October 2014 Forum for Business

OCTOBER 2014 | VOL. XXIII, NO. 10

PHOTO : GIL WILLIAMS

BUY LAKELAND. IT MAKES GOOD CENTS!

LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

CH A M BER STAFF KATHLEEN L. MUNSON President

KMUNSON@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

BARBARA BENNETT Executive Assistant

BBENNETT@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

S A L LY C H A P M A N

Vice President, Finance & Administration

SCHAPMAN@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

ADAM HANSJONS

Administrative Assistant, Member Information

AHANSJONS@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

C A R O LY N J A C K S O N

Senior Vice President, Member Relations

CJACKSON@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

JACQUELINE L. JOHNSON

Senior Vice President, Convention & Visitors Bureau

JACKIEJ@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

KATIE MCBRIDE Membership Consultant

KMCBRIDE@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

NIKKI OAKLEY

Membership Account Executive

NOAKLEY@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

TERRY OTTINGER

Vice President, Membership Development

TOTTINGER@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

E M I LY R I N E H A R T

Administrative Assistant, Member Relations | Public Affairs

ERINEHART@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

RICH ROY

Vice President, Public Affairs

RROY@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

PATTY SMITH

Administrative Assistant, Convention & Visitors Bureau

PSMITH@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

AMY WIGGINS

Vice President, Communications

LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

AWIGGINS@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

TIMOTHY B. JACKSON | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

35 LAKE MORTON DRIVE PO BOX 3607 LAKELAND, FL 33802-3607 (863) 688-8551 LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

NUJAK COMPANIES

KATHLEEN L. MUNSON | PUBLISHER LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AMY S. WIGGINS | EDITOR LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NICE BRANDING AGENCY | CREATIVE DIRECTION, PRODUCTION & PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.BRANDNICELY.COM

2 | FORUM FOR BUSINESS

© 2014 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.

FORUM FOR BUSINESS

| 3

If you are looking for a better way to talk to customers, consider using the following five-part process, based off of Shareist’s experience in the Innovation Program:

[ONE] DEVELOP A FACTS & ASSUMPTIONS LIST

A M O N T H LY

JASON FIDLER

CONSTANT CONTACT Communication Specialist

It has been said that customer feedback is one of the most valuable gifts a business can receive. Which is true, but sometimes collecting that feedback can be a challenge. Just ask Scott Jangro and Damien Ambrose, founders of content marketing platform Shareist.

Shareist participated in the pilot of the Constant Contact Small Business Innovation Program, a new program designed to support entrepreneurs and startups as they solve problems for small businesses. One of the goals Shareist had when joining the program was to find a way to more effectively elicit feedback from their customers.

More specifically, the Shareist team wanted to know which of the wide variety of tools within their platform were most valuable to their customer base, and how to target the right tools to the right customers going forward.

Working with the Constant Contact Innovation Team, Scott and Damien came up with a plan to collect the feedback they needed.

They started by brainstorming a list of facts and assumptions that they thought would be relevant to their customer base.

4 | FORUM FOR BUSINESS

Facts were notions taken to be true of all customers, such as “Content is hard,” “Customers collect content,” and “Having a content process is good.”

Assumptions were general impressions Shareist had about their customers, such as “Customers manage social media.”

Using the list, the Innovation Team and Shareist then developed specific questions to ask customers that would either validate or invalidate their facts and assumptions.

Some facts required multiple questions for validation. Here are some examples: FACT: Having a content process is good.

QUESTION ONE: Do you plan content production on a schedule?

QUESTION TWO: Do you have a process to create and publish content?

FACT: Content is hard.

QUESTION ONE: Where do you get content ideas?

QUESTION TWO: How do you decide which content to share and product?

Having developed these questions, the team then set out to call customers.

They took detailed notes on the conversations and responses, and afterwards they laid all the responses on a table so that they could see what some of the commonalities were between the customers’ responses.

The responses allowed Shareist to see which facts and assumptions were true, and if there were any that needed to be reconsidered.

While it was determined that customers indeed collect content, the majority of respondents indicated that doing so was not hard, refuting one of the “facts” the team took to be true. Additionally, one of the more surprising results of the survey was that a minority of respondents said that having a definite content process is worthwhile.

The feedback was extremely helpful to Shareist, as they were able to use it to rework their strategy in terms of which products to lead with when marketing to the different segments within their customer base.

“What we learned is that we cannot assume people know specifically what they need in a solution,” said Scott.

“We are not our customers, and this helped discover what their pain points are and market to them accordingly.”

Take a piece of paper and separate it into two columns. In one column, take down all the “facts” you know about your customers. In the other, note all “assumptions.”

Have other employees you work with do the same.

The facts and assumptions list acts as a mirror you can hold up to yourself and your employees.

[TWO] MAKE A LIST OF QUESTIONS Draft questions so that they directly waddress the facts and assumptions you have developed. This part can be tricky, as the actual word-smithing of the questions is crucial in getting good responses.

For example, if Shareist had asked “Do you think having a content process is good?”, they probably would have received a simple “yes” from respondents.

By crafting the questions in a fashion that actually digs into the respondents’ day-to-day processes (e.g. “Do you plan content production on a schedule?”, “Do you have a process to create and publish content?”), you are more likely to get honest, beneficial answers.

[THREE] COLLECT THE FEEDBACK YOU NEED One of the best ways to collect feedback is to talk to your customers directly. Is there a list of customers that you would feel comfortable

calling? You can also look for opportunities to ask questions in-person at your store or office.

[FOUR] VALIDATE OR INVALIDATE YOUR FACTS AND ASSUMPTIONS LIST Compile the feedback you received in a grid, with each customer taking their own table. Find the responses that map to each fact and assumption.

You should fairly quickly be able to see whether each has been validated or invalidated.

[FIVE] USE THE FEEDBACK TO IMPROVE Feedback is only a gift if you do something with it! Pay attention to the feedback you receive.

Were there things you thought to be true, that were proved wrong? Were there any reoccurring themes? Are there changes you could make right away to help you better serve your customers? Create a plan to make improvements, and let customers see how their feedback is being used.

GET STARTED! We all know how important our customer satisfaction is when it comes to our business; however it can be tough to gauge that satisfaction without a set process in place. By using these steps, you will be able to effectively use customer feedback to get an honest, complete look at your offerings and how you can optimize them in the future.

exper i e nc e e me r g e : B L U RRED LIN ES

STEPHANIE COLON CO-CHAIR

CONNECT ] EMERGELakeland.com

“Blurred Lines” is more than a popular song from the summer of 2013. “Blurred Lines” has also become the unofficial slogan of those trying to “blur” city divisions and unite Polk County’s young professionals as a single unified force. In late August of this year the movement took a huge step forward when a collective group of young professionals from Engage Bartow, Winter Haven Young Professionals and EMERGE Lakeland hosted the 2014 Polk Emerging Leaders Awards Dinner.

Originally founded by the Winter Haven Chamber Foundation in 2011, the Polk Emerging Leaders Awards was created to recognize young professionals who excel professionally but also give back to their community. The Winter Haven Chamber Foundation continued hosting the event until this year when Katie Worthington, the executive director of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from EMERGE Lakeland and Engage Bartow

brainstormed ideas of how to bring our groups and members closer together. After a little discussion the answer was obvious and the Polk Emerging Leaders Awards evolved in to a true county-wide initiative.

Committees were formed. Appeals were mailed. Invitations were printed. Months of planning and promotion ultimately resulted in a successful event held at The Bartow Civic Center with more than 200 in attendance (the event had previously been held in Lakeland and

Winter Haven).

I was honored to be nominated that night and humbled beyond measure when I was introduced as one of the recipients of the award. As I stood there thanking several people and organizations, I realized this is the beginning of a new era, the “divide” is as “blurred” as I have ever known it, and I’m proud to know that it is the young professionals of Polk County that are leading the charge.

The bar has been set higher than ever

before and it is our job to continue to jump higher and work harder to bring our county businesses together.

We must also be ready to light the torches of those young leaders entering our ranks each year. Teaching them the importance of a unified county will allow them to take our accomplishments today and build upon them.

The opportunities are endless. Together we are stronger than the sum of our parts. So, pull out your erasers and help, however you can, to blur the lines just a little bit more.

FORUM FOR BUSINESS | 5

Winning the Multi-channel Game The multi-channel world is filled with opportunity. Just like a video game, some trial and error is always involved, but don’t be afraid to hit the reset button. Start small, seek expert guidance, and focus on gathering intelligence along the way. With the right strategy and tools, it’s possible to navigate this landscape and get more rewards for your efforts. Who knows — you might even save the princess.

smal l b u s i n e s s o f t h e mon t h

DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, P.A. DAVID YRASTORZA, M.D. (863) 686-2282 3670 INNOVATION DR LAKELAND, FL 33812

CONNECT ] www.yrastorzamd.com

We are blessed to live in The Sunshine State, where sunny, fair-weather activities are available yearround and our backyards become family rooms. We are also blessed to have Dr. Yrastorza and Dermatology Associates of Central Florida to protect and treat our skin from any conditions that may arise from being in the land of sunshine, or from any other causes.

Dr. Yrastorza has been providing dermatology services in central Florida for 20 years, from Polk County to Highlands County. Dermatology Associates of Central Florida, P.A. provides

medical and surgical care with a priority on the prevention and treatment of skin cancers. Dr. Yrastorza is a proud member of the American Society for Mohs Surgery and frequently participates in handson training and continuing education.

Dermatologic surgeons must undergo specific training to perform Mohs surgeries, a unique procedure that involves both the surgical removal of skin cancer and microscopic examination to ensure that all skin cancer cells have been removed.

The practice operates with 10

employees from their own fiveyear-old, modern, professional office off Bartow Highway in south Lakeland.

Dermatology Associates of Central Florida emphasizes personal and individualized care, and patients always see Dr. Yrastorza. The office is a calm, quiet, professional setting and appointments are almost always on time. The practice serves all age brackets throughout Polk County, with many patients also continuing to come from Highlands County.

Dr. Yrastorza continues his

involvement and education on a professional level, including memberships in International Society of Dermatologic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Mohs Surgery, as well as certification by the American Board of Dermatology. Dr. Yrastorza also gives back to the community in a variety of ways, including volunteer medical services for Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine; volunteer coaching for youth soccer, tennis, and flag football teams; cancer screening via American Academy of

BY CURT WHEELER,

For more information on some of the requirements for the Small Business Award and to view previous recipients, please visit LakelandChamber.com/ BusinessResource.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH COMMITTEE MEMBER CURT WHEELER (WHEELER APPRAISALS, LLC) PRESENTS THE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH AWARD FOR SEPTEMBER 2014 TO DAVID YRASTORZA, MD OF CENTRAL FLORIDA DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.A.

8 | FORUM FOR BUSINESS

Dermatology; Young Life ministry for middle school and high school students and providing sun safety lessons for St. Paul and Lakeland Christian Schools.

It is wonderful to live in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, and it is wonderful that we have Dr. Yrastorza and Dermatology Associates of Central Florida to help us with our dermatology needs.

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates David Yrastorza, MD and Dermatology Associates of Central Florida, P.A. as the Small Business of the Month award winner

WHEELER APPRAISALS, LLC

WA N T T O K N O W W H Y B E I N G A M E M B E R O F T H E L A K E L A N D A R E A C H A M B E R I S S O B E C O M I N G ? R E A D O N . . .

CALENDAR

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

NEW MEMBERS

BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS PRESENTS THE 24TH ANNUAL CHAMBER SCRAMBLE

C, GMC, let,, GM rolet evro Chev gall Ch Rega Re Kia a, Kia ura, Acur a, Ac nda, Hond Ho

Hole In One C ontests

ENTRY FEES

$200 PER PERSON

MONDAY,DEC.8 9:30 A.M. REGISTRATION 1O:30 A.M. SHOTGUN START 3:30 P.M. AWARDS RECEPTION SPECIAL CONTESTS & PRIZES

SIX PERSON SCRAMBLE

Graphic Design | Craig Advertising, Inc.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

» Men’s and Women’s Tournament » If you don’t have a six-some, we’ll put one together for you!

For more information visit LakelandChamber.com or call (863) 688-8551, Ext. 223 or 224

Includes ALL Prizes and Contests, Greens Fees, Cart, Food, Beverages and Reception

$1200 PER TEAM

Includes 6 Players, Entry Into ALL Contests and Hole Sign

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Lunch Sponsor: $2000 Hole Hospitality Sponsor: MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Beverage Cart Sponsor: Allen & Company of Florida, Inc. Putting Green Sponsor: Wards Air Conditioning Reception Sponsor: Advanced PEO Solutions, LLC Golf Cart Sponsor: Citizens Bank & Trust Driving Range Sponsor: Spherion Closest to the Pin Sponsor: Bank of Central Florida Longest Drive Sponsor: $500 Hole Sponsors: $100

Add some holiday spirit for your employees and your clients with a special golf outing at Lakeland’s premiere golf tournament – the Lakeland Chamber Scramble! This year’s tournament will take place on December 8 at Grasslands Golf and Country Club, one of the finest designed private courses in central Florida. A favorite of members, the 24th Annual Chamber Scramble will offer Chamber members time to re-connect, network and entertain clients during that time of year when celebrations are important and the weather is spectacular!

Each year, more than 150 players take on the challenge of six-person scramble play at one of Lakeland’s beautiful golf courses. This format – unique to the Chamber’s tournament – is ideal for serious golfer as well as players who make the best use of the time to reconnect with clients and colleagues.

With the support of generous sponsors, the Chamber Scramble helps the Chamber fulfill its mission to sustain a strong business climate in our community.

Several levels of sponsorship and play opportunities allow for participation from small businesses to large companies.

With a limited number of spaces available, visit 2014Scramble.LakelandChamber.com to register today!

FORUM FOR BUSINESS | 9

october 2014 dates WED 8

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

TUES 7

8:00 a.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 BUSINESSVOICE OF GREATER LAKELAND 9:15 a.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

THUR 9

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 LEADERSHIP LAKELAND “CITY GOVERNMENT DAY”

MON 13

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 EMERGE LAKELAND STEERING COMMITTEE

WED 15

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

WED 22

3:45 p.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

THUR 16

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

THUR 23

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 SCORE ROUND TABLE

FRI 14

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 7TH ANNUAL CARBQ

MON 8

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8 24TH ANNUAL CHAMBER SCRAMBLE

AUGUST

7:30 a.m.

Heath Funeral Chapel 328 S. Ingraham Ave.

TOURISM

5:30 p.m.

McGee Auto Service & Tires 5020 US Highway 98 South

During the month of August our Visitor Information Center assisted hundreds of individuals, answering questions pertaining to Chamber member businesses and the Lakeland community.

7:30 a.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 EMERGING RACE 5:15 p.m.

GrayRobinson, PA 1 Lake Morton Dr

Noon Grasslands Golf & Country Club 1600 Grasslands Blvd.

13

TUESDAY

WALK-IN VISITORS................................................................................248 RELOCATION RESPONSE MAILINGS.............................................. 3 RELOCATION RESPONSE (WALK IN)........................................... 24 ACCOMMODATIONS.....................................................................................1 WINTER ACCOMMODATIONS.............................................................. 0 VISITOR INFORMATION MAILINGS..................................................11 VISITOR CENTER E-MAIL INQUIRIES...........................................79

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SUN

2

3

4

5

7

8

9

10

11

12

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION 5:30 P.M.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 8:00 A.M.

LEADERSHIP LAKELAND “CITY GOVERNMENT DAY”

BUSINESSVOICE OF GREATER LAKELAND 9:15 A.M.

BUSINESS & BREAKFAST 7:30 A.M.

17

18

19

24

25

26

14

15 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

21

22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

16 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 5:30 P.M.

23 SCORE ROUND TABLE 7:30 A.M. EMERGING RACE 5:15 P.M.

27

SAT

1

EMERGE LAKELAND STEERING COMMITTEE 3:45 P.M.

20

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 BUSINESS & BREAKFAST

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

6

5:30 p.m.

Regions Bank 124 S. Florida Ave.

THUR 9

4:00 p.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

MONDAY

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7 NEW MEMBER RECEPTION

28

10 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

29

30

31

Even t HI G HLI GH T S 01

02

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Hosted by Pilot Bank

01 | Board member Bill Dorman (Lanier Upshaw, Inc.) presents the plaque of appreciation to Allyson Hyndman, Pilot Bank Branch Manager.

02 | The Pilot Bank team explores new member Fast Eddie's Limo Bus & Transportation.

03 | More than 150 members and guests packed Pilot Banks lobby for another successful Business After Hours.

BUSINESS & BREAKFAST 03

04

Hosted by Valencia Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center

04 | VP, Public Affairs Rich Roy welcomes a full house to Valencia Hill’s Health & Rehabilitation Center and presents the topic of the day: “Where, Why & How Your Tax Dollars are Spent.”

05 | Panelists Mike Bradley, Valencia Hills Health & Rehabilitation, Wendy Dodge, Polk County Public Schools, Jason Willey, City of Lakeland & Rich Roy, VP Public Affiars

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION

Hosted by Grow Financial Federal Credit Union

05

06

06 | President Kathleen Munson welcomes the new members.

07 | New Member Gary Willis (Edward Jones/Gary Willis Financial Advisor) shares his 30-second commercial with fellow new members.

08 | The team at grow Financial Federal Credit union was all smiles to welcome new members to the Chamber! Thanks for your support!

07

08

F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 11

TRUSTEES Florida Southern College For the fifth consecutive year, Florida Southern College has been included in The Princeton Review’s prestigious guidebook The 379 Best Colleges. Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges were selected. These rankings are notable indicators of quality of life on campus, and Florida Southern’s inclusion in The Best 379 Colleges marks it as one of the country’s best institutions for undergraduate education

LEGOLAND Florida

CHAIRMAN ’S CIRCLE Bank of Central Florida Welcomes Robert P. Kenney, CPA as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Bob began his career in public accounting as an auditor specializing in banking clients and transitioned into the banking industry in 1980.

Bob has served four community banks in central Florida from startup to $900 million in assets.

GrayRobinson, P.A. Announced that 64 attorneys made the 2015 Best Lawyers in America lis of outstanding attourneys, including four in Lakeland: Sandra G. Sheets, Robert L. Trohn, John K. Vreeland and Stephen C. Watson.

Also, shareholder Benjamin J. LeFrancois has been elected to the Board of Trustees for All Saints’ Academy.

Lakeland Regional Medical Center President Mack Reavis, MD, was recently named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s “500+ People to Know in Healthcare.” This list recognizes individuals throughout the United States who display dedication to improving the healthcare industry.

Lanier Upshaw, Inc. Is very pleased to announce that Betsy Cénéus has been recently promoted to Assistant Vice President. Betsy has been with Lanier Upshaw for thirteen and a half years and currently works in our Marketing department as Commercial Marketing Specialist.

12 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

Continues to add experienced business leaders with the addition of Rex Jackson as the Park’s new Marketing Director. Jackson joins LEGOLAND Florida after spending the last five years as Marketing Director at Darden Restaurants in Orlando, Fla., bringing his experience to a leadership team that creates memorable family experiences for guests visiting LEGOLAND Florida from around the world. He will lead all marketing, communication, advertising and sales efforts of the Park, including the unveiling of the LEGOLAND Hotel in 2015.

Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida Welcomes Aly Reza Sheraly, M.D. Dr. Sheraly completed his glaucoma fellowship and ophthalmology residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, and is Board Certified with the Michigan and Florida Boards of Medicine. He is fellowship-trained in the newest minimally invasive glaucoma procedures for mild to moderate glaucoma.

Lakeland Christian School Is pleased to announce that Matt Green (LCS Class of 2001) has accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for LCS. Matt received a BA in Accounting from Cedarville University and an MBA from the University of Dayton. He is a CPA and comes to LCS with experience in a variety of accounting and business settings.

Medina Law Group, P.A. Pleased to announce the addition of two new team members. Melinda Fandetti, Legal Assistant, is assisting Stephen W. Lutz, Esq., in the Probate department. Karen Persun, Legal Assistant, is the new assistant to Daniel Medina, B.C.S. Both Melinda and Karen bring several years’ experience in the legal field to Medina Law Group. Welcome to the Medina Law Group, PA team!

THE LAKELAND CHAMBER PRINTS BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS EACH MONTH AS SPACE PERMITS. PLEASE EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MOTM@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

Lakeland Regional Cancer Center Welcomes Shelileah R. Newman, MD, Radiation Oncologist. Dr. Newman’s areas of specialty include general adult radiation oncology with a special interest in prostate, breast, lung cancer and radiosurgery.

The Salvation Army Announces 2014-15 West Polk County Advisory Board Officers: Chair Mark Codd, Vice Chair Tim Rice, Treasurer Keith Albritton and Secretary Rob Tritton.

Watson Clinic LLP Watson Clinic’s Sleep Disorders Center recently received reaccreditation for their program from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). To receive the five-year accreditation, Watson Clinic’s Sleep Disorders Center had to meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM following a detailed evaluation of the center’s facility and equipment, practice standard and procedures, consumer services, equipment delivery and set-up, patient follow up and additional quality control categories.

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 Bob Read, Director at LegalShield of Lakeland, for his outstanding attention to Chamber members and attendance at events! Bob is a wonderful asset to the Chamber and to the Lakeland community!

BOB READ

LEGALSHIELD OF LAKELAND Director

SPECIAL THANKS TO MAYOR HOWARD WIGGS, COMMISSIONER KEITH MERRITT, AND ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS AND CHAMBER CHAMPIONS WHO TRULY MAKE THESE CEREMONIES SPECIAL EVENTS.

AEROSPACE DISCOVERY AT THE FLORIDA AIR MUSEUM

MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION

BUDGET BLINDS OF LAKELAND

4175 MEDULLA RD | (863) 644-2431

2100 HARDEN BLVD | (863) 686-9683

4289 S FLORIDA AVE | (863) 259-0624

Lakeland, FL 33811 SUN-N-FUN.ORG/MUSEUM

Lakeland, FL 33815

Lakeland, FL 33813

MIDFLORIDA.COM

BUDGETBLINDS.COM

We hire the best of the best. Top professional ability, a genuine passion for the industry and personal integrity are key components to our unique and coveted team.

F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 13

N E W M E M BERS MARY KAY COSMETICS/MARGARET TWOMEY AMAZON FULFILLMENT

1760 COUNTY LINE ROAD LAKELAND, FL 33811 SAM KENNEDY DISTRIBUTORS, WAREHOUSING

5115 N. SOCRUM LOOP RD #360 LAKELAND, FL 33809 (978) 808-1493 WWW.MARYKAY.COM/MTWOMEY MARGARET TWOMEY COSMETICS

MDIZ COLLECTIONS LLC BY MELEISSA D. HAMPTON LA QUINTA INN & SUITES 4315 LAKELAND PARK DR LAKELAND, FL 33809 (863) 815-0606 WWW.LAQUINTA.COM JASON MANLEY HOTELS/SUITES

VITAS HEALTHCARE

6850 NEW TAMPA HWY, STE 600 LAKELAND, FL 33815 (863) 583-7100 WWW.VITAS.COM ANTHONY COSMA HEALTH CARE - HOSPICE HEALTH SERVICES

THE HEALTH INSURANCE STORE

CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINMENT (818) 519-0186 MRS. DIANE LACHAPELLE INSURANCE

1ST PRIORITY STAFFING

114 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT WAY LAKELAND, FL 33803 (863) 937-9170 WWW.1STPRIORITYSTAFFING.COM CATHY WARD-BOLGER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTORS

BOUTIQUE GREEK

355 S LAKE PARKER AVE LAKELAND, FL 3380 (863) 816-5812 WWW.BOUTIQUEGREEK.COM MCKARA LAINE CALHOON RETAIL

DJ TRUSSES UNLIMITED, INC.

315 WINSTON CREEK PKWY LAKELAND, FL 33810 (863) 687-4796 WWW.DJTRUSSESUNLIMITED.COM JERRY CHIPPS CONSTRUCTION

FAST EDDIE'S LIMO BUS & TRANSPORTATION CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT (863) 682-4BUS WWW.FASTEDDIESLIMOBUS.COM CHERI FULLER TRANSPORTATION

H&R BLOCK/PUBLIX IN THE HIGHLANDS 2133 E. COUNTY RD 540 A LAKELAND, FL 33813 (863) 709-0269 WWW.HRBLOCK.COM MARY A COOK TAX SERVICES

HOUGHTON, P.A.

625 E LIME ST #1 LAKELAND, FL 33803 (863) 899-2671 WWW.HOUGHTONPA.COM SAMUEL HOUGHTON ATTORNEYS

14 || FFOORRUUMM FFOORR BBUUSSIINNEESSSS

CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT (863) 940-3530 WWW.MDIZCOLLECTIONS.COM MELEISSA & MIKE D. HAMPTON WOMEN'S APPAREL & ACCESSORIES

MISS PAULE'S SEWING STUDIO

4610 A CLEVELAND HEIGHTS BLVD LAKELAND, FL 33813 (863) 940-9889 WWW.MISSPAULE.COM MISS PAULE GUDGER FABRICS/SEWING MACHINES

MJC CLASSIC CARS

355 S LAKE PARKER AVE LAKELAND, FL 33801 (863) 698-7980 WWW.MJCCLASSICCARS.COM MIKE CALHOON AUTOMOBILE DEALERS - WHOLESALE/RETAIL/CERTIFIED

MOHAWK BRAND AGENCY

CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT (863) 210-5040 WWW.MOHAWKBRANDING.COM AUSTIN BEYKE ADVERTISING

SOLARA INDUSTRIES INC

4343 FRONTAGE RD N LAKELAND, FL 33810 (863) 688-3330 WWW.SOLARAINDUSTRIES.COM MARK MILLER HOME IMPROVEMENTS

YEARS

YEARS

1943 | 71 YEARS

AMJ/A DIVISION OF TRINOVA

TAMPA ELECTRIC/PEOPLES GAS

FIELDS MOTORCARS

1946 | 68 YEARS

PYRAMID PROFILES

GENTRY MORRISON FUNERAL HOMES

MISTER FISH

1968 | 46 YEARS HIGGENBOTHAM AUCTIONEERS INT'L LTD., INC WH ALDERMAN PLUMBING CO.

1973 | 41 YEARS FURR & WEGMAN ARCHITECTS, P.A. GENE ENGLE, REALTOR

1974 | 40 YEARS CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP

1975 | 39 YEARS STAHL HERNDON & ASSOCIATES INC.

1977 | 37 YEARS NATIONAL MEMORIALS SADDLE CREEK LOGISTICS SERVICES SAM'S SPORT SHOP

1980 | 34 YEARS SCMH ARCHITECTS

1982 | 32 YEARS PERPETUAL TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

1985 | 29 YEARS KNIGHT INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT INC.

1986 | 28 YEARS FUN BIKE CENTER MOTORSPORTS

1988 | 26 YEARS INNERACT ALLIANCE FORMERLY DPRC

1991 | 23 YEARS CARE ANIMAL CLINIC

1992 | 22 YEARS SERVICEMASTER COMMERCIAL SERVICES

1993 | 21 YEARS JIM WILLIAMS FENCE COMPANY WARDS AIR CONDITIONING

1994 | 20 YEARS DSM TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS FIRMENICH HICKMAN HOMES, INC.

FFOORRUUMM FFOORR BBUUSSIINNEESSSS || 15

October Splash-In at LEGOLAND Florida Water Park

VP, COMMUNICATIONS HONORED BY FLORIDA PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION Amy Wiggins, Vice President, Communications was installed as the 2014-15 president of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) during the chapter’s annual meeting in August.

During the meeting, Wiggins was honored as the Bob Gernert Apr, CPRC Member of the Year for her commitment to the chapter. Most notably, Wiggins lead the chapter’s local image awards competition, increasing entries and awards more than 200%.

Bus NESS&bre kfast “Economic Development Update” Presented by Claudia Tritton, Lakeland Economic Development Council

Hear first hand from the Lakeland Economic Development Council what’s growing, moving, and changing in Lakeland’s business community.

Enjoy a Splash-In at LEGOLAND Florida Water Park on Sunday, October 26 for the very special price of $5.00 per person! The Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation has partnered with LEGOLAND Florida Water Park to create this outstanding offer for our members and the Lakeland community. And, the best part is, 100% of the ticket sales will benefit the Chamber Foundation, one of the greatest assets this Chamber has in serving the diverse needs of our community. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 that exists to support vital community and education initiatives, funding projects within organizations such as Lakeland Community Theatre and VISTE. (Membership investment does not fund the Foundation.)

The Water Park will open at 11 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Entry to the Water Park on October 26 is exclusive to Chamber Foundation ticket holders. Special parking instructions will be provided with ticket purchase. Parking is free for this event.

Tickets for this event are available for $5 each, cash or check only, at the Chamber offices, 35 Lake Morton Dr. Hurry in!

With a limited number of tickets available, they will sell fast!

October 9 | 7:30 a.m.

328 S Ingraham Ave 16 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

C/F/R’S POLK COUNTY TEAM – CPAs DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESS

At C/F/R, we’re firm believers that bigger isn’t always better. We prefer to know our clients on a personal level, providing our undivided attention and wholehearted support. From the smallest tasks to the largest challenges, we keep the focus where it’s meant to be, on having the right people with the right skills providing our clients with amazing service. As advisors, we believe we are a reflection of the clients we serve. Knowledge is key. Deadlines are met. Costs are fair. Relationships matter. We take on your challenges as if they were our own and we celebrate your successes, because ultimately, what’s important to you is important to us.

The largest accounting firm local to Polk County

Lakeland Office 863-937-9520

Winter Haven Office 863-299-5638

Tampa Office 813-321-6869

Orlando Office 407-841-6930

www.cfrcpa.com

CareerSource Polk Recognizes

Since 2003, CareerSource Polk has recognized the Best Places to Work in Polk County through a competitive application process that honors employers who exemplify best practices in their workplace and who are committed to improving the quality of life for their employees. The 2013 awards were presented at the CareerSource Polk Annual Meeting and Best Places to Work Awards on August 28, 2014 in Lakeland.

ABOUT THE AWARD Applicants are anonymously scored by an outside panel of Human Resource professionals on the company’s demonstrated commitment to:

6 Workplace Diversity 6 Work/Life Balance of Employees 6 An Educated Workforce 6 Training and Development Initiatives 6 Recruitment of Quality Employees 6 Retention of Quality Employees In addition, applicants also have the opportunity to share what sets them apart from other employers.

In the second part of the process, an anonymous and confidential survey is sent to all members of the company’s staff inquiring about their satisfaction as an employee and how their company supports the balance of work and life. Read on to learn a little about each company and a few of the things that makes them a Best Place to Work.

A special Employer of Distinction Award was created to recognize those companies who have shown consistent commitment to improving the quality of life for their employees. Award winners have received three consecutive Best Places to Work Awards.

6 Employers of Distinction 6 A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure 6 Clark & Daughtery Medical Group/LRHS 6 Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP 6 DSM Technology Consultants 6 Southern Wine & Spirits 6 The Estates at Carpenters 18 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY CNP-CLARK/NIKDEL/POWELL The goal of CNP-Clark/Nikdel/Powell is for their employees to want to come to work. Covering the cost of all insurance premiums for full time employees, a 401K with company match, and a $200 check on your birthday is where it starts. With recognition that their employees are responsible professionals, there is no cap on vacation or sick time and flexible work arrangements are provided to retain talent, even if it means remotely working on a contractual basis from Europe. Instituting non-traditional practices to keep morale high, they set aside time for personal development, birthday celebrations, daily Frisbee breaks and use late Friday afternoons to bond as an office. Management is transparent with the company’s financial situation and if monthly goals are surpassed, 25% of the profit goes towards employee bonuses. Community involvement is permitted and encouraged during work hours and pro-bono projects for local non-profits are often taken.

COMMUNITY SOUTHERN BANK Community Southern Bank is not just another company, they are family, and that’s why they believe it is important to have their staff share in the longterm success of the company. Through stock options, profit-sharing, annual bonuses and pay increases, the bank’s profitability has allowed them to reward their employees in spite of the difficult economic times.

The benefits package includes 100% employer paid premiums for Medical, Dental, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Group Life Insurance. In addition, the bank has paid thousands of dollars for a number of programs benefitting employees and sponsored by the local chamber of commerce.

CPS INVESTMENT ADVISORS Focusing on the financial well-being of its clients, employees, families, and the community, CPS Investment Advisors offers a quarterly bonus program, a 50% 401(k) program match, and 100% of the premium for life insurance at 3 times the employees’ annual salary. Employees also enjoy “Employee of the Month” awards, gift cards for error free transactions, an annual spring training event, Christmas float attendance during the Lakeland Christmas parade, and fresh fruit every morning provided by the owners. Finally, CPS also recognizes an “Employee of the Year” who receives a weekend getaway for their exemplary service.

LUNZ PREBOR FOWLER ARCHITECTS Not many companies can boast that almost 50% of their employees have more than 20 years tenure when the company is only 26 years old, but Lunz Prebor Fowler Architects can and that is not the only thing that sets them apart. As a firm with less than 20 employees, they pride themselves on always paying 100% of employee’s cost for health, disability and life insurance. The company culture promotes collaboration and creativity and community involvement is important to the firm.

From mentoring to sponsoring a Habitat House, they support their employees’ endeavors to serve nonprofits that interest them by giving them the time to participate and utilize company resources. Family values are also key with flexible work options to allow their employees to take part in life opportunities such as coaching their child’s athletic team.

MADRID ENGINEERING GROUP, INC. Paying 100% of the employees’ health coverage and 25% of their dependents’ health coverage, Madrid Engineering Group (MEG) also offsets the cost of the high family deductible with a reimbursement of up to 60% of the deductible. Partial reimbursement for gym memberships, tickets to events such as banquets, professional basketball, ice hockey, and fine arts performances, and an office space design that is intentionally organic promotes health and wellness of employees. MEG is highly proactive when it comes to supporting continuing education as they reimburse tuition costs on work related courses at the postgraduate level and cover the cost to at least one major conference and professional membership per year for all engineers, geologists, and project managers.

SPHERION STAFFING The average tenure of those at Spherion Staffing is 14 years and that is due to a commitment to make each team member feel as though they are part owner of the company through monthly events, quarterly retreats, an annual all-inclusive three day party at a great destination, and annual profit sharing for all employees. Flexibility is also key to their benefits with unique features including a medical expense loan for any employee exceeding their HSA Savings Account, ability to roll over unused medical time off, partial reimbursement for gym memberships, and a flexible work schedule. Spherion also boasts of offering the best personal and vacation allowances in the staffing business with 34 paid days off within the first year of employment.

MEDIUM BUSINESS CATEGORY CENTER FOR RETINA & MACULAR DISEASE The Center for Retina and Macular Disease’s retention rate for 2013 was 100% due in part to their compensation and benefit philosophy of providing above market pay & benefits to all full and part-time staff. Free healthcare is offered to all full-time staff and those who choose the high-deductible plan also receive family coverage at no cost. In addition, staff have access to no deductible CT scans, MRIs, and similar scans. The company also offers generous PTO, AAA and SAMS Club Group Membership, tickets to area theme parks, Identity Theft Protection, Staples Employee Discount Plan, and Emergency Loans (via the 401K Plan).

CITIZENS BANK & TRUST With the belief that a key to their employees’ happiness is the willingness to listen to their wants and values, Citizens Bank & Trust enhances their comprehensive benefit package by including creativity and flexibility.

Unused sick, vacation and personal days may be rolled into an extended sick bank, employees can donate vacation or sick time to any employee who has exhausted their own time due to medical issues, and the company pays 70% of the high deductible medical plan whether the employee has employee only or family coverage. Employee Appreciation Week is also celebrated each year with surprises and treats for all employees.

FLORIDA PRESBYTERIAN HOMES With the mission to provide compassionate, personalized continuing care and service of the highest quality, consistent with their Christian heritage, Florida Presbyterian Homes is proud that employees with 20, 30 or even more years of service is not uncommon in every department. Some of the benefits that employees enjoy include 95% paid health insurance premiums, an onsite Weight Watchers program, allowance to accrue up to 480 hours of sick pay. Sick pay over 480 hours can be accumulated at half the rate and used for personal time off. Employees celebrate each other’s individual efforts and accomplishments through numerous department celebrations such as; Atta Boy / Atta Girl cards for residents to recognize staff, FPH Dollars and Stars for staff to recognize each other, gift cards for good attendance and their highest honor, the ABCD award for staff members who go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

HEACOCK INSURANCE GROUP Heacock Insurance Group has been in the insurance business since 1922 and takes great pride in offering its employees three options for the Group Health Plan with an employer contribution of 75-77% of the employee cost. The firm also offers long term disability at no cost. In addition, employees also enjoy free branded apparel, free Dave Ramsey Financial Program for employees, an annual Christmas shopping trip paid for by Heacock, pay increases to offset the increase of federal withdrawal from employee paychecks, and Employee Referral Program with bonus incentive.

ITW PROFESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS Molding, shaping and upholding a “great place to work” culture does not happen by accident and ITW ProAp believes it starts with every business action, decision, and interaction between employees and managers. With the understanding that benefits are of utmost importance to their employees and their families, new employees enjoy enrollment to benefit programs on the first of the month following their hire. In addition to standard health benefits employees also enjoy Adoption Assistance, Disease Management Programs, Weight Management programs, discounts on fitness club memberships, on-site Health Fairs, and employees may earn up to $260 a year if they participate in healthy life style programs.

LANIER UPSHAW, INC Lanier Upshaw offers careers, not jobs, and through a Stock Ownership Retirement Plan their employees become owners of the agency and eventually enjoy a financially stable retirement. Other employee benefits include 100% paid dental premiums plus $100 reimbursement for dental services, a “benefit allowance” that equals the cost of the life insurance and the long-term disability insurance, an extended illness bank funded annually with unused PTO, and Legal Shield and ID Watchdog benefits to protect them and their families. They honor their employees with a Kudos program, a service award pin set with real diamonds and sapphires, an employee appreciation afternoon with a luncheon, and a special gift at 30 and 35 years of employment. Emphasizing education for employees and their families, a Good Report Card program provides a $25 gift card to employees’ children who earn all “A’s” and the firm pays 100% for the employees’ education and designation programs.

RITA STAFFING Founded over 40 years ago, Rita Staffing treats their employees like family by supporting each other through the tough times. The company takes care to manage rising health insurance costs and has had an average increase in overall premium over the past four years of less than 1%. As professional development is a priority, they have paid for the training of 9 team members to receive their SPHR/PHR designations and frequently send consultants and managers to local and national industry conferences to advance their team’s knowledge and maintain their certifications.

All employees qualify for quarterly bonuses based on profitability and incentives are given for recruiting and meeting other department goals. In addition, in 2013 they held a 40th Anniversary Beach Party event where the owners paid for a room, meals, gift bags, and dinner on the beach for all of their employees and their family members.

MEGA BUSINESS CATEGORY W.S. BADCOCK CORPORATION For 110 years, W. S. Badcock Corporation employees have been the most important company asset.

They strive to offer benefits that make their employees feel recognized and rewarded for their contributions to the company’s success. Salary continuation, life insurance, daycare reimbursement and onsite biometric health screenings are just a few of the company paid benefits offered. With the understanding that balancing work and life commitments can be overwhelming, they offer some flexible scheduling options to allow for the management of the demands placed on their employees. Free health fairs and free or low cost health screenings, as well as an on-site registered nurse, are all available to employees and their families. Financial counseling is also provided to help employees overcome current debt burdens and steer them toward a financially sound future.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA Committed to providing an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and able to contribute to the business, LEGOLAND Florida covers up to 90% of medical benefit costs for Model Citizens (employees) and their families. An anonymous, third party hotline is also available for Model Citizens to provide feedback or important workplace information and employees are kept fully aware of what is going on in the business by means of weekly pocket guides, newsletters, a company intranet, and team meetings. Each year, the park plays together with a start of the year Launch Party, MC and Family Water Park days, MC and Family end of summer picnics, and much more. LEGOLAND also takes pride in Merlin’s Breed Rescue Protect global initiative where employees are engaged in marine conservation.

POLK COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Polk County Board of County Commissioners’ goal is to attract and retain employees who choose public service as a career. An array of incentives, including but not limited to, up to $300 wellness incentive for employees and covered spouses; OnSite Physician and Podiatrist; Free Sick Care for covered dependents; Quit Smoking Now Program; Diabetes Management Program; Hypertension Management Program; On site Pharmacist and Nurse educator; Healthy Pregnancy Program through their 33rd week of pregnancy; free on-site screenings for skin, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers, and osteoporosis for health plan members; and Healthy Lifestyle Coaching/Healthy Weight Program are made available. They have a number of programs that demonstrate their interest in their employee’s future, such as: Award-winning Succession Planning, Individual Development Plans, and SHINE, another award-winning program, recognizes and rewards employees who have submitted suggestions adopted by management. So far, 548 financial awards have been made to BoCC employees.

F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 19

publi c pol i cy

LORI EDWARDS POLK COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS Loriedwards@ Polkelections.com

CONNECT ] PolkElections.com 20 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

On November 4, Florida voters will be choosing our next Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Representatives in Congress and some state legislators.

Additionally, there will be three proposed amendments to our state constitution and a local referendum related to transportation funding.

In order to participate in the November election, a voter must be registered to vote in Florida by October 5.

If someone you know needs to register, the easiest way is to visit PolkElections.com.

Polk County voters are quite predictable when it comes to voter turnout.

There have been four Gubernatorial Elections since 1998, with turnout ranging from 49% to 54%. That makes it easy to predict

that about half of our registered voters will cast a ballot in November.

A voting trend you may be surprised to learn is that in 1998, 90% of those who voted did so the traditional way. That is, they went to their precinct on Election Day to cast a ballot. By 2010, our last Gubernatorial, or “off year” election, just 61% of those voting visited their polling location.

The other 39% enjoyed the convenience of voting by mail or visiting an early voting site.

I expect more than 35,000 of your friends and neighbors will be making their voices heard this year with the help of the US Postal Service. If someone you know would like to request a mail ballot, that’s also easy with a trip to our website, or a phone call to Election Headquarters in Bartow at (863) 5345888.

If you do visit your precinct or an early voting center, please be sure to thank the workers who are there to serve you.

We hire almost 1, 500 temporary workers to staff the early voting sites and precincts.

These folks are all Polk County voters who take their work very seriously. They attend hours of training, then get up very early in the morning, and work until late in the evening, to ensure that we have fair elections here in Polk County.

Our election workers are a diverse group of people. Serving on Election Day you will find homemakers, bankers, Realtors, teachers and even a rocket scientist! What they have in common is a dedication to our democracy and a commitment to community service.

As I mentioned, as a Chamber member you are probably

well aware of the impact our elected officials have on your business and personal life. You are familiar with government regulation, taxes, transportation issues and the importance of excellent educational opportunities for our young people. Why not take some time to help someone else make their voice heard?

Remind an 18-year-old to register, give your employees time off to vote, look around your neighborhood to see if you know someone who may benefit from a ride to the polls.

It’s an honor and privilege to serve as your Supervisor of Elections, and I want to know how we can serve you better. If you have questions about voting, or would like to share information about your voting experience, I hope you will call or email me. I look forward to hearing from you.

F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 21

TA S T E

The Common Grounds member

a of local business o n e c u p at a t i m e

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.

BY RACHEL MCNABB MILLER’S LAKELAND ALE HOUSE WWW.MILLERSALEHOUSE.COM

22 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

Jack and Claire Miller founded the first Miller’s Ale House in Jupiter, FL 1988. Since then the company has flourished in Florida and is now nationwide and growing. Such prosperity comes from loyal guests which derives from loyal employees who love making each day better than the last. It is so much easier to enjoy your career when it is something you believe in, something you are passionate about. Here at Miller’s Ale House we take pride in our exceptional customer service that makes us a place where guests are "raving fans" and our staff is family.

I have been with Miller’s Lakeland Ale House for more than six years. I have grown up with the company and developed my career by organizing some of the events we’ve done over the years such as the St. Patty’s parking lot party and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. No day ever is ever the same as the last. We have proudly supported our local school fundraisers and sports teams, as well as our own two-time champion softball team and various little league teams. There is so much I have learned working with Miller’s... like hospitality is not given, it is felt. Hunger is an emotion and when you feed

someone’s emotions and you do a great job at it they will never forget it, which goes to show why so many of our guests are loyal friends and families.

We always have the best dinner specials and late night appetizer specials, also providing one of the longest happy hours around at out of this world prices. Come try our delicious Ossobucco or our Famous Zingers. Wand you'll find enough beers on tap or in a bottle to quench your thirst, from craft and IPAs to ciders and all your favorite domestics.

Aside from having a great drink menu we also offer several "to-die-for" desserts like our Captain Jack’s Buried Treasure, layered with gooey fudge and caramel in between vanilla bean ice cream and loaded with Heath Bar and Oreo cookie pieces and, of course, topped off with whipped cream and a cherry.

Whether you come in for kid’s eat free, to watch your favorite sporting event or to just have a nice lunch, you’re not just getting hot food and a cold drink but amazing service and an awesome atmosphere that feels like home. So come in and hang out, sit back, relax and let us take care of you!

Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau

2014 ANNUAL REPORT , FLORIDA LAKELAND

R I DA

antique n district with a historic downtow museums, the world’s great Wright cialty shops, n of Frank Lloyd l ngle site collectio g locations, beautifu fishing and ture, great shoppin than 100 area Fantasy of and more nearby Check out Florida, onal lakes. s, LEGOLAND Gardens Busch Bok Tower Garden Studios, al World, Univers and Atlantic beaches!

Gulf orida’s famous

tion and keland Conven mber.com visit LakelandCha

ERCE BER OF COMM

33801 keland, Florida m andChamber.co

DID YOU KNOW? Your Chamber of Commerce serves as the Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Each year, Senior Vice President Jackie Johnson works to market Lakeland and Polk County as an ideal convention and tourism destination. In August, a report outlining the goals, objectives and outcomes for the LCVB was presented to the Lakeland City Commission.

READ THE FULL REPORT AT LKLD.CC/2014LCVB photo: Michael Maguire, The Maguires of Lakeland

MAJOR BANK CLOSES Their Loss! Your Gain!

DESKS FROM $199

Lateral Files from $125

No better time to save on quality furniture.

(863) 682-3450

www.officefurnituredepot.com 2440 Hwy. 98 North

1 Mile South of I-4 Across from Lakeland Chrysler

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

100s OF CHAIRS

Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 3607 • Lakeland, FL 33802 - 3607

Desk Credenza Sets from $399