2012 Business Plan

2012 BUSINESS PLAN

Chairman’s Message: Walker Wilkerson CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP

I’m pleased to present the Chamber’s 2012 Business Plan, outlining the initiatives, publications, events and programs designed to grow your business and foster economic growth in the coming year.

This year, the Chamber board of directors, volunteers and staff will focus on the following Key Strategic Issues: • Communications • Member Value • Public Policy • Quality of Life • Talent Development & Education

Working Together for Lakeland The Chamber of Commerce encompasses community work in many different areas. In addition to the Chamber’s day-today operations, the following organizations work under the Chamber umbrella.

Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism is the top industry in Florida, and Lakeland is situated less than 45 minutes from the world’s most popular tourist destination, Disney World! As a part of the Chamber’s partnership with the City of Lakeland, the Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau works closely with tourism entities through the state and county to maximize Lakeland’s tourism marketing and bring Please take a moment to review the Business Plan and take advantage of tourism dollars to Lakeland’s businesses. In addition to all that the Chamber has to offer for your growing business! working with the Florida High School Athletic Association and the Detroit Tigers, the CVB manages The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to creating a climate the Lakeland Hotel & Motel Association, providing where business can prosper. Through partnerships with 1,600 member an outlet for Lakeland’s premier properties to businesses, Chamber staff, volunteers and the board of directors offer a broad collaborate and grow. menu of programs and services to meet the needs of the changing community.

BusinessVoice of Greater Lakeland, Inc. BusinessVoiceInc.com

Sincerely, ®

Walker Wilkerson, 2012 Chairman of the Board

Vision Statement

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce will be the Premier catalyst for the advancement of Lakeland’s economic growth and enhancement of quality of life – creating Florida’s community of choice.

Created in 2000 as the political arm of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, this political action committee provides education for members and supports pro-business candidates and issues. In addition to the Chamber’s Public Affairs Division, BusinessVoice provides much needed facts and details to ensure that Lakeland’s voters are aware of issues that impact business and economic development.

Mission Statement

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading organization dedicated to creating a climate where business can prosper.

LakelandChamber.com

Networking

To assist member companies in making connections to grow business.

• Welcome new members and engage existing members with volunteer Chamber Champions program.

• Organize events like New Member Receptions, Business After Hours and Schmooze a’Palooza as well as annual events including the Chamber Scramble, Tiger BBQ, Annual Meeting, and Hats Off to Chamber Members.

• Support Leads Groups creating a tight-knit community of non-competing member businesses.

• Provide administrative support for EMERGE Lakeland, an organization for young professionals that promotes networking, professional development and philanthropic engagement. This is a partnership with the United Way of Central Florida.

Exposure

Create opportunities for promoting and refering member businesses.

• Support optimization of LakelandChamber.com as Lakeland’s resource for community and business information by enhancing member search key words and community calendar usage.

• Act as the Visitor Information Center for the city of Lakeland and refer member businesses through the Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau.

• Increase the economic impact of tourism by promoting Lakeland as a tourist destination through partnerships with local and state-wide tourism agencies, attractions, and sports teams.

• Publish member accolades and news in Forum for Business, Blog.LakelandChamber.com and through social media outlets.

• Feature member expertise in articles in Forum for Business and Blog.LakelandChamber.com.

• Coordinate ribbon cuttings and ground breakings for member businesses.

• Publish 2012 Guide to Lakeland as a relocation resource and business directory highlighting Lakeland’s outstanding Quality of Life.

• Rejuvenate “Buy Lakeland. It makes good cents!” campaign, increasing member participation to create community awareness.

• Create quality opportunities for companies looking for added exposure including advertising in Chamber publications, event host opportunities and sponsorship of annual special events.

Professional Development Provide outlets for learning key business skills that meet business owners’ and employees’ schedules and development needs.

Advocacy Monitor the effects of legislation on business, speak out on issues of business importance and provide education about public affairs to the community.

• Offer an online resource center for 24/7 access to small business resources and information.

• Lobby a pro-commerce legislative priority agenda for City, County, and State governmental issues.

• Continue to partner with the Small Business Development Center to provide office space for counseling sessions.

• Coordinate Politics in the Park, an old fashioned political rally designed to promote involvement in the political process and engagement in issues.

• Host monthly roundtables of business owners in partnership with SCORE.

• Meet one-on-one with City, County, and State elected officials to share position statements and encourage continued support of the business community.

• Coordinate regular Business & Breakfast events designed to offer short workshops on pertinent business topics.

• Continue the 29 year tradition of Leadership Lakeland, an annual leadership program designed as a hands-on experience in the Lakeland community.

• Organize annual Economic Forecast Breakfast designed to offer a look at economic predictions, the Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast which provides an opportunity to recap new business related legislation and CommUnity Celebration which celebrates Lakeland’s rich and diverse community with a keynote speaker

• Represent the business community and member businesses at all government meetings.

• Through the Chamber’s Political Action Committee, BusinessVoice of Greater Lakeland, Inc., engage directly in the election process by interviewing candidates and endorsing pro-business candidates for election.

2012 Executive Committee Chairman of the Board Walker Wilkerson, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Chair Elect Mark E.Wilson, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. Immediate Past Chair Alice Hunt, Hunt Construction of Central Florida, Inc. Treasurer Dan McBride,Victory Church Chairman, Lakeland Economic Development Council Jeff Chamberlain, Publix Super Markets, Inc. Vice Chair, Communications Kurt Elmhorst, Allen & Company of Florida Vice Chair, Member Value Mike McGee, McGee Auto Service & Tires Vice Chair,Talent Development & Education Stacy Campbell-Domineck, PolkWorks Workforce Development Board Vice Chair, Quality of Life Mike LaPan,The Lakeland Center Vice Chair, Public Policy Tim Jackson, NuJak Companies General Counsel David Miller, Peterson & Myers, P.A. President Kathleen L. Munson, Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce

Lakeland Chamber Foundation One of the greatest assets the Chamber has in serving the diverse needs of our Lakeland community is the Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 1973 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization through the efforts of several Chamber leaders. With continued support from members, the Foundation supports grant funding for community betterment and education efforts.

Chairman: Alice Hunt Hunt Construction of Central Florida, Inc.

Chaiman of the Board:Walker Wilkerson CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Chairman-elect: Mark E.Wilson Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc.

Treasurer: Dan McBride Victory Church

President: Kathleen L. Munson Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce

General Counsel: David Miller Peterson & Myers, P.A.

Directors:

Hugh Autry Lakeland Regional Medical Center Maureen Shaw Flower Cart Florist

Terri Goleno Cheatham, Goleno, & Ferguson, P.A.

Gary Tarr Retired

Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts Blackmon Roberts Group, Inc.

2012 Board of Directors Don Bosko, Beef O'Brady's Family Sports Bar Sarah Case, JSK Consulting, Inc. R. Joseph Childs, D.B.A., Southeastern University College of Business & Legal Studies David Daniel, Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic Center Bill Dorman, Lanier Upshaw, Inc. Patrick Fagan, Fifth Third Bank Brad Farrow, Givauden Flavors Gow Fields, City of Lakeland Melinda Harrison, Watson Clinic LLP Mitchell Harvey, Mitchell's Coffeehouse Karen Kovach, Third Wing Business Strategies, LLC Robert Loftin, Community Southern Bank Katrina Lunsford,Wells Fargo Bank Steve Madden, Madden Sherrie Nickell, Polk County Public Schools Trista Otto, Saddle Creek Corporation Jeff Payne, Lakeland Regional Medical Center James E. Payne, Ph.D., University of South Florida Polytechnic Don Pickard, Pickard & Pickard, Inc. REALTORS William L. Rhey, Ph.D., Florida Southern College Joe L. Ruthven, The Ruthvens Steve Scruggs, Lakeland Economic Development Council Sam Sheets, Samuel G. Sheets and Associates, P.A. Andrea Teves Smith, Peterson & Myers, P.A. David Steele, Polk State College Randy Stinson, Stinson's Home Design Center Doug Thomas, City of Lakeland Kathy Wallen, Baylis & Company PA CPAs Phil Wegman, Furr and Wegman Architects, P.A. Jason Witty, Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida