chairman’s message · debbie clements jim densmore louis fazio, jr. rob frank john hussey ron...
TRANSCRIPT
2007Community
Trustees
Amsouth Bank
BankFIRST
Castle & Cooke
DeWitt Excavating
Embarq
First CommercialBank of Florida
GrayRobinson, P.A.
Health Central
Lowndes DrosdickDoster Kantor &
Reed, P.A.
Manheim’s Florida Auto
Auction of Orlando
McCree Incorporated
Miller, South & Milhausen, P.A.
Progress Energy
Signature GMACReal Estate
Step2Techknowledgies
Group
SunTrust Bank
The MiddlesexCompanies
Veranda Partners
Walt Disney WorldCompany
West Oaks Mall
Russ Salerno, 2007 Chamber ChairmanUnited Heritage Bank
Chairman’s MessageFebruary 2007
Committee Corner Krista Compton, Vice President
The Chamber continues to have many great events that all of our members are able to attend throughout the year. Hopefully, you did get to attend one of our successful “premier” events that took place in January. On January 10th we had our Annual Breakfast and on January 26th the always spectacular Annual West Orange Community Champion’s Gala took place. These 2 key events, along with the monthly Business After Hours sponsored by Health Central were all opportunities to have fun, socialize and generate new business contacts all at the same time.
Over the years, I have been a member in many business, civic and community organizations, like you may have. The organizations that I truly “get involved in” are always the ones that I get the most out of both personally or financially. Just because you are a member of a business organization does not mean that you will automatically get a lot of new business. You have to get involved, make an effort to meet people, attend events and seminars (lots of free ones sponsored by the Chamber), tell people about your business, pass out cards and maybe get on a committee that you think will be fun. In order for you to get the best “bang for your buck,” YOU HAVE TO PARTICIPATE ! By socializing and “working the crowd” you will be amazed how successful you will become. Who knows, you might even meet a new best friend.
If you want to practice meeting someone, try this. You see my picture on the top of this Newsletter. If we have not met, just come up to me at any event and introduce yourself, tell me what you do and then give me your card. How easy is that?
The West Orange Chamber gives its members many opportunities to promote their business through all the events that happen throughout the year. One other way to “get involved” is to join one or more of the many committees of the Chamber. Again, “the more involved you get the more you get out of it”.
Some of the committees that you can get involved in include: Membership, Small Business Development, Governmental Affairs, Premier Events, Education, Community Involvement and Economic Development. You can even become an Ambassador (those you see at many events wearing red coats). Ambassadors serve as official hosts of Chamber ribbon cuttings, anniversary celebrations, ground breakings, open houses, Business After Hours and other Chamber functions.
Special Chamber Insert“2006 Annual Report”
LEADERSHIP WEST ORANGE
• How well do you know West Orange? How much have you yet to experience?
• Do you know where the buffalo roam in Ocoee?• Have you ever seen thousands of cars move through one of the largest
auto auctions in the world?• Do you know the history of the fourth largest lake in the state?
Not to worry! Leadership West Orange, the Chamber’s 13-year-old leadership program answers these questions and more, plus it allows you the opportunity to venture into West Orange and experience it all. If you want to expand your leadership potential, by knowing more about the greater community in which you live, join Leadership West Orange. It’s a one-day per month, 9 month long program-incorporating tours, hands-on experience, behind-the-scenes activities, and group discussions with community leaders. A majority of this class is made up of representatives of Community & Supporting Trustees. Call the Chamber at 407-656-1304 or email [email protected], to learn about the sessions and the reasonable cost, compared to the other local leadership programs.
West OrangeChamber
Board of Directors
Joe Alarie
A. Kurt Ardaman
Kay Behrens
Mike Bollhoefer
Ward Britt
Mayor Gary Bruhn
Alan Byrd
Debbie Clements
Jim Densmore
Louis Fazio, Jr.
Rob Frank
John Hussey
Ron Garrison
Bob Gosselin
Pamela Gould
Comm. Teresa Jacobs
Julie Kleffel
John McReynolds
Jim Neumayer
Linda Osterberg
Dan Petro
Stephen Precourt
Dr. Jenny Reeves
John Rinehart
Russ Salerno - Chairman
Tracy Seebach
Paul Sexton
Dianne Southwell
Mayor Kathy Stark
Lynetta Steed
Jane Tebbe-Shemelya
Jim Thomas
Dr. Diane Trees
Meet the Board - 2007 Board of Directors
Joe Alarie has served on the Board for 3 years. Alarie has been very active with the Chamber as well as the community for over 7 years. He is the founder and president of Alarie Design Associates, Inc., an award winning advertising and design agency in downtown Winter Garden.
Kurt Ardaman has served on the Chamber Board for over 7 years and served as Chairman in 2004. Ardaman has been active in the Governmental Affairs and Community Relations committees. He is a life long resident of West Orange and practices law at Fishback, Dominick, Bennett, Stepter, Ardaman, Ahlers & Bonus, LLP.
Kay Behrens has been very active with the Chamber for over 10 years. Behrens has served on the board for 9 years and as Chairman in 2002. Behrens is an active Ambassador and participates in the Premier Events, Economic Development and Trustee Committees. She is the General Manager of the West Oaks Mall which is a Community Trustee.
Mike Bollhoefer joined the Chamber Board in 2005. Bollhoefer is active with the Governmental Affairs and Economic Development committees. He has worked for the City of Winter Garden since 1996 and has served the role of City Manager for the last 2 years.
MEMBER TO MEMBER TESTIMONIAL
I have enjoyed participating in the West Orange Chamber for over 30 years. Each time I attend a chamber event is an opportunity for me to visit many current clients and meet new business members of our community, who often also become clients. Chamber events are an easy venue to discuss business and ask others about their profession, because that is why we meet, to promote West Orange County business and explore ways to create success for each other to enhance the business vitality of the area.
I firmly believe that people prefer to buy from people they know and who have been endorsed and referred by others. What better venue than Chamber events to mingle with people you can get to know and whose reputation for business you can investigate easily.
Even now I meet new friends who sometimes become clients of mine as well as me becoming clients of theirs. One Chamber encounter I fondly recall is meeting Joe Alarie and discussing print advertising for Hillcrest Insurance. I was well pleased with the product Alarie Design provided me and Hillcrest further asked Alarie Design to produce a corporate brochure which is vital to our new business marketing effort. Without the Chamber events I doubt I would have become so comfortable turning to Alarie Design to present Hillcrest to potential new clients. Joe and I have since become mutual clients and friends.
I encourage everyone to become active in the chamber. It works! However, I find that you can only receive benefit if you make the effort. Get involved and participate. Only then can you enjoy the true value of your membership.
Larry CapplemanHillcrest Insurance Agency, Inc.
Annual Meeting Breakfast by Stina D’Uva
Congratulations to our newest members of the month, Jim Densmore of Signature GMAC Real Estate and Doug Laman of Exclusive Homes. Each deserving recipient was presented with a plaque by the Ambassadors at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting sponsored by Bright Future Electric and food sponsor, Bistro Gourmet of McDonalds. This was just one of the changes that members saw at this year’s breakfast. The event was also moved to a more central location at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Ocoee.
It was the first chance for members to meet and greet, our long-standing member and new Chairman, Russ Salerno. Russ introduced the board members and Trustees in attendance. There was also an opportunity for new members in attendance to give a quick infomercial about their businesses.
The highlight of the morning was the energetic, inspirational presentation by Ben Turpin of “Inspiration Agents” on some quick helpful hints about improving everyone’s networking skills. This was simply a teaser for an upcoming seminar on Thursday, February 22nd. If you’re interested in learning more about the seminar, contact Roxanne at the Chamber for details.
L to R - Stina D’Uva, Anette Luck, Russ Salerno, Kay Behrens, Lori Tyson, Rev. Tom Rutherford, Jim Densmore, Dianne South-well, Doug Laman, Heather Weidenbruch, JoAnne Quarles-Sikes, and Dorcas Dillard
L to R - Heather Weidenbruch, Mike Freiner, Dan Petro, Stina D’Uva, Ben Turpin, and Russ Salerno
Florida Titlesmith Ad
New Members
HOME BUILDERS/DEVELOPERLennar Mid Florida
Dave Phillips(407) 656-1624
JEWELERSA. Tharoo Jewelers
Abdullah Tharoo(407) 351-2121
www.tharooco.com
MERCHANT SERVICESHeartland Payment Systems
Butch Becker(321) 948-2562
Merchant Lynx ServicesAnthony Salerno(407) 921-9996
www.merchantlynx.com
MILLWORK - CUSTOM DESIGNGlobal Design Innovations
Patrick Kelly(321) 229-9843
www.contactgdi.com
MORTGAGE BROKERCapital Mortgage Investment Corporation
Carla Riettie(407) 298-5051
www.capitalmortgageinvestment.org
REAL ESTATEMaingate Real Estate
Mark Dean(407) 909-9631
www.maingate.com
RESTAURANTSHot Dog City
Diane Silguero(407) 905-5384
Tommy BahamaWarren Dunkelberger
(321) 281-5888www.tommybahama.com
SCHOOLS - CHARTERHope Charter School
Crystal Yoakum(407) 656-4673
www.hopecharter.org
The West Orange Chamber of CommerceSmall Business Development Team
SEMINAR SERIES PRESENTS…
“Is Your Networking Working?”Presented by:
Glen Gould and Benjamin Turpin “Inspiration Agents”
“Is Your Networking Working” gives you the 4 networkingstyles, helps you build a dynamic powerful 60 second commercial and gives you the keys to nurture your
network to abundance.
Thursday, February 22, 20078:00am – 11:00 am
Stoneybrook West Golf Club15501 Towne Commons Blvd.
Winter Garden, FL 34787
$31 pp - Chamber Members
$41 pp - Non Chamber Members
Contact the Chamber Office at 407-656-1304 or [email protected] to reserve your seat!
AMBASSADOR ACCOLADES & ANTICS
The Ambassadors have recently participated in the following events:
Ribbon Cuttings
RBC Centura Bank8020 Conroy-Windermere Road, Orlando 32835
Floor to Ceiling4241 L. B. McLeod Road, Orlando 32811
Florida Titlesmith, LLC7680 Universal Blvd, Ste 100, Orlando 32819
Empire Soccer Academy1201 S. Winter Garden Vineland Rd,
Winter Garden 34787
Quiznos Subs207 N. Clarke Road, Ocoee 34761
Renewed MembersACCOUNTANTS - CERTIFIED PUBLICOsburn, Henning & Company
APARTMENTSInland Seas Apartments
ATTORNEYSStephen D. Dunegan
Theodore H. VanDeventer
AUDIO VISUAL PRODUCTIONNeumayer Productions
AUTOMOBILE LUBE AND OIL CHANGELube King, Inc.
BATTERY-SALESG.J. Batteries, Inc.
BUILDERS/CONTRACTORS/DEVELOPERSBradford Building Corporation
RabCo Corporation The
Ryland Homes
BUILDING SUPPLIESWest Orange Lumber Company
CEMETERYOrlando Memorial Gardens
CHURCHESCornerstone Community Church
Winter Garden Primitive Baptist Church
CITRUS BUYERSP. H. Freeman & Sons, Inc.
CITRUS GROVE MANAGEMENTWinter Garden Citrus Growers
CITRUS PACKERS/COMMERCIAL/GIFT SHIPPERSConoley Citrus Packers, Inc.
COMMUNITY PLANNINGGlatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Inc.
COUNSELINGWindermere CounselingDENTIST - ORTHODONTISTRobert T. Ogden, D.D.S.
ELECTED OFFICIALSWinter Garden Commissioner Theo Graham
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORAmber Electric, Inc. a subsidiary of IES
ENGINEERS-CONSULTING/CIVILAllen & Company, Inc.
Professional Engineering Consultants
ENVIRONMENTAL- CONSULTINGBiosphere Consulting, Inc.
FOOD DISTRIBUTORKelly’s Foods, Inc.
GOLF CENTERForest Lake Golf Club Of Ocoee
HOTELSBest Western Turnpike West-Orlando
LANDSCAPEImage Landscaping & Maintenance
U.S. Lawns of Orlando
LAWN CARERiddick’s Lawn Service
MOVIE THEATREWest Orange 5
NURSERIES - FOLIAGEKnox Nursery, Inc.
ORGANIZATIONS - CIVICRotary Club of Windermere
Women’s Club Of Ocoee, Inc.
ORGANIZATIONS - NON-PROFITFriends Of Lake Apopka
The Gift of Swimming
Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, Inc.
PHARMACIESMedicine Shoppe, The
PHOTOGRAPHYPortraits by LaVerne
REAL ESTATELand Plus, Inc.
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGEGreen River Group Inc.
RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARING AGENCYEdgewood Children’s Ranch
RESTAURANTSThe Country House Restaurant
Roy’s Restaurant
Steak and Ale
SCHOOLSSouthwest Middle School
TITLE INSURANCE SERVICESSouthern Title Agency, Inc.
TRAVEL AGENCIES-CRUISESCruise Planners
TROPHIES AND AWARDSTrophies Unlimited
UTILITIES - ELECTRICOUC - The Reliable One
VETERINARIANSOcoee Animal Hospital
YMCARoper YMCA Family Center
CHAMBER CHATTERCongratulations to one of our very own, Dorcas Dillard of our Community Trustee, Signature GMAC and a Chamber Ambassador, headed up the City of Ocoee’s First Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade. Hundreds were in attendance and plans are already underway for the 2nd Annual parade.
Special thanks to Chick-fil-A on W. Colonial in Ocoee for donating breakfast to the Wednesday Leads Group Open House.
Congratulations to Sue Carpenter of Community Management Professionals, Inc., who was elected to the Association of Professional Community Managers Board of Directors
Sponsorships Available
It’s Easy! You could be doing it too! Don’t lose out! Sponsor an Event in 2007!
This is a great way to be in front of our membership and many more. Get the edge on your competition by putting your name out front. Call the Chamber to sponsor one or more of these events ranging from $50-$15,000.
Business & Breakfast Meeting, Wed., August 8th, 7:30 a.m.- Topic will be a sneak peak to an upcoming seminar - Cost $2,000 each
Jewels of Our Schools Luncheon – Monday, December 3rd, 1:30-3:30pm – Honors our Teachers and Support Persons of the Year from West Orange Schools. Cost - $1,000 Walt Disney World, need additional $2,000
Capitol Connection – Tallahassee trip Wed., 3/28 & Thursday, 3/29. Cost - $1,500
Best Fest – A Taste of West Orange – Thursday, April 19th – Cost: Co-Title Sponsor $15,000, presenting sponsors $3,000
Seminar – September or November – Topic will be on marketing or networkingCost - $1,000
Chamber Matters – various sizes and costs
New Member Orientations –various months throughout the year – Cost $50
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DISCOVER MAGAZINE ADVERTISERS
Discover 2007, our much awaited annual publication, is almost here. Its very existence is made possible because of the wonderful Chamber members that advertise in it. They understand the value of this resource, not only for our local residents and businesses, yet also for those that will call West Orange home. Special thanks to the 2007 Discover advertisers:
Aggressive ApplianceAlarie Design Associates, Inc.
Alday-Donalson Title Agencies of America, Inc.American Express Travel Services
Associates in DermatologyBankFIRST
Bee Kidz, LLCBright Future Electric, LLC
Calvary Christian SchoolCastle & Cooke
Central Florida Educators Federal Credit UnionCity of Ocoee
City of Winter GardenCoins of the Realm
Coldwell Banker – Edmonde Narsisyan & Muriel ColbertDeWitt Excavating, Inc.
Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc.First Baptist Church of Winter Garden
Foundation AcademyW. K. Fravel, D.M.D., P.A.
Fuji SushiGo Figure of Lake County
Health CentralHenderson Pest Elimination
High Line, Inc.IRM Investments, Real Estate & Management
Keller Williams Classic Realty – Helen & Larry LynchKitchen Tune-Up
Lake Apopka Natural Gas DistrictMcCoy Federal Credit Union
Oakland Nature Preserve, Inc.Oakland Presbyterian ChurchOcoee Historical Commission
Ocoee Tire & Service – GoodYearOral Surgery Center of West Orlando
Orlando-Orange County Expressway AuthorityPat’s Pizza
Progress EnergyQuality Health Care Center
Raizor Realty, Inc.Southern Building Services, Inc.
State Farm – Mike BroschartStirling Sotheby’s International Realty – Debi Roundtree
StoneyBrook West Golf ClubTeksolver
Territo Information SystemsThe Original Sign Factory
Town of OaklandTown of Windermere
Veranda PartnersWalt Disney World Company
Waste Management Inc. of FloridaWelch Creative Lighting
West Oaks MallWest Orange Country Club
Westside TechWindermere Union Church, A United Church of Christ
Capitol Connection
The WOCC is starting to prepare for Capitol Connection. Capitol Connection is a yearly trip to Tallahassee with other local Chambers. This regional partnership represents attendees from throughout the
Central Florida Region and showcases continued regional efforts to build stronger relationships through communication. This coalition represents the Apopka Area, East Orlando, Greater Oviedo, Seminole County Regional, West Orange, Winter Park and our newest participant Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce.
This year the trip to Tallahassee is scheduled for March 28th & 29th. The group will travel to Tallahassee via busses. When the coalition arrives at the capitol they will be addressed by a majority of the Central Florida Delegation as well as Cabinet Members. The group will then have a chance to rub elbows with political officials at an evening reception staged at the beautiful old capitol.
On the second day, the coalition will have a private breakfast with a special Media briefing. Attendees will get to hear all the inside details of what is going on in Tallahassee. The group will then have some free time to meet with legislators or to view the Senate or House in session (if scheduled). The coalition will then partake in a private luncheon at the exclusive Governor’s Club with special guest speakers. Then it is back on the bus to go back home.
Capitol Connection is a great way to learn about relevant issues facing our state, your business and your family. Also, it is a fun way to meet other people from regional Chambers of Commerce like ours. The cost for this trip is only $350 and includes all transportation (Bus), lodging, admission to the VIP reception, breakfasts and lunches for both days. Don’t miss this great opportunity, contact Krista Compton at the Chamber office to reserve your seat.
Good Living Magazine
Good Living Magazine is a half hour television show featuring things to do, people to know and the places to go in West Orange. The City of Ocoee, Orange TV and the West Orange Chamber of Commerce along with the sponsorship of Castle & Cooke, City of Winter Garden, Embarq, Health Central and Progress Energy have partnered to bring Good Living Magazine to a television near you. This television program focuses on West Orange County, produced by Ocoee TV, and has been airing on Ocoee TV Channel 21, Orange TV Channel 9 and Vision TV Channel 98.
The airing times of all the monthly episodes are:
Ocoee TV 21: Currently airing everyday of the week
Orange TV 9: Every Thursday at 3:00am; 4:00pm; Friday at 11:00am & Sunday at 7:00pm
Vision TV 98: Every Tuesday at 11:00am; Friday at 12:00am; Saturday at 4:00pm; Sunday at 1:00pm.
2007Supporting
Trustees
Ace Hardware
Alarie DesignAssociates
BellSouth
Bright FutureElectric, LLC
Dyer, Riddle, Mills& Precourt, Inc.
Fishback, Dominick,Bennett, Stepter,
Ardaman, Ahlers & Bonus, LLP
Johnson-LauxCoonstruction
Shutts & Bowen LLP
The Huber Group
The Robins & Morton Group
The Sembler Company
The West OrangeTimes
Universal Orlando
University of Central Florida
Waste Management, Inc. of Florida
West Orange Chamber of Commerce12184 W. Colonial DriveWinter Garden, FL 34787Ph: (407) 656-1304 Fax: (407) 656-0224Web site: www.wochamber.com
Presorted StandardU.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 257
Winter Garden, FL
FEBRUARY
Wednesday, 14th Hot Topics
“Finding and KEEPING Good Employees”Chamber Office7:50am- 9:00am
Cost: FREE
Thursday, 15th Business After Hours
Sponsored and Hosted byFirst Commercial Bank
5:30pm – 7:00pmCost: FREE
Thursday, 22nd “Is Your Networking Working?” Seminar
Stoneybrook West Golf Club8:00am – 11:00am
Cost: $31.00 Mbrs./$41.00 Non-Mbrs.
Wednesday, 28th Power Networking
Courtyard by Marriott, Ocoee8:00am – 9:00am
Cost: FREE
MARCH
TBA Business & Breakfast MeetingSt. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
7:30am- 9:00amCost $12.00 Mbrs/$17.00 Non-Mbrs.
Thursday, 15th Business After Hours
Sponsored and Hosted byApex Commerce Center
5:30pm – 7:00pmCost: FREE