www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2011 Coral Gables Businesses Shine at the Diamond Awards T he Coral Gables Chamber of Com- merce will honor excellence in busi- ness at the 2011 Diamond Awards on ursday, November 10, 2011 at the Coral Gables Country Club. Shannon Hori, CBS4 anchor, will serve as Mistress of Ceremo- nies at the annual awards luncheon. Each year, the Diamond Awards shine the spotlight of recognition on outstanding lo- cal businesses and their achievements. It is the Chamber’s signature awards program, honoring excellence in business achievement, corporate citizenship, customer service and workplace en- vironment. “e annual Diamond Awards are our Chamber’s way of recognizing outstanding companies that are doing luminous work in our community, as well as a reward for those organizations that are achieving stel- lar success in the workplace,” said Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. e prestigious Diamond Awards will honor businesses in eight different categories this year. e finalists for the 2011 Diamond Awards are: Hearts on Fire Award (Large Business): Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., Cherry Bekaert & Holland, LLC, and e Palace Group Princess of Hearts Award (Small Business): ActionCOACH Team Sage, Artigano and Logistical Outsourcing, Inc. Diamond in the Rough Award: Coral Gables Country Club, Samuel A. Rubert, P.A. and reefold Studios Non-Profit Award: Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, Family Resource Center and YMCA of Greater Miami Minority Owned Award: Chispa Marketing, Touché Beauty and ulltium consulting, Inc. Restaurant / Retail Award: Misha’s Cupcakes, Morton’s the Steakhouse and Peterbrooke Chocolatier Carbon Award: Barakat Law, Eliptek Technology Group and IT Support Miami Ideal Workplace: Baptist Health South Florida, Cherry Bekaert & Holland, LLC and e Palace Group e 2011 Diamond Awards are presented by Montica Jewelry and sponsored by the City of Coral Gables, East Coast Public Adjusters, Hy- att Regency Coral Gables and City National Bank. e program sponsor is PhotoOffset. Attendance for Chamber Members is $50 per person, $60 for non-members. Reserved VIP Tables of ten are avail- able for $600. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more about this event, contact Erica Dominguez at at 305-446-1657 or via e-mail at [email protected]ADRIANA SERNA Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce IN THIS ISSUE • Chairman’s Remarks Page 2 • President’s Perspective Page 3 • Trustee Talk Page 4 • Chamber Events Page 5 • Membership Highlights Page 6 • Calendar of Events Page 7 • Sponsor Recognition Page 8 É C F RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING SPONSORED BY: GET YOUR NOW TICKETS
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Coral Gables Businesses Shine at the Diamond Awards
The Coral Gables Chamber of Com-merce will honor excellence in busi-ness at the 2011 Diamond Awards on Th ursday, November 10, 2011 at
the Coral Gables Country Club. Shannon Hori, CBS4 anchor, will serve as Mistress of Ceremo-nies at the annual awards luncheon.
Each year, the Diamond Awards shine the spotlight of recognition on outstanding lo-cal businesses and their achievements. It is the Chamber’s signature awards program, honoring excellence in business achievement, corporate citizenship, customer service and workplace en-vironment.
“Th e annual Diamond Awards are our Chamber’s way of recognizing outstanding companies that are doing luminous work in our community, as well as a reward for those organizations that are achieving stel-lar success in the workplace,” said Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.
Th e prestigious Diamond Awards will honor businesses in eight diff erent categories this year. Th e fi nalists for the 2011 Diamond Awards are:
Hearts on Fire Award (Large Business): Becker & Poliakoff , P.A., Cherry Bekaert & Holland, LLC, and Th e Palace Group
Princess of Hearts Award (Small Business): ActionCOACH Team Sage, Artigano and Logistical Outsourcing, Inc.
Diamond in the Rough Award: Coral Gables Country Club, Samuel A. Rubert, P.A. and Th reefold Studios
Non-Profi t Award: Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, Family Resource Center and YMCA of Greater Miami
Minority Owned Award: Chispa Marketing, Touché Beauty and ulltium consulting, Inc.
Restaurant / Retail Award: Misha’s Cupcakes, Morton’s the Steakhouse and Peterbrooke Chocolatier
Carbon Award: Barakat Law, Eliptek Technology Group and IT Support Miami
Ideal Workplace: Baptist Health South Florida, Cherry Bekaert & Holland, LLC and Th e Palace Group
Th e 2011 Diamond Awards are presented by Montica Jewelry and sponsored by the City of Coral Gables, East Coast Public Adjusters, Hy-att Regency Coral Gables and City National Bank. Th e program sponsor is PhotoOff set. Attendance for Chamber Members is $50 per person, $60 for non-members. Reserved VIP Tables of ten are avail-able for $600. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more about this event, contact Erica Dominguez at at 305-446-1657 or via e-mail at [email protected]
If you were able to join us at our most recent Good
Morning Coral Gables Breakfast, you heard the President and CEO of the Beacon Council, Frank Nero, give our membership an update on the program known as One Community One Goal (OCOG).
First created in 1996 as a way to target specifi c industries for Miami-Dade County to encourage economic growth, OCOG is being updated and is now under the leadership of the Beacon Council. Th e goal of OCOG is to identify strengths and challenges of Miami Dade County’s economy and refi ne the targeted industries that will be the focus for future economic development eff orts.
As the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, we will dig a little deeper and identify industries areas that best fi t Coral Gables – health care, technology, service fi rms - and have a specifi c plan of our own to open doors
to new business for our community.
Frank Nero also shared the results of a county-wide survey with over 4100 responses. Th e questions ranged from what kind of business respondents are currently engaged to what growth or lack thereof they expect in their industries in the next year.
In addition a large part of the survey dealt with what Miami-Dade County does best, and where we can most improve as we identify these new targeted industries. Now, the steering committee is working diligently toward presenting the fi nal report to the business community in March 2012.
At that time, along with the fi nal report, we will see the marketing plan and recommendations for implementation. With so many devoted community leaders and organizations behind these eff orts, it will certainly be a success and we are a proud partner.
Th ank you to Frank Nero and the Beacon Council for sharing this vital information with our Chamber fi rst and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our City Beautiful, as well as Miami-Dade County.
Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.)Wayne Eldred (Tarpon Bend)
Frank Fernandez (US Century Bank)Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects)
Appointees-term expires 8/31/2012
Sarah Nesbitt Artecona (University of Miami)John Knowles (Photo Offset)
Dan Odess (East Coast Public Adjusters, Inc.)Marianne Sioli (CompuPay, Inc.)
Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA)
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
City of Coral GablesCommissioner Frank C. Quesada
City of Coral GablesCynthia Birdsill
(Economic Sustainability Department)Education Foundation of the Coral Gables Chamber:
Drew KernCoral Gables Community Foundation:
Andria HanleyCoral Gables Chamber of Commerce
305.446.1657
SPONSORSHIPOpen Doors to Greater Exposure and Bigger Business!
Th e Coral Gables Chamber has many high profi le events that off er outstanding promotional value to you business. Get involved in the community and sponsor one of our upcoming events. For more information contact Erica Dominguez at
ADVERTISINGWhat happens if you do not advertise your business?
Absolutely nothing. Make your business stand out and take full advantage of your Chamber mem-bership. Th ere are sponsorship opportunities, newsletter advertising, website ad-vertising and much more available to you to help promote your business. Rates are available on the front page of our website, www.coralgableschamber.org or you can contact Adriana Serna at [email protected].
SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEOCoral Gables Chamber of [email protected]
Savor the fl avor and take a bite out of the inaugural Burgerliscious festival on Th ursday, November 3, 2011, from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Ponce Circle/Fred B.
Hartnett Park.
Bonafi de burger afi cionados will be able to sink their teeth into gourmet slider burgers prepared by more than twenty of Coral Gables’ premier restaurants. Th e festival will also kickoff Miami Live Music Month (www.livemiamimusic.com) with exciting entertainment presented by Th e Stage.
Our Chamber is partnering with Samuel Adams and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau to present this appetizing event to the public. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will also benefi t the Coral Gables Community Foundation by creating a fund to support local small businesses.
Sam Adams will off er six diff erent beers that will pair with each of the burger off erings, including: Boston Lager, Sam Adams Light, Winter Lager, Cherry Wheat , Cream Stout and Latitude 48.
Burgerliscious was created to remind everyone that food can be both fl avorful and fun – as well as a reason to gather as a community. Our burger festival is designed to position Coral Gables as a foodie mecca, no matter your style, budget or gastronomic cravings. We are recognized as a premier dining destination and Burgerliscious
will help to further cement this in the minds of discriminating consumers.
Participating Coral Gables restaurants include: 1862 Room at Th e Westin Colonnade Coral Gables • Anacapri on Ponce • Angelique Euro Café • Crave • Costazul • Courtyard Café • Fritz & Franz Bierhaus • John Martin’s Irish Pub • Morton’s the Steakhouse • Por Fin Restaurant & Lounge • Route 9 • Seasons 52 • Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill • Th e Bar • Th e Biltmore Hotel • Th e Local Craft Food and Drink • Two Sisters Restaurant • Sports Grill South Miami.
Ticket packages will be available in general admission and VIP tiers. General Admission is $25 and includes 3 “sliders” and two Samuel Adams Beers. VIP tickets are $50 and include 3 “sliders” and two Samuel Adams Beers, as well as access to the Brown-Forman Beverages VIP Lounge. Tickets are currently available online at the Chamber’s website. On-site registration is $35 per person.
Live music by DJ Mayner, Fusik and ArtOffi cial will be proudly presented by Th e Stage to launch Miami Live Music Month, a premier program of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
BURGERLISCIOUS is sponsored by the City of Coral Gables, Brown-Forman, Th e Village of Merrick Park, and YOUR Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.
For updates and more information, please visit Burgerliscious on Facebook (www.facebook.com/burgerliscious) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/Burgerliscious_).
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK FORUM - October 14th, 2011RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK FORUM - October 14th, 2011
You could just hear the “doors opening” as 100+ Trustee members and guests networked their way through our fi rst receptions of the Chamber’s New Year. Thank you Jack Lowell and Flagler, as well as Ramon Usuategui from Gibraltar. Be sure to join us for our next Trustee Reception at Montica Jewelry on Tuesday, November 8th, at 5:30 p.m. at 75 Miracle Mile.
Since we all spend time networking, it might be helpful to remind ourselves how to network more effectively. You’ve heard it before: People do business with people they know, like and trust. So, what are you doing hiding out in your offi ce? Get out there! Network! Shake hands, make eye contact, share stories, engage in small talk. That’s what creates rapport and builds relationships –– and eventually leads to business, job opportunities and new friends.
While cold calling, online networking and social media have their place, nothing beats face-to-face time to engender trust. And Chamber activities and Trustee events are just
the functions to start or strengthen relationships! Follow these strategies, and you might actually enjoy yourself –– and meet your objectives as well.
Strategy #1: Set a goal. Notice we didn’t say, “have an agenda.” Know what you hope to accomplish. Are you looking for business? A job? A new employee? Making contact with others in your industry? Having a plan helps ensure you make the most of your time.
But, remember, to share, not sell, your product or service. Effective networking is about giving, not just getting.
Strategy #2: Smile. If walking into a room of strangers isn’t high on your list of fun things to do, don’t let your body language give you away. Frowning in the corner with your arms crossed hinders approachability. And remember, a networking event isn’t a forum for griping. If your numbers are down or your boss drives you nuts, keep it to yourself. Put on a happy face, or stay home.
Stay tuned for more strategies in next month’s Trustee Talk.
TOP LEFT PHOTO - From Left to Right: At the podium is moderator Editor and Publisher of Miami Today, Michael Lewis, and our expert panel (from left to right): Jack Levine, Miami Association of Realtors; Mayline Carbajales, Mercantil
Commercebank; Patrick O’Connell ,Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell (EWM) Realtors; Lorenzo Perez, Jr., ESOLIST.com. TOP RIGHT PHOTO - From Left to Right: Mark A. Trowbridge, Chamber CEO; Michael Lewis, Miami Today; Drew Kern,
Chamber Chairman; Patrick O’Connell, Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell (EWM) Realtors; Mayline Carbajales, Mercantil Commercebank; Jack Levine, Miami Association of Realtors; Lorenzo Perez, Jr., ESOLIST.com. BOTTOM PHOTO - From Left
to Right: Chris Colston, Second Chance Credit LLC; Omar Caraballo, Caraballo Liberty Locksmith; Ana Maria Perez, JGB Bank; Danny Vaisman, Caraballo Liberty Locksmith.
TOP LEFT PHOTO (From Left to Right): Mark A. Trowbridge, Chamber CEO; Frank Nero, Beacon Council; Martha de la Pena Rojas, Blue Cross Blue Shield; Pedro Garcia, Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser; Drew Kern, Chamber Chairman. TOP RIGHT PHOTO: Featured Good Morning Coral Gables Speaker Frank Nero, CEO of the Beacon Council. BOTTOM PHOTO (From Left to Right) : Luis Miguel, Mercantil Commercebank; Pedro Garcia,
Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser; Ed Holden, Chamber Chairman-Elect, Mercantil Commercebank.
Get answers to your health care coverage questions at the Florida Blue center.
Florida Blue(Located across from the Falls)
Sales consultants, nurses and customer service representatives are always on hand.
University of Miami - Offi ce of Alumni Rela ons & Development
Voice and Network Solu onWeber Law Firm
* BOLD denotes new Trustee member
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES!
SPONSORSHIP/INVESTOR HALL OF FAMESeptember 2011 through November 2011
AT&TBay Plumbing CompanyBecker & Poliakoff, P.A.Dade Medical CollegeEast Coast Public Adjusters, Inc.Elipteck Technology GroupEsslinger-Wooten-Maxwell RealtorsFlorida Power & LightGulliver SchoolsHome Financing Center, Inc.Port of MiamiRight Space Management
Rockefeller Group Business Centers Inc. The Miami HeraldTouché Beauty LLC Turner Construction CompanyU.S. Century BankUSAA Realty Company
$2,500 - $4,999
AXA Advisors, LLC Baptist Health South FloridaBlueCross BlueShield of FloridaCherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.City of Coral GablesEsslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors Hyatt Regency Coral GablesMercantil Commercebank, N.A. Montica JewelryThe Allen Morris CompanyThe Biltmore HotelTotalBankUniversity of Miami
$5,000 AND ABOVE
Baptist Health South FloridaBay Plumbing Company Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. The Biltmore HotelCherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.Coconut Grove BankEliptek Technology GroupExpress TravelGulliver SchoolsHyatt Regency Coral GablesInternational Finance BankMercedes Benz of Coral GablesMontica Jewelry
Photo OffsetRight Space ManagementSabadell United Bank, N.A. Sharff, Wittmer, Kurtz & JacksonTransatlantic BankThe University of MiamiVictoria & Associates Career ServicesWaste ManagementThe Westin Colonnade Coral Gables Hotel Williamson Cadillac - HUMMER