L A KELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMME R C E
F O R B U S IN E SS mAy 2012 | Vol. xXI, No. 5
Making the most of your chamber membership BUY LAKELAND. It Makes GOOD cents!
FORUM FOR BUSINESS Lakelandchamber.com
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CHAMBER STAFF K a t h l een L . M unson President
KMunson@LakelandChamber.com
B a rb a r a B enne t t Executive Assistant
BBennett@LakelandChamber.com
Kara Butch
Administrative Assistant, Membership Development | Communications
kbutch@LakelandChamber.com
S a l ly C h a p m a n
Vice President, Finance & Administration
SChapman@LakelandChamber.com
Y a d ir a P. Ho l mes Vice President, Public Affairs
YHolmes@LakelandChamber.com
C a ro l y n J a c kson
Senior Vice President, Member Relations
CJackson@LakelandChamber.com
J a c q ue l ine L . J o h nson
Senior Vice President, Convention & Visitors Bureau
JackieJ@LakelandChamber.com
K a t ie M c B ri d e - M c K en z ie Membership Consultant
KMcBride-McKenzie@LakelandChamber.com
N ikki O a k l e y
Membership Account Executive
NOakley@LakelandChamber.com
Terr y O t t in g er
Vice President, Membership Development
TOttinger@LakelandChamber.com
P a t t y S mi t h
Administrative Assistant, Convention & Visitors Bureau
PSmith@LakelandChamber.com
He a t h er S h e a rs
Administrative Assistant, Member Relations | Public Affairs
hshears@lakelandchamber.com
on the cover ]
Brothers Jesus & Rene Vargas of Tapatios Restaurante Mexicano are helping to tell the Chamber’s story. They know the value of their Chamber membership and use it to see and be seen every day. Find out more at ICan.LakelandChamber.com.
L a ke l a n d Are a C h a mber of Commer c e F orum for B usiness M on t h l y
L . J o a nn W a l l er Membership Consultant
jwaller@lakelandchamber.com
Am y W i g g ins
Vice President, Communications
AWiggins@LakelandChamber.com
W a l ker W i l kerson | C h a irm a n of t h e B o a r d CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
K a t h l een L . M unson | Pub l is h er Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce
Am y S . W i g g ins | E d i t or Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce
C E Desi g n c o . | Cre a t i v e Dire c t ion & P R O D U CT I O N www.cedesignco.com
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35 Lake Morton Drive PO Box 3607 Lakeland, FL 33802-3607 (863) 688-8551 LakelandChamber.com Š 2012 Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to refuse certain advertising and is not liable for advertisers claims and/or errors. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the position of the Chamber.
becau s e i a m a m e m b e r, i can... 01
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01 K aren Kovach Third Wing Business Strategies, LLC
02 Paula Mason Staples
03 M ike McGee McGee Auto Service & Tires
04 Cindy Green Furr & Wegman Architects, PA
05 Carol White AlphaGraphics
06 S arah Case
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JSK Consulting, Inc.
07 S tephanie Colon Community Southern Bank
08 Tim Darby Darby Law Group, P.A.
09 Phil Wegman Furr & Wegman Architects, PA
10 M itch Harvey Mitchell’s Coffeehouse
11 Tim Rice Wards Heating & Air Conditioning
12 Dr. Mary Nelle James Cheatwood Chiropractic Offices, P.A.
13 B ill Dorman Lanier Upshaw, Inc.
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HOW TO
A M O N T H LY
Jonathan Crain Two Men and a Truck
CONNECT ] TwoMenandaTruck.com
Now that you know where to network, you need to know how to network. I have compiled a list of simple guidelines that I have combined from Dale Carnegie’s book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” and from Dr. Ivan Misner, the creator of BNI, the world’s largest referral network. 4
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The big craze for promoting your business lately has been social media. There are an unlimited number of platforms to choose from, the largest being Facebook. As an explosion of advertising occurred in social media, many people have forgotten the importance of face-to-face interaction. Networking is one of the best ways to grow your small business, but attention must be paid to doing it correctly. This article is my personal advice for making the most of your time, based on my experiences as well as extensive research on the subject.
When it is time for a consumer or business to make a buying decision; you want to be at the top of their list, or at the front of their mind. If you go to three Lakeland Chamber Business After Hours a year, you may not be as memorable as you think. The key is to go consistently. It is easy to go home to change clothes, and decide to stay home. Networking is like going to the gym, it’s great once you’re there! Getting there is the hardest part. Even if you don’t feel good, or don’t feel like talking to people, show up and make two laps. Talk to everyone that you know, and a couple people that you don’t know. If you stay for the entire event at least half the time during the year and pledge not to miss more than two a year, people will know you. It is also good to attend different types of events. Attend a Business and Breakfast, a service club luncheon, and a charity event each month for maximum exposure. Your competitors probably don’t have this type of commitment, and if they do, you should too.
Dale Carnegie said, “Give people what they want. They want to talk about themselves.” People buy from people they like and trust, so you have to be personable and likeable. At a networking event, you have to be approachable. Ask open-ended questions to allow the person to talk about themselves. You want to know how you can help their business.
If you truly want to help other businesses to be successful, those businesses will take notice. They will make a commitment to make you successful too. If you can’t send new clients to someone, then invite them to meetings, or give them positive reviews online.
Go to any group you can think of that may relate to your business. The first stop should be your local Chamber of Commerce (they didn’t tell me to say this!). Not only will you meet other business owners and potential clients, but you will get ideas about how to grow your business. What other groups should you visit? I am a huge proponent of “giving back.” I would suggest being in at least one service club (my club is the Downtown Lakeland Kiwanis Club), where you will meet other business leaders who are also interested in giving back to the community. Most industries also have a Professional Organization and a Women’s Group. Women’s Groups are designed to promote women-owned businesses, but most groups welcome men or male visitors. Two local groups are the American Business Woman’s Association and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
After visiting every group you can think of, decide which groups are going to help you grow your business and get you the most “bang for your buck”… and time! As a small business owner or business principle, it isn’t reasonable to join and attend 15 groups. Time is money, but at a minimum I would suggest joining the Chamber, a service club, and a professional organization. If you sell to Realtors, join a Realtor association. If you sell to apartment complexes, join their association. Time management is a very complex problem for most businesspeople, so pay close attention to where, when, and how often a group meets.
You want to maintain eye contact. If you notice the person you are talking to is looking around, looking past you, or over your shoulder, it’s time to wrap it up. They’ve lost interest and it is time to move on. Generally, you want to keep each conversation
to 5 minutes so you can meet the highest number of people. You need to find a common point of interest as quickly as possible. This might be your hobbies, other interests, kids, grandkids, or a way in which your businesses overlap.
You are a representative of your business at all times. I leave business cards with the check at restaurants and wear a logoed shirt everywhere. I have talked about Two Men and a Truck to more cashier’s than I can count because they notice the logo on my shirt. Always have on a name tag or logo at a networking event. ALWAYS have business cards on you.
It isn’t as easy for most of us to listen as it is for us to talk. Entrepreneurs are proud of our businesses and love talking about them anytime and anywhere. Make sure you stop to listen to others, especially when they tell you their names.
You only get one chance at a first impression. People subconsciously judge you from the moment they see you across the room. It is human nature to want to do business with and speak with successful people. Many authors recommend dressing one step above the desired dress code.
Although networking may seem scary, it gets easier just like anything else. Hard work always pays off. Before long, networking will hardly seem like work at all. If you like people, like helping people, and need people to grow your business, networking is the best use of your time and resources to make it happen.
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Your networking skills will improve if you actively network. The more people you know, the less scary networking will seem. You cannot be afraid to introduce yourself! If you are not doing business with the person now, you have nothing to lose. To make it easier, look for people who are alone. The stragglers on the outside of an event are looking for someone to talk with too. If you meet a few new people at each event, your network of contacts will increase exponentially over time. Eventually, the event you were nervous or anxious to attend, will be one place you look forward to attending to see all of your friends.
Just like you have desired outcomes for your business, know what you want to get out of networking. When you’re asking for business or introductions from someone, be able to quickly and concisely share and define your “best lead”.
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You’ve heard it a thousand times – know your 30-second commercial! People are by nature curious and will ask you what you do (especially if you’ve shown an interest in learning about their businesses). The best elevator speeches introduce the business, say the representative’s name, mention something that makes the business special and describe a good lead. Don’t get caught off-guard, and don’t ramble on when someone asks what you do.
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E xper i e n c e E M E R G E : F i n ding my Niche I moved to Lakeland six years ago to attend Florida Southern College and play baseball. I loved school and baseball but I was unsure if I would be staying in Lakeland after graduation. After all, living in Lakeland was quite a change from growing up in metropolitan Detroit. However, by the time I finished my undergraduate degree and MBA, I knew that Lakeland was the right place to begin my professional career. I realized that I loved the community and the friendly people who live here. I accepted a position in the
adam miller Florida Southern College
CONNECT ] EMERGELakeland.com
hen cancer touches your life, Watson Clinic is here to help you reach your destination. Our patients have access to the latest technologies, the most recent clinical trials and specialized treatment plans uniquely tailored to the individual. And our Center for Cancer Care & Research is the only local affiliate of the Moffitt Cancer Center, and one
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downtown one day and I told Tim about my unique transition from college to my career. He recommended I join EMERGE and told me a little bit about the group. I joined the following week and immediately saw the benefits EMERGE offers. I became a member of the Marketing Committee and my network of Lakeland professionals grew exponentially. I was given opportunities to get more involved and give back to the community. EMERGE has made my transition from college to my career much smoother and I am proud to be a member.
of only three freestanding cancer centers in the country to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Working with the largest team of cancer specialists in the area, Watson Clinic possesses the expertise and the compassion to guide you through every step on your journey to survivorship.
Leading the Way in Cancer Care.
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Advancement Office at Florida Southern and moved into an apartment downtown. After working for a few weeks, I realized that I had a dilemma. Everyone I knew in Lakeland was a college student; I did not know any other young professionals in the area. I was faced with the challenge of transitioning from college life to professional life in the same city. I was first introduced to EMERGE by current member Tim Darby, who I met at a Florida Southern golf tournament. We were having lunch
a liz craven
big harry deals
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MARKETING MINUTE worth
It seems like a lifetime ago that Wes and I embarked on our dream of owning our own business. Coming from a corporate background, we knew without a doubt that if we were to succeed, we would need some support and that is exactly what we found in the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. Almost 20 years later, here we are still gladly serving the Polk County Community with the continued support of the Chamber and our fellow Chamber members and partners in success. So you’ve joined the Chamber. Congratulations! Now what?! You’ve undoubtedly heard people say that to get the most out of your Chamber membership you must use it. What exactly does that mean? I suspect the answer to that question is a little different for every business, but here are some things that every business, no matter what size, should be doing to get the most “bang for the buck� out of Chamber membership.
millions
S er v e on a Commi t t ee . I know. You’re really busy. That’s ok, we all are! It doesn’t have to take a lot of time to get involved on a committee and the benefits of participation far outweigh the investment of a little time. Find something that you (and/or your employees) enjoy and that makes you feel that the contribution of your time has been worthwhile. Serving on committees puts you in direct contact with the movers and shakers of our community. That’s a win!
Ge t To K now t h e C h a mber . Get to know the Chamber staff. These are your partners in success and they want to help you grow your business. Ever willing to serve, they are just a phone call away. You should also Visit LakelandChamber.com and find out more about Chamber programs and events.
R e a c h O u t To F e l l ow M embers . Owning a business can be overwhelming at times. By building a network of other business owners, you are building a support system and loyal customer base at the same time. Get to know other Chamber members and support their businesses whenever possible. When you support local, everyone wins!
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0`WO\ 1]^WQ At t en d C h a mber E v en t s . Plugging into the Chamber couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any easier. There are LEADS groups and events galore that provide the opportunity to share fun and fellowship, learn from top notch professionals, get informed on the latest economic and political happenings, connect with like-minded people and so much more. The monthly Business After Hours is one of my favorite events and is a great place to start.
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C OV ER F E AT U R E
a rese a r c h s t u d y c omissione d b y t h e american chamber of commerce executives
The Real
of
a Local Chamber of Commerce
Advocates of chambers of commerce have long believed that when a company is active in its local chamber, it is doing the right thing not only for the community but for its own success as well. While there is plenty of evidence to show the impact of chambers of commerce on their communities, it is much harder to find data that quantify the impact of belonging to a chamber. This study, commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives with support from Small Business Network, Inc., is designed to do just that: determine the real value to companies in terms of consumer outcomes of joining and being active in their local chamber of commerce. Do consumers really support businesses because they are chamber members? Data for the study comes from a scientific webbased survey of 2,000 adults nationwide. What makes the study unlike most, however, is that almost every question on it is part of one of several imbedded experiments. This means that respondents were randomly assigned to different groups at several points during the survey. Each group reads something slightly different—like a description of a company that changes only a little for each group—but then everyone is asked the same questions thereafter, regardless of which company description they just read. Therefore, when there are statistically significant differences in how different groups answered the same questions, we know exactly why it happened. This approach yields powerful results because it bypasses the subjectivity of most opinion polls. A sampling of some of these results proves this to be the case. Most consumers (59%) think that being active in 8 | FORUM FOR BUSINESS
the local chamber of commerce is an effective business strategy overall. It is 29% more effective, however, for communicating to consumers that a company uses good business practices and 26% more effective for communicating that a business is reputable. If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition. When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader. When consumers know that a restaurant franchise is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 40% more likely to eat at the franchise in the next few months. When consumers know that an insurance company is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it. When consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are...
+ more likely to think favorably of it
more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.
Chamber Membership as a Business Strategy The first imbedded experiment in the survey tests how effective an active membership in the local chamber of commerce is for making specific impressions on consumers. Joining the chamber is a good thing to do, but what exactly does an active chamber membership say about your company? Does it tell consumers that your business is reputable, that it cares about its customers, that it is involved in the community, or that it uses good business practices?
The Results The results show that being active in the local chamber of commerce is a good strategy for businesses to use in communicating each of the four specific company traits. Statistically, it is an effective way to convey to consumers that a company uses good business practices, is involved in the community, cares about customers, and is reputable—regardless of whatever they may or may not already think about the company. The percentages in Table One (pg. 9) show just how effective of a business strategy being active in a local chamber really is. For example, consumers say that being active in the local chamber is 29% more effective for communicating that a company uses good business practices than it is for making a general statement about the company. The only other business strategy that so consistently communicates specific traits about a company is encouraging employees to volunteer their time.
How Effectively Business Strategies Communicate Specific Traits about a Company
{Business Strategies}
table one
{specific company traits} Uses good business practices
Reputable
Cares about customers
Community involvement
Being active in the local chamber of commerce Sponsoring events around the community Encouraging employees to volunteer Giving out scholarships to local students Encouraging employees to donate to a charity
{Figure one} What a Local Chamber Membership Shows Consumers Showing People about your company.................................................. 59% Showing people you are involved in the community................... 63% Showing that you care about customers.......................................... 64% Showing that you have a good reputation....................................... 69% Showing that you use good business practices............................. 70% Figure One is a snapshot of just how effectively chamber membership conveys to consumers each of the specific company traits, as well as the baseline measure of “showing people about your company.” The effectiveness percentages are collapsed for easy viewing, so the percentages do not match up directly to the statistical values in Table One. The graph shows that seven out of ten consumers believe that being actively involved in the chamber is an effective strategy for enhancing a business’ reputation and for demonstrating that it uses good business practices.
chamber impacts and thier causes The next step in quantifying the real value of a local chamber membership is to assess its impact on various consumer outcomes such as how they think about a company’s goods and services. If such impacts exist, how exactly does chamber membership make the consumer think differently about the company so as to explain the impacts?
The Results
When consumers find out that a company is involved with its local chamber, they are 19% more likely to think favorably of that company. This effect is not dependent on the degree of chamber involvement; it holds true regardless of whether or not the company is highly involved in the chamber. Next the study parsed out why involvement in the local chamber leads to these positive effects. In other words, what exactly does chamber membership say about a company that creates these positive impacts? When a consumer thinks that a company’s products stack up better against the competition because the company is highly involved in its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, involved in the community, and is an industry leader. When a consumer thinks more favorably of a company because the company is a member of its local chamber of commerce, it is because he or she infers that the company is trustworthy, is involved in the community, cares about its customers, is successful, and is a leader in the business community. The study shows that most people know fairly well what local chambers do and do not do, but it is still important to assess the effect that this knowledge could have on the positive chamber membership impacts described above. The results show that consumers who believe the chamber is a government entity are less likely to think that chamber membership conveys a company’s trustworthiness, business leadership, and community involvement. On the other hand, those who believe the chamber is a storehouse for information on current business trends are more likely to think that chamber membership conveys that a company is successful.
About The Schapiro Group and Market Street Services Since its inception in 1984, The Schapiro Group, Inc. has been known for its research prowess and strategic acumen. The Schapiro Group provides data-driven strategic consulting services for private sector, public sector, membership organization, and nonprofit clients. Every project undertaken by The Schapiro Group is customized to the unique needs of the client. In its ten-year history, Market Street Services has served some sixty chambers of commerce across the country. Founded in 1997 as an alternative to traditional community and economic development firms, Market Street brings original insights and clarity to the evaluation and revitalization of the places where people live, work, and grow. Market Street is an independent firm that focuses solely on community and economic development issues.
The results show that chamber involvement can enhance a company’s reputation in a couple of ways: If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local chamber (e.g., sits on the chamber board), consumers are 12% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition. FORUM FOR BUSINESS | 9
smal l b u s i n e s s o f t h e month
Family Eye Center South LLC Dr. Anthony B. Trawick, O.D.
P. (863) 644-7773 F. (863) 646-2809 5125 S Lakeland Dr Suite 1 & 2 Lakeland, FL 33813-2578
CONNECT ] FamilyEyeCtr.com
Have you ever really stopped to think about what your life would be like without your eyesight? Many of us tend to take some of the most precious gifts in life for granted and, unfortunately, our vision often falls into that category. Too many times though, it’s not until something threatens our eyesight that we think about the potential ramifications of losing it. Dr. Anthony Trawick and his dedicated staff take the responsibility of maintaining vision quite seriously and believe strongly that helping people preserve or enhance their eyesight makes a significant difference in their overall quality of life.
Born and raised in Alabama, Dr. Trawick came to Lakeland in 1983 after receiving his B.S. degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and his Doctor of Optometry degree from UAB School of Optometry in the Medical Center. After working as an associate and partner in a group practice in Lakeland for a little more than three years, Dr. Trawick opened his own practice, Family Eye Center South, in 1987. The mission statement of the practice is “To provide the very highest quality eye care to every patient we see and to provide this care in a genuinely caring and personalized manner, giving each patient the individual time and attention they
deserve.” Some of the services they provide include examination, diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, injuries, infections, and vision disorders. Areas of specialization include contact lenses, pediatric eye care and sports vision. They also maintain a large selection of eyeglasses and sunglasses and stock thousands of contact lenses in the most popular brands. In addition, they provide surgical consultations and perioperative care for Lasik, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and other surgical treatments. Recently, Family Eye Center South expanded into a beautiful new facility located in Town Square Office
Park near Outback Steakhouse. The move gave them the extra space needed to add additional diagnostic testing capabilities, examination rooms and expand their optical dispensary. It also provided more parking and easier access which has allowed them to serve their patients more conveniently and efficiently. In addition to serving the Lakeland community in his practice, Dr.Trawick is quite active in other civic and professional organizations. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Southern Council of Optometrists, Florida Optometric Association, International Academy of Sports Vision, and the
B y Don B osko ,
Small Business of the Month Award Committee Member Don Bosko (Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub) presents the May Small Business of the Month Award to Family Eye Center South LLC. Dr. Anthony Trawick, Kathy Trawick, Velitta Lennon and Daphnes Ortiz accepted the award.
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Lake Region Optometric Association. He is also active in the Lakeland Rotary Club and at First Baptist Church at the Mall. He has previously served on the board of directors for Polk County Legal Aid Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, LROA and the Lakeland Rotary Club. In his free time, Dr. Trawick enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, hunting, sports activities and watching Alabama football. He is married to Kathy, his wife of 28 years and has two children, Ryan, age 24 and Brittany, age 21. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Family Eye Center South as the Small Business of the Month for May.
Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub
THE
MATTERS OF
W A N T T O K N O W W HY B E in g A M E M B E R O F TH E LA K E LA N D A R E A CHA M B E R I S S O B E C O M I N G ? R E AD on . . .
CAL E N D a R
E V E N T H I GHL I GHT S
NEW MEMBERS
R I B B O N C U TT I N G S
“ I C a n …” M embers h i p C h a l l en g e U n d erw a y ! With leadership from Mike McGee, McGee Auto Service & Tires, the Chamber’s 2012 Membership Challenge kicks off on May 1! The Chamber is proud to be supported by 39 volunteers from 30 member companies during this month-long membership drive.
t h e n ewbi e s C a p t a in J or g e R i v er a
The Challenge goal is 100 new memberships, and the volunteers below would welcome your support! This campaign would not be possible without the support of dedicated Chamber members like the sponsors listed to the right, and we want to offer special thanks for their contributions! Tro y G a r c i a Allen & Company of Florida, Inc.
S a m S h ee t s
CPS Investment Advisors
Samuel G. Sheets & Associates, P.A.
I a n M c I n t os h
N o l en B a i l e y
Pyramid Profiles
CPS Investment Advisors
Bryan Mau
Don B osko
CPS Investment Advisors
Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub
Tom Po l l o c k
Clark, Campbell, and Lancaster, P.A.
M a r y N e l l e J a mes
Lanier Upshaw, Inc.
C h riss a nne Lon g Marketing System Blueprints
Cr a i g Hoskin g Marketing System Blueprints
C a ro l W h i t e
Furr and Wegman Architects, P.A.
AlphaGraphics
Cin d y Green
S t e v e C a re y
Furr and Wegman Architects, P.A.
Serious Exercise, LLC
K a t h y W a l l en
W a l ker W i l kerson CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Mitch Harvey
JSK Consulting, Inc.
K a ren K o v a c h Third Wing Business Strategies, LLC
R ober t Lof t in Community Southern Bank
t r i sta’ s t y r a n t s C a p t a in Tris t a O t t o Saddle Creek Corporation
P a u l a M a son Staples
D a n Gi l ber t Tim D a rb y
J a son W i t t y
Darby Law Group, P.A.
R a n d y S t inson
Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida Stinson’s Home Design Center
A l i c e Hun t
gi t w e g ma n C a p t a in K ur t E l m h ors t Allen & Company of Florida, Inc.
Tim R i c e Ward’s Heating & Air Conditioning
Li z An t a y a OMS Group, Inc.
F a y e S a n d ers
Brooke Pottery Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware
Fresco’s Bakery & Bistro GrillSmith Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill Hilton Garden Inn-Lakeland Imperial Symphony Orchestra Imperial Tire & Auto Service Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic Center Madden Magnify Credit Union
Mitchell’s Coffeehouse
S a r a h C a se
BloodnetUSA
Fantasy of Flight
K at h ry n K o c h
Baylis & Company, PA CPA’s
Aamco Transmissions, Inc.
C a p t a in B i l l Dorm a n
D a v e M i l l er
C a p t a in P h i l W e g m a n
Reward Sponsors
Explorations IV Children’s Museum
Lanier Upshaw, Inc.
ARMADILLO ARMADA
McQueen Marketing Gil M. Williams Photography
t e am aw e s om e
Cheatwood Chiropractic Offices, P.A. Peterson & Myers, P.A.
Ledger Media Group
Danielle Fence Mfg., Inc.
Florida Traditions Bank
M i c h a e l K in c a r t
CE Design Co. | design . marketing
Hunt Construction of Central Florida, Inc.
J a ni c e J ones CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
M a rk W i l son Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Di l l on D a nie l s AllSolar Service Company, Inc.
S t e p h a nie Co l on
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation Massage by Andrea Polk Museum of Art Radiology & Imaging Specialists Red Door Wine Market Silvermoon Drive In Southern Wine & Spirits of florida Tapatios Restaurante Mexicano The Lakeland Center Valencia Hills Health & Rehabilitation Veterinary Healthcare Associates Zaxby’s
Community Southern Bank
F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 11
may 2012 dates thur 10
mon 14
tues 22
may 2527
Thursday, May 10 Schmooze a’Palooza
wed 9
11:30 a.m. Texas Roadhouse 3621 S Florida Ave
Wednesday, May 9 government affairs
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
thur 10
Thursday, May 10 Leadership Lakeland Closing Retreat and Graduation
mon 14
Monday, May 14 EMERGE Lakeland Steering Committee
5:30 p.m. Lakeland Yacht & Country Club 929 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
WED 16
Wednesday, May 16 Executive Committee Meeting
May 25-27 North With the Tigers
mon 21
Monday, May 21 Talent Development/Education KSI Meeting
5:00 p.m. The Lakeland Raiders/Lakeland Electric The Lakeland Center 701 W Lime St
Tuesday, May 22 EMERGE Lakeland: Follow the Leaders
Minnesota Twins Target Field, Minneapolis
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thur 24
Thursday, May 24 SCORE Roundtable
wed 30
Wednesday, May 30 The Value of an Intern: A Roundtable Partnership with PolkWorks
3:45 p.m.
Noon Lakeland Yacht & Country Club 929 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
7:30 a.m. Chamber Briefing Room
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Regal Chevrolet Community Room 925 US Highway 98 S
4:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
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government affairs 8:00 A.m. business voice of greater lakeland 9:00 A.m.
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Wednesday, May 23 Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, May 9 Business Voice of Greater Lakeland
Monday, May 14 Business After Hours
monday
WED 23
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Leadership Lakeland CLOSING RETREAT & GRADUATION SCHMOOZE A’PALOOZA 11:30 a.m.
Executive Committee Meeting | 4:00 p.m.
EMERGE Lakeland steering committee 3:45 p.m. Business After Hours 5:00 p.m.
21 TALENT DEVELOPMENT/ EDUCATION KSI MEETING 3:00 P.M.
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22 EMERGE LAKELAND: FOLLOW THE LEADERS 5:30 P.M.
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Chamber Closed Memorial Day
12 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S
23 Board of Directors Meeting | Noon
30 The Value of an Intern: A Roundtable Partnership with PolkWorks 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
SCORE Business Roundtable | 7:30 a.m.
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NORTH WITH THE TIGERS
Even t HI G H LIG H T S 01
02
business after hours 01 | Melanie Brenton of Office
Furniture Depot, Inc. accepts the Plaque of Appreciation from Chairman of the Board, Walker Wilkerson, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP.
02 | Chamber Members enjoyed
networking at Host Sponsor Office Furniture Depot, Inc. while enjoying the food and beverages provided by Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille.
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Schmooze a’Palooza 03 | Members enjoy great food from
West Caribbean Cuban Restaurant. Schmooze a’Palooza is the perfect way to meet up to 20 contacts over lunch!
04 | Gregg Hooth, Attorney at Law,
shares his 30-second commercial.
13th Annual CommUnity Celebration 05
06
07
08
Presented by GEICO, Ledger Media Group, Publix, and WONN/WPCV/WLKF/WWRZ Radio, the CommUnity Celebration featured Major Ed Pulido (Ret. US Army) who shared the story of his service in Iraq where he barely survived a road side bomb attack. The experience changed his life and he was in Lakeland to remind us all of the real sacrifices that our people in uniform make to ensure our peace. City Commissioner Don Selvage, SHR Human Resources, LLC and former Marine, introduced Major Pulido and reminded us all that his story is “a reminder to hire those with disabilities”. For more information on Warriors for Freedom or Folds of Honor, contact (405) 833-9092 or epulido@FoldsofHonor.org.
05 | Sophia Belette and Alex Lee, both
employees of Community Bank of Florida visited with Major Pulido after the event.
06 | WONN/WPCV/WLKF/WWRZ
09
Radio owners and employees enjoyed the luncheon for the 13th consecutive year. They have been a presenting sponsor of the CommUnity Celebration since it’s inception along with GEICO, Ledger Media Group, and Publix Super Markets.
07 | Mayor Gow Fields and Major Ed Pulido get to know each other at the event. 08 | The McKeel Academy of Technology Show Choir provided the National Anthem and the GEICO Gecko was in attendance to support the event. 09 | More than 250 people attended
the 13th CommUnity Celebration which focuses on diversity and how our differences add to the richness of our community. F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 13
industry has to offer. Brittany had the distinct pleasure of meeting with three of the industry’s icons: David Tutera, Preston Bailey, and Andrew Zimmern.
Martin Law Office
CHAMBER
Attorney Michael D. Martin is proud to announce his latest published book, “The Crestfallen Rose”, a legal thriller born from his experiences as a litigator of environmental pesticides and poisions. Visit TheCrestfallenRose.com to view a synopsis of the book and to download your copy today.
CivilSurv Design Group, Inc.
ON THE
MOVE
Hetty C. Harmon, AICP, Senior Planner, was honored for her service and leadership as an officer at the January 27, 2012 Annual Meeting of the Heart-of-Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association. She has completed a term as Treasurer and is now the Chapter Secretary. Congratulations Hetty! Also, proud to announce that Jeremy Leslie has joined our team as a Senior Inspector in our Construction Engineering and Inspection Department.
Lanier Upshaw, inc.
Sessums Law Group Mark A. Sessums has been named to the Super Lawyers List for the seventh consecutive year. Sessums is only one of two lawyers who has received that designation in the 10th Judicial Circuit every year since 2006. Sessums is Board Certified in Civil Law as well as Marital and Family Law and has over 23 years of trial law experience. Only four Florida Bar lawyers out of more than 90,000 have this double board certification. Less than 2% of Florida lawyers have any double board certification.
Springer-Peterson Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. Was featured in the February 2012 edition of Roofing Contractor for successful repair, replacement, and new construction of more than 40 roofs on the 150acre LEGOLAND Florida site in less than nine months. Visit RoofingContractor.com to read the article.
University of South Florida Polytechnic Dr. Rod Brame gave a presentation on building STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) capacity for the Florida Department of Education Bureau of School Improvement Differentiated Accountability STEM Education Conference in Orlando on February 3. Brame, program director of STEM education and assistant professor of science education, discussed STEM education programs at USF Polytechnic and conducted a STEM activity that showed the value of student centered, hands-on, interactive, and problem based learning.
Wells Fargo Bank Katrina Lunsford, Business Banker, was honored in February with the Lakeland Branch of the NAACP with the “Unsung Hero Award” for her work providing financial education to hundreds of youth and seniors. 14 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S
All Saints’ Academy Teacher Elizabeth Houghton has been selected from a nationwide search to participate in compiling test questions for the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT). Ms. Houghton joined 74 educational experts and professionals from throughout the United States at a two-day writer’s conference in Sarasota, FL, hosted by Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB).
Polk State College Welcomes Tom Amesbury as Director of Safety and Security, overseeing contracted security guards, OSHA compliance and risk management. Prior to joining the PSC staff, Amesbury served for 18 years on the Orlando Police Force and he spent the past three years at University of Central Florida creating and overseeing emergency management plans. Proud to announce its first LEED-Certified building, the Lakeland Student Center, one of only a handful of LEED-certified buildings, and the only LEED-certified education building in Polk County. The Lakeland Student Center project began in 2010, and involved completely gutting the original 16,000-square-foot structure and constructing an 8,000-square-foot addition. The College — working with Lakeland firms Furr & Wegman Architects, P.A. and Henkelman Construction — made meeting LEED standards a priority at every step of the way during the 10-month project.
Eventrics Brittany Ellis, Wedding & Event Planner recently attended the Event Solutions “Idea Factory” Conference in Las Vegas. She joined other event planners, producers, designers, marketers and suppliers in one of the industry’s largest events for learning, sharing and experiencing all the
Proudly announces that Rachel LaRa Rogers has recently joined the agency as Risk Consultant in the Employee Benefits Department
Southern Homes of Polk County, Inc. Announces Virginia Edwards as February Sales Person of the Month. An eight year veteran at Southern Homes, Virginia had a great month with 10 net sales. She was also named the 2011 Sales Person of the Year for Southern Homes, with 41 net sales. Virginia spends her time in Winter Haven at The Gardens.
Lunz Prebor Fowler Architects Pleased to announce the elevation of Bradley Lunz, AIA to principal. Mr. Lunz will oversee the Business Development, Marketing and Visualization of the firm in addition to his traditional role as architect. Mr. Lunz joined the firm in 2008 bringing over a decade of experience working with Higher Education Facilities, Historic Preservation, mixed use developments, mid-rise urban infill projects, sustainable design solutions, and collaborative design methodology.
Radiology & Imaging Specialists Martha Lima, MD attended the 8th European Breast Conference held in Vienna, Austria. The conference goals are to: continue advancing the rapid translation of clinical research into practice; encourage the integration and coordinated organization of treatment modalities and bring together patient representatives, clinicians, health professionals and scientists to work
The Lakeland Chamber prints business announcements each month as space permits. Please e-mail announcements to motm@lakelandchamber.com
RI BBO N C U T TI N G S
Special thanks to Mayor Gow Fields, Commissioner Justin Troller, Commissioner Edie Yates, Commissioner Phillip Walker, State Representative Seth McKeel and all the Board Members and Chamber Champions who truly make these ceremonies special events.
Texas Roadhouse Lakeland, FL 33803 3621 S Florida Ave | (863) 603-7427 www.TexasRoadhouse.com
Business Records Storage & Retrieval
Victoria Manor Apartments
Lakeland, FL 33803
Lakeland, FL 33805
3216 Winter Lake Rd | (863) 667-0622 www.BRSR.com
3685 Victoria Manor Dr | (863) 682-1300 www.VictoriaManorApts.com
Florida Traditions Bank
The Canadian Drug Store
Lakeland, FL 33801
Lakeland, FL 33805
440 S Florida Ave | (863) 660-8880 www.FLTraditionsBank.com
1705 Lakeland Hills Blvd | (863) 272-7565 www.DrugStoreUnlimited.com
A Touch Above-White Dove Releases
Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center
Call to Schedule an Appointment (863) 644-4589 www.ATouchAboveDoves.com
3020 Lakeland Highlands Rd | (863) 686-3189 www.CFSHC.org
Lakeland, FL 33813
F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 15
N E W MEMBERS Bay Area Intervention Services, LLC Call to Schedule an Appointment (863) 495-0188 Michele Simmons Social Services
Jimmy John’s Downtown 125 N Kentucky Ave Lakeland, FL 33801 (863) 688-3118 JimmyJohns.com Juanita Nielsen Restaurants
Jimmy John’s
4128 S Florida Ave Lakeland, FL 33803 (863) 644-9694 JimmyJohns.com Juanita Nielsen Restaurants
The Law Office of William D Sites 1506 S Florida Ave Lakeland, FL 33803 (863) 802-4015 William Sites attorneys
Raymond James & Associates 1301 Grasslands Blvd, Suite 212 Lakeland, FL 33803 (863) 683-7907 RaymondJames.com Carl Bucker Financial Services
Thanks to Lanier Upshaw, Inc.! In March, the Chamber received a very special gift from Lanier Upshaw, Inc. After more than 20 years, the Chamber’s phone system was quite literally on its last leg. With some extra equipment in storage, the folks at Lanier Upshaw generously repurposed an entire phone system for use at the Chamber’s office. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce thanks Lanier Upshaw, Inc. for their generosity!
Robin Nable Wagman Against All Odds Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Call to Schedule an Appointment (863) 557-6143 RobinWagmanAAO.org Bob Curtis Foundations
Sandler Training
Call to Schedule an Appointment (352) 732-0197 Lewis.Sandler.com Stu Lewis Professional Training
Superior Car Wash
915 E Main St Lakeland, FL 33801 (863) 682-4811 Ken Walsted Automobile-Washing & Polishing
Thursday, May 10, 2012 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Texas Roadhouse 3621 South Florida Ave.
$25 Members Only Limited Seating
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WebPro Realty, LLC 1420 S Florida Ave Lakeland, FL 33803 (863) 687-8020 WebPro-Realty.com Robert F Harper III Real Estate
march Tourism Inquiries During the month of March, our Visitor Information Center assisted hundreds of individuals, answering questions pertaining to Chamber member businesses and the Lakeland community. Walk-in Visitors........................................... 451 Relocation Response Mailings................ 11 Relocation Response (Walk In) . .............. 17 Accommodations.......................................... 2 Winter Accommodations............................ 0 Visitor Information Mailings................... 25 Visitor Center E-mail Inquiries................. 70
Each month, the Chamber enlists the help of 20 volunteers to mentor new and current members with involvement in Chamber events and programs. This month, the Chamber staff would like to recognize Ms. Bretta Christakos, First Vice President/Branch Manager of SunTrust Bank, for her outstanding attention to Chamber members and attendance at events! Bretta is a wonderful asset to the Chamber and to the Lakeland community!
bretta christakos suntrust bank
Cha
mbe
r me
$2,6 mbe
rs
99
travel to
Tuscany October 31-November 8
Nine Days, Seven Nights Including Hotel, Meals, Day Trips and Airfare from Tampa
MEMB E R R E N E WA L S 20
1 9 8 3 | 2 9 Ye a rs +
years
Lakeland Regional Medical Center
1 9 8 6 | 2 6 Ye a rs Cypress Lakes Florida Presbyterian Homes
1 9 4 0 | 7 2 Ye a rs JBT Food Tech
1 9 5 1 | 6 1 Ye a rs Payne Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.
1 9 5 5 | 5 7 Ye a rs Universal Building Specialties
1 9 7 0 | 4 2 Ye a rs Lohr Enterprises
1 9 7 3 | 3 9 Ye a rs Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware
Dale Gardner Jacobs, PA
1 9 8 7 | 2 5 Ye a rs Williford Flooring Company, Inc.
1 9 8 9 | 2 3 Ye a rs Cheatwood Chiropractic Offices, P.A.
1 9 9 0 | 2 2 Ye a rs Girls Incorporated of Lakeland
1 9 9 2 | 2 0 Ye a rs Press Express of Polk Co., Inc. Gregory P. Scott, D.D.S., M.S
Southern Glass Products Company, Inc.
1 9 7 4 | 3 8 Ye a rs Gator Realty of Polk
10
GrayRobinson, P.A.
years
1 9 7 7 | 3 5 Ye a rs
Bensonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Canine Cookies
Bopp and Tarver, PLLC
Dodge Chrysler Jeef of Winter Haven
Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaner
1 9 7 8 | 3 4 Ye a rs
Lakeland Community Theatre
Includes roundtrip transportation from Tampa First class hotel accommodations Daily breakfasts and dinners Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach Full-day guided tour of Florence Full-day guided tour of Siena and San Gimignano Additional options: A 2-day extension to Rome at the end of the trip A tour of the Chianti Region with a wine tasting and lunch at a local winery A tour of Montecatini/Cinque Terre in the Liguria Region, five small villages suspended between sea and earth A cooking class led by a local chef A meeting with a business similar to yours
Join us as we explore the endless opportunities that Tuscany has to offer!
Italy.LakelandChamber.com
John O. Tucker, D.C., P.A.
Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Hut & Restaurant
1 9 7 9 | 3 3 Ye a rs Lakeland Association of Realtors
1 9 8 0 | 3 2 Ye a rs Miriam South Corporation
1 9 8 0 | 3 1 Ye a rs Zimmermann Associates, Inc.
5
years Easton Professional Suites LLC Representative Seth McKeel Miller Construction Management, Inc. Thurn Construction, Inc.
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Joann & heather
L. Joann waller The Chamber is pleased to welcome L. Joann Waller to the Membership Development Division. As a Membership Consultant, Joann will work to welcome new members into the Chamber and to assist existing members as they take advantage of advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
WE SHOP FOR YOU Heacock Insurance Group is an Independent Agent which means we shop the market for the broadest coverage at the best rates. PROPERTY • LIABILITY WORKERS COMP • PAYROLL FINANCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
heather shears
If you like to comparison shop, but don’t have the time, contact our Personal Insurance Advisors. We’ll shop for you.
CE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE
.HEACOCK.COM
The Chamber is pleased to welcome Heather Shears to the Member Relations and Public Affairs Divisions as Administrative Assistant.
WWW
100 E Main St. • Lakeland, FL 33801 • P. (863) 683-2228 • TF. (800) 677-5172
RENTAL WAREHOUSES WITH OFFICES Warehouse spaces from 1,500- 12,000 square ft. Equipped with air-conditioned offices Security surveillance cameras on site
863-646-9229 www.warehouserental.com
Space Available Directly Across from Lakeland Airport
Kroon’s Enterprises family owned and operated since 1990
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Bank of Central Florida
“They understand the complex business of radiology.” …Ed Goodemote, PhD, RN | CEO, Radiology and Imaging Specialists
Radiology and Imaging Specialists’ experienced physicians and staff have provided radiology services to the community for more than 40 years. When they needed to expand, they looked for a bank that understood their unique lending and treasury needs.
“Our physicians and staff prefer Bank of Central Florida.”
“At Bank of Central Florida, we talk directly with local people for loan decisions,” Ed Goodemote says. “We like the individual attention we receive from the entire staff.”
www.bankofcentralflorida.com
Mobile Banking now available
Member FDIC
Downtown Lakeland 101 South Florida Avenue 863-682-7100
South Lakeland 5015 South Florida Avenue 863-701-2685
Bartow 515 North Broadway Avenue 863-534-3585 FORUM FOR BUSINESS
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Publ i c A f fa i r s i n Ac t i o n Considering the myriad of things business owners have to do, it’s no wonder that public policy issues often fall to the back burner. After all, the priority is managing business, employees and even personal commitments, which leaves very little time to engage in local, state or federal policy issues. Yet, these issues are important to their bottom line. That’s why many Chamber-member businesses utilize the public policy division as their source for advocacy and information on issues that may impact their business. These businesses are looking for a representative of their interests, with a goal of good and sound public policy. Several members have actively engaged in public policy through the Lakeland Chamber. In 2011, BusinessVoice of Greater Lakeland, Inc., a Political Action Committee, provided its membership with a one-on-one roundtable discussion with United States Senator Bill Nelson. Topics ranged from national security to oil speculation. These
issues, when explored in greater detail, can and do have impacts on local business plans. The membership of BusinessVoice had an opportunity to speak and be heard in the presence of a Senator who could take their ideas back to Washington to craft sound policy. Even though Legislators crave constituent interaction, oftentimes schedules and commitments don’t allow for thorough discussion. The connection to the Chamber provided a venue for both members and the Legislator to engage with one another. With the growth of internet retail sales, many local and small retail businesses have begun to question the collection of sales tax on internet purchases. Many of these businesses reached out to the Chamber to determine how best to level the playing field for brickand-mortar businesses. Play-It-Again Sports, a retail company in Lakeland and active Chamber member, worked with the public policy division to ensure that this issue was one
of the Chamber’s 2012 Legislative Priorities. With their considerable engagement on the issue, they used the leverage of the Chamber to actively lobby for passage of this legislation. Engagement with the Chamber provided a broader vehicle in which to educate the public on the issue, and to ensure that area businesses understood that this issue was a collection issue, and not a new tax. While the measure did not pass this Session, active involvement in the Chamber is ensuring that the issue will return to the Legislative Session in 2013. Members, such as Valencia Hills, who have used their Chamber membership in other ways, recently connected with the Public Policy division in a partnership to advocate on behalf of the health community. Valencia Hills is the fourth largest skilled nursing facility in Florida, with nearly 300 employees. In 2012, facing budget cuts and significant challenges from the Legislative Session, the Chamber
served as another resource to assist with the legislative process and understanding the status of the legislation they supported. In the final days of Session, Valencia took advantage of the contacts available from our Chamber to follow this legislation and determine its eventual state. This is a perfect example of our members using the public policy division as their eyes and ears in throughout the Legislative process. Finally, Chamber membership allows for direct contact with the Polk Legislative Delegation. The Mahoney Group is an active participant in both the Government Affairs Committee and BusinessVoice of Greater Lakeland, Inc. For their small business, the ability to travel to Tallahassee and engage directly in the political process has provided a detailed view of how the system operates. Their involvement has allowed the principles of The Mahoney Group to be better informed and best prepared for issues that could impact business.
I find both committees and meetings very valuable in that they delve into business and current issues impacting our City and community. Attending members are very engaged in the process and the diversity of knowledge and business experience from those members enriches us all and broadens the discussions on those issues as we seek to improve and strengthen our economy, our businesses and our community.
Maria Mahoney The Mahoney Group
Public Policy is often described as not only attention to the end result legislation and policy, but even more, as the attention to and analysis of government processes and decision-making. The process is a complex and multifaceted one that involves the interplay of individuals and interests competing and collaborating to influence policymakers. As members, take the chance to have a voice, and realize that “yes, you can!” 20 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S
Local E c o no m i c I n d i c at ors Made Simple
dr. james farrell, CFA florida southern college
CONNECT ] FLSouthern.edu/ PolkProgress
This new column will highlight a section of the Polk County economy each month and provide coverage and analysis on the recent changes to our economy. As an introduction, this month we will cover the Polk Progress Index (PPI). The PPI measures the overall level of economic activity in Polk County, it is a composite of key economic variables for Polk County, including Taxable Sales, Total Employment, Home Sales, Residential Electric Accounts, Industrial Kilowatt Hours, and Hotel/Motel Sales. Polk County experienced a 1% increase in economic activity as measured by the PPI from the 3rd to the 4th quarter of 2011 and is currently 1.7% higher than it was at this time last year. While Polk County, like most other counties throughout the country, experienced a significant decline in economic activity during the 2007 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2009 recession, the PPI has indicated a leveling-off and signs of improvement to our economy. It has been driven up recently by increases in taxable sales. This improvement mirrors that of the national economy, with GDP up an average of 1.7% from 2010 to 2011. Overall, there appears to be a slowly brightening light at the end of the tunnel. Economic indicators
at both the local and national levels are pointing at the beginnings of a slow, however bumpy, recovery. We expect continued improvement locally as the housing market appears to have reached its bottom and consumer confidence continues to build. Comprehensive coverage of the Polk County economy is provided in the Polk Progress report, which is published quarterly and is available for download at FLSouthern.edu/ PolkProgress. The full report is a quarterly summary of the
economic indicators of Polk County and the nation as a whole. It has been published by Florida Southern College since 1983, and has been providing the local community with a thorough analysis of local and national markets. In addition to the PPI, Polk Progress covers local unemployment, additional building indicators, citrus production, local business activity, and summarizes the national economic indicators. Next month we will look at employment at both the local and national levels.
About the Authors Polk Progress has been written by Dr. Carl Brown, The William F. Chatlos Professor of Business and Economics at Florida Southern College since its inception in 1983. Dr. Brown has been at Florida Southern College for 31 years and has focused his research on the stability and growth of the local economy. He regularly delivers economic presentations to groups locally and nationwide and has served as an economic
consultant to private entities such as the Lakeland Mall. Dr. Brown is joined by Dr. Jim Farrell, CFA in writing this monthly update on the Polk County economy. Dr. Farrell has been an Assistant Professor of Finance and Economics at Florida Southern College for two years and his research interests focus on labor and pension economics as well as individual risk taking. Prior to joining Florida Southern, he was with the Florida State Board of Administration, TD Waterhouse and Merrill Lynch.
Polk Progress index 225 220 215 210 200 195 190 185 180
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
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COMMON TA S T E
a of local business o n e c u p at a t i m e
The Common Grounds member feature gives your business the opportunity to showcase “a day in the life” of your employees and customers. Each month, one of the door prizes at the Business After Hours event will be a Common Grounds Lakeland Chamber coffee mug & the opportunity to submit a 350 word article about your local business.
S t e v e C a re y SeriousExercise.com
At Serious Exercise we start off every day with a smile. Sometimes this is a little tough since we start at 6:00 a.m.! Serious Exercise is a personal training gym and we specialize in Personal Training, Small Group Classes, Nutrition and Supplementation. The smiles we have are for our clients. We love working with our clients so that they have healthier lifestyles Some people think that our name means that we are too serious about our workouts and they could not do our programs. What our name really means is that we are serious about your health. Our days consist of designing the best physical activity programs for every one of our clients. If you are a client of ours, your program is going to fit you so that you can meet and exceed your goals. Now that is something to smile about! A healthy lifestyle consists of more than just exercise. I always smile when I see a client meeting his or her weight loss goals. You see, we spend a good part of our day working with our clients on nutrition. And we keep our nutrition simple. Helping our clients learn to eat the right foods means they not only lose weight, but they also are making significant gains in their overall health. Our motto is: “Where Lakeland goes to get fit.” Fit and healthy is the goal. So, a day in the life at Serious Exercise is always the same in a way. Every day we strive to make our clients fit and healthy. We do this through exercise, nutrition and supplementation. Come visit us at 3230 South Florida Ave, or give us a call at (863) 686-9593. We look forward to designing your personal plan! 22 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S
GO TIGERS!
LAKELAND’S NEWEST PREMIERE LOCATION FOR QUALITY PATIO FURNITURE AND LUXURY EUROPEAN RECLINERS 3340 US HWY 92E • LAKELAND, FL 33801 P 863-510-0017 • F 863-510-0071 TOLL FREE 800-971-0017 CLASSICCOACHWORKS.COM
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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 3607 â&#x20AC;˘ Lakeland, FL 33802 - 3607
BUSINESS
H URS
AFTER
Join fellow members for a special night of networking before the Lakeland Raiders game on MONDAY, MAY 14 at 5:00 p.m. At 7:15 p.m., watch the Raiders take on the Florida Tarpons and cheer our team to victory!
Monday, May 14 5:00-7:00 p.m. 701 W Lime St Each Business After Hours Attendee receives one ticket to the game, courtesy of the Raiders!
$10 Chamber Member ~ $30 Non Chamber Member
Your R.S.V.P. is appreciated! Visit Lakeland.Chamber.com to register.
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