events | Darryl Rosenbaum Bigfoot Construction Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs | Maria Garcia Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Trustee Council Chair | Eric Gros-Dubois EPGD Business Law Chairman’s Appointee | Martha de la Peña Rojas Florida Blue

September - October 2020

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ricardo Alberty, The Well Groomed Gentleman Steven Bradley, Clutch Burger Chris Colston, Second Chance Credit LLC Amy Donner, Coral Gables Magazine Frank Fernandez, CenterState Bank Alex Fonseca, Apollo Bank Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel Alina Menendez, American Airlines Cristina Miller, Intermedia Touch, Inc. Rene Negron, Equitable Advisors Elsa Powers, Doctors Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida Melanie Sanchez, Fifth Third Bank Monique Selman, Albany Homes Construction Lillian Ser, Ser & Associates, PLLC Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects Efrain Sora, Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Cinthya Urena, City National Bank of Florida Myrna Vaca, UHealth Jessica Wilcox, J. Wilcox Consulting

2 Steps Forward LLC Alarm Brokers of Florida, LLC Arte Colombiano by Berenice Beasley, Demos & Brown, LLC CanesWear Crescendo Consulting Group, LLC Diamonds by Daniella Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Coral Gables Jackson Health Foundation Mamone Villalon PLLC Mutual of Omaha Advisors OsteoStrong Risk Strategies Company Ronald Jakubisin & Associates SBCS Saldarriaga Best Cleaning Service Seacoast Construction inc.

Stephan Baker MD Sunrise Community, Inc. The Maulini Group at Morgan Stanley The Roig Academy Upwork Vizcaya Valet Services, Inc ZOMMA Group, LLP *BOLD denotes new Trustee Member | *BOLD denotes new GEM Member

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables | Commissioner Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables | Julian Perez Business Improvement District Coral Gables Community Foundation | Mary Snow The Beacon Council of Miami-Dade | James C. Kohnstamm

President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2020

CALENDAR | NOVEMBER 2020 Sunday 1

Monday 2

Tuesday

Wednesday

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Thursday

Friday

9 AM | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING

9 AM | TROW KNOWS...

CEOS: FEAT. JAVIER HERNANDEZ-LICHTL, CEO, DOCTORS HOSPITAL

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8 AM | SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING NOON | RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON

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FEAT. CONVERSATION W/A CONSUL SERIES, HONORABLE LAURENT GALLISSOT, FRANCE

N O V. 2 - 7, C E L E B R A T I N G B U R G E R L I S C I O U S 9. 5 !

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10

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NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB LUNCH & LEARN DISCUSSING “VIRTUAL SELLING”

BY JEB BLOUNT W/ CARLOS GARRIDO, SANDLER TRAINING

9 AM | GLOBAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMM. MEETING

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Saturday

11

•

FOLLOW ALONG @BURGERLISCIOUS_

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4 PM | DIAMOND AWARDS APPLICATIONS DUE

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8 AM | MEMBERSHIP TEAM COMMITTEE MEETING

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9 AM | CHAMBER 101

OFFICE CLOSED

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NOON | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON

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8 AM | BUSINESS & GOV’T AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING

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10 AM | GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES BRUNCH STYLE CELEBRATING EDUCATION EDITION

4 PM | IMPACT: A SEMINAR SERIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS BUSINESS IS BOOMING: GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU & YOUR BUSINESS

11:15 AM | 20/30 GROUP MEETING

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NOON | TRUSTEE & GEM INVESTORS LUNCHEON

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1

2

9 AM | GLOBAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING

CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED

CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED

9 AM | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING

9 AM | TROW KNOWS...

CEOS

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8 AM | SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING NOON | RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON 5:00 PM | WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR FEAT. GRINGO BINGO W/ CLUTCH BURGER

THE CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GABLESCHAMBER

CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

coralgableschamber.org | (305) 446-1657 | info@coralgableschamber.org

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NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB LUNCH & LEARN DISCUSSING NARCISSISM & CODEPENDENCY: WALKING AWAY FROM TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS

BY MICHAEL PADRAIG ACTON

GABLESCHAMBER

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SPONSOR RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY SERIES SPONSOR

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

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

The Chamber's Board of Directors

WOMEN'S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON OCTOBER

TRUSTEE & GEM INVESTORS LUNCHEON SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

• The Allen Morris Company • Amerant Bank • Equitable Advisors • 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, part of Baptist Health South Florida • Florida Blue • Home Financing Center, Inc. • Photo Offset, Inc. • Samuel Adams Boston Lager • South Motors • UHealth $2,500 - $4,999

TROW KNOWS CEOS SERIES SPONSOR

IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES SPONSOR

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

RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON SERIES SPONSORS

The Maulini Group at Morgan Stanley

coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | November - December 2020