2013 BUSINESS PLAN
executive committee Mark E. Wilson, Chairman Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Tim Jackson, Chair-elect NuJak Companies Walker Wilkerson, Immediate Past Chairman CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP Dan McBride, Treasurer Victory Church Timothy F. Campbell, General Counsel Clark, Campbell & Lancaster, PA Kathleen L. Munson Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce
I’m pleased to present the Chamber’s 2013 Business Plan, introducing the Key Strategic Initiatives that will guide our programs and publications. Your board of directors is excited to focus on ideas and initiatives that will grow your business and foster economic growth in 2013 and beyond. Please take a moment to review the Business Plan and take advantage of all that the Chamber has to offer for your growing business! Looking forward,
The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading organization dedicated to creating a climate where business can prosper.
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE The Chairman’s Circle was founded in the Fall of 2003 to provide a business forum for senior level executives to meet with one another, build relationships and participate in strategic marketing and membership events to enhance their
Mark E. Wilson, Chair Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
own business and the overall Lakeland business community. One of the major assets this Chamber has in continuing to meet the needs of Lakeland’s businesses is the strength of the leadership and financial contributions of the members of the Chairman’s Circle.
TRUSTEES In 2009, the Chamber introduced a level of membership designed for mid-sized companies looking to build involvement in its programs and services. Trustees members gain added recognition and bundled benefits to provide the
2013 BUSINESS PLAN
opportunities to establish contacts and network with top-level professionals in our community.
Vice Chairs The Chamber’s program of work is developed around five Key Strategic Issues (KSIs) adopted by the board of directors. Beginning in 2013, Chair Mark Wilson and Vice Chairs will begin to develop three-year initiatives to meet the diverse needs of our 1,700 member businesses.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Karen Kovach Third Wing Business Strategies, LLC
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Mike McGee McGee Auto Service & Tires
Board of Directors Ira Anderson, Crowe Horwath, LLP Steve Beck, Citizens Bank & Trust Hunt Berryman, Polk County School Board Sarah Case, JSK Consulting, Inc.
PUBLIC POLICY Jeff Payne Lakeland Regional Medical Center
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY Kurt Elmhorst Allen & Company of Florida, Inc.
Mayor Gow Fields, City of Lakeland Melinda Harrison, Watson Clinic LLP Craig Hill, Law Office of Craig B. Hill, P.L. Adil Khan, Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group, P.A.
TALENT DEVELOPMENT Stacy CampbellDomineck Polk Works
William L. Rhey, Ph.D., Florida Southern College Matt Ruthven, The Ruthvens Steve Scruggs, Lakeland Economic Development Council Sam Sheets, Samuel G. Sheets and Associates, P.A.
R. Joseph Childs, D.B.A., Southeastern University College of Business & Legal Studies
Robert Loftin, Community Southern Bank
David Daniel, Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic Center
Molly McHugh, Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub/ The Gym
Bill Dorman, Lanier Upshaw, Inc.
Kim McKeel, Keller Williams Realty
Dale Dreyer, CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A.
Mary McQueen, McQueen Marketing, LLC
Peter Elliott, Polk State College
Trista Otto, Saddle Creek Corporation
Phil Wegman, Furr and Wegman Architects, P.A.
Walt Engle, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Don Pickard, Pickard & Pickard, Inc. REALTORS
Jason Witty, Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida
Brad Farrow, Givauden Flavors
Steve Madden, Madden Brand Agency
David Miller, Peterson & Myers, P.A.
I CAN... Chamber membership is more than a listing on a well-trafficked Web site or social events after work, it’s all about opportunity.
Randy Stinson, Stinson’s Home Design Center Doug Thomas, City of Lakeland Kathy Wallen, Baylis & Company PA CPAs Jimmy Waller, Sihle-Waller Insurance
...SPEAK & BE HEARD ...SEE & BE SEEN ...ENGAGE & BE CONNECTED 2013 isn’t just about finding a way, it’s about making a way. As the Chamber embarks on developing a three-year plan around five KSI’s, our community of members comes together to define the value of Chamber membership. That’s 1,700 values as diverse as the Chamber’s 1,700 member businesses. Among the ribbon cuttings and networking events, the Web site updates and government affairs meetings, each business - each individual - finds an opportunity. Each finds “I Can...”
Working Together for Lakeland
As part of the Chamber’s partnership with the City of Lakeland, the Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau works closely with tourism entities throughout the state and county to maximize Lakeland’s tourism marketing and bring tourism dollars to Lakeland businesses.
Foundation
Area Chamber
The Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation was formed in 1973 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and through the generousity of Chamber members continues to offer grant support for education and community betterment initiatives. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce joins the Race to Place Workforce Challenge to place 10,000 job seekers into jobs between January 1 and June 30, 2013.
BusinessVoice of Greater Lakeland is a political action group (CCE) created in 2000 as an organization to support probusiness candidates and to promote issues which impact the business community.
EMERGE Lakeland is a meaningful networking organization of dedicated, talented young professionals ranging in age from 21-42. This organization is a partnership of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Florida.
Reinventing Small Business
REINVENTING
SMALL BUSINESS
innovative technology driving small business success
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OCOOS.COM
Small businesses are the foundation of the Chamber, making up nearly 60% of the membership. In 2013, the Chamber’s focus on small business owners expands with offerings from the Small Business Development Center and Central Florida SCORE, and puts small businesses front and center with the Reinventing Small Business initiative.
Small Business Development Center
Central Florida SCORE
REINVENTING SMALL BUSINESS
The Small Business Development Center provides accessible, affordable, and professional consultation, entrepreneurial training, and resources to small startup and mature businesses throughout Polk County. SBDC counseling is free and confidential.
SCORE is a national, non-profit organization with more than 13,000 volunteer counselors. SCORE counselors are retired and active business people who donate their time to assist people in starting new businesses or providing business counseling for existing businesses. SCORE counseling is free and confidential.
From customer relationship management to online appointment setting, e-commerce solutions to simple Web site options, Ocoos.com and the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce are reinventing small business.
In a partnership with the Chamber, counseling is available on-site twice a month.
In partnership with the Chamber, SCORE hosts a monthly Roundtable for small business owners to meet and discuss issues. 35 Lake Morton Dr | PO Box 3607 | Lakeland, FL 33802 p (863) 688-8551 | f (863) 683-7454 | LakelandChamber.com
Through the Reinventing Small Business (RSB) Initiative, small businesses will be given the tools they need to thrive in a growing digital marketplace including a Web presence, social media training, e-commerce ability and more.