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www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013
JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2013
FLAGS ON PONCE: LINKING THE WORLD SINCE 1993
Twenty years ago, the Flags on Ponce Pro-gram was unfurled by the Chamber to display a “boulevard of flags” along Ponce
de Leon in recognition of our City’s growth as a center for international commerce and trade.
This tribute to countries doing business in Coral Gables has endured for the past two decades, cel-ebrating the various multi-national companies, trade and consular offices that call the City Beau-tiful home. Long recognized as the corporate capital of the greater South Florida community, the Gables is home to more than 130+ multi-national corporations and 20 consulates. These include renowned corporate leaders like Bacardi, Del Monte, HBO Latin America and IntelSat.
We also have a number of partner Sister Cities in countries that have their consular offices in Coral Gables, most notably Cartagena, Colombia; Gra-nada, Spain; and Pisa, Italy.
A colorful tradition for the past twenty years in the Gables, the Flags on Ponce fly high along Ponce de Leon Boulevard each year from Janu-ary until June. The Chamber works closely with the City to maintain the program and to install the flags each year right after the holidays.
Sponsor support allows us to sustain the pro-gram each year and provides recognition for our corporate partners, including:
Florida Blue – Title SponsorArtigianoBaptist Health South Florida Barakat Law, PABecker & Poliakoff, P.A. Cherry Bekaert LLPCoral Gables Community Foundation Coral Gables Country Club Eliptek Technology GroupEWM Realty InternationalLaura L. Russo, Esq.Montica JewelryNero Immigration LawRight Space 2 MeetSmiles & SonrisasTotalBankUniversity of Miami - School of Business
Opportunities remain available to help support the program in its 20th year and to ensure that the flags continue to fly high in our City Beauti-ful.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Senior Events Manager Erica Dominguez at [email protected] or call 305-446-1657.
IN THIS ISSUE
• Chair’s Corner 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
BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH“The Year of Italian Culture” will be celebrated throughout 2013 and will officially commence in the Gables with our annual Evening on Aragon event on January 23rd at the Societa Dante Alighieri.
An art exhibit entitled “Italian Art in South Flor-ida” will be presented by Head Curator Daniele Ballerini. There will also be live music, lite bites and Italian wine provided by Aragon 101.
As part of the greater nation-wide initiative, Michelangelo’s David-Apollo will be displayed in the National Gallery in Washington, DC, along with many other recognized works from the Ital-ian Renaissance.
The Societa Dante Alighieri is a vibrant cultural and academic institution with ongoing Italian language courses, wine tasting and cooking pro-grams, and a rich cadre of activities that is sup-ported by members and students.
Their institutional commitment is to work with and support the Consulate General of Italy, based in Coral Gables, as a principal partner, as well as through collaborations with other Chamber members, such as the University of Miami, Mi-ami Dade College, Florida Grand Opera, and the City of Coral Gables, among others.
THE YEAR OF ITALIAN CULTURE
An Evening on Aragon
Prelude: Coral Gables Art Cinema
Intermezzo: Societa’ Dante Alighieri
Finale: Coral Gables Museum
Flag of Colombia
Darla ThompsonCherry Bekaert LLPCGCC [email protected]
Happy New Year! Feliz Año
Nuevo! Bonne Année! Buon Anno! Frohes Neues Jahr! Feliz Ano Novo!
Your Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is a melting pot of nationalities and cultures. Our strength is in our diversity. Perhaps New York or London or Tokyo have larger communities and broader worldly representation, but we have major universities, world class theaters, fine dining, museums, hospitality giants and we get to live in this beautiful, subtropical paradise.
I drive to work each day along Old Cutler Road, Le Jeune and Ponce. This drive takes me through native hammocks, affords views of the Atlantic as the sun rises and sets, stunning historical architecture, pristine landscaping, new commercial construction, new store fronts and splashes of color and life.
Imagine the satisfaction Mr. Merrick would experience if he could see his City
Beautiful today. He would take delight in welcoming new corporate headquarters, planning new parks and green spaces and joining our residents, business folks, and tourists as they stroll through our community.
As we set our goals to try to work more efficiently, spend more time with family and friends and perhaps travel to exotic destinations, don’t forget to reflect on all that we have outside our doors and offices. In this New Year take a minute or two out of your busy days and join me to watch, listen and be a part of our Gables: growing, maturing and flourishing.
Darla Thompson, Cherry Bekaert LLP Chair of the Board, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce
CHAIR’S CORNER
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 20132
2012-2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND
BOARD OF DIRECTORSEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair: Darla Thompson (Cherry Bekaert LLP)
Chairman-Elect: Perry Adair (Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.)
Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Dev: Barbara K. Norland (Junior Orange Bowl)
Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs: Laura Russo (Laura Russo, PA)
Vice Chairman-Community Affairs: Amy Donner (Community Newspapers)
Vice Chairman-Member Affairs:Marianne Sioli (Filer Insurance, Inc.)Vice Chairman-International Affairs:
Marco Ibarra (Eliptek Technology Group)Vice Chairman-Special Events:
Gabriel de Armas Jr., Home Instead Senior CareTreasurer: John Allen (Home Financing Center, Inc.)
Parliamentarian: Martha de la Pena Rojas (Florida Blue)
Trustee Council Chair: J. Dustin Symes (City National Bank of Florida)
Past Chairman: Drew Kern, Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors
Chair’s Appointee:Linda Knudsen, Baptist Health South Florida
President & CEO: Mark A. Trowbridge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elected-term expires 2013Dixie McDaniel de Andrade (Envision Possibilities)
George Feliciano Jr. (Bay Plumbing Company)Ramon Ferrer (Florida Power & Light)
Nelson Lazo (Doctors Hospital)Deirdre Nero (Nero Immigration Law)
Elected-term expires 2014
Thad Adams (Allen Morris Company)Brian Barakat (Barakat Law, P.A.)
Wayne Eldred (Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill)Frank Fernandez (US Century Bank)
Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects)
Elected-term expires 2015Nikki Deas (Vine Communications)
Rosemary Guilfoyle (Planning Consultants Group)John Knowles (Photo Offset, Inc.)
Marti Mang (TotalBank)Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA)
Appointees-term expires 8/31/2013
Sarah Nesbitt Artecona (University of Miami)Dr. Jose Gurevich (Smiles & Sonrisas)
Joe Hovancak (Comcast Business Class)Ramon Usategui (Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust)
Al Peraza (Mercantil Commercebank)
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Business Improvement DistrictAbe Ng, Sushi Maki/Pao Town
City of Coral GablesCommissioner Frank C. Quesada
City of Coral GablesCynthia Birdsill
(Economic Sustainability Department)Education Foundation of the Coral Gables Chamber
Darla ThompsonCoral Gables Community Foundation
Andria HanleyCoral Gables Chamber of Commerce
305.446.1657
SPONSORSHIPOpen Doors to Greater Exposure and Bigger Business!
The Coral Gables Chamber has many high profile events that offer outstanding promotional value to your business. Get involved in the community and sponsor one of our upcoming events. For more information, contact Erica Dominguez
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. There are sponsorship opportunities, newsletter advertising, City Beau-tiful magazine, website advertising and much more available to you to help pro-mote your business. Rates are available on the front page of our website, www.coralgableschamber.org or you can contact Joshua Jones at [email protected].
SPONSORSHIP AND ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Mark A. Trowbridge, President & CEOCoral Gables Chamber of [email protected]
January marks an annual “fresh start” for those in business, especially appreciated and anticipated in these
heady economic times. For many, this is a milestone achievement, having survived
another year in business despite all of the obstacles and challenges.
As the New Year begins, a president will be inaugurated and a new Congress will be seated, the calendar/fiscal year dawns, and more importantly, a sigh of relief that this past year did not see any major regression in our economic recovery washes over us.
For many, 2012 was not quite what we expected or hoped for and may have created some angst for your business; but thankfully, we did not return to the annus horribilus of the prior several years. There are brighter days ahead.
We are seeking annus mirabilis in 2013 – a year of wonders! Of course, we may end up wondering what the fallout from the Fiscal Cliff may bring, what a second-term president and the Congress will be able to accomplish with so many issues to be addressed, and how our own State of Florida will continue to deal with flat-level revenues, modest job growth and the usual political machinations. There is a silver lining embedded in these parting clouds; we just have to be willing to search a little harder to find it. We are eternal optimists and are resilient beyond measure. These are truly American values – ones to be treasured and honored. In fact, I have no doubt that 2013 will be a year to remember, especially for our business community.
With new leadership brings great hope, starting from the very top down. And great hope brings even greater optimism. It sounds quite simple, I know, but I am a big believer in that we all create our own destiny. For some, it takes a while longer, and we must be patient, measured, and focused. For others, success can happen quite easily, but it can be quite hard to sustain.
It all starts with attitude…and opportunity.
For the next month, do your level best to make every opportunity an exercise in business development. Use your valuable meal time at breakfast, lunch, and dinner to really build your business. Endeavor to never eat alone!
Invite folks to dine with you that you wish to do business with; attend Chamber networking events over breakfast, lunch or cocktails. Improve your own business networking capacity by expanding your sphere of influence and promise to do one thing during all this - never eat alone. That is time wasted and opportunity lost.
Commit yourself to strengthening your relationships, deepen their meaning, and working at growing your business at the same time. The results will be tangible and real.
Each day brings an unlimited number of opportunities for success. It is just how you respond when you are presented with them head-on that determines the difference between achieving and failing.
The Chamber commits to presenting you endless opportunities to achieve success, and to not have to dine alone in your journey.
Here’s to a 2013 full of wonderful Chamber mirabilis!
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013 3
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE: O is for Opportunity!
4
TRUSTEE TALK
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013
Greetings, fellow Trustees!
Say it, Believe it and Receive it!
Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don’t think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more.
Our last luncheon of the year was right on target with many of us about to begin our journey to travel and spend time with our families. Our keynote speaker was Arthur J. Torno, a broadly–experienced executive with American Airlines. As Vice President of Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, which is the largest international operation in American’s route system, Torno shared with us the many amazing projects American Airlines is working on to make Miami an even hotter international hub than it is today.
This month, we will be hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables for a Trustee Reception on January 8th! Let’s all do our best to reach out to everyone we know and invite them to attend this special event at an amazing venue. I look forward to seeing you
all in attendance with a guest or two.
Please join me in welcoming our newest Trustees: LB Carpenter P.A.; Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. and Workscapes. Finally, we are pleased to share that Trustee renewals remain above 80%, which means that our Trustee members are finding great value and true benefits through their Chamber membership. Help us grow our Council of Trustees to new heights by making direct referrals of prospects to one of our Diplomats or a member of the Chamber leadership team.
We know our Chamber provides an incredible opportunity to network with and meet great people, build long lasting relationships, promote your business and establish remarkable friendships. The Chamber staff is committed to excellence and provides the highest level of service to its members. Membership in the Chamber is powerful and opens a door to some of the greatest opportunities.
I challenge all members to recruit at least one new Trustee member and get involved. Come to the meetings, get to know the other members, contribute and share something special. The more you put in, the more you will get out.
J. Dustin Symes, City
National Bank & Trustee
Council Chair
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES FEATURING CARLOS MIGOYA
ALBERTO ROMEU | ALBERTO ROMEU PHOTOGRAPHYTop Left: The Coral Gables High School choir harmonizes to get the audience into the holiday spirit. Top Right: Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, City of Coral Gables; Festival of Lights Award Winner for
Best Restaurant & Owner of Sushi Maki, Abe Ng and former Mayor Don Slesnick. Bottom Left: Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya delivers his speech during the breakfast. Bottom Right: J. Dustin Symes, City National Bank; Karen Pascual, City National Bank;
Jackson Health System CEO Carlos Migoya and Chamber President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge.
5www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013
UPCOMING WINTER FESTIVITIES
January 17thGood Morning Coral Gables
January 25th
Realtor Showcase Brunch & Learn
January 23thAn Evening On Aragon
January 15thWomen’s Business Network
Luncheon
www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JANUARY-FERBRUARY 20136
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTSWELCOME
TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS!
A Galvez Construction + Consulting
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
Aragon 101
Astor Companies
Ben & Jerry’s
Care Affirm Hospital Patient Advocates
Casa Maria
Christ Fellowship Coral Gables
Dominican Health Care Association of Florida
Dade County Federal Credit Union
Douglas Barnes, Resident
Fine Line Furniture & Accessories
Gables Ponce
George Washington Carver Middle School
Green Gables Cafe’
Keller Williams Realty
L.B. Carpenter, CPA, P.A.Leica Store Miami
Monica Burguera Foundation
Otis Elevator Company
Prieto’s Restaurant
Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. Sariol Wealth Management & Counsel
Urban4M
Valente Brothers Jiu-Jitsu
Workscapes
* BOLD denotes new Trustee member
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES!
SPONSORSHIP/INVESTOR HALL OF FAMEThrough December 2012
AT&TBay Plumbing CompanyBecker & Poliakoff, P.A.Coastal Construction GroupComcast Business ClassDoctors HospitalEast Coast Public Adjusters, Inc. Gulliver SchoolsGibralter Private Bank
HinesLogistical Outsourcing, Inc.Photo OffsetSouth MotorsU.S. Century BankUSAA Realty Company/CBRE Wal-Mart Stores
$2,500 - $4,999The Allen Morris CompanyAXA Advisors, LLC Baptist Health South FloridaThe Biltmore HotelCherry Bekaert LLPCity of Coral GablesCity National BankCredomatic Merchant ServicesEsslinger-Wooten-Maxwell RealtorsFlorida Blue Florida Power & LightHome Financing Center, Inc.Hyatt Regency Coral GablesMercantil Commercebank, N.A. Miami’s Community NewspapersMontica JewelryTotalBankUniversity of Miami
$5,000 AND ABOVE
TRUSTEE RECEPTION - 5:30 PM - Trustees OnlySponsor: Mercedes-Benz of Coral GablesMercedes Benz of Coral Gables300 Almeria Avenue, Coral Gables
JANUARY 8thGOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES - 7:30 AM
Bitlmore Hotel1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables
Speaker: Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., University of MiamiSponsor: University of Miami
JANUARY 17th
THE CORAL GABLES BAR ASSOCIATION HAPPY HOUR - 5:30 PM hosted by the Coral Gables Bar Association, in partnership with the Chamber’s 20/30 Group Vivaldino (inside Hotel St. Michel) 162 Alcazar Avenue, Coral Gables
JANUARY 9th
AN EVENING ON ARAGON - 5:30 PMPrelude: Coral Gables Art Cinema
Intermezzo: Societa Dante AlighieriFinale: Coral Gables Museum
Sponsor: Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust
JANUARY 23thRE-CONNECT LUNCHEON - 12:15 PMAnacapri on Ponce2530 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral GablesSpeaker: Nelson Penalver, Logistical OutsourcingSponsors: Credomatic Merchant Services, Global Risk Insurance Solu-tions and Right Space 2 Meet
JANUARY 9th
REALTOR SHOWCASE BRUNCH & LEARN - 10:00 AM Miami Association of Realtors
245 Alcazar Avenue, Coral Gablesin partnership with the City of Coral Gables
Sponsor: Home Financing CenterSupporting Sponsors: US Century Bank, Miami Association of Realtors,
Strock & Tanner Mortgage Corp. and Second Chamce Credit
JANUARY 25th
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON - 11:30 AMSpeaker: Josette Puig, AuthorSponsor: ROSCH Insurance Group, Inc.Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables
JANUARY 15th
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON - 11:45 AM Hyatt Regency Coral Gables50 Alhambra, Coral Gables
Sponsor: City National Bank
JANUARY 30th
5:30 PMNew Member Reception
@ AmTrust Bank
7www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION |JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013
EVENTS CALENDAR
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2013
Office Closedin Observance
of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
5:30 PMTrustee Reception*Trustees Only*
Office Closed in Observance of President’s Day
8:00 AMSmall Business
Committee Meeting
8: 00 AMBusiness & Education Committee Meeting
7 8 9 10 11 12/13
14 15 16 17 18 19/20
21 22 23 24 25 26/27
18 19 20 21 22 23/24
25 26 27 28
5:30 PMTrustee Reception*Trustees Only*
@ Mercedes-Benz Coral Gables
8:00 AM Chairman’s Ambassador
Meeting
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday / Sunday
8:00 AMInternational AffairsCommittee Meeting
Ash Wednesday8:00 AM
IMPACT Series Seminar
8:00 AM
Business & Govt Affairs Meeting
9:00 AM
Cultural Affairs
Committee Meeting
7:30 AMGood Morning Coral
Gables
9:00 AM20/30 Group Meeting
Save The Date!International
Business Forum
5:30 PMTrustee Reception
8:00 AM
E.V.E.R. Green Committee
Meeting
11:30 AM
Women’s Business
Network Luncheon
@ Hyatt Regency
Coral Gables
8:30 AM Trow Knows...CEOs
featuring Patrick Dupre Quigley, Founder & Artistic Director of Seraphic Fire
& Firebired Chamber Orchestra
8:00 AMM-Team
Committee Meeting
12:15 PMRE-Connect
@ Anacapri on Ponce
5:30 PMWind Down Wednesday
@ Montica Jewelry
4 5 6 7 8 9/10
1 2 3 4 5/6
8:00 AM
Business & Gov’t Affairs Meeting
9: 00 AM
Cultural Affairs Committee
12:15 PM
RE-Connect Luncheon
5:30 PM
CG Bar Association Happy Hour
8:00 AME.V.E.R. Green
Committee Meeting11:30 AM
Women’s Business Network Luncheon
@ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables
8:00 AMSmall Business Committee
Meeting
9:30 AMGolf Classic
Committee Meeting
7:30 AMGood Morning Coral Gables
9:00 AM20/30 Group Meeting
@ Biltmore Hotel
5:30 PMAn Evening On Aragon1st Stop: Coral Gables Art
Cinema
2nd Stop: Societa Dante
Alighieri
3rd Stop: Coral Gables Museum
10:30 AMRealtor Showcase Brunch
& Learn@ Miami Association of
Realtors
28 29 30 31 1 2/3
11 12 13 14 15 16/17
11:45 AMTrustee Luncheon
@ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables
8:00 AMM-Team Committee
Meeting
11:45 AMTrustee Luncheon
@ Hyatt Regency Coral Gables
8:00 AMChairman’s Ambassador
Meeting
8:00 AMBusiness & Education
Meeting
8:30 AMTrow Knows...CEOs
8 www.coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2013
WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLESDECEMBERNOVEMBER
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER DECEMBER
TRUSTEE LUNCHEON
SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION
HOLIDAY PARTY
TRUSTEE RECEPTION
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
