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Annual Report
Lakeland 2010 Annual Report
A Chamber of Commerce is a form of Business Network – a local organization whose goal is to further the interests of the business community. With more than 1,600 member businesses, the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce holds as its mission: To be the leading organization dedicated to creating a climate where business can prosper. In 2010, the board of directors adopted five Key Strategic Issues (KSIs) aligned with the Florida Chamber’s “Six Pillars”. Focused on the needs of the Lakeland Community and the members of this Chamber, these KSIs are Communications, Talent Development & Education, Member Value, Public Policy and Quality of Life. With these KSIs forming board, member and staff strategies and goals, the center of the Chamber’s attention remained providing extraordinary value to members. Knowing that there are four main reasons why a business would join a chamber, the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce developed and carried out its business plan in 2010 designed to provide: exposure, networking, professional development and advocacy.
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ANNUAL Report 1
Lakeland Chairman’s Message
Serving as Chairman of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce this past year has been a great honor for me. Our Chamber represents more than 1,600 member businesses in the Greater Lakeland community, making us one of Florida’s largest business organizations. The opportunity to work alongside our board of directors and professional staff has been very rewarding, as we have collectively combined our talents and energies to meet the needs of our member businesses in these challenging economic times. As you will read about in this Annual Report, this past year we have focused on five key strategic initiatives: Communications, Talent Development and Education, Member Value, Public Policy and Quality of Life. Through the leadership of our Vice Chairs over each of these areas, we have been able to provide greater value-added services to our members and the tools they need to compete in this global economy. We’ve also launched a new Web site, www.LakelandChamber.com, which has allowed us to more effectively market our member businesses and the quality products and services they offer. I ask each of you to actively support and promote the Chamber’s “Buy Lakeland. It makes good cents!” campaign. Dollars spent locally support job opportunities for everyone in the community, and generate the tax dollars that pay for vital services. As we move into a new year, I ask each of you to continue to be actively engaged in the Chamber and to take advantage of all your membership offers to you and your business. Under the tremendous leadership of our new Chair, Alice Hunt, I have no doubt 2011 will be a positive year for the Chamber and its members! Sincerely,
Joe L. Ruthven, 2010 Chairman of the Board 2
Lakeland EXPOSURE
Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau The mission of the Convention & Visitors Bureau is to market and promote Lakeland as an ideal destination for meetings, conventions and tourism on behalf of the City of Lakeland and Chamber member businesses. The primary focus is to increase sales of overnight accommodations, generate tax revenues and enhance Lakeland’s tourism and economic climate. In order to attain these objectives, the CVB partnered with The City of Lakeland (including The Lakeland Center, Polk County Sports Marketing, and the Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau) to increase events held in the Greater Lakeland and Polk County area with emphasis on increasing “non-seasonal” activity. In addition to promoting Lakeland’s attractions and meeting facilities statewide, regionally, nationally and internationally, the Chamber generated room-block and rate commitments for groups throughout Lakeland providing one-stop convenience to encourage selection of Lakeland for visitation and meetings. As the meeting planner for the Florida Federation of Music Clubs stated, “The assistance from the Lakeland Convention and Visitors Bureau made the difference in deciding on Lakeland to host our event.” In addition to the many local amateur sporting events that took place in Lakeland, the Lakeland Convention and Visitors Bureau successfully worked with Lakeland’s Championship Committee and FHSAA towards the successful culmination of the 2010 Boys’ & Girls’ State Basketball Championships, the State Wrestling Championships and the State Volleyball Championships and partnered with industry partners to prepare the bid for the 2012-2014 seasons. As one of Florida’s largest statewide conventions, bringing approximately 160,000 regional, national and international guests and close to $29 million in economic impact to Lakeland, the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in is integral in the work of the LCVB. Chamber staff and volunteers helped to staff the Visitor Information Center at the Fly-In, directing visitors to stay and spend their dollars in Chamber member businesses. The Convention and Visitors Bureau answered thousands of visitor information and relocation inquiries offering welcome packets to area visitors and meeting attendees.
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Lakeland EXPOSURE
Small Business Awards Selecting and recognizing a small business each month is a tradition at the Chamber of Commerce. This program, initiated in 1986, is designed to recognize a small business that serves as a model for other businesses in our community. The business must have been in business for a minimum of 8 years and must have been a Chamber member for four consecutive years. The business gross annual revenue may not exceed five million dollars or 25 full time employees. The Linder Small Business of the Year is selected from the 12 monthly winners. The recipient of the Linder Small Business of the Year Award was Troiano & Roberts, P.A. The 2010 Small Business of the Month Award Winner: January: Edgewood Animal Clinic
July: Wallis Murphey Boyington Architects, Inc
February: Cleary’s Garden Creations
August: Tapatios Restaurante Mexicano, Inc.
March: Advantage Home Health Services, Inc.
September: Platinum Bank
April: Harry E. Bopp, PA
October: Gold’s Gym
May: Florida Kitchen & Bath Designs
November: Dairy Queen North
June: Terrie Lobb Catering, Inc.
December: Troiano & Roberts, P.A.
LakelandChamber.com After nearly a year of research and development, the Chamber launched a brand new LakelandChamber.com offering search-engine optimized listings for members as well as a community calendar and a coupon system to allow members to better track referrals from the Chamber. The new LakelandChamber.com offers visitors to the area a complete directory of member businesses, perfect for finding a place to stay, eat, shop and more! Ribbon Cuttings During 2010, the Chamber was proud to be a part of 71 ribbon cutting or grand opening ceremonies. This benefit of membership is key to welcoming Lakeland’s new and expanding businesses! 4
Lakeland Networking
Business After Hours Monthly networking events provide outstanding relationship-building opportunities for Chamber members. With nearly 200 business-people in attendance, the Business After Hours engages members and introduces them to one host business each month through the Chamber’s valuable sponsorship marketing opportunities. Schmooze a’Palooza Outside of the monthly Business After Hours events, members enjoyed three Schmooze a’Palooza luncheons that introduced 50 attendees to one another and still left enough time to finish the work day! The value of the “Schmooze” opportunity is described by member Liz Craven, “I always make room for Schmooze a’Palooza on my calendar. More than any other event, this one makes a difference in my bottom line.” LEADS Groups With weekly meetings at the Chamber building and off-site field trips, the LEADS Groups grew in 2010! Members of the Tuesday and Wednesday lunch-time groups formed close-knit communities that allowed each company represented to share indepth marketing and business development information. CommUnity Celebration The Chamber hosted the 11th Annual CommUnity Celebration with an attendance of approximately 600 people. The keynote speaker was Carlos Luna, a famous Cubanborn artist. Mr. Luna is recognized nationally and internationally and compared to Pablo Picasso. During the event, he presented two pieces of art to the Polk Museum of Art. He was assisted by Teresa Martinez who has written a book, “Success in Exile: Five Decades of Cuban Stories”. The CommUnity Celebration goal is to promote harmonious relationships across racial, ethnic and socio-economic barriers within our community.
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ANNUAL Report 5
Lakeland Professional Development
EMERGE Lakeland The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Florida united in a collaboration to develop EMERGE Lakeland in December, 2003. In 2010, this organization had approximately 175 members between the ages of 21 and 42. The EMERGE Lakeland program goal is to build relationships, develop professionally, become politically aware, philanthropically active, and contribute to the economic development and quality of life in Lakeland. These community volunteers become the community leaders of tomorrow. In 2010, Emerge Lakeland held 12 monthly events. There were three professional development sessions and four human service/philanthropic activities with local nonprofits. EMERGE Serves premiered and provided 21 participants with comprehensive training on the fundamentals of board service taught by an amazing array of elected officials, community leaders and non-profit agency directors. The P2P class participants (Peer 2 Peer Mentoring) completed a program designed to foster friendships, learn about the community and identify future EMERGE leaders. The leadership positions in 2010 were held by: Chair Kathy Wallen, Baylis & Company PA, CPAs Vice-Chair Cindy Green, Furr & Wegman Architects, PA Secretary April Mullins, Bank of Central Florida Treasurer Todd Baylis, Cipher Integrations and Qgiv
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Lakeland Professional Development
Leadership Lakeland The Leadership Lakeland program celebrated the graduation of 31 members of the community from the 27th year of the Leadership Lakeland program under the leadership of Art Erickson, Florida Lifestyle Communities. An additional 30 participants began Class XXVIII in August, 2010, under the leadership of Nancy Cattarius, WONN/WPCV/WLKF/WWRZ Radio. The program is designed to enhance the participants’ leadership skills and acquaint them with many different aspects of the community. Members of Class XXVIII are: Jennifer Adams, Bank of Central Florida
Karen Kovach, Third Wing Business Strategies, LLC
Michael Barnes, Center for Retina and Macular Disease
Bruce Lyon, Swan Development Advisors
Kindle Bowden, City of Lakeland
Harold Maready, The Schools of McKeel Academy
Richard Cardosi, Watson Clinic
Lori Martini, Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland
Sharon Casey, Community Southern Bank
Leticia Miller, Polk Museum of Art
Jeff Chamberlain, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Michael Peeples, Southern Homes
Denis Cole, Kerry Ingredients & Flavours
Jason Rodda, Rodda Construction, Inc.
Chris Craig, Salvation Army
Bart Ross, tmr Agency
Elliott Dorsch, Dorsch Inc. dba Fun Bike Center
Jason Shepard, Heacock Insurance
Kim Elmhorst, Junior League of Greater Lakeland
Jack Strollo, Broadway Real Estate Services
Kevin English, The NCT Group CPAs
Mark Talbott, Republic Services
Barbi Feldman, Vecchio, Carrier & Feldman, PA
Dale Terrell, Crystal Lake Middle School
Karen Houtz, Community Bank of Florida
Julie Townsend, Downtown Lakeland Partnership
Tracy Kimbrough, Baylis & Company PA CPAs
April Williams, Integrity Insurance Agency
Jeff Kincart, American Compliance Technologies, Inc.
Mark Wilson, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
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Lakeland Professional Development
Private Sector Leadership The Lakeland Chamber participated, along with entities from across Polk County, to create and implement a county-wide leadership program four years ago. This initiative is in compliance with Strategy #2 in the Private Sector Leadership Foundation of the Polk Vision. The program is enjoying its fourth year. The Lakeland Chamber has representation on the planning committee and is also responsible for one of the day sessions when the class visits Lakeland. 23rd Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast This popular annual event, hosted by Allen & Company of Florida, Inc and the Chamber, was held on January 14. The breakfast event provided timely and informative economic and business projections for the record crowd of more than 600 guests. Back by popular demand, Dr. Robert Lang presented Florida’s economic forecast and Brian Wesbury offered the national forecast for 2010. Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast The 2010 Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast on May 20 was another successful, informative public awareness event. 300 Chamber members gathered to hear firsthand from our Polk legislative delegation how the business community fared during the 2010 session. Special thanks to the following legislators who participated in this year’s event: Senator JD Alexander (District 17), Senator Ronda Storms (District 10), Representative Mike Horner (District 79), Representative Seth McKeel (District 63), Representative Kelli Stargel (District 64) and Representative John Wood ( District 65). Politics in the Park Because 2010 was an important election year, the Chamber’s Public Policy Division worked to bring the candidates to the people of Lakeland with the 2010 Politics in the Park event held in Historic Munn Park. This old-fashioned political rally showcased candidates from local and state elections and encouraged citizens to vote.
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Lakeland Professional Development
SCORE Business Roundtables A new opportunity for small business owners was launched in 2010 in partnership with Central Florida SCORE, a volunteer group of executives. With a small group of core owners, the group has become a campus for learning and a field for troubleshooting everyday challenges.
KSI Happenings In 2010, the Chamber recognized the need to support our small businesses with identifying resources that would assist them in hiring a workforce during a down economy. As some of our businesses struggled, several were able to tap into the resources available through Polk Works under the Florida Back to Work initiative. Through this successful initiative, Lakeland area businesses were able to hire needed employees and pay 5% of their salary and benefits, while Polk Works paid the remaining 95%. As a result of the partnership between Polk Works and the Lakeland Chamber, 37 Lakeland companies participated in this initiative. Collectively, Lakeland companies received $940,344 in salaries and benefits for their workers. Of those hired under this initiative, 17 employees were retained in permanent status.
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ANNUAL Report 9
Lakeland Advocacy
No On 4 The Government Affairs committee focused on several key legislatives issues in 2010 at the local and state level. Its top priority was to actively lobby for the defeat of Amendment 4, which would have required a taxpayer-funded referendum for all changes to local government comprehensive land-use plans and virtually stopped economic development growth in the state. Thanks to a unified lobbying effort, the amendment was successfully defeated. KSI Happenings In partnership with the Polk County School District’s Workforce Education Division, the WE3 Summit was held on November 4, 2010. There are approximately 33 career academies housed within our local high schools and there was a need to provide a venue for the general public and business leaders to become more aware of their existence in order to generate additional opportunities for academy students. Approximately 300 people attended the event and booths were set up to market the various career academies to the attendees. The hope is that businesses and educators can identify ways to collaborate to better prepare students entering the workforce. Tigers Impact our Community! The Detroit Tigers bring an estimated $30 million dollars in economic impact into our community each year, with the Minor League Lakeland Flying Tigers adding at least $16 million more to that amount. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce values their economic contributions and the public relations opportunities that they provide and works closely with them to enhance and maintain their presence in our community! The 64th Annual Tiger BBQ, welcoming them back to their Spring Training home in Lakeland greeted more than 800 guests last year! The Chamber additionally organized a business and community trip to Toronto—“North-With-The-Tigers,” in an effort to further demonstrate Lakeland’s support of our Tigers on the road. This event gave our Chamber and City leaders as well as community fans the opportunity to network with the Tigers while demonstrating how the community values their connection to Lakeland during the regular season.
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Lakeland Advocacy
BusinessVoice, Inc. Chair: Tim Rice (Ward’s Heating and Air Conditioning) BusinessVoice, Inc., created by the Chamber in 2000, is a Political Action Committee that supports and endorses pro-business political candidates, as well as issues which impact the business community. Highlights of the areas BusinessVoice focused on in 2010: Interviewed and endorsed the following candidates who were successful elected to office in the General Election: County Commission - Melony Bell (District 2) and Todd Dantzler (District 4); State Legislature - Kelli Stargel (FL House District 64), and John Wood (FL House District 65). BusinessVoice held its Annual Meeting on November 10. The following individuals were elected to the BusinessVoice Board of Directors: Representing the Chamber of Commerce and serving as Ex Officio Directors are Joe L. Ruthven, Mark Wilson, Kathleen Munson and Paul Noris. Representing BusinessVoice as Directors are Tim Rice, Maria Mahoney and Bill Mutz. Paul Noris was appointed to serve BusinessVoice’s Chairman in 2011.
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ANNUAL Report 11
Lakeland Executive committee
Chairman of the Board: Joe L. Ruthven, The Ruthvens
Chair elect: Alice Hunt, Hunt Construction of Central Florida, Inc.
Immediate Past Chairman: Anu Saxena, KCI Technologies, Inc.
Treasurer: Walker Wilkerson, The NCT Group CPA’s, L.L.P.
Chairman, Lakeland Economic Development Council: C. Scott Franklin, Lanier Upshaw, Inc.
Vice Chair, Communications: Tim Jackson, NuJak Companies
Vice Chair, Member Value: Patrick Fagan, Fifth Third Bank
Vice Chair, Public Policy: Mark E. Wilson, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Vice Chair, Quality of Life: Melinda Harrison, Watson Clinic LLP
Vice Chair, Talent Development & Education: Steve Moore, Florida Property & Development
General Counsel: David Hallock, Jr., GrayRobinson, P.A.
President: Kathleen L. Munson
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ANNUAL Report 12
Lakeland About the Chamber 2010 Board of Directors
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Hugh Autry, Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Joe Joseph, Royal Granite & Marble LLC
Todd Baylis, Cipher Integrations, Inc.
Tom Joyner, Joyner Lumber & Supply Co.
Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts, Blackmon Roberts Group, Inc.
Mike LaPan, The Lakeland Center
Hal Bolter, Swagelok Central Florida
Katrina Lunsford, Wachovia A Wells Fargo Company
Don Bosko, Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub
Tony Martinez, Herndon & Associates Insurance, LLC
Maria Brous, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Dr. Gail McKinzie, Polk County Public Schools
Stacy Campbell-Domineck, Polk Works/Region 17
Corey Miller, Miller Construction Management, Inc.
Gary Cassard, Bright House Networks
Bob Morrow, GEICO
Denis Cole, Kerry Ingredients and Flavours
Sam Nimah, Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida
Jerome Ferson, The Ledger
Tim Rice, Ward’s Heating & Air Conditioning
Mayor Gow Fields, City of Lakeland
Steve Scruggs, Lakeland Economic Development Council
Terri Goleno, Cheatham, Goleno and Ferguson, P.A.
Andrea Teves Smith, Peterson & Myers, P.A.
Mitchell Harvey, Mitchell’s Coffeehouse
Weymon Snuggs, Citizens Bank & Trust
Andy Hernan, Griffin Pools, Inc.
David Steele, USF Polytechnic
Linda Jezard, Advantage Positioning, Inc.
Doug Thomas, City of Lakeland
ANNUAL Report 13
Lakeland Chairman’s Circle
The Chairman’s Circle was founded in the fall of 2003 to provide a unique business forum for senior level executives to meet with one another, build relationships and participate in strategic marketing and membership events to enhance their own business and the overall Lakeland business community. Through the leadership and support of the following members of the Chairman’s Circle, this Chamber has the resources to better assist our members with special focus on our small
Ralph Allen, Allen & Company of Florida, Inc
Clayton Hollis, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Ira Anderson, Crowe Horwath, LLP
Daniel Knell, Bartow Regional Medical Center
Jeff Baker, FedEx National LTL
Robert Loftin, BB&T
Dean Boring, Boring Business Systems
Katrina Lunsford, Wachovia A Wells Fargo Company
Timothy F. Campbell, Clark, Campbell, Mawhinney & Lancaster, P.A.
Leonard Mass, Drummond Company, Inc.
Mike Carter, The NCT Group, CPA’s, L.L.P.
Mark Miller, GrayRobinson, P.A.
Gary Cassard, Bright House Networks
Bob Puterbaugh, Peterson & Myers, P.A.
Jim Chaffin, SunTrust Bank
George Rogers, GEICO
Dale Dreyer, CenterState Bank
Art Rowbotham, WONN/WPCV/WLKF/WWRZ Radio
Ken Ely, Platinum Bank
Joe P. Ruthven, The Ruthvens
Art Erickson, Florida Lifestyle Communities
Dr. Lou Saco, Watson Clinic, LLP
Mayor Gow Fields, City of Lakeland
Anu Saxena, KCI Technologies, Inc.
Scott Franklin, Lanier Upshaw, Inc.
Jack Stephens, Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Mike Furr, Furr & Wegman Architects, P.A.
Gary Tarr, Pepperidge Farm, Inc.
Kamal Haider, M.D., Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group, P.A.
Ralph Weeks, Quality Petroleum Corporation
Ford Heacock, Heacock Insurance Group
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Lakeland Chamber Foundation Chair: Anu Saxena, KCI Technologies, Inc. MISSION: To support special education and community betterment programs which help promote Lakeland’s quality of life. One of the greatest assets this Chamber has in serving the diverse needs of our community is the Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation. Founded in 1973 as a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization, the Foundation serves to support needed community and education initiatives. Through the Foundation’s assets and generous contributions of Chamber member businesses, the Foundation Board of Directors awarded grants totaling $34,500 to seven Lakeland area non-profit organizations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS The following officers and directors led the Foundation in 2010: Officers: Chairman: Anu Saxena KCI Technologies, Inc.
Directors: Hugh Autry Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Chairman of the Board: Joe L. Ruthven The Ruthvens
Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts Blackmon Roberts Group
Chairman-elect: Alice Hunt Hunt Construction of Central Florida
Maureen Shaw Flower Cart Florist
Treasurer: Walker Wilkerson The NCT Group, CPA’s, L.L.P.
Gary Tarr
President: Kathleen L. Munson
David Touchton The NCT Group, CPA’s, L.L.P.
General Counsel: David Hallock, Jr. GrayRobinson, P.A.
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ANNUAL Report 15