About Our Chamber

ABOUT

THE CHAMBER

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1996, one year after the Village of Wellington itself. It was founded by a group of local business professionals. Our current president is Scott Sweigart.

The Wellington Chamber was formed to focus on what makes Wellington unique from surrounding communities by emphasizing the differences, bringing a competitive advantage to Wellington merchants, and protecting those differences for all residents. In fact, it was a return to the idea that chambers of commerce best serve their communities when they are local and when they do not try to be all things to all people. It was also felt that local chambers must look to the betterment of their communities in all facets of community life and not just the business aspect of the communities. The following mission statement embodies these two thoughts:

“The Wellington Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the general welfare and prosperity of the Village of Wellington so that its residents and all areas of its business community shall prosper. All necessary means of promotion shall be provided, and particular attention and emphasis shall be given to the economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial, security and educational interests of the village.”

Our Board of Directors is comprised of top businessmen and women who wholeheartedly give their time and resources to make the Chamber a more vibrant, successful and positively recognized community-based agency. The many annual programs of the Chamber reflect a rich tradition of achievement of the goals within the mission statement. For many, the year actually starts in December with our biggest event of the year, Winterfest with Vanilla Ice! Thousands were in attendance for live musical and dance performances, ice skating on the promenade, exhibitors, shopping, delicious food, VIP Lounges and of course to sing along with our local celebrity and philanthropist Vanilla Ice.

Winterfest gives way to the coming of the New Year and the height of the "season," accompanied by much excitement for our equestrian, dressage and polo competitions. Thousands of people strong, the equestrian professionals are back, and the Wellington Chamber welcomes them in the name of our local merchants.

Early spring brings our 5K Run. Our 2022 Community 5K “HURDLE HAUL” took place at Village Park with HUNDREDS of racers, exhibitors and festivities.

In March each year, the Wellington Chamber recognizes and installs our incoming Board of Officers and Directors.

For the last 17 years, our FLAVORS OF WELLINGTON food and wine event has been held at our amazing Wellington venues, including the International Polo Club Palm Beach and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. In 2020, we

ABOUT THE CHAMBER

Beach International Equestrian Center. In 2020, we shifted our event to a mobile platform utilizing trolleys to take our participants to the exhibitor locations! People loved this format so much that now FLAVORS is a MOBILE EVENT taking our attendees around the Village to visit their local Wellington Chamber eateries and establishments.

Our committees have been on the cutting edge of new and innovative ideas in generating economic growth and change in our community. We have fought for changes in the hours businesses can operate in Wellington, helped to bring about changes to the local sign ordinances, supported the concept of the Medical Arts District and have voiced opposition to those things that would hinder the continued use of the Global Dressage Arena. We have sponsored health and wellness expos and continue the search to find the highest and best land use for Wellington development projects. We have sponsored numerous candidate forums and debates in order to keep our members better informed on the issues that affect their businesses.

The Women of Wellington (WOW) was designed specifically for our local businesswomen to provide opportunities for women-to-women networking. This committee of exceptional ladies has recently kicked off the “30 Women 30 Nights” philanthropic endeavor, which selects a different local nonprofit each month and works with it on special events and projects as well as to bring exposure to the organization.

The Wellington Chamber also offers many opportunities for local merchants and professionals to network and showcase their businesses. These are not just ribbon-cuttings but true community networking events where one can come and meet our Board of Directors, Ambassadors, your neighbor or maybe your next customer. They are innovative, exciting and effective!

Our monthly luncheons have gained notoriety in the community as innovative, interactive NOT-TO-MISS events. Each month promises a new and “in the news” high-profile speaker addressing topics of paramount interest to our members and to the community.

Our President’s Circle Membership is comprised of top prominent local business leaders, community leaders and entrepreneurs. This trustee level of the Chamber grows every year and is a perfect opportunity to maintain a highly visible profile in the community.

We are proud to offer our AWARDWINNING official Guide to Wellington, which the Chamber publishes annually. People call the Wellington Chamber first because they recognize it by the name! They want the “local” chamber, and they get it with us! Come on by. You’ll be glad you did. “WE ARE WELLINGTON.”

CHAMBER COMMITTEES

AMBASSADORIAL COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS 2022-2023 Stuart Hack and Arlene Smith

MISSION The host committee of the Chamber Ribbon Cuttings and Events, the Ambassadors strive to serve and retain member businesses in the Chamber of Commerce for the development of a stronger Chamber, stronger community and more vibrant business climate.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Mike Menchise

MISSION To champion Wellington’s unique lifestyle by working toward future economic expansion, renovation and equestrian tourism that will complement, enhance and maintain our distinctive standard of living.

EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMEN Jane Springer-Garifo and Carrie Wirth

MISSION To increase economic and social interaction between the Wellington equestrian community, the Wellington business community and Wellington residents overall through leadership, advocacy and education. The Equestrian Committee is comprised of a diverse group of dynamic individuals who have experience in various equestrian disciplines, lifestyle-related businesses and nonprofit organizations. The activities of the committee have a significant impact to both Chamber members and the equestrian community in Wellington.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN Jenn Cohen

MISSION To inform and educate the community while promoting the health and wellness professionals who are members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. This committee is a resource for Chamber members regarding health, wellness, and spiritual and safety issues as they pertain to quality-of-life matters in Wellington. This committee showcases local health and wellness establishments with its Member Showcase and WELLNESS WEDNESDAY initiative.

SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN Jodi Gast

MISSION To provide educational opportunities and workshops, technical assistance and think-tank roundtables to small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to locate, expand and maintain their businesses in Wellington. To give such organizations expertise through speakers bureaus, workshops and networking events. To develop a business networking group within the Chamber membership that helps members cross-sell products that will improve sales growth and reduce expenses.

WOMEN OF THE WELLINGTON CHAMBER CHAIRWOMAN Jennifer Hernandez-Massey

MISSION The WOW is a collective of like-minded Wellington Chamber of Commerce businesswomen driven to make a difference in the community while supporting one another’s businesses, thereby creating a network of sustainable contacts and resources. The WOW hosts philanthropic